Category: Futurity

Anticipation mounts as a field of more than 300 entries has been narrowed down to the cream of the crop that will compete in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Open Futurity Finals on Saturday, December 5.

Competition began last Thursday, with the top 75 from each division advancing to the semi-finals. The Level (L)4 Open semi-finals, presented by Not Ruf At All and Tamarack Ranch, today featured the top 75 L4 horses, plus ties, following the preliminary round. The 30 competitors with the highest composite scores in Levels 1-4, plus top 10 in Prime Time, will advance to the Finals.

For the first time in NRHA history, the L4 Open Futurity Champion will win a quarter-million dollars during the MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Finals. This year, the NRHA Futurity boasts a record $1,033,530 in added money for the Open and CINCH Non Pro Futurity combined, thanks in large part to NRHA Futurity Challenge sponsors and the NRHA nomination program.

Guaranteeing his spot in the L4 Finals and topping that division with a composite of 448 was NRHA Million Dollar Rider Brian Bell and Gunnabebigtime. Bell and Gunnabebigtime marked a 223.5 in the first round and a 224.5 in the semi-finals. Gunnabebigtime, by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of Big Time Jazzy, is owned and was nominated by Tami Nelson.

Holding down top honors in the L3 Open was Kole Price riding Trendsettter owned by Thomas Moffit and Kole Price. Trendsettter, by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Timed To Shine, scored a 223 in the first go to combine with a 219.5 in the semi-finals for a 442.5. Cinder Lakes Ranch nominated Trendsettter.

Arno Hostetter held on to the top spot in the L2 Open on Blue Inferno, owned by Story Book Stables. Blue Inferno, sired by Inferno Sixty Six and out of Showtimes Lil Step, scored a 220.5 in the first go and was a 219 in the semi-finals for a 439.5 composite. The nominator of Blue Inferno is Jeffrey Palmer.

Dallas Cunningham and RFR Voodoos Fuego, owned and nominated by Peter Smith, claimed the top spot of the L1 with a 435.5, thanks to a 219.5 in the first go and a 216 in the semi-finals. RFR Voodoos Fuego is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Show N Tag.

Magnums Custom Dream, ridden by Casey Hinton for owner Nancy Murfin-Moxley, tied for the high composite score in the Prime Time Open thanks to a 218 in the first go and 217.5 in the second for a cumulative 441.5. Magnums Custom Dream, by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Gunna Be Custom, was nominated by Garth Hystad.

Gunna Whoa, ridden by NRHA Million Dollar Rider Todd Sommers for owners Stephany S. Monteleone and Martin Bonneson, is by Inferno Sixty Six and out of Whoawhiz. Gunna Whoa scored a 217 in the first go and a 218 in the second for a 441.5. The nominator of Gunna Whoa was Doug Milholland.

The score needed to earn a spot in the L4 Open Finals was a 438.5, while it took a 433.5 to advance in the L3. Riders with a score of 428 in the L2 earned a spot in the Finals, as did L1 riders who marked at least a 420.5. Making the top 10 for the Prime Time Open were scores of 436 or more.

Riders not advancing to the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity Finals had the option of entering the $1,000-added Honorable Mention Futurity. Emerging as champion was The Voodoo That U Do ridden by Trapper Lowndes, of Whitesboro, Texas, for owner Sally Wendy Padey. The pair marked a 219 to top the class for $427.

“We bought her as a 2-year-old from Trevor Dare up at Silver Spurs Equine. We’ve had her this past year and she’s been a really fun horse. We’d like to continue on and show her as a derby horse, try to win some more money on her and make her a mama pretty soon,” Lowndes said.

The Voodoo That U Do, by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr out of Starlet Revolution, was nominated by Jeanine Stovall.

Lowndes says his goal in the Honorable Mention Futurity was to relax and make a penalty-free run, which he was confident would allow the mare’s incredible ability to shine.

“I really tried not to try,” Lowndes said. “We had a lot of penalties over in the big pen earlier this week, so I just tried to let her be what she is and she’s a really, really nice horse. The more I stay out of the way, the better she is.”

