The Hollywoodstinseltown Open Futurity took the spotlight on Saturday at The Tulsa Reining Classic on Saturday, held at Expo Square. Big stops, fast spins and flashy horses were showcased in the open futurity in the Ford Truck Arena where 85 entries battled for championship honors.

Andrea Fappani turned in a crowd-pleaser to score a 224 aboard All American Vintage for owner Morris Kulmer to claim the Hollywoodstinseltown Level 4 Open Futurity championship. All American Vintage is 2014 stallion by A Sparkling Vintage and out of All Ruffed Up.

“I was nervous today just because we’ve had this horse for two years and I really believe in him, but it’s the first time we’ve ever shown him and every time you show them for the first time you’re going to find out for sure if what you thought was right or wrong,” Fappani said Saturday’s performance.

Fappani reiterated his belief in his mount saying the first time he saw All American Vintage he felt he would be a perfect fit for his program.

“He’s a really feel-y horse, a smart horse,” Fappani said. “He hasn’t been the easiest just in the fact that you have to spend a lot of time with him, but those are the type of horses that I really find challenging and the ones that I think at the end of the day give you a lot of reward because they try really hard.”

Although Fappani’s mount took a little extra time to mature he says the 3-year-old has blossomed over the last several months, proving so in the show pen in Tulsa. Fappani has big plans for the talented athlete and plans to take him onto the bigger futurities.

“I couldn’t have been any happier with him,” Fappani said. “I love taking [my horses] to this horse show, because it’s a nice big arena, there’s places to warm up everywhere, and so through the years I’ve been taking my best ones to this pre-futurity, because it’s a nice environment for the young horses.”

Thiago Boechat rode Xtra Magic Doctor for owner Silver Spurs Equine to the Hollywoodstinseltown Level 3 Open Futurity championship. 223.5

“The run went great. The horse was there for me and it went just like we planned,” Boechat said of the home bred and trained 3-year-old, which he says makes the win even more special.

In the Hollywoodstinseltown Level 2 Open Futurity Roberto Berti and Jordan Kole Price shared the co-championship with scores of 221.

Berti rode High Voltage Pep, a 2014 mare by Gun Smoke Dennis and out of Electropep. The mare is home bred, which Berti says made the win more meaningful.

“It makes it really special,” Berti said. “I haven’t owned a horse that I’ve shown in quit some time and she made it special.”

The next stop for the mare is the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City and then the rest of her career will be planned one step at a time. Berti is hopeful for her successful future, in part because of her willing personality.

Price rode Checksworthy, a 2014 mare by Big Chex To Cash and out of Banjoes Shinning Star for owner Terry Leffew.

Price felt from the beginning of the run it was going to be a notable score, because of the way his mare warmed up and then because of her beginning maneuvers.

“She’s a very consistent mare, but when I walked into the warm up pen she kind of shifted to a whole different mentality. She’s probably the first horses I’ve had that when you get on her in the warm up pen it’s like ‘Hey, let’s get serious,” he said. “I would say she’s probably going to be a show horse.”

Price plans to show her at the All American Quarter Horse Congress and then at the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City and expects big things from the mare he’s had for two years.

“The best thing that mare does is she’s very consistent,” Price said. “I think that separates her from my other horses is that she rides like she shows every night.” 

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The up-and-coming talents of the reining industry sported their skills in the show pen Saturday at the Tulsa Reining Classic in the youth classes held in the Super Duty Arena at Expo Square.

The 13 & Under Youth champion was Raeanna Thayn riding Coded N Karma, a 2011 gelding by Electric Code and out of Whiz N Snap. Thayn posted a score of 143 earning her the win as well as the 13 & Under USA Reining title.

“[My run] felt really good today, I just kind of sat there and he did it all himself,” Thayn said, adding that it’s “Karma’s” craft in the show pen that she likes most. “I like that he does it and he’s not going to [do anything wrong].”

Thayn and her mount have been partners for a little over a year and have quickly become successful in the show pen. They’ve earned titles at the National Reining Breeders Classic. In Tulsa they started off strong and hope to use the momentum to show well in Saturday’s youth classes.

In the Youth 14-18 Sidney Purdue and Margaret Sue Dunn shared the win with scores of 144.5.

Purdue rode Shirley Shesa Tag, a 2011 mare by Whiz N Tag Chex and out of Pines BH, to the win. Purdue said Saturday’s win was unanticipated simply because she was using the youth run as preparation for Sunday’s classes.

“It was kind of unexpected, because I wasn’t really trying to win today,” she said. “We were just trying to go test everything out and make sure she was going to listen and she happened to get it all together in one ride. It was pretty fun.”

Dunn rode Spooks Smoken Wimpy, a 2009 gelding by Wimpys Little Step and out of Please Don’t Spook. Spooks Smoken Wimpy was shown in Friday’s CRI class by Yonathan Baruch and scored a 220.5, which Dunn said made the opportunity to ride the gelding special.

