BY TONYA RATLIFF-GARRISON, JOURNAL FIELD EDITOR
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| Russell Dilday and Topsails Rien Maker won the NRCHA World's Greatest competition for the second year n a row. Russell's fans supported him by sporting his exhibitor number. |
Since its inception in 1999, Russell Dilday has competed in every World's Greatest Horseman event. He'd come in third once and was reserve a couple of times but it wasn't until 2008 that he finally won the event. Coming back this year to the event, which moved to San Angelo, Texas, for 2009, Russell was hoping he and his little stallion Topsails Rien Maker could do it again.
They came into the finals on February 8 with the highest composite prelim score of 873, two points above his good friend Ted Robinson and Shiners Diamond Girl.
The herd work is not one of Russell's favorite events but he and "Slider" put up a respectable score of 216 with leader Jay Holmes and Just Plain Cat marking the highest at 218.5.
The rein work was next and Russell was second to last in the draw. He sat atop Slider in the alley and watched the others ride in front of him. The scores being marked were high with the highest being a 225.5 from Bob Avila and Chics Magic Potion. Riding into the arena, Russell shouted back to Ted, who was last to ride, "I'm going for it."
And he did, asking Slider to give his all in the fast circles.
"Go you little Shetland," Ted shouted from the alley at Slider and Russell.
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| Russell and "Slider" marked a 223 in the steer stopping, tying for the highest score. |
The gamble paid off and the pair marked a 227, making it the highest score in the dry work.
Next up was the steer stopping. Russell and Slider were fourth in the draw and Russell watched as slow steers hampered the first three riders.
"So I decided to let my steer run a little further out front and surprise, my steer could run," Russell said. "But my little horse caught up with him and we did well."
They marked a 223, which ended up tying as the high score with Ron Emmons and Olena Oak.
Coming into the last event, the fence work, Russell and Slider were in the lead with a composite score of 666. Close behind were Bob and "Magic" with a 660.5.
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| Bob Avila and Chics Magic Potion were the reserve champions, only half-a-point behind Russell. |
Russell was fourth in the draw again and he and Slider got a little Hereford-cross cow that didn't do a whole lot to show off Slider's cow-working skills. Their cow work score of 218 put the composite up to 884. Russell knew Bob and Magic could catch him. And like he did last year when waiting for the final riders, he went to trade some reins with Steven Guitron, who had a booth at the show.
"I just couldn't watch it," Russell said. "Bob was to go last and I couldn't stand it."
Bob and Magic drew a good cow and put in a great work but could they score high enough to beat Russell and Slider. When it was announced the score was a 223, it was only half-a-point off Russell's lead. Russell and Slider had won their second World's Greatest title.
"It's just unbelievable," Russell said with a smile. "I just love that horse and I am so happy to get this win again for him."
But will they be back again next year for a third try?
"You bet we’ll be back next year," he said. "As long as Slider can do it and I can do it, we'll be back here. It's the best."
During the same time in San Angelo, exhibitors competed for NRCHA world championships. To read their stories, click here.
