At the 2025 National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Kalpower Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Debbie Crafton and her talented gelding Believe Im Smart (Dont Stopp Believin x One Smart Long Legs x One Time Pepto) delivered a standout performance to claim the Non Pro Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby title with a 659-point composite score. The victory not only cemented their place among top contenders but also gave Crafton renewed confidence in their abilities heading into the year.
Crafton and the five-year-old bay horse, bred by Michelle Cannon, set the tone early with an impressive herd work run, cutting three cows clean to mark a 219. The rein work, historically the most challenging aspect of the show for Believe Im Smart, proved solid despite limited preparation due to recent frigid temperatures.
“He felt really good in the rein work, and the cattle were great. We were early in the draw, but he’s so sharp on a cow that I felt confident from the start in the herd,” Crafton said. “The cold made it a little tough to get ready, but in the rein work, he stopped big, circled well and felt stronger than ever for a 217.5.”
However, the winning duo really shined in the cow work portion of the competition, earning 222.5 points. Facing a tough cow, Believe Im Smart controlled the run with power and precision, so Crafton left feeling a strong sense of pride in her horse.
“I’ve had the most confidence in that horse on a cow, because he is so electric and incredibly physical. The cow felt like a lot of cow, but he’s one of those horses that makes you feel in control even when you’re going fast,” Crafton explained. “He was just spectacular down the fence. He was spot on and felt really good to me, so I was really proud of him.”
Although having developed a relationship with this horse since his two-year-old year, Crafton parked Believe Im Smart at home for a while after claiming the Reserve Champion title at the NRCHA Stakes and a little bit of tough luck at the Derby in 2024. He first made waves at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, finishing seventh despite a near fall in the finals.
“This was his first show back since last year’s Derby. I just had some five-year-olds that I was wanting to get hauled before their Derby year was up,” Crafton said. “He’s quirky – really feely and sensitive, almost like a mare – but that’s what makes him such a good horse. I’m pretty excited for what the future is looking like there, as he’s going to continue to build and do really well the rest of the year.”
More than just a victory, this win in Fort Worth served as a turning point in Crafton’s perception of this horse’s abilities and their relationship as a team.
“After that cow work, I really knew that I have a premier event horse in him,” Crafton said. “He gave me so much momentum to carry forward.”
Crafton credits her success to her strong support system. From her family and friends to help, she maintains a strong circle of people to help with each horse and make big wins like the NRCHA Celebration of Champions Non Pro Derby possible.
“My husband, kids and grandkids all play a huge role in this being possible, and Matt and Brianna Cook are definitely part of my family, as well,” Crafton said. “You also can’t win these shows without good herd help. Getting the right cuts is everything, and Dustin Mills, Kyle Noyce, Matt Koch and Tyler Merrill made that happen.”
In addition to her win on Believe Im Smart, Crafton placed in the top five aboard Modern Metallic (One Shiney Metallic x Ic the Biscuits x Dual R Smokin), a four-year-old palomino gelding bred by Bobby Lewis.
“That horse is feeling really good and will be a great Derby horse, as well,” Crafton said. “I was really proud of him to run against those five-year-old more seasoned horses in the beginning of his four-year-old year. I really think he is going to be a fun Derby horse.”
Coming in second, Brent Ratliff piloted TwntyTwntyWhatAMitch (Call Me Mitch x Shiney N Quick x Smart Shiner Nic) to a 658-point composite score – 214 in the herd work, 223 in the rein work and 221 in the cow work. Hope Mills finished third on SmartLookinMercedes (Dual Smart Rey x Smooth Play Kit x Smooth As A Cat), owned by HM Horses, with a 653.5-point composite score.
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