“He’s being very consistent at the show and I couldn’t ask for a better horse,” Dunn said.

Along with sharing the 14-18 win she also claimed the Unrestricted Youth win with Spooks Smoken Wimpy with the same score of 144.5.

The Rookie Youth champion was Carlee McCutcheon riding Whatta Royal Vintage with a score of 140. Whatta Royal Vintage is a 2009 mare by Hollywood Vintage and out of Whatta Royal Star.

In the Short Stirrup 10& Under class Owen Deary rode Reeboks Rerun to the win with a score of 72. Reeboks Rerun is a 2002 gelding by Reeboks Kid and out of Worksman Fisty and gives Deary ample amount of opportunity to enjoy success.

“I like his stops,” Deary said. “[Today’s run] felt really good.”

In the Youth Reining Horsemanship Class Anna Woolsey rode Lil Red Rawhidey to the win with a score of 71.5.

In the 10& Under Walk/Trot Class Chayda Carpenter rode Jackson to the win.

“I’m really happy, because this is my first show ever, so I was really nervous at first, but I’m really excited,” she said.

Carpenter says she’s been practicing a lot to get prepared for the show and all of her hard work paid off when she earned the win, but most importantly she says she had fun.

Saturday night featured one of the fan favorite events, the Youth Lead Line and Youth Freestyle Reining sponsored by Dr. Joe Carter’s Oklahoma Equine. Seven of the industries brightest young starts made their mark in the arena to the applause of the Tulsa Reining Classic fans and contestants. All contestants received the signature Tulsa Reining Classic Commemorative Teddy Bears.

Kate Lilley rode Playin The Doctor to a fashionable and entertaining freestyle performance to take home the win, and earned a special Dun Gotta Gun Breyer model horse sponsored by Gy Jerry Kimmel.

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The rookies of the sport were highlighted Friday at the Tulsa Reining Classic held at Expo Square Aug. 28 – Sept. 3. Two riders dominated the class with their flashy reining horses.

Alexandra Hatchett took the win in the Rookie classes. She claimed the championship in the Level 1, Level 2 and both the Rookie Levels 1 and 2 affiliate classes with a score of 141.

Hatchett rode Hickorys Baylite an 8-year-old gelding by Hickory Chic Olena and out of Lucky Baylite. Hatchett was admittedly nervous before her run, however her mount steadied all her nerves.

“My goal was top 10 to make it to the affiliate finals and we made it and he was really good,” Hatchett said. Walter Saunders Jr. earned the Prime Time Rookie championship riding Shur Sheez Juice with a score of 141. Shur Sheez Juice is by Smart Like Juice and out of Bingos Sure Slide.

“It was the best run I’ve had all weekend,” Saunders said of his run on Friday.

Shur Sheez Juice has been with Saunders for two years and their relationship continues to grow in and out of the show pen.

“She’s just really awesome, that’s all I can say is she’s just awesome,” Saunders said.

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Friday featured the Novice Horse Open Levels 1 and 2 plus the Novice Horse Open Level 1 and 2 Affiliate Regional Finals in the Super Duty Arena at the Tulsa Reining Classic held at Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Top riders earned honors as champs were crowned.

Brian Bell rode Xtra Adorable Step for owner Kalyn Sanders to a score of 145 for the win in the Novice Horse Open. Xtra Adorable Step is by Wimpys Little Step and out of Dora Whiz and has been a great mount for her owner, but Sanders made the decision to hand the reins over to Bell for Friday’s performance.

“I hadn’t planned on showing her but Kalyn asked me to and I just wanted to have a smooth run and do good enough to win some money, but not go too crazy. She does everything pretty enough that I was able to do that, so I was excited about that,” Bell said.

The mare has been in Bell’s training program for a year. When the previous owner decided to sell her Bell suggested Kalyn purchase the 4-year-old and the rest is history.

“She’s like pedaling a bicycle around, every step you want to go faster you have to tell her to go faster and she always waits on you really good like that, so that’s probably my favorite thing about her,” Bell said about one of the qualities which makes her a winner.

Sanders plans to continue riding her hopefully progress together as a team.

Shauna Larcombe topped the the Novice Horse Open affiliate finals and shared the co-championship in the Novice Horse Level 2 affiliate finals with Tell Edgmon.

Larcombe rode Setting Off Smart to the titles. Setting Off Smart is by Smart Spook and out of Setting Off Sparks and led Larcombe to a score of 146 for the win. Larcombe is set to show the mare in the Open Derby on Sunday and therefore didn’t want to over work the mare.

“I didn’t want to over tax her too much, just wanted a nice clean run and she gave it to me,” Larcombe said of her 6-year-old mare.

Edgmon rode Show Your Guns, owned by Sergio Elizondo for the win. Show Your Guns is by Colonels Smoking Guns and out of Good Time Show Girl.

