The final Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship and ancillary classes ended at breakneck speed in a runoff Dec. 2 at the National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® NAAC.
At the end of the original competition, Ava Welman and Luke Bingham were tied at 218 in both the NAAC and ancillary 14-18 class.
“My (first) run was super smooth,” Welman said. “Earlier in the week, I had some trouble in my right circles. He was so honest for me today. He wanted to be really good. He had his game face on, so it worked out really well.”
In the runoff, Bingham rode first on Sparkin Dun It. Welman rode next on Mcspangled.
“I was a little nervous,” Welman said. “I’ve only done one runoff, and it wasn’t at this scale of event. It was a little nerve-wracking, but I was excited. It’s a big deal, so you’ve got to go for it when you have the chance to place this high.
Welman tied for seventh earlier in the week in a Non Pro class, and she wanted to get a win in, she said.
“I wanted to do it,” she said. “He felt good and ready.”
Mcspangled is a 2018 gelding sired by Star Spangled Whiz and out of Miss Mcdreamy by Magnum Chic Dream. He was bred by Fred Christen.
“I just got him in June at the Derby from Cooper Smith and Arno Honstetter. He’s a super cool horse, probably one of the most talented horses I’ve shown. He’s pretty special. I’ve pulled checks on him every time I’ve shown him.
“I have to thank my parents for getting me this horse,” Welman said. “He’s so cool. My barn family – they all showed up and helped me. I really want to thank Steve Archer. He’s helped me a ton with this horse. It’s been a really crazy ride, but it has been so fun.”
Bingham’s mount, Sparkin Dun It, is a 2013 gelding by Pale Face Dunnit and out of Sparkin Personality by Jacs Electric Spark. He was bred by Hickory Creek Ranch and is owned by Saddle Horn Farms.
Complete results and other news can be found at NRHAFuturity.com