TODD CRAWFORD and his students have won more than three dozen World Champion Titles in three Major Performance Horse Associations.
Smart Crackin Chic, trained and shown by Todd, owned by Singleton Ranches, to win the 2006 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Championship.
Shiners Nickle, trained and shown by Todd, owned by Michelle Cannon, had a tremendous run to the finals. They came home as 2009 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, Co-Reserve Champions.
Lenas Time To Spare, trained and shown by Todd owned by Mathews Cutting Horses gave some heavy competition at the 2010 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity bringing home 3rd place in the Finals. |
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| Amanda Gardiner and Whachichi Chex Win Intermediate Non-Pro Championship at NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity |
It was a true come-from-behind win. In the field of 10 of the National Reined Cow Horse Association Intermediate Non-Pro finals, Amanda Gardiner and Whachichi Chex were sitting in a three-way tie for fifth place going into the cow work. The first-place horse had a 14.5-point lead – but Gardiner and "ChiChi" wouldn't be deterred.
The noise in the Reno Livestock Events Center built to a crescendo as the Ashland, Kan., Non-Pro piloted the Too Busy Cashin Chex mare to a 219 – the high score of the Non-Pro finals! "Holy cow! I was so excited. She was fantastic. She was tuned in and made a great fence turn. The second was fantastic, and then we went to circling." Gardiner added, "It was thrilling. Really thrilling."
Gardiner and ChiChi had also qualified for the Non-Pro finals, and finished third. All total, the pair won $16,645. They also won a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silvermsiths buckle sponsored by the Vangelos Family – Polymer Logistics, a 100x hat from Shorty's Hattery, an ESP pad from Classic Equine, Platinum Performance, a Cinch vest from Bob's Custom Saddles, and a CR Morrison trophy and commemorative medallion. For the third-place Non-Pro finish, they took home a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Linda and Michael Vantreight.
Gardiner and ChiChi marked a 204 in the herd work and a 209.5 in the rein work. "I drew up at the bottom of the herd. We cut three good cows but it was tough because it was at the bottom. We were actually doing really well and the miss with four seconds left," she explained. "She was exhausted today in the rein work - but I was very pleased with her."
ChiChi spent most of the time preparing for the Futurity in the capable hands of NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Todd Crawford. "I have to say when working with this horse I give God credit first, and Todd is a close second," Gardiner joked. "He does a fantastic job - he gives me what I can handle. He's taught me and my husband, Garth, so much." - SAVANNAH HOWELL |
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