The only place things will be heating up now is in the show pen when trainers test their 3-year-olds. And that’s why I love this time of year. You never know what those babies will do.

Bob and I drove up to the Dixie Reining Horse Association Summer Sliding Classic in Perry, Ga. We had a blast. The only downside was that we had to leave our two dogs at the vet’s for the weekend. It was very traumatic - not for the dogs!

Anyway, one of the reasons we love to go to this show is the annual Dorminy Plantation Futurity. Just like every other regional futurity, it’s a place to get a bird’s eye view of a 3-year-old’s debut.

It’s that time of the year when that Futurity “suspect” turned Futurity “prospect” lets  everyone know whether or not he or she wants to be a show horse. And, as every trainer knows, the youngsters they’ve been educating for better than a year ultimately make that decision.

They will make their trainer’s top string, move down a notch or head home. In other words, it’s the time of year promising 3-year-olds fulfill that promise - or not. It’s the time of year a trainer scratches his or her head and heads back to the drawing board or can’t wait to get into the show pen again.

The highs and lows are all leading up to Oklahoma City and the NRHA Futurity – the ultimate test for a 3-year-old reining horse and the epitome of highs and lows in the reining horse business.

I’ve never had the slightest inclination to show a futurity horse. Like I said, you never know what those babies will do. But I’m sure glad a lot of people set their sights on the Futurity.

By far, the NRHA Futurity finals is my most favorite class. And by all accounts, from coast to coast, there are some fabulous 3-year-olds looking for fame and glory in OKC.

I can’t wait!