Circle Y Ranch Derby/NRCHA World Show - San Angelo, TX
Darren and Lil Cooter Lena relied on their fence work skills to place sixth overall in the Novice Horse division of the Circle Y Ranch Derby. Although 'Cooter' still qualifies as a novice because of his earnings total, Darren's 2010 earnings have pushed him out of the intermediate division. He earned the nineteenth spot on the NRCHA leading rider list.

Congratulations to Brian Moore! He and his gelding 'Dr. Pepper' marked the second highest score in the preliminaries of the tough Youth Bridle class. They finished sixth overall inthe finals. Todd Thieszen and Nics Lil Peppy were Non Pro Bridle finalists.

CRCA World Show Warm-Up - Castle Rock, CO
Our gang had a good show. It was a nice practice for all of us and we earned some 'travel' money to spend on upcoming shows. As a group we pocketed $2,400 of the over $12,000 total purse. We have Darren, his assistants Brianna and Isaac, Matt Koch's extra help and coaching, and our cattleman, Ron Van Pelt, to thank for their time and patience.

Darren won the Open Derby on Lil Cooter Lena. The pair were reserve champs in the Novice horse derby. Darren and Dig My Peppy Steps placed third in the Novice derby class. Todd Thieszen and Nicky Get Your Gun were reserve champs in the Non Pro Derby. Brian Moore and Hickorys Dr Pepper won their Youth Bridle class. Darren tied for third in the Open 2-Rein class riding Shinerbock Nic and Ban Jo Lena CT.

Tom Monckton and Red Colonel Cody placed third in the Novice Non Pro and fifth in the Intermediate Non Pro bridle classes. Jean Moore and Nics Smart Lena were second place in the Limited Non Pro jackpot cutting. Chuck Baltazar won the Non Pro jackpot cutting and Rhoda placed second.

We are especially proud and send good wishes to young Kansas cowgirl Taylor Todd, Rexford, KS. Her folks Jay and Brandy just purchased our beloved gelding, Cat Smooth, aka 'Amigo'. Taylor rides under the guidance of E J Laubsher, Colby, KS. Taylor and Amigo made the most of their weekend, winning the Non Pro Limited herd work jackpot and placing second in the Youth Limited class.


2010 Wrap-Up

North Central Region Year-End Placings
Open Bridle - Shiny Black Shiner & Darren Miller, 7th
Open Hackamore - Cat Smooth & Darren Miller, 4th
Open Hackamore - Shinerbock Nic & Darren Miller, 5th (12th in the National standings)
Youth Bridle - Hickorys Dr Pepper & Brian Moore, 2nd
Youth Limited - Hickorys Dr Pepper & Brian Moore, 5th
Non Pro Bridle - Nics Little Peppy & Todd Thieszen, 4th
Novice Non Pro Bridle - Red Colonel Cody & Tom Monckton, 9th
Non Pro & Int. Non Pro Bridle - Hes Queens Rooster & Chuck Baltazar, 5th
$5k Non Pro Limited - Nics Smart Lena & Jean Moore, 9th


Fall 2010

Wyoming Futurity - Gillete, WY

Darren & Smart Wiskey Pistol

This October show was reorganized and renamed to honor our good friend Cathy Errington-Coleman who passed away from cancer. She was an incredible talent and helped teach and encourage so many of us. It was a sentimental show, filled with her friends and family.

Darren showed Smart Wiskey Pistol to place third in the Open Futurity for owners Bob and Cheryl Bush. He placed fifth on Todd and Pam Bailey's gelding, Dig A Lil JJ. He was reserve champion in the Open Derby aboard Shinerbock Nic for Todd Theiszen and placed fifth riding our gelding, Cat Smooth.

Tom Monckton had a good show, winning a nice buckle for his efforts in the Non Pro 2-Rein riding his mare, Diggers Spinin Cat. He was reserve champion in the Intermediate and Novice Non Pro Bridle Spectacular classes riding his gelding, Red Colonel Cody.

Amazing Time in Reno

Darren & Lil Remedy Pep

Darren had a great show in Reno, making the futurity finals in both open and intermediate open divisions riding his gelding Lil Remedy Pep. He finished 5th in the intermediate of 144 entries, and 20th in the open of 240 entered to earn $22,870 in all. Although Darren has long been known as a strong performer in the reining, it was his cutting and fence work performances that enabled him to do well at the show. In 2006, he won the high score reined work in the intermediate open division preliminary round riding Shiny Black Shiner.

He marked the high score in the cow work preliminaries in both divisions, 223 points, to win a gold buckle, prize money, a Mehl Lawson traveling bronze trophy and a secure berth to both finals. His composite score of 647.5 points placed him 3rd in the intermediate and 9th in the open preliminary standings, with a clean slate finals to look forward to.

