The start of the 2023 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC) is just days away, and the event is shaping up to be a memory maker. Slated for Nov. 21 – Dec. 2 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, the event annually draws thousands of visitors from not only across the country but around the globe!
When the draw for the Open Futurity, which will once again award the Level 4 Open Champion a check for $350,000, was posted with 436 entries, it shattered the previous record of 410 set in 2022. As of this press release, there have been four additional late entries, boosting the total to 440. Since books don’t close to late entries until Sunday, Nov. 19, that number will likely grow.
The CINCH Non Pro Futurity entry numbers also hold steady with a total of 195 (including late entries), just slightly below the previous high, also set in 2022.
The NRHA Futurity and Adequan® NAAC is the highest-paying event in reining each year. With the consistent growth the show has experienced, it was necessary to increase the number of days of competition to make it easier on equine and human athletes, judges, stewards, show staff, and more. In early 2023, NRHA and the American Quarter Horse Association reached an agreement to do just that, adding a much-needed two days to the event schedule. Not only will the Futurity begin on Nov. 21 with the Open Futurity preliminary round, but it will also kick off the Adequan® NAAC competition with the Open and Intermediate Open classes.
While the footprint of the Fairgrounds has shrunk over the past several months due to construction on the new Coliseum, the Futurity has experienced an incredible increase in the number of vendors planning to attend the event. That means holiday shopping will be a breeze, and vendors are located on both the East and West concourses of the Jim Norick Arena, in the Super Barn, in Barn 3, Barn 4, and on Barn Row. A complete map of all vendors will be published on NRHAFuturity.com. Join us on November 22, 23, and 30 to enjoy free admission while you shop!
If someone wants a big-ticket item – perhaps a horse to enter in a future NRHA Futurity – they need to plan to be at the OKC Fairgrounds on Thursday, Nov. 30, for the NRHA Markel Futurity Sales. The NRHA Markel Futurity Sales will have more than 250 excellent prospects and producers up for grabs, and the event will feature free admission. Find more information at nrha.com/sales.
Can’t make it to Oklahoma City? There are plenty of ways to keep up with the action. Once again, the NRHA Futurity and the Adequan® NAACs will be available via the live webcast on NRHAFuturity.com. The NRHA Media Team is incredibly active on social media, so make sure to follow NRHA on Facebook and Instagram @nrhareining and on TikTok @nrhareiningofficial. In addition, the latest news is always posted on NRHAFuturity.com, along with the schedule, draws, results, and even videos of the winning runs.
When Andiamoe hit the entrance to the Jim Norick Coliseum, the crowd was already cheering. They’d watched the absolutely masterful go-rounds, where Shawn Flarida and the royally bred mare had marked 228.5 and 224.5. They knew what they were in store for.
When Flarida hit the first stop, the crowd was so loud he wasn’t sure Andiamoe heard him. Regardless, Andiamoe knew the drill, sliding to a stop and scooting her way back to the center. From there, she riled the crowd up even further. On his final stop, Flarida’s smile was visible from the back gate.
As the score of 230 rang out over the audience, Flarida earned his seventh NRHA Open Futurity Championship and a payday of $350,000. With the win, he had launched himself squarely into the mix for The American Performance Horseman.
“She’s a very happy horse. I just tried to stay out of her way,” Flarida said. “She’s so determined, and she’s so confident. Sometimes I’ve just got to be there to pet her and tell her, ‘Hey, you did good.’ Very seldom do I ever have to tell her to work harder. We do a lot of petting and a lot of walking.”
Flarida called Andiamoe a clone of her mother, NRHA Million Dollar Dam Wimpys Little Chic. Flarida earned his fourth Futurity Championship on the palomino in 2007. To make the feat more impressive, Flarida earned an NRHA Open Futurity Championship on Andiamoe’s father, as well, NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya.
“Andiamoe is just so special. She’s amazing,” Flarida said.
Andiamoe was bred, nominated, and owned by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Arcese Quarter Horses.
Flarida credited his steady mindset throughout the intense week to his family, saying his son Sam Flarida is the one who coaches him throughout the process.
“From the time I get my chaps on to the time I go in, he says some of the most important things to me,” Flarida said. “Tonight, he told me to move my hand slow, to trust myself, ‘This is yours. You’ve been building yourself up to do this, and your horse is ready, and she looks cool.’ He was very instrumental in making sure I got through that gate.”
