JUNIOR WORKING COW HORSE CHAMPION

TODD CRAWFORD AND SHINERS SMART CHEX TURN GOLD.

BY CANDACE DOBSON, FIELD EDITOR

Shiners Smart Chex is built to be a world champion. With a sire like Shining Spark and a rider like AQHA Professional Horseman and multiple world champion Todd Crawford on his back, he couldn’t go wrong. Things fell right in place for the pair, and the sorrel took home his first world championship.

The pair was second in the draw and jumped out with a combined score of 439 to set the standard.

“He started out a little shaky in the rein work because he knew where the cattle came out, and that bothers him a little; but he really picked it up as the run went on,” owner Carol Rose said. “He had a really tough cow, and he handled it beautifully.”

Crawford and Reno turn their cow for the second time during the finals.

“Reno” has always had a special place in Rose’s heart.

“I love this horse,” she said. “Of all the horses I’ve raised, he is one of my all-time favorites. He’s been special to me since he was born. He just tries really hard.”

Rose started Reno at her home in Gainesville, Texas, and said she wasn’t thrilled with his performance while she had him. She sent him across country to train with Bob Avila last December, and he worked with the sorrel stallion until July.

“We got him qualified for the World Show, and I thought Todd (Crawford) would do a nice job with him, so I asked him to show him here,” Rose said.

Rose plans to keep a good thing going. She is going to let Crawford keep Reno, and plot his next big move. Reno could be seeing circles soon. Rose said she might go to straight reining with him for the next couple of years, then maybe try the cutting.