MFranz HawksDesire

Marilyn Jo Franz Bests NCHA Futurity Amateur

MFranz HawksDesireMarilyn Jo Franz & Hawks DesireThirty horses entered the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, with the dream of topping the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity Amateur finals, but it was Marilyn Jo Franz and Hawks Desire from the fourth draw that reigned victorious.

Franz, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Hawks Desire (EBR Kitty Hawk x Tina Bars Annie x Tina Bars Peppy) bested the division by 2 points with a 217, ahead of Reserve Champions Parke Greeson and Playin With Monty (Mr Playinstylish x Fletch The Cat x Royal Fletch), who earned a 215.

The win was worth $9,336, which took Franz’s Equi-Stat record to $117, 386.

Franz credits much of her recent success to the unyielding support of her family. She was competing against her nephew, Alex Franz, who rode Retta Kat (EBR Kitty Hawk x Rettas Acre x Bob Acre Doc) to a 207, but they were both rooting for one another throughout the event.

“Tonight was extremely special for me,” Franz said. “We are a really close family, and it was so nice to be able to show with him.”

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