Flarida said the list of those to thank would be too long for the page, but those at the top included his family, friends, wife, Sam, and his owners.
“And my horse. She is absolutely amazing,” he said.
Finishing as the Level 4 Open Reserve Champions were Customize My Dream and NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary. The pair put together a solid 228.5 run, earning a cool $150,000 for owner Devin Warren. Customize My Dream, by NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream out of Gunna Be Custom, was nominated by Garth Hystad, who received $7,500.
Rounding out the top three and earning $100,000 was Abby Lengel and her horse Bringnthaheat. Lengel bred, nominated, raised, and trained the talented mare by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six out of Tackie Dreams.
Level 3 Open Champions – Matt Mills & Walla Be A Bigstar
Drawing last in the MS Diamonds Level 4 Open Finals is a coup, and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Matt Mills planned to capitalize on it. He knew the scores to beat, so when he rode into the Jim Norick Coliseum on Walla Be A Bigstar, he did so with authority.
From the very first stop to the last, it was clear Mills and the flashy palomino stallion were true contenders. Unfortunately, a bobble on a rollback sparked a judges’ review, and Mills had to sweat.
Once the review was over, his score – a 222 – was announced. It was enough to not only win the Level 3 Open Championship but also good for seventh in the L4. That meant that Mills had won the $70,000 check for first in the Level 3 and an additional $52,634 for the L4.
“I’m just really happy for that horse. He’s incredible – we had that darn rollback, but I’m really, really pleased with this incredible horse,” Mills said.
Walla Be A Big Star, by ARC Gunnabeabigstar and out of Smart Little Walla, was bred and nominated by Danny Dalton. He was trained and started by Garrett Thurner, who was showing the horse at the Kimes Ranch Tulsa Reining Classic when he first came on Mills’ radar.
“I saw him showing that week, and I could see the horse was just oozing talent. I went right to Garrett and asked him if I could be first in line. I got a chance to try that horse there and bought him. Garrett did a phenomenal job training that horse, and I didn’t have a lot of time between here and Tulsa, but I’ve typically done pretty well in that situation,” Mills shared. “What a horse he is! I’m not going to lie – during that review, I was holding my breath wondering if we’d be drinking to celebrate or to cry.”
Making the win even more special for Mills was that Walla Be A Bigstar is owned by his longtime clients, Tim and Marybeth Ruckman. “I’m so happy for them. They have always supported me. I also thank my other owners, including Janice Dickson and Taylor Sheridan. It’s a team effort, and it took us all to get the horse here tonight.”
Tying for reserve in the Level 3 were Martin Larcombe and Jordan Larson, who each marked 221.5.
Larcombe, who passed the million-dollar mark in earnings during the NRHA Futurity, rode Vincent Van Whoa, a stallion he owns with Andrea Costa. Vincent Van Whoa, by Spooks Gotta Gun out of FM Master Tag Chex, was also bred and nominated by Kim Adamic, who received $2,125. Larcombe and Vincent Van Whoa also finished second in the Open Prime Time for total earnings of $44,076.
Larson and HA Tune Of A Mobster took second in the Level 3 and tied for eighth in the Level 4 for total earnings of $83,964. HA Tune Of A Mobster, by HF Mobster out of HA Lena Smart Tune, was nominated by Hillis Akin Family Partnership, who received $4,198, and is now owned by Heritage Farms.
Level 2 Open Champions – Guglielmo Fontana & CD Gunnas Chex Olena
Guglielmo Fontana and CD Gunnas Chex Olena earned the most frequent flier miles when traveling to Oklahoma City to compete in the NRHA Futurity. The pair made it count, putting together solid runs all week. With a 219.5 in the MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Finals, they ended the week as the Level 2 Open Champions. They also finished tied for ninth in the Level 3 and 14th in the Level 4 for total earnings of $78,957.
CD Gunnas Chex Olena, by ARC Gunna Sparkya and out of Mistis Chex Olena, was nominated and is owned by Società Agricola CD Horses SRL.