Lowndes, who has shown more reined cow horses lately, expressed appreciation for his family as well as a few horsemen in the reining world who’ve helped him with The Voodoo That U Do.

“I have the world’s best owner, Miss Sally, who has been wonderful to us and very trusting and provided such a nice horse. My family, my wife. There have been several horsemen help me through the year with her; I’ve stepped away from the reining for almost eight years, so it’s been really important that those guys have been so gracious to come forward and help me.”

Reserve in the Honorable Mention Futurity was Sharee Schwartzenberger and Spooks Matrix with a 215.5. Spooks Matrix, by Smart Spook out of Mates Matrix, is owned by Inga Guernsey and was nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch.

Riders Advance from CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation

Although the preliminary round of the NRHA CINCH Non Pro Futurity concluded Tuesday evening, the Consolation round, which took place in Adequan® Arena on Wednesday, December 2, provided a second chance to those who missed initial qualification. In the Consolation, the top five, including ties, from each of the four Levels move on to Friday’s competition.

Kim Muehlstaetter and Gunnaoutdunya topped the CINCH Level (L)4 Non Pro Consolation with a 218. Gunnaoutdunya, owned by Kim L. and Martin Muehlstaetter, is by Gunnatrashya and out of Stop Little Sister. Gunnaoutdunya was nominated by Arcese Quarter Horses USA.

James Morgan, DVM, guided his horse Trash Talking Tim to the high score of the L3 Non Pro with a 215. Trash Talking Tim is sired by Gunnatrashya and out of Awhiz Called Wanda, and was nominated by James Morgan, DVM.

Finishing with the high score in the L2 Non Pro was Jacob Zimmerman and Rufin Up The Chics, owned and nominated by Justin Zimmerman, with a 214.5. Rufin Up The Chics is by Not Ruf At All and out of Ms Playalotta Chic.

Marking the high score of the L1 Non Pro was Courtney Brooke Battison and her horse Marvelous Sixtysix with a 212.5. The nominator of Marvelous Sixtysix was Janna Imrie.

The cutoff scores to advance to the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finals on Friday, December 4 from the Consolation were 214.5 for the L4, 210.5 for the L3, 209 for the L2, and 210.5 for the L1.

Draw positions for the finals will be decided during the Platinum Performance Virtual Draw Party, which takes place via the webcast Thursday, December 3 at 10 a.m. CST.

On Tuesday, which proved to be a full day of competition at the Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC), 177 exhibitors took aim at prestigious titles in a slate of six different Non Pro divisions.

In addition to incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners, the champion of each of the 17 NAAC classes will be presented an Adequan^® Championship vest the following day in the Jim Norick Coliseum as a show of support for these successful affiliate riders.

Awards through 10th place are presented in all NAAC divisions, so those riders who haven’t picked up prizes yet are reminded to stop by the awards room.

Allana “Alli” Vernon Wins Adequan^® NAAC Non Pro

Tuesday was fortuitous for Ashland, Wisconsin non professional Alli Vernon who earned the NAAC Non Pro title in Adequan^® arena. Vernon teamed up with her family’s home-raised 2015 gelding Gunnersrufride for an impressive 226 to earn $4,967.

Gunnersrufride, owned and bred by White River Ag Products, Inc., is by Gunners Special Nite, unofficially the NRHA’s newest Four Million Dollar Sire, and out of Lil Ruf Showgirl.

Making the victory particularly sweet for Vernon is the fact that more than a decade ago she showed Gunnersrufride’s dam here in Oklahoma City.

“I actually showed this guy’s mom here 11 years ago when I was a youth rider,” she said. “He was born and raised on our farm. Tom McCutcheon started him and rode him as a 3- and 4-year-old, then I took him over this year. It’s been a really fun year with him so far. I’m really excited for next year.”

Vernon and Gunnersrufride achieved a smooth enough ride to be rewarded with excellent scores from the judges.

“He can turn really big and he can circle good. We’d been having a little trouble getting stopped this week, but he stopped really good today, so it was all in all a really fun ride,” Vernon said.

“I have a lot of people to thank, including Tom McCutcheon who started him. He did an amazing job on him. I want to thank my dad, Richard Vernon, and my uncles for breeding our mare and making this awesome baby. We’ve had some great luck with our babies this year. My trainers, Tanner and Christina Boyes, they took him over after Tom and got him more set to be a non pro horse,” Vernon added.

