For years, the National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships has been bursting at the seams as the popularity of reining has continued to experience dramatic growth. In 2023, thanks to an agreement with the American Quarter Horse Association, the event was able to add to its schedule, expanding to 12 days of competition.
On Nov. 21, competition commenced, with the first section of the first round of Open Futurity. With more than 440 entries in the Open Futurity alone, the competition should be formidable, and the scores posted on the first day reflect that.
NRHA Million Dollar Rider Dany Tremblay drew up near the end of the day on Pawn Stars, and it was worth the wait. Tremblay and the stallion, owned by Cooper Smith and nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch, took the lead in the round with a 225.
Pawn Stars, by PS Mega Shine Chic out of All Guns On Deck, already boasts lifetime earnings exceeding $50,000, thanks to a third-place finish at The Invitational Futurity this fall.
Thanks to efforts from both the Board of the NRHA and members of the Futurity Challenge, the Open Futurity will, for the third year, award the Level 4 Champion a check for $350,000, and the Level 3 Champion is guaranteed $70,000. The first step to making it to the Finals on Saturday, Dec. 2, is to advance out of the first round, and Tremblay and Pawn Stars have all but secured their spot.
The Futurity First Round continues Wednesday, Nov. 22, with the second section and will wrap up with the fourth section on Friday, Nov. 24.
Current Level Leaders through Go 1, Section 1, are:
Level 4 & 3, & APHA Open Chrome Cash – Dany Tremblay & Pawn Stars (PS Mega Shine Chic x All Guns On Deck) – 225
Owned by Cooper Smith | Nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch
Level 2 & Prime Time – Shauna Larcombe & Steppin Thruthe Nite (Steppin On Sparks x Spooks Night Time) – 220
Owned by Karon Murff | Nominated by Karon Murff
Level 1 – Anne Grether & Dejavu All Overagain (Smart Spook x Dun Its Deja Vu) – 217.5
Owned by RS Reininghorses BV | Nominated by Toyon Ranch
Protocol for Advancing in Open Futurity Semi-Finals
The Open Semi-Finals qualifiers will be those who mark in the top 30 percent of the first-go scores in Levels 4-1; however, no more than 75 entries in each division will advance. If fewer than 50 qualifiers are in the top 30 percent in a division, then 50 will advance to the Semi-Finals.
Complete results, draws, and more for the NRHA Futurity can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.