“I’m really happy with my horse. He gave me everything. For me, it’s a dream to be here, and I’m really proud for me and my horse,” Fontana shared. “This is a dream because this is my first time to show here in the states. We decided to come here three months ago, so this is something very special. To just be here tonight, it’s like I won.”
Fontana thanked both Matteo Rondanina and Francesco Martinotti. “Matteo arranged the flight for myself and my horse, and then after showing in Ardmore, I moved my horse to Francesco Martinotti’s,” he explained. “I say a really big thank you to both of them.”
Now Fontana plans to return home, which is in Italy. “We will see with the horse. Maybe we will come back next year. I don’t know yet; I have to speak about it with the owner,” he said.
Tying for second in the Level 2 were Chuy Chavez on Post Palone and Rodrigo Nieves on Spook Lil Whiz. Each marked a score of 218.5.
Post Palone, by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit and out of Blazed By Commander, is owned by Electric Shine Equine. The colt earned $20,000, with $1,000 going to breeder and nominator Alan Chappell.
Nieves and Spook Lil Whiz, by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Lil Dreamer, qualified for the Finals in Levels 4, 3, and 2, earning a total of $$44,897. Spooks Lil Whiz is owned by Renata Lemannwas nominated by NRHA Professional Eduardo Salgado, who passed away earlier this year.
Graddytude lived up to her name in the NRHA Open Futurity Finals, bringing home the Level 1 Championship from the first section of Open Finals Saturday, Dec. 3. The pair scored a 216.5 and earned $13,000 for the Level 1.
“She’s a really good-minded horse,” rider Ethan Wiley said. “There is nothing that she doesn’t try to think through. Her strength, to me, is that she’s a team player.”
Graddytude is owned by Lisa and Mark Doering and was teamed up with Willey a few months prior to the Futurity.
“She’s gotten better the whole way [including] when we got to this horse show,” Wiley said. “Today, she was like a machine, and I was able to chase her in the circles. The faster we went, the better she was.”
Sired by Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Gunner and out of Miss Little Addy Tude. She was bred and nominated by Toyon Ranch.
“I showed her at the Southwest before this, and we had a couple of turn penalties, [plus] her rollbacks were a little rough. So, we had some stuff we had to clean up,” Willey said. “Our plan [today] was to go in there and either make it or break it. I really thought I made a mistake on my first stop – I missed my timing a little bit – but that mare is so good that she saved me on that.”
Willey thanked Danny and Fred Tremblay, Mike Flarida, and wife Angie Willey.
An exciting week at the 2022 National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships wrapped up on a high note. Two young riders split the Championship of the Youth 14 – 18 NAAC, and in the Coliseum Arena, Madalyn Werner, who finished second in the Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year, came for redemption, winning both the Toyon Ranch and Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie Showdowns.
Bob’s Custom Saddles NAAC Rookie 2 and Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Showdown Champion – Madalyn Werner and My Lil Whizkey Girl
Madalyn Werner found some sweet redemption aboard My Lil Whizkey Girl in the Bob’s Custom Saddles NAAC Rookie 2 and Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Showdown, scoring a 213 and earning a whopping $10,000.
The win came a day after Werner competed in a runoff and finished Reserve Champion in the NAAC Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year competition.
“I was a little worried about running her three days in a row with the Showdown, but we did what we had to do,” Werner said. “This week, we really figured each other out. I learned how to show, and she’ll do her job if I’ll do mine. This week I’ve finally been able to think while I’m in the show pen.”
My Lil Whizkey Girl is a 6-year-old mare sired by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Whizkey N Diamonds and out of A Smart Gun. She was bred by Jennifer Gilliam and owned by Werner.
“It’s a dream come true to run through the gates here. It was bonus to have this kind of success,” Werner said
Werner thanked her trainer Kim Diercks, her parents and family, and everyone back home.
“Thank you to Toyon Ranch and Bobs Custom Saddles for [sponsoring]. It’s an extra special thing to do for the rookies while we’re down here, and gives us an opportunity to show in the big pen,” Werner said.
NAAC Youth 14-18 Co-Champion – Madison Rafacz and Got Twisted In Vegas
Madison Rafacz garnered her second and third titles of the week following her success in the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 on Got Twisted In Vegas. This time, a score of 215.5 earned Rafacz the NAAC Youth 14-18 Co-Championship, as well as the co-title for the ancillary division of the class.
