Mary Ann Rapp wasn't sold on the idea when her husband wanted to purchase a new horse three years ago.

FMR Too Smart, since renamed, was too "high-headed," she said.

"I wasn't all in favor of buying him," she said. "But I said, 'If you want to go buy him, buy him.' "

As it turns out, Phil Rapp's purchase continues to pay dividends.

Mary Ann Rapp and her gelding posted a score of 221 to win the Classic Non-Pro first go-round Tuesday at James Brown Arena.

Mike Bowman and San Tule Uno marked 219.5 to finish second.

Stacy Shepard and MH San Tules Dually placed third (219).

Adan Banuelos was thrilled he and Purr N Like Magic finished in a tie for fourth with two other sets of riders and horses at 218.

For the 20-year-old Banuelos, his third ride meant redemption after failing to advance his other two horses.

"It couldn't get any worse than it had been going," he said. "This is my better horse right now. We're just happy we cut some good cows and it worked out."

The top 38 horses with scores of 211 or better advanced to today's second go-round. The Classic Non-Pro finals will be held Thursday night.

Mary Ann Rapp will try to add to her horse's success. This after initially not believing in him.

"I'm happy," she said, "to catch up on that crow I have to eat."

After purchasing the horse, the Rapps renamed FMR Too Smart to Redneck Yachtclub after the Craig Morgan country song.

"We wanted to name a good gelding, Redneck Yachtclub . And we thought this was the gelding," Mary Ann Rapp said. "We'll just hear a song and say, 'That's a good gelding name.' "

It's a winner's name at that.

In March, the 5-year-old by San Tule Freckles out of Sheyssmartlittlelena, won the MillionHeir Open Derby with Phil Rapp aboard. The victory was worth $300,000.

Four months later, the horse pulled his hind suspensory ligament. Redneck Yachtclub competed Tuesday for the first time in six months.

"He was healed up this fall, but we didn't want to push it," Rapp said. "We gave him an extra month or so."

Stacy Shepard and MH San Tules Dually won the MillionHeir 5-Year-Old Non-Pro last year.

The pair continued their success in the Classic Non-Pro first go.

She and husband, Austin, bought the mare she calls, "The Cadillac."

"She's very smooth," she said. "She's just a lot of fun. She's about the same every time you ride her."

Shepard said the horse has earned more than $230,000 in career earnings and plans to eventually breed her.

"She's my keeper," Shepard said. "I'm not selling her."