The National Reining Horse Association Open Futurity preliminary rounds continued Friday, November 27, with the second section of the first go. More than 110 horses walked through the gate of the Jim Norick Coliseum at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.
Currently leading the Level 4 Open are Brian Bell and Fernando Salgado, who both marked a 223.5.
Bell, who competed in the first section on Thursday, rode Gunnabebigtime to the high score. Gunnabebigtime, owned by Tami Nelson, is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of Big Time Jazzy.
Salgado rode Vinny Gun, owned by Guillermo De Anda Martinez, during the second section on Friday. Vinny Gun is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage and out of Dolled Up Gunner.
Frank Costantini’s Cee My Special Nite sits atop the L3 Open leaderboard with a 222. Ridden by Justin Michels, Cee My Special Nite is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Gunners Special Nite and out of Cee Dun It Do It. The pair are also tied for fourth in the L4.
There is currently a two-way tie for the lead of the L3 between Arno Honstetter and Sean Johnson, who each marked a 220.5.
Honstetter rode Blue Inferno, while Johnson showed River Of Diamonds. Blue Inferno, by Inferno Sixty Six out of Showtimes Lil Step, is owned by Story Book Stables. River Of Diamonds, by HF Mobster out of Starlight N Diamonds, is owned by Denise and Terry Martin.
Leading the L1 Open preliminaries is Josh Lyons, who piloted CCR Marilyns Joe to a score of 216. CCR Marilyns Joe is by Lil Joe Cash and out of Magnum Marilynmonroe. Making the high score even more impressive is that Lyons is the owner of CCR Marilyns Joe.
Two veteran competitors are tied for the lead of the Prime Time Open. Duane Latimer riding CSboomboomwalla, and Casey Hinton on Magnum Custom Dream, both have a score of 221 (including handicap) in the division. CSBoomboomwalla, owned by XCS Ranch LLC, is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz out of Cheeky Boom. Magnum Custom Dream, owned by Nancy Murfin-Moxley, is by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Gunna Be Custom.
The first go of the Open Futurity continues Saturday, November 28. Following Saturday’s competition, the top 75 (plus ties) in Levels 1 – 4 will advance to the semi-final round, hoping to earn a spot in the clean-slate finals on Saturday, December 5.