Thiago Boechat & Xtra Taris Voodoo • Photo by Kelsey Pond

Xtra Taris Voodoo Impresses at Tulsa Reining Classic

Thiago Boechat & Xtra Taris Voodoo • Photo by Kelsey PondThiago Boechat & Xtra Taris Voodoo • Photo by Kelsey PondThere were 87 entries in the Darling 888 Ranch Developing Horse Futurity Level 4 Open, and Thiago Boechat, of Purcell, Oklahoma, and Xtra Taris Voodoo bested the field with a 220.5 to win $4,097, a Lawson bronze and a saddle from the Tulsa Reining Classic, which runs Aug. 31-Sept. 6 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Xtra Taris Voodoo is special to the crew at Xtra Quarter Horses, who bred and still own the 3-year-old mare (Shiners Voodoo Dr x All Thats Dun x Hollywood Dun It).

“We’re pretty proud of her and the program,” Boechat said. “I rode her sire and made the [National Reining Horse Association (NRHA)] Futurity finals, and then Todd Bergen won Reserve at the NRHA Derby. We bred him as a 4-year-old and this mare is from his first foal crop. There are a lot of similarities between him and her. He passes a lot of him along.”

Boechat, head trainer of Xtra Quarter Horses, is a veteran at the Tulsa Reining Classic. He said he appreciates the timing of the show while he prepares for the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City.

“I think this is one of the best places to take a futurity horse,” he said. “You can get them ready and if you feel like they still need some work, you have time to get them ready for Oklahoma City.”

Taking the Reserve Championship in the Level 4 Open was Dean Brown, who rode Sparkys Shining Doll (Friday Night Shiner x BB Holly Doll x Star Chex Badger) for Robert Santagata, of Campbell Hall, New York. The Reserve title, won with a 218.5, came with a check for $2,493.

Levels 3 & 2 Open

Finishing third in the Level 4 and taking top honors in the Levels 3 and 2 Open was Fred Thomsson on Missin My Shine (Smart And Shiney x Miss Sliding Peppy x Lil Ruf Peppy). The pair scored a 218 that was good for a $5,892 payday, as well as two Lawson bronzes, a Back On Track sheet, No Bow Wraps, and gift certificates to Santa Cruz Animal Health and Cowboy Couture.

Thomsson has been riding the mare since December and was very pleased with the strength showcased by Missin My Shine during their run.

“She’s a really nice mare. She’s strong mentally and really talented. She’s got a big stop and has been good to train all year. She showed really well here,” he said. “Our run today was good. She turned good and circled perfect. She stopped great the first two times. The last stop I probably let off a little bit, and she still stopped, but not as good as the first two.”