JUNIOR CUTTING

FIRST TIME’S A CHARM FOR BOYD RICE
AND SEVEN FROM HEAVEN

BY KYLA HOLLISTER, JOURNAL INTERN
Courtesy of the American Quarter Horse Journal

A competitor’s first World Show is often filled with nervousness and anxiety, but Boyd Rice turned his first World Show into a championship.

“I’ve had a tough time getting him showed three times at big events,” Rice said. “But, we go to little shows, everything goes well.”

Rice said luck was on his side Thursday night. He and his partner Seven From Heaven were 6th to work in the finals and were already up against a tough score of 220 posted by Bill Freeman and Boon A Little. The pair answered to the pressure with an impressive 223.

Rice said he was a little concerned with the cattle going in to cut.

“The cattle looked good when they settled them,” he explained. “After they got them settled and started cutting on them, you couldn’t really tell. The ones that looked good might not be.”

Seven From Heaven is a 1996 gray stallion by Playgun, and out of Peppys From Heaven by Peppy San Badger. The stallion currently stands at the Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie, Texas.

“He’s been a good horse ever since I’ve had him,” Rice said. “I went down there and cut whatever wanted to stop and look at my horse. It worked out.”

Rice said he plans to bring Seven From Heaven back next year to defend their title.