He scored 211 points in the preliminary round herd work on both Lil Remedy Pep and his other entry, Smart Wisky Pistol, owned by Bob & Cheryl Bush. That placed both horses 26th of the 144-entry Intermediate division.

Darren & Lil Remedy Pep

The weekend got busy and exciting as the intermediate finals were Saturday and the open finals Sunday. Rhoda's mom, Donna, flew in from Scottsdale, AZ, to help cheer Darren and “Smarty.” At her insistence, Darren dressed in a red shirt for the open finals, “like Tiger Woods”.

The weekend went well, getting off to a great start Saturday morning when Darren marked 218 points to earn the high score in the cutting portion of the intermediate finals. He marked 204 points in reining and 214 points in the fence work to finish 5th in the overall composite with 636 points.

Darren & Lil Remedy Pep

We were thankful for Smarty's crazy energy, soundness and zest for life. He was bright and ready to show again on Sunday morning. The pair marked 213 in the cutting, bettered their reining effort to score 214 points, worked what they drew in the cow work to earn 204 points and a 20th place composite total of 631 points. Darren and Rhoda have raised both Smarty and his dam, Kaimana Wana Wiggle. He is by Very Smart Remedy. She is by Diggers Rest and had her own successful show career as a reiner and cowhorse, winning the RMRHA Stallion Stakes reining futurity and later qualifying for the AQHA World Show finals in the Jr. Working Cowhorse class.

It was a satisfying trip because Darren and Shinerbock Nic also made the open hackamore finals to place 6th overall. Brian Moore also made the trip to Reno, showing his gelding, Hickorys Dr Pepper to place 5th in the Youth Bridle.




Colorado State Fair - Pueblo, CO
We all love to be champions, but showing horses is also about longevity, keeping that good one good. Being second place can be bittersweet, especially when you just missed taking home the trophy saddle, but it still pays pretty good!

Darren & Smart Wiskey Pistol

The State Fair was a weekend of seconds, but our group pocketed $4,304 together. Darren showed the Bush's gray mare, Smart Wisky Pistol to the reserve open futurity championship and placed 4th riding his gelding, Lil Remedy Pep. He was also reserve champion in the open bridle spectacular riding Jean Moore's stallion, Shiny Black Shiner. He won the open two rein class riding Tom Monckton's mare, Diggers Spinin Cat.

Brian Moore was reserve champion in the youth bridle class riding his gelding, Hickorys Dr Pepper. Jean Moore placed third in the non pro limited spectacular riding her mare, Nics Smart Lena. Rhoda placed 4th in the non pro derby aboard Ban Jo Lena CT.





Summer 2010

Summer Fun - Parker, CO
This is always an exciting show because it is the debut for the futurity horses. We were proud of Lil Remedy Pep, 2nd, and Smart Wisky Pistol, 4th, in the Open with Darren. Todd Thieszen was reserve champion in the Non Pro riding his mare, Nicki Get Your Gun. Darren and Thieszen’s trusty buckskin gelding, Shinerbock Nic, won their fourth CRCA derby of the year. Darren placed 4th riding Ban Jo Lena CT. Brian Moore won the Youth Bridle class, he and his horse both enjoy going down the fence and have made a smooth transition this summer. Todd was second in the Non Pro Bridle on his great stallion, Nics Lil Peppy by Diggers Rest.

Firecracker Special - Castle Rock, CO
A highlight of the show was the 4th place Open Derby performance of Ban Jo Lena CT. This was her first derby contest and she scored 72.5 points in the reined work to tie for the high score in that portion of the three event contest. Darren and Rhoda purchased this mare from Kenny and Dana Ingalls at the Drought Buster show. She was a straight, barefoot, cutting mare, getting her first sliders on in mid-May. “I have never had a horse learn so much so quickly,” said Darren. “She has a big stop, which made her a good cutter. But the way she has learned the reining maneuvers, sliding and spinning, in a little more than a month is truly amazing.”

Darren won the Open Hackamore and was Reserve Champion in the Open Derby riding Cat Smooth, and placed 3rd in the Open Bridle riding Jean Moore’s Shiny Black Shiner. Todd Thieszen was Reserve Champion in the Non Pro Derby riding Shinerbock Nic and 4th place in Non Pro Bridle aboard Nics Lil Peppy. Tom Monckton won the jackpot rein/fence class riding Red Colonel Cody. Brianna guided Laurie Vagneur’s gelding, Diggers Bueno Badger to place second in the open jackpot rein/fence class. Jean Moore placed 3rd in the limited jackpot and 4th in the $5,000 Non Pro Limited class riding her mare, Nics Smart Lena. Brian Moore and Hickorys Dr Pepper placed 3rd in Youth Bridle.

