Thebettertohearuwith Fappani web

Thebettertohearuwith & Fappani Top Futurity Level 4 Open at Reining By The Bay

Thebettertohearuwith Fappani webThebettertohearuwith & Andrea Fappani • Photo by Brandyl BrooksReining By The Bay, held in Woodside, California, July 20-26, attracted many veteran performers, who gave each other a run for their money. However, it was Andrea Fappani who stood out above his competitors by claiming two limited age events.

Fappani rode Bill Coburn’s 3-year-old stallion Thebettertohearuwith (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Chex Out The Cowgirl x Lean With Me) in the Futurity Level 4 Open to score a 219 as draw No. 17 out of 28 horse-and-rider-teams. The duo garnered an $8,298 paycheck for their performance. Since this was their debut, Fappani kept in mind that the stallion was still young and learning, and aimed to make it a pleasant experience for the horse.

 “We had a good run and he did his job. I didn’t ask for huge speed in any particular maneuver,” Fappani said. “ I still think it’s a little early right now, that’s why we still show him in two hands just to make sure we don’t get him scared in the show pen. We love winning, but on the other hand, these pre-futurities are made to get the horse used to showing and get him broke in the show pen. It was a good experience today.”

Taking home Futurity Level 4 Open Co-Reserve honors was Holly MAQ Gun (Hollywoodstinseltown x Gunners Doll), owned by Sari La Maqueline, ridden by Mike McEntire, and Rsure Shot Of Whizkey (Whizkey N Dimonds x Gunners Sureshot x Colonels Smoking Gun [Gunner]), owned by Rhodes River Ranch, ridden by Sean McBurney. Both horse-and-rider teams scored a 217.5 for paychecks worth $4,813.