NBHA TN State Championships Pays Out Over $55,500 In Cash And Awards June 8-10 by Sherri Cupples, NBHA State Director On June 8-10 over 550 TN NBHA members competed at the beautiful TN Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, TN for State Championship Titles and $55, 989. All champions in each NBHA class received Pro-Rider trophy saddles, reserve champions received Ortho Equine Saddle Pads, 3rd received Montana Silversmith’s buckles, 4th received monogrammed breast collar, nose band and tie down from Rainbow Tack, and 5th place winners received monogrammed director chairs. Each winner had a choice of another award, including, Ortho Equine Splint Boots and bells, monogrammed hay bags, tote bags, or a halter. Great sponsors made the TN State Finals a huge success once again. We would like to say thanks to the following business’ for their continuing support of our wonderful organization: Sundowner Trailer Centers of Memphis and Nashville, Purina Mills, TLC Animal Nutrition, Bluesboro Rhythm and Blues Company, Mufreesboro Kubota, Maple Street Grill, Tri-Green Equipment, Ortho Equine, Cowboy Magic, Atlas Fixtures and Cabinet Works, Select Trailer Company, Wallace Trailer Sales, Nolensville Veterinary Hospital, Rutherford County Co-op, Dunson Farrier Service, T & A Cabinets, Webco, Huntingdon Animal Clinic and the many others.Open Results Charles Crider of Huntingdon, TN aboard his mighty stallion Easy Dashers, started off the weekend by winning the 350 entry Open 4-D 1st go, turning in a fast time of 15.281 and received a check for $643. He returned in the finals to win the Open 1-D state title stopping the clock with a scorching 15.115 to receive the 1st place check for $857. Winning the 2-D was David Lawson from Caryville, TN aboard Firewater Special earning them a state title and a check for $769. After recently losing his great barrel racing partner Obvious Leo San, David had to compromise and ride unfamiliar horses at the state show. Evidently doing a wonderful job. The 3-D title also went back to Huntingdon, TN with Clint Crider aboard Mr Mito Eye. After a 3rd place finish in the 2-D in the 2nd go with a time of 15.831 they returned in the finals to claim the championship title and a total of $1601 for the weekend. Riding 3 horses and doing the ground work, which was excellent, Clint was a busy young man over the weekend. Nicky Allen from Milan, TN took home the 4-D title aboard Hammer. Nicky stayed busy throughout the weekend running 2 horses in the open and 2 in the senior class. When all was said and done he had won 2 saddles, one for the open 4-D championship and one for the senior 2-D aboard his other horse Streak. He had total winnings for the weekend of $958. Youth ResultsThe high money earner for the weekend was Katie Brown. Riding 4 head in the youth and open brought her total winnings up to $1908. The youth class was just as tough as the open with 163 entries. Katie Brown of Waverly, TN took home the Youth 1-D title riding Bravos Chick. With a fast time of a 15.308 in the 1st go and returning to the finals to pick up the pace with a 15.297. Placing 8 times throughout the weekend, made for a nice trip back home. The 2-D youth title now belongs to Katie McKenzie and Joe Merada of Martin, TN. Returning home with checks totaling $888. Riding her two faithful mounts, Joe Merada and Justa Taste of Honey in the open and the youth, paid off well. 3-D champions Elizabeth Whitwell and Lizzy Zevi Cash took their trophy saddle and a check for $185. Elizabeth also won the drawing for the trophy barrel. Each divisional winner had their name put in the hat to win one of the beautiful state championship barrels. The youth 4-D title went to Rachel Stegall and Close to Bilt Rite. Taking home a total of $1369 aboard her two horses. Rachel won 1st in the 4-D of the open aboard Close to Bilt Rite and 1st in the 3-D youth on Seekin Risin Star. Placing several times throughout the weekend added up very nice for the trio.Senior ResultsThe senior 1-D champions were Billy Truett and his beautiful grey gelding, LP Angel Boy. Taking 2nd in the first go and winning the second go, brought their average time to the state title. Billy hails from Duck River, TN and is a charter member with the NBHA. Nicky Allen and Streak from Milan, TN took the claim to the senior 2-D title. Running consistent in both goes paid off very nicely for the pair. With his two horses running both the senior and the open. Nicky ended up with 2 trophy saddles and checks totaling $958. The Senior 3-D was won by Danny McKee and Diamond Dust Bar. Haling from Maryville, TN the pair took home the senior 3-D title along with their trophy saddle. Pony Results The pony barrels and a total of 10 entries. Winners received Montana Silversmith Buckles and monogrammed trophy halters from Rainbow Tack. The 1st division was won by Shelby Wright, Nashville, TN aboard Heza Hyper Houston. The 2-D went to Kiddie ResultsThe 30 entries in the kiddie barrel class were really a tough group. Winning the 1-D title was Rayanna Baker aboard Ford. Running a great time of a 15.960 won them the Kiddie Championship title. The 2-D was won by Raven Jones and Dew of Lexington, TN. This was Raven’s first year to compete at the TN State Finals. 3-D champions were Natalie Lindsey from Trenton, TN on her great mount T. The 4th annual John Strange Memorial flag race brought entries from several states to run for the money and championship buckle. Flag Racers from, TN, KY, OH, IN, IL, and MO returned to the TN Miller to via for this prestigious title. James Denton from Cedar Grove, TN returned to defend his 2006 title, yet this time he was aboard Silver Dollar, owned by JR Odum of Dover, TN. Taking 2 2nd place finishes in the go arounds and winning the average, their checks totaled $561. JR rode Dollar in the speed race each day placing $197 on Friday and 2nd on Sat winning another $192. Dollar showed his stuff all weekend for a total of $950. The NPBA sanctioned pole event drew in 34 entries. The is the first year that poles were held in conjunction with the TN State Finals. Winning the 1-D was NPBA TN state director Josh Morton, Jackson, TN aboard Exclusively Tuff, aka, “Jigger”. Posting a 20.752 setting the pace for the 2-D winner Ashley Cunningham on Pinto Bean. The 3-D went to Brianna Donnell, Brighton, TN and Sassy. (All photos courtesy of Arena Action Photography)