The $5K Novice Horse Open division at National Reined Cow Horse Association premier events is open to horses with less than $5,000 in NRCHA earnings. At the Circle Y Ranch Derby, which is held as part of the NRCHA Celebration of Champions, Corey Cushing and Four Or Five Times won the title with a 437.5. They collected $2,266, a monogrammed jacket from Circle Y Ranch, and a Gist Silversmiths buckle.

"He was good all the way through the event," Cushing, of Scottsdale, Arizona, said after the awards ceremony. Cushing and Four Or Five Times marked a 143 in the herd work, followed that with a 148.5, and finished with a 146 in the cow work. "We didn't cut the best cows out of the herd, but he was really good in the reining and excellent in the cows. He's a good enough horse to make up for mistakes."

Four Or Five Times, by One Time Pepto out of Lovely Lynnie O Lena, is owned by Matthews Cutting Horses LLC. "Jeff Matthews bought this horse at the National Cutting Horse Association sale two years ago. He's been a lot of fun to train." He added, "We had bad luck at the Snaffle Bit Futurity, but Jeff and I knew not to give up."

Cushing said, "I thank my sponsors and great customers - I've got great customers. I also thank my family for their support, and I really wish they were here."

The plan is for Four Or Five Times to continue showing in NRCHA events. "He's a gorgeous horse. He's so much fun to ride, is easy to train, and is up for whatever. I just want to keep going with him," he said.

A scant half-point separated first and second place, and Doug Williamson and ARC Sailing Chic took the reserve title with a 437. Williamson and ARC Sailing Chic, owned by Barbara Hastings of Glendale, California, won $1,813 and a monogrammed jacket from Circle Y Ranch. ARC Sailing Chic is by Chic Please out of Sailing Spark.

Riding Wright Shiney Penny for Garth and Amanda Gardiner of Ashland, Kansas, Jaton Lord marked the Novice Horse Open cow work high score - a 151! That high score came with a check for $518. Wright Shiney Penny is by Lenas Wright On out of Miss Shiney Cash.

Circle Y Ranch, owned by Penny Youngblood, is located on a beautiful 400-acre site outside Aubrey, Texas. Owner/manager Youngblood is assisted by breeding manager Nancy Pearce along with head trainer Benton Bland and assistant trainer Chelsey Fuller, and ranch foreman Johnny Whisenhunt. For more information, visit www.circleyquarterhorses.com.