“It’s hard to find a horse that as the show moves on gets better and better,” Edgmon said, adding that riding for Elizondo makes his job easy.

Dany Tremblay rode Misters Temptress to the Novice Horse Level 2 championship, which is admittedly one of his favorite horses to ride.

“She’s so honest in there and I’m so glad she did good again,” Tremblay said. “We’re going to go the Congress next year again with that horse for the Novice Horse, we’re leading the year right now, so hopefully we can end the year in the lead.”

Misters Temptress is a 5-year-old mare by Mister Dual Pep and out of Colonel Pepinic and owned by Adh Mor Ranch, Brad and Amanda Kelly.

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Friday night’s competition was filled with national and international competition when the USEF and CRI classes were showcased. The riders dazzled the crowd with big stops, fast spins and smooth moves. Both the professionals and the young guns of the sport had the opportunity to show off their skills.

Matt Mills rode Wimps Cool Breeze to the USEF Open gold medal with a score of 221.5 for owner Janice Dickson.

Wimps Cool Breeze is by Wimpys Little Step and out of QHR Jamaica Express and is a 7-year-old buckskin stallion Mills has grown to appreciate for both his style and heart in the arena.

“I love that horse,” Mills said. “He is exactly what you want when you talk about a horse with heart and guts. He never quits. Really he’s what I call a gamer. He’s always up to it, whether I have two horses to get him ready or a month to prepare it doesn’t matter when I walk through the gate that horse is going to be at the bare minimum where he was tonight.”

Friday Mills used his relationship with Wimps Cool Breeze to prepare him properly before the run as well as show him just right in the show pen.

“I thought the entire run was solid. We’ve definitely scored a whole lot higher before, but at this particular run we didn’t need to be spectacular we needed to be real good,” Mill said of he strategy for the run. “We have plans to qualify for the WEG next year, so it’s always trying to be careful not to do too much, but yet you always want to be coming out on top when the dust settles.”

Casey Deary claimed the silver medal riding Reeboks Rerun to a score of 219.5 for owner Owen Deary. Deary also took the bronze medal riding Who Dat Hot Chic with a score of 218.5 for owner Neiberger Performance.

In the 14-18 USEF class Cade McCutcheon was the gold medal winner riding Anne-Marie Burns’ 5-year-old REF Sturgis. The win was outstanding for McCutcheon, because it was the first time he had ever ridden the horse.

REF Sturgis is by Custom Harley and out of Chics Time To Rein and he stepped up for McCutcheon when he needed a mount for the class.

“The first time I ever rode him was tonight before I showed him, but he’s pretty easy to get along with,” McCutcheon said. “I wanted to show in this class and I didn’t have a horse and Anne-Marie was nice enough to let me show him.”

McCutcheon hope to follow in his parents’ footsteps and rise to the top of the USEF competition.

“It’s different than showing in the NRHA classes that I show in every horse show, so it’s a different experience and hopefully it will get me ready for the next young riders competitions if I go,” McCutcheon said.

Dani Latimer took home the silver medal riding Sparklin Nite with a score of 217.5 and Blair Thompson rode Whiz N Chica Dee to a score of 214 to take home the bronze medal.

In the 14-18 USEF class Cade McCutcheon was the gold medal winner riding Anne-Marie Burns’ 5-year-old REF Sturgis. The win was outstanding for McCutcheon, because it was the first time he had ever ridden the horse.

REF Sturgis is by Custom Harley and out of Chics Time To Rein and he stepped up for McCutcheon when he needed a mount for the class.

“The first time I ever rode him was tonight before I showed him, but he’s pretty easy to get along with,” McCutcheon said. “I wanted to show in this class and I didn’t have a horse and Anne-Marie was nice enough to let me show him.”

McCutcheon hope to follow in his parents’ footsteps and rise to the top of the USEF competition.

“It’s different than showing in the NRHA classes that I show in every horse show, so it’s a different experience and hopefully it will get me ready for the next young riders competitions if I go,” McCutcheon said.

Dani Latimer took home the silver medal riding Sparklin Nite with a score of 217.5 and Blair Thompson rode Whiz N Chica Dee to a score of 214 to take home the bronze medal.

Kalena Reynolds rode Gun Whiz It to the 13 & Under youth USEF gold medal with a score of 212.5. Gun Whiz It is a 6-year-old mare by Colonels Smoking Gun and out of Roll Whiz It and this year marks the first year of her partnership with Reynolds.

“We had a little bit of trouble getting together at first, but we’ve clicked and we’ve gotten better and she’s taught me a lot,” Reynolds said.

The Tulsa Reining Classic was Reynolds first show to compete in the USEF classes and she plans to continue competing.

Carlee McCutcheon won the silver medal riding Whatta Royal Vintage with a score of 208.

The National Reining Horse Association is not responsible for information contained in this press release. Please contact the author or submitting organization for further information, requests or questions.