Sisters rider claims title

Rachel Eady of Sisters is the youngest rider -- at age 14 -- ever to win the Amateur Final of the World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity.

The September 23 win earned the Sisters High School freshman $7,000. Her proud dad, Ted Eady, says Rachel's horsemanship winnings for the year are now close to $30,000.

This is the 28th year for the Snaffle Bit Futurity, which ran from September 20 to October 1 in Reno, Nevada. The event offers hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes and attracts riders and spectators from all over the world.

According to The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), the contest is based on the horse's working abilities and includes three events: herd work, rein work and work with a single steer (called "cow work").

It's open to three-year-old horses of any breed. The snaffle bit works on the corners of the young horse's lips, providing gentle guidance to position the head.

Speaking on his cell phone from Reno, Ted Eady said there were 50 contestants in the amateur class, which Rachel won riding her horse named "See Ya at Billy Bob's." (Billy Bob's is a well-known honky tonk in Ft. Worth, Texas.)

Ted says Rachel was really happy with her win, especially since she had such a good score on fence -- or cow -- work. The NRCHA describes cow work as the most challenging of the three events. The horse must control the movements of a single steer at a dead run, heading it off and turning it both ways along a fence, then bringing in into the center of the arena to circle once in each direction.

The whole family, Ted, mom Keri, and 10-year-old brother Evan, were on hand in Reno for Rachel's big accomplishment and were excited to see Rachel interviewed on ESPN after her win.

Rachel also qualified for several other classes in Reno, earning additional winnings.

Rachel has been competing since she was 12 years old. She trained six to eight hours a day during the summer and before and after school during the winter. Her trainer is Robbie Boyce of Hooker Creek Ranch.

Ted Eady says Rachel's winning are for her college fund, a fund that is likely to grow significantly judging from Rachel's accomplishments just this year and her intention to compete in even more events in coming years.