A Big Week for Jeff Byars and Intellicat at NCHA Eastern Nationals

For the second year in a row, Jeff Byars and Intellicat (High Brow Cat x Mates Little Cokette x Smart Mate) took home the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Eastern Nationals Unlimited Amateur title. Fourth out in the working order, the duo marked a 221 in the finals to secure the win.

Owned by Jeff and his wife Alisa since December of 2021, the 9-year-old sorrel mare, nicknamed Lola, is easy to get along with, loves being around people and has won nearly $70,000.

“All week, my mare gave me her heart each run. I drew up last in the Non-Pro Thursday night late, and she gave me all her heart. Then, we came back first thing Friday morning, and it was like we hadn’t ever stopped,” Byars explained. “She was right on the money, and she’s just a true cow horse. If I don’t get in her way, she’ll do okay.”

Not only was it a big week in the show pen for the Byars family and Intellicat, but also very exciting outside of the arena. Continuing to grow the cutting horse industry, babies out of the successful mare are in store.

“Last week, she had her first baby with a recip mare by Sigala Rey, so it was a good week,” Byars said. “And to be honest with you, this morning, my wife left with her to breed her to Boon Too Suen. Hopefully, when that’s all done and the baby’s transferred to the recip mare, we’ll get her home, leg her up for about two weeks and go back to showing.”

Pushing through and making the best out of the opportunities presented to them, Byars and Intellicat have an exceptional support system that made the win possible.

“I showed her in the Unlimited and the Non-Pro and was fortunate enough to make the finals in both of them. The cattle were a little tough the whole week; but everybody had to cut the same ones, so I’m fortunate that we had the opportunity to win it back-to-back years,” Byars said. “My wife, Alisa, got the mare ready, and I couldn’t have done it without her or my help – Bill Pierce, Thomas Scheer, Walt Erwin and Jessie Pritchard.”

One point behind the winning team, Barnwell Ramsey and Reysurbetsonthiscat (Bet Hesa Cat x Ariel Rey x Dual Rey) came in second with a 220-point run. Finishing third, Kimberley Watt and Cat Steel (Metallic Cat x Short of Reymarkable x Dual Rey) scored a 219.5.