The NAAC Non Pro champion was awarded a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Ruben Pacheco Cuevas Wins Adequan^® NAAC Int. Non Pro on Sofisat

With an impressive score of 223, Ruben Pacheco Cuevas and Sofisat clinched the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Non Pro championship. It was a goal for Cuevas, who is a former NAAC Champion.

Cuevas was representing the Mexico Region, while his mare, Sofisat, was bred and raised in Europe. “She’s from Europe and was a finalist in the European Futurity,” he shared. “We have won a couple championships, and decided to bring her here to show in the North American Affiliate Championships. That was our goal.”

Sofisat is by Saturdaynight Custom and out of Sofia Catalyst. Cuevas and the 9-year-old mare competed the day before in the Novice Horse Non Pro class. “We had a big penalty there, so today we made it up and fixed it. She was perfect today,” he said. “I have been coming to this show for 10 years or more. This is a really tough show. There are the best riders from North America and the world that compete here.”

Cuevas noted how happy he was to be able to compete in Oklahoma City. “I thank God that we are healthy during this event. I thank my family, and my wife, and my team here,” he said.

In addition to a big check for $3,284, Cuevas will be taking home a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Jose Vasquez Wins NAAC Prime Time Non Pro on Like Shiner

Jose Vasquez from Markham, Illinois, rode home raised Like Shiner, owned by Smart Like Juice, Inc., to a 224.5 to top the NAAC Prime Time Non Pro in Adequan^® Arena. Vasquez not only won the NAAC Prime Time, but third in the NAAC Non Pro as well. All totaled, Vasquez won $4,115.

Like Shiner is by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Smart Like Juice out of Wind Her Up Shiner.

“I used to show her mother, her father and all her siblings,” Vasquez said. “There are 22 of them that are old enough to show out of the same mare and they’ve all won money. They’ve won close to $900,000, so that’s a pretty good family I’d say.”

Vasquez says that Like Shiner shares the desirable traits characteristic of her lineage.
“They’re very simple, very talented and they all have longevity in the show pen. Like Shiner is 8 years old and I’ve shown her hard, she’s won more than $150,000 already,” adding that he was proud to see his score hold for the duration of the show. “I was the third horse in the pen this morning and it held. I was very fortunate and I’m very proud, it’s one of the best runs I’ve ever had on her score-wise. She can plus-1 any maneuver.”

So many individuals have helped Vasquez over the years that he says it would be impossible to recognize them all, but he expressed appreciation for his current trainer, Alejandro Vasquez, who has been with him for the past six years and started Like Shiner.

As NAAC Prime Time Non Pro champion Vasquez was awarded a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Over the past three days of competition, the top 3-year-old reining horses and their riders from across the country have vied for a spot in the finals of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity. With the conclusion of Tuesday’s preliminary round, most of the field is set for the CINCH Non Pro Futurity finals, which will be held on Friday, December 4.

Securing the preliminary high score for the Level (L) 4 and L3 CINCH Non Pro Futurity was Tish Fappani and Joes Genes with a 220. Joes Genes, owned and nominated by Tish and her husband Andrea Fappani, is by Lil Joe Cash and out of Electric Genes. In her short career, the mare has accumulated earnings exceeding $24,000, thanks to wins at the Friends of Reining Futurity and the SmartPak Non Pro Futurity at the National Reining Breeders Classic.

George Lawrence rode Shes Big Timin, owned by Lawrence Ranch, to top the L2 with a 218. Shes Big Timin, by Wimpys Littlecolonel and out of Plus Her Big Time, was nominated by Tami Nelson.

Hannah Mitchell held on the L1 high score with a 217.5. Mitchell rode Stars N Stripes, owned and nominated by Steven Mitchell, is by Star Spangled Whiz and out of Chick N Squirt.

Kathy Thompson and Savethlastdanceforme topped the Non Pro Prime Time with a 218.5 (includes handicap). Savethlastdanceforme is by In Like Flinn and out of ARC Gunna Mark Ya, and was nominated by Neiberger Performance Horses.

