The Latest News

Smart Plain Pep teams up with Ti m Unzicker in 2008 for their first

Worlds Greatest Horseman competition.  They Finish 6th in the finals!

Smart Plain Pep aka "Rain" was retired a year ago following the NRCHA World Championships after becoming both an Open Two Rein & Open Bridle top 5 finalist.   Tim had expressed to us following their 2006 Reno Open Bridle win that this mare was the one that had come along in his career that he felt could take him to the Worlds Greatest for his first trip.  In spite of that we collectively decided to forego the opportunity as she had so much on her plate with two major World show events ahead of her.  As it turned out that was the right decision.  She performed in both Prelims and finals in both events.  But watching Tim take his last ride in the Open Bridle finals hit us hard and it weighed on us that we might be taking away a once in a lifetime opportunity for both of them. 

Early in the 2007 breeding season, her first foal , an embryo transfer, was well on its way.  Circumstances with the second stallion pushed her second breeding out in time and we made a last minute decision to wait until 2008 to breed her again.  That decision had potentially opened up  the ideal opportunity if Tim thought he had enough time to get her ready.  It was really an unfair request on our part.  After all, she had never been trained in Steer Stopping and had not been ridden for over 7 months.  We knew it was allot to ask of them both but Tim knew her best, so we felt we owed it to him to make the decision.  We called him just before the SBF and asked if he wanted to take a run at the Worlds Greatest in 2008.  He said absolutely and that he had enough confidence in her that he would love to have her back.   We delivered her at Reno and her excitement when Tim walked up to her stall let us know it was the right decision and well worth the gamble.  

In just those few months, she has come back tougher than ever and took to the Steer Stopping with a vengeance.   Although they had limited time to prepare, particularly with the unpredictable Colorado winter to contend with, the two were good enough to make it into the finals in 10th place and ended up finishing 6th in the finals. They had the time of their life and we are so proud of them both.   

As it turns out, she was the only mare to make finals which made it particularly satisfying for us.   A horse like Rain comes along once in a lifetime.  One you can call on to step up another level and every time she delivers.  Happier than we have ever seen her, she made it clear to us this is what she wants to do so she went home with Tim following the Worlds Greatest and has been officially un-retired.  

  Now it's our turn to miss her but we do have a little piece of her to keep us busy...her first foal was born at our ranch on 3/20/08!

The "Runaway Creek Outstanding Bridle Mare" Award Established

Starting in 2007, Runaway Creek has established, with the approval of the NRCHA, a special award to honor the great Bridle mares of the NRCHA. 

CR Morrison has designed a beautiful perpetual trophy that will have added to it, the High Scoring mare in the Open Bridle at the NRCHA World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity each year.  In addition, the past 9 champion mares from 1974-2006 will be displayed on the front of the trophy along with the Breeder, Owner and Rider.  This perpetual trophy will be displayed each year at the  SBF and will eventually reside at the NRCHA Hall of Fame/Museum when one is established. 

The trophy will provide a historical record of those great mares of the NRCHA that have completed their training and shown their outstanding abilities as Bridle horses by being the top mare at the most prestigious of all NRCHA bridle events.

Runaway Creek will also donate to the owner of the high scoring mare each year, a CR Morrison trophy for the owner to keep and a minimum of $1000 in added money that will count toward NRCHA merit awards and year end standings.   

Runaway Creek is committed to following the NRCHA traditions and has always placed a great emphasis on promoting our great mares.   We are honored to be able to support the NRCHA in this way and hope this award and added incentives will encourage other mare owners to do the same. 

2007 Recipient

Cielo Quemada

2001 AQHA Mare

Gallo Del Cielo X Queens Promise by Hickorote

Owner:  Claudia Aquino  - Bakersfield, CA

Rider:  Ken Wold - Wilton, CA

Breeder:  Falcon Seaboard Ranches - Fredricksburg, TX