What started out as a whim ended in a big win for Justin “Gunny” Mathison in the NRHA Derby’s $4,000-added open ancillary class. After seeing
Tricia Hamilton win the non pro class on Lenas Taxman, the Texan joked to the Arizona non pro that he’d like a go on the talented chestnut gelding.
“It really just started out as a joke,” said Mathison. “I told Tricia I’d like to show that horse. Shoot, I’d even pay the entry fee, too.” As fate would have it, the next day Mathison was sitting in the stands by Tricia and her father
Bob Hamilton and Tricia told her dad about the conversation the day before.
“Bob said that sounded like a good idea, and told me to go ahead and do it,” recalled Gunny. “I thought to myself, ‘Now I really
have to go through with it!’”
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From Whim to Win
Justin “Gunny” Mathison had his wish come true when he told Tricia Hamilton he’d like to ride Lenas Taxman, owned by Tricia’s parents, Bob and Linda Hamilton. They let him “borrow” |
So with just one ride the night before to get to know the eight-year-old gelding,
Mathison entered the pen and laid down a stellar pattern, marking a platinum score of 223.5. That would ultimately garner the duo the open championship, along with a $1,898 paycheck. Sired by Lenas Wright On and out of Zans Light Sparkles, Lenas Taxman, owned by Bob and Linda Hamilton, has been winning major titles since he started showing as a three-year-old, and now has over $39,000 in NRHA earnings.
“He’s a broke horse,” noted Mathison. “Bill Norwood had done really well on him
and Tricia has, too. So I knew he was a good horse. He’s super easy to show for as many times as he has been shown. The best thing about him was his circles and going through the middle because I could put him where I wanted.”
No stranger to the show pen either, Mathison has worked for NRHA Million Dollar Rider Tom McCutcheon for several years and recently started his own training business out of Skyline Ranch in Aubrey. After the win, he was quick to
thank the Hamiltons for the opportunity to show their exceptional gelding.
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