For Immediate Release – November 24, 2018 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Going into the third section of the open first go at the 2018 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity, Casey Deary and Gunnarickashay held the top score of the first go with a 224 [video]. With only 32 horse left to run, Craig Schmersal and Ladysdreamofblueeyes slid their way to a 224, tying Deary for the high score [video].
But, the day was far from over. 19 horses later, Kole Price riding Isnt She Perfect (by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz and out of Miss Silver Gun) entered the pen and laid down an exhilarating run that earned the duo a 227 and the highest score of the go round [video]. When asked about his run, Price had this to say: “The mare just has a heart of gold, and she is so intense when you get her right.”
Price has only shown the gray mare three times, winning the Buckeye Reining Series Coughlin Automotive Futurity on her the first time. The pair faced a little bad luck at the All American Quarter Horse Congress but made it count today. When asked about his game plan for today’s run, Price said, “I really wanted to stay clean with that mare. She is so pretty and so physical how she does stuff. I just wanted to stay out of her way.” While talking to Price about the run, it’s very clear how much appreciation and respect he has for the mare owned by Amy Medows. Isnt She Perfect is nominated by Tamarack Ranch LLC.
Deary and Schmersal ended the first go tied for the second-highest score. When talking with Schmersal about his run he said, “It gets me excited for the week when I show a horse for the first time here and they do that good.” Schmersal, an NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider, went on to talk about the game plan he had for getting his horse shown, mentioning he wanted to plus half his maneuvers while making sure he didn’t push his horse too hard early on in the show. Ladysdreamofblueeyes (by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Check Your Gun Lady) is owned by Tim Anderson and was nominated by Loren Booth.
Deary talked about Gunnarickashay, owned by Jody & Jolan Puno and nominated by St-Onge Reining Horses, and the struggle they had getting ready the night before their run. He wasn’t sure how the run would go, but when the pair entered the arena, it all came together and Gunnarickashay did his part. “He is a really nice horse, and I get along with him,” said the NRHA Million Dollar Rider. “[He’s] a sweet horse with loads of ability. I think once he gets all the way solid and polished, he will be really good.”
Qualifying for the semifinals
Of the 399 horses entered in the four division, 75 horses (plus ties) will advance to the level 1, 2, and 3 semifinals to be held Monday, November 26. The top 75 (plus ties) in the level 4 will advance to the Level 4 Open Semifinal sponsored by Not Ruf At All and Tamarack Ranch, to be held on Wednesday, November 28.
Bubble Scores for the Semifinals are as follows:
Level 4: 217 ½
Level 3: 215 ½
Level 2: 212 ½
Level 1: 209
About the 2018 NRHA Open Futurity
The 2018 NRHA Futurity has had a successful start. Open entries are up 14% (1,124) in comparison to last year and open horses are up 8% (399). In addition to seeing strong growth in the open entries, the 2018 NRHA Open Futurity will feature the second largest level 1 – level 4 purse with $1,499,600 up for grabs with the level 1 purse seeing the largest gain at 22%. The largest purse was in 2012 with $1,532,700.
For further information, results, live stream, and live score, visit nrhafuturity.com