McCutcheon Continues Success at Tulsa Reining Classic

Mandy McCutcheon & One Last Gunner (left), and Kevin Ball & This Chic Guns It

The Turnabout Farm Futurity Non-Pro took center stage at the Tulsa Reining Classic, held at Expo Square Aug. 28 – Sept. 3. Smart maneuvers and big stops were in large supply in the Ford Truck Arena.

Mandy McCutcheon and Kevin Ball shared the Turnabout Farm Futurity Level 4 Non-Pro Championship with matching scores of 220.5.

McCutcheon rode her home-raised mare One Last Gunner, who is by Colonels Smoking Gun (Gunner) and out of One Last Corona (by Magnum Chic Dream). McCutcheon said she owes the existence of the mare to her son, Cade, who asked to breed One Last Corona to Gunner.

“I think she was supposed to be Cade’s,” McCutcheon said with a laugh, adding that when she landed in her hands, she was happy to claim ownership.

McCutcheon has already seen success in Tulsa this week, tying herself for the Co-Championship in Thursday’s SmartPak Derby Level 4 Non-Pro. Even with the success thus far, McCutcheon said one of the highlights of the week was sharing the win in Friday’s Futurity Non-Pro.

“She was really good and really solid,” McCutcheon said of her mare’s run. “This is a really tough futurity. It’s one of the best ones in the country. It’s been a great week, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Ball rode This Chic Guns It, a 3-year-old by Gunner and out of the Hollywood Dun It mare This Chic Dun It. In addition to the Level 4 Co-Championship, the duo won the Level 3 and Level 2 championships. Ball purchased the mare rather unexpectedly when Nathan Piper found her only one day after Ball mentioned he was looking for a 2-year-old.

“I called Nathan and said, ‘Hey let’s look for a 2-year-old to purchase at the end of the year.’ He called me the next day and said, ‘You need to watch this video and buy this horse,’ and I said, ‘What about the end of the year didn’t you understand?'” Ball recalled with a laugh.

Even though Ball said he wasn’t initially ready to purchase a horse, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy This Chic Guns It, and hasn’t regretted a moment with the mare.

“I saw her and it was just the right place, the right time kind of a deal,” he said. “She’s come along better and better, and she’s just been a joy to be around.”

Ball says the mare has only been hauled and shown a hand full of times but continues to progress each time.

“I knew she could do it; I knew she had a lot of talent,” Ball said of his mare’s win. “I just wanted to showcase her the best I could, take it step by step and not over show her either.”

Futurity Prime Time Non-Pro

Sandy Eustace & Chex With A Dream

Sandy Eustace rode Chex With A Dream to the Turnabout Farm Futurity Prime Time Non-Pro title with a score of 218.5, which was handicapped to a 221.5.

Friday’s win was extra special for Eustace, because the 3-year-old daughter of Magnum With A Dream who is out of Lee San Chex (by Prime Time Chex) is Eustace’s first homebred show horse.  

“I’m just happy that she’s made a reiner,” Eustace said. “She’s a little behind, but she’s coming quick.”

Eustace said going into the futurity she was concerned with her turnarounds, because it’s admittedly a weak spot for the mare. Chex With A Dream stepped up for her owner when it counted and nailed them, helping lead her rider to their newest title.

“I feel wonderful,” Eustace said. “I’m just glad that she did well.”