Friday saw Kelsey Irby win the National Reined Cow Horse Association World Championship, and Saturday saw her return on a different horse to win the Non Pro Hackamore title. Winning the World Championship on Dots Classy Peppy clinched the Non Pro Hackamore National Championship.

“This has been an amazing year and a great show,” she said after the finals. But the 18-year-old admits that she was a little apprehensive before showing in the Non Pro Hackamore. “I was probably the most nervous I have ever been,” Irby admitted. “I knew all these horses, and I heard all the rider’s names, and I couldn’t believe I was here. To win it is even more amazing.”

But the Wheatland, Wyoming, native won the class by 3.5 points with a 430.5 (214/216.5). Her mare, Dots Classy Peppy, is a 6-year-old by Tangys Classy Peppy and out of Dots Quixote.

Nicki Marmelzat, of Santa Ynez, California, rode Wild N Seven to the Non Pro Hackamore Reserve World Championship. They earned a 427 (209.5/217.5) and a check for $3,656.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the governing body of cow horse competition, is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Wayne Hodges 4-Star Trailers and Outlaw Conversions, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Quarter Horse News & Performance Horse magazine, the Peppermill Hotel/Resort, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and GASTROGARD, Great American Insurance Company and the Silver Legacy Hotel, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.