RTieperman

Robert Tieperman Wins 4-Year-Old Unlimited Amateur Championship At Tunica Futurity

RTiepermanRobert TiepermanThe Tunica Futurity, held in West Monroe, La., saw another great day of competition on Feb. 2 with the 4- and 5/6-Year-Old Unlimited Amateur and Amateur finals. On the next-to-last day of the cutting event, Robert Tieperman took the 4-Year-Old Unlimited Amateur Championship aboard TS Reys N Cats.

After marking the highest score in the go-round with a 216, the Jewett, Texas, cutter returned to the 4-Year-Old Unlimited Amateur finals aboard TS Reys N Cats, and marked a 219 to earn the title, and walked away with a paycheck worth $2,842. Having only purchased the gelding a week ago at the Augusta Futurity, it was Tieperman’s first time to show the horse. Though their compatibility was clearly proven with their win, TS Reys N Cats was purchased for Tieperman’s wife, Melanie, who plans to start competing again, after having taken the last several years off after their son Braxton, 3, was born.

“He’s a really nice horse,” Tieperman said. “It was a good, solid run. He’s as solid as my 5/6-year-old horse. I would say I’m looking forward to the next time I’m going to show him, but I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he said with a laugh, adding that his wife was now looking forward to taking over the reins. “It’s been a good show.”

The 4-Year-Old Unlimited Amateur Reserve title went to Bellville, Texas, rider Petra Evans and Miss Bingo Lingo. The duo marked a 216 to earn a check worth $2,440.

5/6-Year-Old Unlimited Amateur

BColgroveBlakley ColgroveThe 5/6-Year-Old Unlimited Amateur Championship went to 12-year-old Blakley Colgrove, of Boligee, Ala., and Vespaa. After marking a 215.5 in the first go, the duo came back in the finals to take the Championship with a score of 221, and earned a check worth $3,610.

“It feels good,” she said of her run. “That last cow got me a little scared because it got really close to me. I got a little nervous, but it was just a great run. [Vespaa] was really good.”

Colgrove’s win was a great follow up to her success at the recent Augusta Futurity, where she won the 4-Year-Old Amateur and Futurity Non-Pro Championships aboard Sassy Lil Sue and earned more than $22,000, collectively.

The Co-Reserve Championship went to Geary, Okla., resident Miller Wade Smith with Knife Money, and Bristol, Tenn., resident Andy Carrier with Im Countin On You. Both duos marked a 219 to share the Co-Reserve title and earn $2,769.

4-Year-Old Amateur

DontBeGrabbin ABellDont Be Grabbin & Amy BellRiding into the herd last in the six-horse 4-Year-Old Amateur finals, Dennis, Texas, cutter Amy Bell rode Dont Be Grabbin to mark a 219 to best the field for the Championship and earn a check worth $2,601. The duo showed earlier in the day during the 4-Year-Old Unlimited Amateur finals, where they marked a 206 to take sixth place and an additional $1,356.

“I showed him in the Unlimited Amateur and he was a little lazy for me,” she said after her win. “I was a little nervous because he was so tired and he doesn’t take a whole lot. Being last, you just never know, but it felt good.”

The Reserve Championship went to Jose Ingacio Sigala, of Weatherford, Texas, and Absolut Cat. They marked a 215.5 to earn $2,157.

5/6-Year-Old Amateur

LPinkstonLica PinkstonThe 5/6-Year-Old Amateur Championship went to Alice, Texas, resident Lica Pinkston and Stirrinup A Storm. They went into the herd second in the 10-horse finals, and marked a 222 to take the title and a winner’s check for $2,601.

“I just wanted to go in and get my cows cut clean be confident in my run,” she said. “I knew my horse could do it.”

The duo also showed just a few hours earlier in the 5/6-Year-Old Unlimited Amateur finals, where they marked a 218 to tie for third place and earn an additional $1,881.

The 5/6-Year-Old Amateur Reserve Championship went to Miller Wade Smith and Smooth Application, and they earned $2,777. Smith also took third place aboard Knife Money to earn an additional $1,905.

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