Ariana Kate Dejong leads the field of Non Pro Youth riders with Whizkey Or What. Dejong and Whizkey Or What, by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Whizkey N Diamonds out of Crunchy Or Creamy, marked a 217. Her gelding was nominated by Rhodes River Ranch.

To secure a spot in the CINCH L4 Non Pro Futurity, it took a score of 214.5, while a 212 was the magic number for the L3. Riders with a 211 or higher earned a place in the L2, as did those in the L1 with a 209 or higher. The bubble for the Prime Time is a 207 (including handicap), while the one for the Youth is 207.5.

For those not advancing directly to the finals from the first go, hope is still alive. That’s because of the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation Round on Wednesday morning. The next 30 horses (plus ties) in the L4, next 12 in the L3, and next 10 in L1 and L2, will compete for a spot in the finals. The top five in each of the four Levels will earn a spot in Friday’s finals.

Vandorp and Route Sixty 6 Lead L3 Semi-Finals and Composite

Ruben Vandorp and Route Sixty 6 continue to hold the lead of both the L3 Semi-Finals and composite. Their score of 220 leads the semi-finals, giving them a solid 436 composite. Route Sixty 6, by Inferno Sixty Six and out of Fille Code, is owned and nominated by Heather Weisz.

Topping the L2 composite and tied for the high score of the L2 Semi-Finals high score is Dakin Allred and Blueeyed Cashmachine. The pair marked a 214.5 in the first round, and came back to mark an impressive 219 in the semi-finals to steal the composite lead with a 433.5. Blueeyed Cashmachine, by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Gun and out of Nu Magic Cash, is owned and was nominated by Misty Valley Performance Horses.

Tied for first in L2 of the semi-finals and second in the composite is Stefano Calcagnini riding PL Trashyasparkler to a 219, which contributed to their 432.5 composite. PL Trashyasparkler, owned and nominated by Luigi Parise, is by Guns R For Shootin and out of Whiskeynrhinestones.

Josh Lyons and his horse CCR Marilyns Joe hold down the top spot the L1 composite rankings with a 433. CCR Marilyns Joe, by Lil Joe Cash and out of Magnum Marilynmonroe, was nominated by Center Cross Ranch LLC. Lyons and CCR Marilyns Joe scored a 216 in the first go, and followed that with a 217 in the Semi-Finals.

Currently leading the Prime Time Open composite is Todd Crawford and Xtra Wimp It Good with a 436.5. Crawford and Xtra Wimp It Good, by NRHA Eleven Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step and out of Lovin Me Good, were consistent with a 218 and a 218.5 (scores include handicaps) in the first two rounds of competition. Xtra Wimp It Good, nominated by Silver Spurs Equine, is owned by Adalberto Gonzales.

The finalists for all Levels of the Open will be decided during Wednesday’s Level 4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All & Tamarack Ranch. The 79 L4 entries are all competing for a spot in Saturday night’s MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Futurity Finals, where the champion will, for the first time in history, receive a check for $250,000. That’s thanks to the incredible generosity and support of members of the Futurity Challenge, who worked to increase the payout for the event. In addition to the Open Champion’s big check, the CINCH Non Pro L4 Futurity Champion is guaranteed $60,000, and the added money for the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships was doubled from the previous year.

Draws for both the Open and CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finals will be decided Thursday morning at 10 a.m. during the Platinum Performance Virtual Draw Party.

Some of the best reining competition in the nation once again took place today in Adequan^® Arena at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. Prestigious titles were on the line as action continued at the Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC).

In addition to incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners, the champion of each of the 17 NAAC classes will be presented an Adequan^® Championship vest the following day in the Jim Norick Coliseum as a show of support for these successful affiliate riders.

Awards through 10th place are presented in all NAAC divisions, so those riders who haven’t picked up prizes yet are reminded to stop by the awards room to collect the goods.

Jennifer Gilliam & Magnatize Win Adequan^® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2

Jennifer Gilliam traveled from her northern California home in the town of Pine Grove to dominate the NAAC and ancillary Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2.

