Reed Boos added his name to a growing list of ropers who’ve had success on the back of Yes Im Sassy, winning the 2024 Riata #14.5 with Cord Forzano on Smartlookncat.

Boos and Forzano raked in $103,680 Sept. 25, in their first outing together after roping four steers in 29.39 seconds.  

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“I’ve never won that much money,” Boos said. “I’ve never even had a chance to win that much money, but the owners and the breeders and everybody, we’re very grateful.”

Raised by the Myers Ranch and by their stallion Mr Sassy Frenchman and out of their Paddys Irish Whiskey daughter Full A Irish Whiskey, Yes Im Sassy is owned by Neal and Jody Wanless. Since joining Dakota Kirchenschlager’s program her 3-year-old year, she’s shown her versatility, winning with Kirchenschlager, Colby Lovell, Kaleb Driggers and now Boos.

“I just think that anybody can ride her,” Boos said. “There’s been a lot of different headers win on her. She just scores good, runs hard and finishes strong—she gives you a good chance to win.”

The 24-year-old from White Cloud, Kansas, worked for Kirchenschlager for almost two years, and he got to know the 6-year-old mare well.

“I rode her a bunch when I was there and then I went out on my own now and kind of go back and forth to Dakota’s some, and I get to ride her every time I’m around,” Boos said. “When I’m rodeoing in the summer I watch all the futurities and watch if they’re winning on her just because I have gotten to ride her quite a bit, and I’m thankful they let me ride her. She’s a good horse.”

On the heel side, Smartlookncat—owned by Kevin Cantrelle—has success in his blood. The 5-year-old by Bet Hesa Cat and out of Miss Plain Plain is a full brother to 2017 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open champion Plain Catty.

“I’ve had [Smartlookncat] since he was a 3-year-old, and he’s a big, strong, athletic horse but he doesn’t take your shot away,” said Madera, California’s Forzano. “He just doesn’t get in your way. You can go be fast on him, but if you need to just go catch, you can go catch on him. That’s a hard thing to find.”

Forzano and Smartlookncat also picked up third in the average for $56,160 and won the 5-year-old incentive for $8,000. Forzano just focused on letting him work.

“These horses are so smart these days and I feel like we can override or under ride,” Forzano said. “I just try to stay out of the way and if they mess up, don’t beat them up and let them figure it out. Like a little kid—if they mess up, you can’t crucify them, and after a while they’ll figure out what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong. He kind of trained himself.”

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Boos, Forzano and their equine partners battled it out over four steers to come back high call. A 7.70-second run in the short round sealed the deal on the win.

“I’ll be honest, I really didn’t know how fast we had to be,” Forzano said with a laugh. “I tried not to pay attention. I just tried to do my job, honestly. I’ve had heck here lately on high teamers, so I tried to blank it out and it all worked, honestly.”

#14.5 Total Payoff: $620,000