All Aces In Arizona: NBHA Arizona Super Show

Debbie Langdon and LL Nuggets Red put together three consistent runs to earn the Open 1D average championship at the NBHA Saddlebook Arizona Super Show in Buckeye.

What: NBHA Saddlebook Arizona Super Show

When: January 16–18

Where: Buckeye Equestrian Center, Buckeye, Arizona

Total Payout: $57,629

Photos by Lexi Smith Media

The Buckeye Equestrian Center once again played host to the National Barrel Horse Association Saddlebook Arizona Super Show, drawing 671 runners in the Open classes across three days, plus plentiful opportunities in Youth, Senior, Helmet, and West Coast Barrel Racing Association Futurity and Derby side-pots. The show boasted $10,750 in total added money along with prizes, buckles, saddles and NBHA World Show Wild Cards.

Debbie Langdon rode LL Nuggets Red to the 7-year-old gelding’s first championship average saddle, winning the Open 1D average and emerging as the show’s highest-money earner with $3,315 on the weekend.

The average title was a goal Langdon had in mind going into the barrel race, and she says it was a meaningful win especially considering her gelding has only been running barrels for about a year.

“It meant a lot, being that it’s his first year [of competition] and first saddle. It was very special to me. I’ve had several good horses throughout my life, but he’s a special one,” Langdon said. “All I was concerned with was keeping it clean for the average; that was my main goal for the weekend. If I can keep it clean and ride him right, he normally clocks. My grandson, I remember he was standing next to me when the girl was running who could either make it or break it for me. He goes, ‘How can you stay so calm?’ And I said, it’s already planned. All I have to do is my job. I say my prayer and ride the best I can ride, and let the chips fall where they may.”

On Day One of competition, the pair clocked a 17.5 to finish third in Friday’s Open for $528. Their 17.344 Saturday placed sixth in a tough race for $401, and on Sunday they clocked a 17.539 that fell out of the money but clinched the winning average of 52.383.

“The first run I was a little conservative. I pushed him to the first, because he’s kind of a free runner, and we still clocked. I was happy with it,” Langdon explained. “The second day I sent him a little more to the first, and he ran a 17.3, so I was very, very happy with that run. I knew I had to clock at least a 17.5 on the last run and keep it clean. He dove a little on the third barrel, but it was enough to get the average.”

“Red” has stood out to Langdon since she first acquired him, both for his personality and ability in the arena.

“I got him from a family I’d known and worked with for a long time; I do a lot of lessons and training. He was laid up for a year with an injury, so he didn’t really have much barrel time. When I ended up purchasing him, he’d only made one competitive run, and that was a year ago. He took right to it — boom, right in the 1D. He just loves it,” Langdon said. “He’s probably the cuddliest horse I’ve ever owned. He just wants attention. I’m used to the work horses, but he just wants to nuzzle up to you.”

Langdon also enjoys pro rodeoing, so she plans to continue seasoning Red at the rodeos with her sights set on making the California Circuit Finals. Though Red is clearly talented, the journey has come with plenty of ups and downs.

“He placed at four different rodeos, but he’s had some issues. There’s one weekend I went to Vegas, and he darted off at the third barrel; that was on a Thursday. Saturday I went to Brawley, and he hit the second barrel That afternoon I went straight over to Ramona for the Charlie Kirk Memorial, and he won it and set the arena record,” Langdon said. “For my kids, that was a perfect example to never give up when you’re down and out. Keep digging deeper and working harder, because you never know what tomorrow brings.”

Langdon, who works professionally as a trainer and teaches lessons alongside her daughter, uses these experiences to help the many young riders she coaches.

“We help a lot of high school and junior rodeo kids, from beginner all the way up. It’s about helping and being out there getting people motivated to ride. It’s just as rewarding for me to still compete, but to see the little ones, from start to finish, go out there and get their first buckle or first saddle,” Langdon said. “I think I’m a role model for a lot of those kids, so it’s important to me when they see me have a downfall then turn around and come back. It reassures them that this is what you can do. Every day is not a special day; you’ve got to work hard at it. I love my job.”