On Tuesday, the longest day at the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship featured 98 stellar non pro riders competing to earn titles in a multitude of classes. In the end, McKinnon Larcombe and Morris Kulmer each managed to win more than one division.
McKinnon Larcombe & Designed With Shine Take Adequan® NAAC Non Pro & Int. Non Pro Championships
When McKinnon Larcombe and Designed With Shine enter the arena, people notice. That’s because the team, although they only began competing together earlier this year, have racked up several big wins in their short time together. Earlier this week, they won the Adequan® NAAC Reserve Championship in the Limited Non Pro, and followed that victory with titles in the Adequan® NAAC Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro today.
“This is amazing. It’s the cherry on top for me. She’s been wonderful all year – so consistent time and time again. For her to come here and finish off strong like this, well, I couldn’t be happier,” Larcombe, who competes in the South Central Region in the Southwest Reining Horse Association, said following the awards ceremony. “She was fantastic earlier in the week in the Limited Non Pro, and even more so today.”
Larcombe and Designed With Shine, by Smart And Shiney out of Taris Designer Genes, marked a 220 in today’s class – a half-point higher than their Limited Non Pro run. “My dad (NRHA Professional Martin Larcombe) rode her a little bit since we showed on Friday. I was a little concerned I was getting in her way a bit, but when I went in today, I did so with the mentality of just showing like I always do – nice and easy,” Larcombe explained.
Not only did the two win the NAAC titles, they also won the ancillary classes that ran concurrently, bringing the day’s take to $6,379. As for prizes, Larcombe got several, including two saddles from Bob’s Custom Saddles, Adequan® champion vests, Platinum Performance jackets, two Montana Silversmiths trophy buckles, gift certificates to Bluebonnet and SmartPak, as well as Classic Equine product.
“It’s so exciting. You’re running for a saddle and a big trophy, and it’s a prestigious thing for the riders and older horses. The fact that it’s ran with the Futurity, too, gives the NAAC an overall excited atmosphere. I appreciate how big of a deal NRHA makes about this because it gives people that aren’t in the Futurity something to run for,” Larcombe said. “Ever since we have moved to the United States it has been a goal of mine to have that one horse that could go in there and have a good chance of winning. I’ve been working at it a while and been close, so to win this now is amazing.”
Designed With Shine is owned by Larcombe’s aunt Shauna Larcombe. “First and foremost, I thank my aunt Shauna. She’s the one who lets me show this mare, and without her, I wouldn’t be mounted on such a great horse. I also thank my parents. They pay for everything, and without them, I wouldn’t be here,” she said. “Of course, I thank everyone at the barn – the whole Larcombe team and the Sterling Ranch crew.”
Finishing with the Reserve Championship in the Adequan® NAAC Non Pro was Kirstin Booth and Babys Got Blue Eyes. The pair marked a 217, which also earned them second in the ancillary division and a check totaling $2,427. The pair also won an Adequan® vest, a Platinum Performance jacket, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, gift certificates to Bluebonnet and Platinum Performance, and product from SmartPak and Classic Equine. Babys Got Blue Eyes, a 7-year-old mare, is by Spooks Gotta Whiz out of One Stylish Chic.
Ariana Dejong and her horse White Chocolat Chunk won second in the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Non Pro and finished third in the ancillary Intermediate Non Pro with a 215.5. They also placed in both Non Pro classes, for earnings exceeding $3,088, as well as great prizes including an Adequan® vest, a Platinum Performance jacket, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, gift certificates to Bluebonnet and Platinum Performance, and product from SmartPak and Classic Equine. White Chocolat Chunk, a 14-year-old gelding, is by Chocolate Chic Olena out of Meadow Jac.
Taking second in the Intermediate Non Pro ancillary class was Alexia Tordoff and Blue Collar Tag with a 216. The second place finish was worth $1,154. Blue Collar Tag, an 11-year-old gelding owned by Wild Oats Farm LLC, is by Whiz N Tag Chex out of Kachina Oak Olena.
Morris Kulmer Wins Adequan® NAAC Prime Time Non Pro on NVR What A Lucky Joe
Morris Kulmer and his horse, 5-year-old NVR What A Lucky Joe, clinched the top spot in the Adequan® NAAC Prime Time Non Pro with a score of 215. Along with a check for $2,364, Kulmer also was presented with a saddle from Continental Saddlery, an Adequan® champion vest, a Platinum Performance jacket, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, gift certificates to Bluebonnet and SmartPak, and Classic Equine product.
“This horse was in the winner’s circle here last year when we won the Novice Horse, and that put him over the limit. This year we showed in the Non Pro and Prime Time,” said Kulmer, who represents the Arizona Reining Horse Association in the Southwest Region. “It is always fun to come show out here.”
Although they had a winning run, Kulmer shared that it could have been better. “We had a bobble coming in. I was one of the last on the ground, so I was a little nervous about finding the right part of dirt, and I didn’t know which way to go. I wound up doing something I don’t do very often – I started thinking,” he laughed. “I was looking down and missed that first stop, but other than that he was really good. This horse was solid as can be. My coach and trainer Dan Huss is a perfectionist, and has done a great job with me and this horse.”
NVR What A Lucky Joe, by Lil Joe Cash out of What A Lucky Hit, had a successful derby year, and Fulmer is looking forward to more. “He still has two years of eligibility left, so I’m looking forward to that. I plan to have him at most of the big derbies, including the NRHA Derby in June. I also hope to do the Run for a Million in the non pro,” he shared.
Kulmer shared how grateful he is for the people who help him. “I thank God first. He has blessed me with a lot of good horses and more than I deserve. I thank my trainer, Dan, and my wife for all her support.” He added a special thanks to a very important group – his grandchildren. “They are my biggest inspiration. They are amazing and a lot better athletes than I am. They keep me going.”