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Friday night’s rock ‘n roll atmosphere at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, signature to the $15,000 Monarch Casino Gambler’s Choice, shook the Cinch Arena in the Events Center with high-level jumpers and a uniquely designed course. Horse-and-rider pairs kept the crowd on the edge of their seats, taking daring turns and fast jumps to accumulate the highest score possible following the path of their choice.
To kick off the event, Aiden Lindberg from the Denver School of Rock strummed the National Anthem on an electric guitar. Gambler’s Choice is a jumping event featuring fences of varying heights that are worth different point values. Riders put together their own course, attempting fences no more than twice each, and have 60 seconds to accumulate as many points as possible. Knockdowns earn no points and render that fence un- useable. Following the 60-second time limit, riders may try the featured Joker fence. Clearing it earns 200 points, however dropping a rail will deduct 200 points. Gambler’s Choice returner, Zacko Hardin of New Cuyama, CA aboard Caracas rode an impressively fast-paced course to earn 980 points plus the joker for the win with a total of 1180 points.
The diverse field of riders included 2023 champion, Happy Comly of Sachse, TX riding Derby CSH, who finished third. Five-time Gambler’s Choice champion, Kristin Hardin aboard Bobby, topped the leaderboard early in the competition, only bested by her son to ultimately take home the reserve champion title.
