2024 Paso Robles Spring Classic Derby, Spectacular and Horse Show

The fourth edition of the California Reined Cow Horse Association (CRCHA)’s Paso Robles Spring Classic presented by Borjon Auto Center was held at the historic Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, CA. In addition to the NRCHA approved $100,000 added derby sponsored by Gotta Go Get It, Roo To Do, Triple Crown Feeds and Ultra Cruz, the event again featured a National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) approved $16,500 added spectacular sponsored by Brother Jackson and Wold Stallion Services and wrapped up with a full slate of NRCHA and CRCHA approved horse show classes with $8,100 added sponsored by Santa Lucia Farm.

The open derby divisions paid out a total of $197,450. The non pro divisions paid out $41,100. The non pro boxing paid $11,750. The resulting total derby payout was $250,300. There were 275 entries in the horse show classes a big pick up from the 219 entries in 2023 and resulting in a payout of $28,250, up by $3,000 from the $25,250 paid out in 2023.

With the increased turnout across the derby, spectacular and horse show the event this year paid out $324,300, up by $60,450 from the $263,850 paid out in 2023.

Paso Robles Spring Classic Results

Back in a new format and with new rules the ranch branding, sponsored this year by Pennebaker Performance Horses, again followed the Friday evening BBQ and derby awards presentations and featured colorful commentary provided by NRCHA professionals Jake Barry and Paul Bonnello. Seventeen teams of four each competed for a 100% cash payback of $5,100 with the first-place team also winning Preston Williams custom bits. The winning team composed of Phillip Ralls, Andy Holcomb, Danny Leslie and Ryan Pascoe took home the custom bits and $1,530 in cash. Five other teams split the remaining $3,570 in cash.

Justin Wright of Santa Maria, CA topped 67 other entries to win the $60,000 added open division on the 2020 stallion Roanmeo (Hottish x Trouble N Roan x High Brow Cat) for owner SC Ranch Co. Inc. He marked a 661.0 composite score (221.5 Herd/ 219 Rein/ 220.5 Cow) and claimed the top $30,000 check. It was Wright’s third Spring Classic Derby open championship, Wright also placed third for owner SC Ranch Co. Inc., fifth and in a three way tie with himself for eleventh leaving him with a total pay day of $58,750. Close behind Wright in second place was Chris Krieg of Tulare, CA on Kristy Johnson’s homebred 2019 stallion Bet Heza Prize (Bet Hesa Cat x Lenas Gun A Smokum x Smokums Prize) with a 658.5 composite score (219.5 Herd/ 219.5 Rein/ 219.5 Cow). The pair took home a check for $15,000 with Krieg picking up another $1,500 for sixteenth place.

On top of his two open placings, Krieg bested 46 other entries to win the $10,000 added intermediate open division on Johnson’s homebred gelding pocketing another $12,000 and backed that up with sixth and eighth to add another $6,200 bringing his event total to $39,700. Ricky Nicolazzi of Tucson, AZ rode Heaven Sent Ranch’s 2020 stallion Metallic Slayer (Metallic Cat x Dual A Shiner x Dual Rey) to second with a composite of 653.5 (211 Herd/ 219.5 Rein/ 222.5 Cow) for $10,000.

Wyatt Fisher of Nipomo, CA on Jayson and Teresa Fisher’s 2020 gelding Steve Stunning (Nics Black Diamond x CR Stylish Danny Rey x Dual Rey) out showed 23 other entries to top the $5,000 added limited open division with a 641.5 composite score (214 Herd/ 214 Rein/ 213.5 Cow) earning $6,000. Following Wyatt in second was Les Oswald on Alexandra Hart’s 2020 stallion Dontgiveahoneybadger (CR Highlight x Calie Del Rey x Dual Rey) taking home $4,000.

Clay Damuth riding Susan Stowell’s 2019 stallion Somebodys Metallic (Metallic Cat x Somebodys Spots Hot x Spots Hot) led a field of 17 entries to claim the $3,000 added Level 1 Open division with a 635.0 composite (210 Herd/ 214 Rein/ 211 Cow) and earning $3,500. Following Damuth in second was Enrico Grandi on Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch’s HSR Call Me Oorah (Call Me Mitch x CD Chic Rule x CD Lights) marking a 631.5 composite (211.5 Herd/ 209.5 Rein/ 210.5 Cow) and picking up $2,500.

Eric Freitas on Scootin Lil Lola * Photo by Stacy Judd

In the Paso Robles Spring Classic Derby Non Pro, Eric Freitas dominated the field of 20 non pros and 17 intermediate non pros with a 657.0 composite (220 Herd/ 218 Rein/ 219 Cow) on Scootin Lil Lola (Scooter Kat x Wareable x Smooth As A Cat) to claim checks for $8,500 and $4,000. In reserve, Lester Walker on All Hail Da Vinci (One Time Royalty x High Brow Masterpiece x High Brow Cat) scored a 634.0 (210 Herd/ 211 Rein/ 213 Cow) good for $5,500 and $3,000. Walker and All Hail Da Vinci also topped the limited non pro, taking home another $1,500 followed by Vanessa Lawrence on Frozen In Light (Step To The Light x Dun It For Cash x Nu Cash) they scored a 626.0 (208 Herd/ 211 Rein/ 207 Cow) and earned $1,000.

Amy Etcheverry of Bakersfield, CA backed up her 2023 win again leading the field of 24 in the non pro boxing on her 2018 AQHA gelding CP Metallic Dual (Metallic Cat x KD Sweet Corn x Dual Pep) this year with a 648.5 (215.5 Herd/ 216 Rein/ 217 Cow) to take home $3,500. She was followed by Allison Trimble on her 2019 stallion CD Metallic (Stevie Rey Von x High CD Rates x High Brow CD) with a 644.0 (216.5 Herd/ 213 Rein/ 214.5 Cow) to claim $2,500.