Marcy and Gunners Special Nite 8th in NRBC

Marcy Ver Meer, riding Gunners Special Nite, tied for 8th at the 2010 NRBC Classic, earning $27,500. The Open event attracted just under 200 competitors. With this win, Gunners Special Nite tops $200,000 in lifetime earnings. Congratulations to Marcy, who has exclusively trained and shown Gunners Special Nite since he was purchased by the Bar Double C Ranch in mid-2007 as a three year old.

Gunners Special Nite was the 2007 NRHA Futurity Open Reserve winner and Intermediate Open Winner.

Gunners Special Nite 18th in the NRBC Draw

Gunners Special Nite and Marcy Ver Meer are 18th in the draw for the finals in the NRBC Classic in Katy, TX on Saturday night. 31 contestants will compete for more than $75,000 in prizes.

Marcy will also ride Gunners Special Nite tonight to qualify for the US team selection finals for the World Games in Sept in Lexington, KY. The selection finals will be held in Oklahoma City in July. The top five riders will make the team and several others will be on the "long list" as backups in case of injury.

NRBC Update

Gun Stinger was forced to draw out of the NRBC Derby due to a lameness issue. He is being treated with stem cell therapy and will need several months of rest to recuperate. Marcy reports that Lil Gun Dunit is handling himself very well in preparation for his qualification class on April 14. Marcy will also show Gunners Special Nite on the 14th.

Bobcat Visit

This bobcat let me get pretty close. He never really showed any concern about my presence and he wasn't aggressive either. Probably looking for water in the pool. We seem to be on his route because we see him every so often.

Rosie's Visit

The ranch had a special guest today, Rosie Caparella. Rosie, who is 99, wanted to visit a ranch which brought back memories of her childhood near Buffalo, NY where her parents had a cattle ranch. Her visit was part of the "Ageless Dream" program at Willow Creek Assisted Living here in the valley.

Rosie was hosted to a tea party by Kristie Chadwick, Mary-Anne Van Degna and Jeanne Hatfield. They enjoyed teas and cakes from Whole Foods.

Rosie also had a chance to pet Buck, one of the quarter horses who lives on the ranch and works cattle. She also saw the cattle and the flower blooms on the cactus which came out today to celebrate her visit.

We hope she comes back again soon.

Chadwick Travels to Canada for Clinic

Shad left March 31 for a three day trip north to give a two day clinic to several ropers in Canada. He is available for clinics throughout the year. Call to schedule.

NRBC Derby and FEI Qualifier

Marcy leaves for Katy, TX on April 5 for the NRHA Derby and the FEI Qualifier for the World Games. She is planning on competing in the Derby on Gunners Special Nite, Lil Gun Dunit and Gun Stinger. Gunners Special Nite, a six year old, has earned nearly $190,000 so far. She will ride Gunners Special Nite in the FEI Qualifier on April 18th.