The Turnabout Farm Non Pro Futurity took center stage at The Tulsa Reining Classic, held at Expo Square Aug. 28 – Sept. 3, saw smart maneuvers and big stops during the Non Pro Derby in the Ford Truck Arena.
Mandy McCutcheon and Kevin Ball shared the Turnabout Farm Level 4 Non Pro Futurity championship with scores of 220.5.
McCutcheon rode her home raised mare One Last Gunner by Colonels Smoking Gun and out of One Last Corona. McCutcheon says she owes the existence of the mare to her son, Cade, who asked to breed One Last Corona to “Gunner.”
“I think she was supposed to be Cade’s,” McCutcheon said with a laugh, adding that when she landed in her hands she was happy to claim ownership.
McCutcheon has already had success in Tulsa sharing the co-championship in Thursday’s SmartPak Level 4 Non Pro Derby. Even with the success thus far McCutcheon says one of the highlights of the week was sharing the win in Friday’s Non Pro Futurity.
“She was really good and really solid,” McCutcheon said of her mare’s run, adding praise for the mare’s performing in the tough field at Tulsa. “This is a really tough futurity, it’s one of the best ones in the country. It’s been a great week and I couldn’t be happier.”
Ball rode This Chic Guns It, a 3-year-old by Colonels Smoking Gun and out of This Chic Dun It, to not only the Level 4 win, but the Level 3 and Level 2 championships as well. Ball purchased the mare rather unexpectedly when Nathan Piper found her only one day after Ball mentioned he was looking for a 2-year-old.
“I called Nathan and said ‘Hey let’s look for a 2-year-old to purchase at the end of the year.’ He called me the next day and said ‘You need to watch this video and buy this horse,’ and I said ‘What about the end of the year didn’t you understand?'” Ball recalled with a laugh.
Even though Ball said he wasn’t initially ready to purchase a horse he said couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy This Chic Guns It, and hasn’t regretted a moment with the mare.
“I saw her and it was just the right place, the right time kind of a deal,” he said. “She’s come along better and better and she’s just been a joy to be around.”
Ball says the mare has only been hauled and shown a hand full of times, but continues to progress each time.
“I knew she could do it; I knew she had a lot of talent,” Ball said of his mare’s win. “I just wanted to showcase her the best I could, take it step by step and not over show her either.”
Sandy Eustace rode Chex With A Dream to the Turnabout Farm Non Pro Futurity Prime Time with a score of 221.5.
Friday’s win was extra special for Eustace, because the 3-year-old daughter of Magnum With A Dream and out of Lee San Chex is Eustace’s first home raised show horse.
“I’m just happy that she’s made a reiner,” Eustace said. “She’s a little behind, but she’s coming quick.”
Eustace says going into the futurity she was concerned with her turnarounds, because it’s admittedly a weak spot for the mare. Chex With A Dream stepped up for her owner when it counted and nailed her turnarounds, which helped lead her rider to the win.
“I feel wonderful,” she said of her win. “I’m just glad that she did well.”
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