Eric and Katherine Van Boekel
Eric Van Boekel was originally a team penner. There was just something about that feeling when a horse gets a hold of a cow. He then started riding with Randy Chartier in 2003 and ventured into the cutting horse scene.
The obvious next step for Van Boekel was to buy his own cutting horse. He tried to do both sports together but it started to get complicated because one sport was offensive and one was defensive. He picked cutting.
It was the best shot of adrenalin Steve Anderson has experienced in his 22 years of cutting when he won the Non Pro Classic Championship at the 2018 Super Stakes. Steve rode Littlemak to mark an impressive 224, a half point in front of Reserve Champion Alexa Stent who rode Bowmerang.
Lindy Ashlock notched up the top score of the Derby to claim the Non Pro Championship at the 2017 NCHA Super Stakes.
Lindy rode In Reyverse and marked a 222 in the second set to take home just under $40,000.
She told CHTO’s Simone Cobb that the cows made it a tough event overall but she was thrilled with the result.
It was a busy day for Lindy, who after winning the Non Pro, spent the the next two hours preparing her husband’s horse for the Open final.
Lindy has now won more than $1.3-million in lifetime earnings. In Reyverse, a Dual Rey out of Havanna Lights, is now at around $56,000.
Reserve champion went to Brandon Westfall on Laguna Girl by marking 220.5 and Mary Ann Rapp clinched third with Molokai, scoring 219.
Armando Costa Neto looks set for a Triple Crown Championship after sharing the 2016 NCHA Super Stakes Non Pro Title at Fort Worth.
Armando rode Watch Me Whip and marked a 222 in the first bunch, a score equaled by Nadine Payne on Velvets Revolver towards the end of the second set.
It’s a winning duo, as Armando and Watch Me Whip took out the 2015 NCHA Non Pro Futurity just four months previously. He told CHTO’s Simone Cobb he’s looking forward to the Summer Spectacular to make it three out of three!
Watch Me Whip is by Playgun out of Look The Look and has earnings totaling approximately $86,000. Armando himself has now won more than $900,000.
Reserve champion was Ashley Flynn aboard LHR Smooth James Rey just one point behind the leaders.
The Non Pro final paid more than $33,000 to both winners.
