Jennifer Vaught and her family shared the same joyous feeling Thursday afternoon.

Her latest victory helped replace the somber tale of her former horse.

The 18-year-old Pike Road, Ala., resident marked 217 on Pfizer Stock to win the $20,000 Non-Pro Any Age Finals at James Brown Arena.

Vaught took home the top prize of $6,059. Robbie Gale of Conway, S.C., placed second and third on Sure Enough Smart (216.5, $5,048) and Short A Shay (215, $3,534).

"This is very, very special," Vaught said. "I can't even describe the feeling. It's wonderful."

Wonderful was not the mood last year. At February's NCHA World Finals in Amarillo, Texas, Vaught and Smart Hickory appeared ready to challenge for a title.

One hour before the finals, Vaught walked to the pen. Her 9-year-old mare shook violently. Horse colic, a gastrointestinal condition that sometimes can be fatal, overtook Smart Hickory. She fell to the ground and died before a veterinarian could arrive.

"It was a shock," Vaught said. "She never got up.

"I thought I had at least another good 10 years in her."

After riding a replacement horse for a short time, Vaught purchased Pfizer Stock from Mike Vann, owner of Rocking V Cattle Company, about six months ago. Vaught said she purchased the 8-year-old mare despite her bashful manner.

"She's scared of cows," she said. "She doesn't like the herd. When she cuts a cow her ears perk up and she gets to shaking."

Vaught, who's taking a few online college courses with hopes of one day becoming a large animal veterinarian or getting a business degree, works with Vann. She goes down to his barn by 7 every morning and helps saddle horses and then herd 30 head of cattle on his 2,000-acre ranch.

"I just go and learn and watch him pretty much," she said.

Vaught said she's shown her mare between 30 and 45 times at weekend shows.

"We have our ups and downs," she said. "But mostly it's been awesome."

The pair walked out of the pen Thursday on a major high. Vaught said she felt her run building throughout.

"I went and cut my second cow and was feeling confident," she said. "I went 20 seconds on it and my help said I had another 20 seconds to just stay on this cow.

"I wasn't even breathing. I just stayed on that cow and got through that run. When I saw that score come up my heart just jumped through my chest."

Earlier, Becky Schatt of Ocala, Fla., and Olena Pep Quixote marked 215 to tie Shannon Brunner of Cottageville, S.C., and Oh Cay On Top for the top go-round score. Eleven horses marked 210 or better to advance to the finals.

Vaught and Pfizer Stock posted 211 to survive to the finals.

From the Friday, January 18, 2008 edition of the Augusta Chronicle