Sagebrush Slide Cowhorse Classic- Pueblo, CO
At a show as big as this one, it is nice to say that every horse picked up a paycheck! Darren and Shinerbock Nic placed 4th in Intermediate, 5th in the Open Derby divisions. He was Reserve Champion in the Novice Horse Derby division aboard Cat Smooth. He and Shiny Black Shiner placed 5th in the Open Bridle Spectacular class. Tom Monckton was gracious to hand over his nice gelding, Red Colonel Cody, to EJ Laubscher to show in the Limited Open Bridle and Spectacular classes, placing 4th and 3rd respectively.

The Moore’s had a great weekend, Jean placed 4th of 29 entries in the $5,000 Non Pro Limited class aboard Nics Smart Lena. Brian and “Dr. Pepper” won the AQHA youth cowhorse and the non-approved limited class and were Reserve Champions in the Youth Bridle class.


Spring 2010

Brian Moore

Spring Fling - Pueblo, CO
It was a weekend of firsts for EJ Laubscher and Brian Moore. Brian entered his first Youth Bridle class and won it! EJ and Red Colonel Cody scored a thrilling 75 points in the fence work to win the Limited Open Bridle class. He and Cheryl Zesbaugh’s mare, Dig N The High Mark, placed 5th in the class. He showed Cat Smooth to the reserve title in the Limited Open Derby. Darren and Lil Cooter Lena placed 4th in the Open Derby.


Drought Buster Derby- McCook, NE
This show is held in Todd Thieszen’s town, McCook, NE, so he is crazy busy pulling the extras together to make it a success. Darren and Todd’s gelding Shinerbock Nic made the work worthwhile, winning the top event, the Open Derby. They have had a solid spring season, this is their third consecutive open derby championship. Todd also showed him to place 5th in the Non Pro Derby. Lil Cooter Lena and Darren placed 5th in the Novice Horse Derby division.


Winter 2010

March Madness - Castle Rock,CO
Darren and Shinerbock Nic won the Open Derby, he placed third on Lil Cooter Lena and 4th on Shiners Diggen It. He also won the Open Hackamore, which runs concurrent with the derby, riding Cat Smooth. That depth of success doesn’t happen without some great helpers to saddle and properly warm those horses up!

Sonja & Brianna

This show is an outward example of the productive days we have at home because of the talented help of Brianna Tragis and her friend, Sonja Hennerickson. Brianna served her internship with us to graduate from Lamar Community College. She recruited her lifelong friend to work when we needed extra help.

It was a good show for all as Tom Monckton and Red Colonel Cody scored 72.5 points to win the jackpot rein/fence class, also placing 4th and 6th in the Intermediate and Novice Non Pro Bridle classes.  Brian Moore won the Youth Limited class. Darren was reserve in the Open Two Rein aboard Nics Smart Lena and EJ Laubscher was reserve in the Limited Open Bridle class riding Dig N The High Mark



Circle Y Ranch Derby - San Angelo, TX
We are proud to report success at this tough derby show,  held in conjunction with the NRCHA World Show. Our home raised gelding, Lil Cooter Lena, marked 145 points to win the high score in the fence work and the Reserve Intermediate Open Championship. I think this is only his third show, so he made an amazing fence run for his level of experience.

Darren & Lil Cooter Lena

We have a lot of people to thank for their involvement in his development and training. For no apparent reason he was born with a terribly crooked left front leg.  Our great vet, Dr. Lee Mueller, operated on both front legs, putting a screw through his growth plates above the knee. Mueller followed up diligently on the brave little colt and all was good.  He really takes a personal interest in the well being of our horses. 

He was started by the students of Northeastern Junior College, Sterling, CO, in their equine program, instructed by our good friend and longtime assistant trainer, Coleman Briggs. After learning the basics, we sent him to EJ Laubscher, Colby, KS, to learn the events as a three year old.

Cooter As A Baby

Cole has developed a great program at NJC and is turning out fine graduates and horses. EJ is a top limited open rider and a very caring trainer and coach. He was born and raised on a ranch in South Africa, emigrating to the U.S. with his family, then graduating from Colby Community College and starting his training business. The ethics and horsemanship skills that he learned while growing up are serving him well. He is an asset to western Kansas as a trainer, coach and citizen.

Darren also piloted Todd Thieszen’s Shinerbock Nic to place third. Thieszen and wife, Shariel, raised the pretty buckskin by Night Time Shiner out of a daughter of Diggers Rest, Diggers Diamond Nic.

CRCA World Show Warm-Up - Castle Rock, CO
It is “practice that makes perfect,” as they say, and we are fortunate to have year-round opportunities to practice our showing.

Brian Moore won the Youth Limited class and was 2nd in the $5,000 Non Pro Limited on Hickorys Dr Pepper. Jean Moore was 4th in the $5,000 class riding Miss Dickens Doc. Tom Monckton and Red Colonel Cody placed 3rd and 4th in the Intermediate and Novice Non Pro Bridle classes. Rhoda was 4th in the Non Pro Derby aboard Just Wana Shine. Darren and Shiny Black Shiner placed 5th in the Open Bridle class.