“She was very good today,” Rafacy said. “I was just trying to go in and have a great run, not have any penalties, and we did that. She circled really good, and she was good around the ends this time.”
Got Twisted In Vegas (High Roller Whiz x Wimpys Dun Twistin) is owned by Rafacz.
“She’s been very good all week,” Rafacz said. “I tried to win the novice horse with her earlier this week, then showed the next day in the non pro and it was not super great. I ended up schooling, but I think it helped with this class.”
Rafacz thanked her parents, family, and friends, specifically Bud and Kim Lyon.
NAAC Youth 14-18 and Ancillary Youth 14-18 Co-Champion – Sorrel Schreibvogel and Sparkin Affair
Sorrel Schreibvogel and Sparkin Affair earned the NAAC Youth 14-18 and Ancillary Youth 14-18 Co-Championship on the last day of the NRHA Futurity. The youth scored 215.5 on the 9-year-old gelding.
“He’s always been super consistent, and I really enjoy getting to show him,” Schreibvogel said. “His favorite maneuver is stops, and they’re my favorite too.”
Sparkin Affair is sired by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Shining Spark and out of Memorable Affair. He is owned by Randy Shepherd.
“He was very fresh going in the middle,” Schreibvogel said. “He didn’t want to listen, but I tried to zero my spins and plus the circles and stops and let him do what he needed to do.”
Schreibvogel thanked Yonathan Baruch, her parents, and her grandparents for their support.
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Markel Futurity Sales cast off the cold weather, attracting enthusiastic buyers to a crowded sale ring, with bidding reflecting a still-hot market for the sport. The 2022 sale featured 195 horses, up from 168 in 2021, racking up total ring sales of $5,520,900 and an average of $30,231 overall.
The sale kicked off at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds December 1 with the annual breakfast sponsored by Q Stallions, followed by the National Youth Reining Horse Association (NRHyA) Stallion Breeding auction, netting the group nearly $30,000 for its coffers. A breeding to Spooks Gotta Whiz, owned by Michelle Anne Kimball, was the high seller with a bid of $5,800 from Frank Shumate and Kelsie Beal.
Hip no. 250, Chex N The Trash, a 2021 palomino colt by Gunnatrashya and out of the Nu Chex To Cash mare, Snip O Chex, scored the highest overall selling price of the day when he sold for $130,000 in the Elite Yearling Sale. Consigned by Cooper Smith of Whitesboro, Texas, he sold to Anne Tournay of Belgium. The Elite Yearling Sale saw 72 horses presented to buyers, ringing up total sales of $2,985,500 with a ring average of nearly $41,000. Sixty-six head were sold for a total of $2,790,500, bringing a sold average of $42,280.
Bringing the top price in the Preferred Breeders Sale was Hip No 328, A Gal With A Gun. By Gunner and out Roxanne Winder by Docs Sidewinder, the 2006 bay mare was consigned by Shelli Ries and sold to Jim Pirtle of Florida for $110,000. The Preferred Breeders Sale showed an increase in consignments from 29 in 2021 to 47 in 2022, for total ring sales of $1,243,000 and an average of $26,447. Unofficially, 44 horses sold for $1,159,500, averaging $26,352.
In the Premier Sale, B&K Leasing gained the advantage over the buying field, placing a winning bid of $87,000 on Hip no. 405 Spooks Buckaroo. By Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Wanda On Line by Shine On Line, the 2021 dun colt was consigned by Deleu Ranch. A total of 63 horses brought a final figure of $1,390,300, for a ring average of $22,068, while 59 head sold for a total of $1,296,600, with a sold overage of $21,976.
In the Performance Horse Sale, which replaced the Prospect Sale, Gotta Turn It Up, another son of Spooks Gotta Whiz, brought the top price. A 2020 APHA/AQHA colt of Blazed Commander by Commanders Nic, the bay consigned by Alan and Allison Chappell captured a bid of $80,000 from buyer Donald Schanche. The Performance Horse Sale prices totaled $266,700 with an average of $24,245.
Prices and totals reflected above are unofficial. Final prices will be posted at nrha.com.
The Jim Norick Coliseum was rocking on Friday, Dec., for the Finals of the 2022 National Reining Horse Association CINCH Non Pro Futurity. The night was filled with all the emotions one could want in a finals, and the roar of the crowd indicated its approval.
