2010 SYV Super Cow – A Smashing Success
- Paula Merrell
Blue skies, big puffy clouds, a slight breeze with mid 80 temps ushered in our 4th annual Super Cow
Horse show. Mother Nature set the tone for a comfortable and competitive two-day tri-county horse show.
The number of competitors exceeded all previous years with an average of 90 works each day. This
popular event is the largest annual fundraiser for the SYVEA. While the Super Cow Horse doesn’t offer a cash
pay-out its claim to fame is the quality of its awards. Local businesses and cow horse enthusiasts sponsor
saddles, silver buckles, saddle pads, stirrups, headstalls, equine nutritional supplements and grooming supplies.
Prizes are paid to 1st – 5th place in the Open, Non Pro and Amateur divisions for all five classes: Ranch
Cutting, Ranch Horse, Stock Horse, Cowboy Pleasure and Cowboy Trail.
Kathy Ferrante from Somis, CA judged four events and contestant, Nancy Enright said “The judge did
an outstanding job of judging the cutting - never an easy task. She was excellent.”
Karyn Stevens from Nipomo raved, “That was the best trail course I’ve ever been on.” The course was
designed and set by Dana Erenberg and judged by Patty Knudson of Paso Robles.
First time Super Cow Horse contestant but long-time cow horse competitor, JoAnne Carrollo of
Atascadero had a wide smile all weekend long, repeating “I’m having so much fun!” JoAnne has a wide sphere
of influence in the cow horse world and we hope she’ll bring a trailerful of friends next year.
Stock horse competitor, Greg Schrage of Ojai won the amateur class and said, “This is the nicest arena
and best ground I’ve ever shown on.”
Local restaurant owners, Terry and Stephanie Larrabee of Santa Ynez Coffee Company provided
delicious egg croissant breakfast sandwiches and on-site barbeque tri-tip, hamburger, and chicken lunches.
After two days of tough competition, three competitors were crowned the 2010 SYV Super Cow Horse
Grand Champions earning Cactus Saddles. Barney Skelton & Mr Hollywood Oak won the Open for owner’s
Tim & Barb Crist of Santa Ynez, Dennis Domingos & Cash Lil Badge won the Non Pro, and CeCe Chambless
& Dual Thunder won the Amateur division.
The three Super Cow Horse Reserve Champions awarded Skyline Silversmith Buckles were Phillip
Ralls riding Very Smart Smoke for owner Billie Jo Baxley in the Open, Kelly Gowing riding Colonel Crawford
in the Non Pro, and Tori Ralls riding Will You Miss Me in the Amateur division.
A show of this size and scope is never an easy task. The committee members hard at work were Linda
Aquisto-Schrage, Christina Barnes, Camille Courtney, Howard & Dana Erenberg, Roger Fortier, Mark Gowing,
David Hunsicker, Paula Merrell.
The generous benefactors providing our fabulous awards were Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center,
Cactus Saddlery, Claire Hanssen Ranch & Estate Realtor, Paul Deats, Gowing Canyon Ranch-Nics Black
Diamond, J. Ludlow Vineyards-Allan & Jane Jones, Kenai Drilling-Tim & Barb Crist, Jerry D Merrell DDSOral Surgery, Platinum Performance, Santa Barbara Insuring Agency, Santa Ynez Feed & Mill, Show Off Time
Products, Simon Quarter Horses, Travelers’ Farm, Ventura Hay Company, Wells Fargo Bank.
Next year’s show is slated for July 9-10th , 2011. Hope to see you there!