May 1, 2003 – Winnemucca, Nevada – The National Reined Cow Horse Association's Hackamore Classic began this morning in Winnemucca, Nevada's Humboldt County Events Center.

Former Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion Jon Roeser quickly rode a Smart Little Lena son, Very Smart Remedy, to the lead in the Open division herd work, scoring 150 points for owner Anne Reynolds.

It was a good turn to a week that started out rough.

A few days earlier, Roeser had made the trip to Nevada from his home in Lemoore, California. A direct route took him across the infamous Donner Pass – during a late-season snow storm.

"We had to put snow chains on the rig to get there," said Roeser.
The road conditions lengthened the trip, but that wasn't the end of the story. During the blizzard, a transmission problem literally brought Roeser's truck and trailer to a standstill.
"Annie (Reynolds) had to send a rig to pick me up!" said Roeser.

Transportation blues notwithstanding, Roeser got right down to business when he finally did make it to Winnemucca, taking the early lead.

There was a three-way tie for second in the Open Herd Work. Ted Robinson rode Rainin Cash (by Nu Cash) to a score of 144 for owner Michelle Dalhstrom, as did Ken Wold on Ill Be A Lil Smarter (Ill Be Smart X Sis Royal Mahogany) owned by Lil Smarter Partners. Wayne Hinder and Silver Gun (Playgun X Mss Freckles Reed), owned by Fairlea Ranch, also scored a 144 in the open.

Hinder took the Intermediate Open lead as well. Just behind Hinder, with a three-way tie at 142 were Dan Roeser on Calvin and Marilyn Dickerson's Dox Lena Nic (Tejons Lena Nic X Dox Gay Bar), Lyn Anderson on David and Barbara Archer's Cutter Chex N Half (Chex Out This Remedy X Cut Her Bill N Half) and Ron Emmons on Roo Star (Gallo Del Cielo X Anna Paulena) owned by Ron and Bobbie Emmons.

In the Limited Open, the lead went to Coloradan Tim Unzicker, with a score of 141 on Smart Lil Indian (Ill Be Smart X Nu Little Sandy) owned by Magic Dog Ranch. Just behind with a 138 was Jake Telford on Shiney Dresser (Shining Spark X Smartly Dressed) owned by Paula Cook.

In the Non Pro Herd Work, a familiar name went to the top of the list. Dema Paul rode Primos Bob Acre (Teninas First X Bob Acre Angelina) owned by Jim and Dema Paul to a score of 146 to take the lead. Just behind with a score of 145 was Carol Roberts on Will He Boogie (Like A Diamond X Bumble Boogie).

That was good enough to give Roberts the top slot in the $50K Non Pro, as well. Tish WIlhite rode Tequila Slide (Freckle Faced Smoke X Smokey Tequila) to a 143, for second in that division. In the Amateur, there was a 2-way tie for first between Bob Scheuber on Peppy Nic Star (Reminic X Peppys Hot Star) and Shannon Haskins on Gata Mia (Senor Peppy Gato X Tunders Gay Bar Gal). Both scored 139.

The show continues tomorrow at 8 am, with more cow horse action. Then, on Saturday, the schedule includes a mid-day special free hackamore clinic by cow horse icons Bobby Ingersoll and John Brazil.