CINCH Non Pro Level 4 Co-Champion, Levels 3, 2, & 1 Champion – William Clutter and Smokinintheboyzroom
William Clutter and Smokinintheboyzroom put on a show on Friday night in the Jim Norick Coliseum, marking a 222.5 to tie for the CINCH Level 4 Non Pro Championship and take sole ownership of the wins in Levels 1, 2, and 3. All totaled, the pair won $119,895, with $5,994 going to nominator Alicia Rapp.
While Clutter was the man at the reins, he was adamant he wasn’t the only one in the arena.
“Kelle Smith and I have worked together all year, every day. I ride six days a week with Kelle and Sam,” Clutter said, speaking of two-time NRHA Non Pro Futurity Champion Kelle Smith, who passed away earlier this week but not before qualifying for yet another Non Pro Finals. “Kelle told me all year long that we’re Team Smith and that if I stumbled, she would pick me up, and if she stumbled, I would help her up.”
He took a pause and collected his thoughts. “Tonight, we helped each other. There is no doubt that Kelle took care of me tonight. It wasn’t easy seeing her horse in the arena tonight during the memorial. She earned it, and she deserved that, so it meant the world to me to be there for Sam. This wasn’t about me. This was for my friends, Sam and Kelle,” he said. “I’m just honored to be the guy that got to go in there and do this for them.”
Clutter and the flashy mare, by Eight Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream out of Green Smokin Jacket, ran into the arena with authority.
“I wanted to get in that gate, and I wanted to let the judges know I came to play. This mare was a 21 in the first round, and I knew there was a little more in the tank, and I needed every bit of it. I also needed some luck and some help,” he said. “And I definitely had luck and help tonight.”
Clutter and his father, Jay, purchased Smokinintheboyzroom a year ago, the Sunday after the Open Futurity Finals, from Max Morin. “We watched her work for five minutes, and it was a no-brainer,” he recalled. “I think now she’s going to get a little time off to eat some grass, and we’re going to try to get some embryos out of her. Her heart is so big, and I know what she’s going to produce. We’ll get these babies and get her ready later on in the year, but right now, we’re just going take her home, pet on her, love on her, and get a couple babies.”
Clutter made sure to thank the people closest to him. “My mom and dad are my biggest supporters. I thank my wife, my kids…and, like I said, Sam and Kelle mean the world to me. She and Sam pushed me, and didn’t take any less. Also, Max did an awesome job with this mare as a two-year-old. He told me ‘You did amazing,’ but I said, ‘No, we did amazing. You put the first year on her. We finished her up and I got her shown. It was a team effort all the way.”
Tying for second in the Level 3 with scores of 220 were Indy Roper on Pretty Alrightt and Charles Wiederholt on Ima Magnum Survivor.
Roper and Pretty Alrightt, by NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire WImpys Little Step out of Justanother Dun It, also finished fourth in the Level 4 for total earnings of $44,593. Pretty Alrightt, owned by Tim Roper, was nominated by Lewisville Development, LP, who received $2,229 of the earnings.
Wiederholt and Ima Magnum Survivor, by Magnum Chic Dream out of Golden Survivor, also finished fourth in the Level 4 and won the Non Pro Prime Time for total earnings of $46,784, with $2,229 going to nominator Deana Nell.
Molly Morgenstern took the Level 2 Non Pro Reserve Championship on Aphrodites Gotvoodoo with a 217.5. The pair also finished just outside the top 10 in the Level 4 and fourth in the Level 3, for total earnings of $29,592. Aphrodites Gotvoodoo is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr out of One Might Aphrodite and was nominated by Double Run Farm, who was awarded $1,479.
There was another tie for Reserve, but this time in the Level 1, between Drew Collins and Chalyce Head, who both marked a 215.
Collins rode Miss Lil Joe, by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Lil Joe Cash out of Custom Tag. Collins and the mare earned $11,918 thanks to additional placings in Levels 3 and 2. The mare was nominated by Darling 888 Ranch, who received $595.
Head teamed up with Whiz I Was A Walla, by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz out of My Tucker Surprize, to not only take the L1 reserve co-title but also place in Levels 2, 3, and 4. All totaled, the pair earned $18,088, with $904 going to nominator Jenna Kellmer.
