There was a coronation of historic proportions when Armando Costa Neto won the Non Pro Derby Final at the 2016 NCHA Summer Spectacular and became the first ever Non Pro to claim the Triple Crown title!
Armando stirred up a frenzy in the Will Rogers aboard Watch Me Whip when he marked a 223.5 to secure the win in a close final.
Armando had a gut-wrenching 20 minute wait before the win was made official after he was given a review with his initial score of 221.
Armando told CHTO’s Simone Cobb the significance of his achievement was sill sinking in.
Armando and Watch Me Whip won the Super Stakes Non Pro Derby in April and the Non Pro Futurity Championship in December last year, making him the first person to win all three major titles consecutively in that division.
The horse has now amassed some $117,000 in winnings while Armando is just $35,000 short of the million dollar mark.
The Reserve Championship went to Kyle Manion who rode A Smooth Satin Doll to mark a 220 and Ty Moore clinched third aboard Set Fire To the Reyn just a point behind.