Gilliam and Magnatize put up a 219.5 for first in the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2, which paid $2,232, as well as first in the ancillary to add $1,007 to the day’s earnings. Magnatize is by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of the mare Dunit N Continental.

“We bought him here as a 3-year-old, so two years ago. I’ve shown in some derby stuff and he’s been a wonderful horse,” Gilliam said.

Gilliam thanked her trainer Jordan McBurney for the time she invests in helping her achieve her goals, and also thanked her mother Janiene Borror.

“He actually belongs to my mom. She has been super busy so she hasn’t been able to show him. She lets me show him, so big thanks to my mom as well,” Gilliam said.

When considering the many challenges that 2020 has presented, Gilliam is grateful for the opportunity to compete here in Oklahoma City.

“I’m really excited that the show actually happened. We came early, my husband drove me out and we’ve been here for two weeks. I’m really excited to be here. I was just happy to make the long trip and have some success because this is a really tough show. I think this is the best run I’ve ever had on him.”

The NAAC Novice Non Pro Level 2 champion was awarded a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Kyla Thurlow & Double Guns Tonite Win Adequan^® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1

Dominant is the appropriate adjective to describe Kyla Thurlow’s performance in the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 and concurrently run NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1. Thurlow, who originally hails from Maine, traveled from her current home in Massachusetts to compete. To add to her travel schedule, Thurlow’s horses reside in Florida.

Thurlow and her horse Double Guns Tonite, by Top Gun Tonite out of Gunners Dazey, scored a 216.5 to earn the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 title and $1,064. Their performance earned the ancillary championship for another $822.

Double Guns Tonite was acquired by Thurlow during last year’s NRHA Futurity.

“I haven’t really gotten much ride time on her with all my traveling and with everything that’s been going on, but we’re figuring each other out slowly. She was wonderful today,” Thurlow said. “She was really listening. She is very sensitive. She can really run and stop huge and she did that today.”

Thurlow was also reserve in both divisions with a 215 aboard Kachina Olena Tag for another $1,323. Kachina Olena Tag is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Whiz N Tag Chex out of Kachina Oak Olena. Thurlow was happy to show both of her horses to the top of both Level 1 classes.

“Anytime you’re able to go to a horse show this year you feel blessed to be here for sure,” Thurlow said. “It’s wonderful that this show has gone through thanks to everyone banding together.”

Thurlow had high praise for her team of supporters, which includes her boyfriend Steven Borgia who found her winning mount for her, as well as her trainers Mark and Shannon Rafacz and their daughter Madison.

“I have a huge team. My mom and dad are my biggest supporters, they’re watching from home and I wish everyone could be here, but I appreciate them all so much,” she said.

As NAAC Limited Non Pro Level 1 champion Thurlow was awarded a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Jessicah Keller Wins NRHA Nov. Horse Non Pro Level 3 on Its Snippin Time

Jessicah Keller and Its Snippin Time had put together a great start to their run in the Novice Horse Non Pro class in the Adequan^® Arena, executing a flawless run-in stop and an impressive turn. Then, the unexpected happened. “Before I loped off the alarm started going off. The judges were still in their stands, so I ran my circles, changed leads, and got through my first stop and rollback, but then they announced they were evacuating the building,” she shared.

A half-hour later, after the all clear, Keller and Its Snippin Time made their second attempt, and made it count. “She was great the second time too,” Keller said. The pair marked a 217 to not only win the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3 but also take reserve in both the NAAC and NRHA Level 2. All totaled, Keller won $2,579.

Its Snippin Time, by Shine Big Time out of Snip O Satellite, is extra special to Keller. The mare is owned by Keller’s mother, Tammye Hutton of Hilldale Farm, the NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Owner. “We raised her, and we raised – and I showed – her mother,” Kelller explained. “This mare, Its Snippin Time, is actually the one that put our program across the million-dollar mark. It was a goal of mine for us to reach that this year, and then COVID hit and there weren’t as many horse shows. I wasn’t sure we were going to make it, but here we are.”

Keller noted she had several people to thank. “I thank Todd Sommers, who has been helping me with this mare. He has done a great job and is a good mentor and friend. I thank my mom, my brother and sister, and the great team I have behind me,” she said.