CINCH Non Pro Futurity Level 4 Co-Champion – Gina Marie Schumacher and Gunnin For The Nite
Gina-Marie Schumacher captured her first NRHA Non-Pro Futurity Title Friday night, Dec. 2, during a high-energy CINC Non Pro Finals. Marking a 222.5, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Schumacher tied with William Clutter for the win. Schumacher earned $60,000 for the feat and an additional $28,707 on her other two horses.
“I just rode,” Schumacher said of Gunnin For The Night. “I didn’t want to push him too much because he decides what he wants to do. I was going to go with what he wanted to do.”
The night before the finals, Schumacher wasn’t pleased with how ‘Bucky’ rode. So, her expectations were up in the air as she ran down the alley in the Jim Norick Arena.
“I was thinking, ‘That [stop] was pretty good.’ And then after his first turn, I thought, ‘Well, that’s OK,’ and after the second turn, I thought, ‘Well, it’s over. I messed up; I’ll keep riding,’” Schumacher said.
Schumacher navigated through the pattern just as she had done on her other two horses, CS O Bingo (Snip O Lution x Bingo Juicy) and CS Face The Shine (Shine Chic Shine x Face Of A Gun Model), but a bobble in her second turn had her thinking she was out of it.
The judges thought otherwise – tying her with Clutter.
Gunnin For The Nite is a gelding bred and nominated by Toyon Ranch, who received a nominating check for $3,000. He’s owned by XCS Ranch LLC and sired by NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya and out of Dun It Fri Dee Nite.
According to Schumacher, Gunnin For The Night is a special and opinionated horse that gets upset easily. If he gets riled up during a training session, Schumacher shelves training for the next day.
“He has his own way of doing things sometimes. He’s very special, he can get upset about little things you don’t expect a horse to get upset about. Like there is a guy taking out the trash across the arena,” Schumacher said.
Despite his idiosyncrasies, the colt, nicknamed Bucky, surely redeemed himself with a $60,000 check.
“I thank everybody. The whole crew – they’ve been working hard all year,” Schumacher said. “They’ve been exhausted, tired, and they just keep pushing. I thank Ian, my mom, and my dad.”
CINCH Non Pro Prime Time Futurity Champion – Charles Wiederholt and Ima Magnum Survivor
The CINCH Non Pro Prime Time Futurity Championship went to Charles Wiederholt and Ima Magnum Survivor with a score of 221.5. For the win, Wiederholt earned $2,190. The pair also won fourth in the Level 4, for total earnings of $46,784, with $2,229 going to breeder and nominator Deana Nell.
“I got him in August of his 2-year-old year, and he was a really green two-year-old. I gelded him and started training on him, and he’s trained up really well,” Weiderholt said. “He’s good in his mouth, and when they’re good in their mouth, it seems like they’re easy to train.”
Throughout the pattern, Wiederholt said Ima Magnum Survivor, by Magnum Chic Dream out of Golden Survivor, was with him every step of the way.
“I thank Dallas Cunningham and Brandon Freihait,” Wiederholt said.
CINCH Non Pro Youth Champion – Lane Colston and HA Chic
Lane Colston brought home the CINCH Non Pro Youth Championship on HA Chic with a score of 219.5, worth $1,316. The pair finished seventh in the Level 4 as well, worth an additional $19,023 in earnings. Breeder and nominator, Hills Akin Family Partnership, received $951.
“My trainer, Jake Ballard, said, ‘Just put your hand down and go show your horse. It’s either going to go well, or it’s not,’” Colston said.
HA Chic was with Colston every step of the way, loping off with his head down and letting Colston wrap his legs around him.
“My dad bought him as a yearling, and I told him I didn’t know why he bought him,” Colston recalled. “[Later] I told him, ‘I’m glad you bought him because he’s the best 3-year-old this year.’ He’s really talented, and he’s a great horse. When we started him, he was a bit smaller, but he’s growing to be a nice horse.”
HA Chic, owned by Lane’s father, Kevin, is sired by HF Mobster and out of HA Chic A Tune. The colt is a graduate of the NRHA Markel Futurity Sales.
“I thank my parents and Jake Ballard, our trainer. And everyone else who has helped along the way,” Colston said.
