Futurity Level 2 Open
Earning the Level 2 Championship and $18,520 with a 219 score was My Dream Gun (Chicks Smokingun x Custom Made Dream x Magnum Chic Dream) with Morey Fisk in the saddle. Bred and nominated by Mark Gratny, the gelding is owned by Sabine Schmid. He and Fisk also tied for eighth in Level 3 and 14th in Level 4, garnering an additional $25,711.
“I flew in five days before the first go-round and got to know him a little bit,” Fisk said. “I flew in, got to know him, and then had some fun and showed. I was just trying to stay quiet and enjoy the ride. I reached my goal of making the finals, so I was just having fun and just trying to do things right. It all worked out.”
Reserve honors in the Level 2 Futurity Open, along with a $13,399 check, went to NRHA Professional Jonathan Gauthier and Dreaminintinseltown (Hollywoodstinseltown x This Chicsdundreamin x Magnum Chic Dream), who were a point behind the winners. The stallion is owned by Sue Henson and was bred and nominated by Rhodes River Ranch.
The Level 2 Open Futurity Champion received a Continental Saddlery custom saddle sponsored by Arcese Quarter Horses, a custom Montana Silversmiths Trophy Buckle, Anderson Bean boots, Classic Equine Contour Pedic Reiner, Bluebonnet Feed, a SmartPak Gift Card, a Shorty’s Caboy Hattery certificate and tote bags courtesy of KO Trading.
The Level 2 Open Reserve Champion received a Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle sponsored by Martinez Ranches Inc., Classic Equine product, Bluebonnet Feed and a Grooming Kit from KO Trading.
Futurity Level 1 Open
With a 217, NRHA Professional Vanessa Strottman rode Cashing In Diamonds (Lil Joe Cash x Diamond Steppin Whiz x Topsail Whiz), an NRHA/Markel Insurance Sale consignment owned by Stefano Calcagnini and bred and nominated by Green Valley Ranch, to take home the Futurity Level 1 Open Championship. They also placed fourth in Level 2 and tied for 14th in Level 3, adding a total of $24,535 to their bankroll.
“We tried to put her through the NRHA/Markel Insurance Prospect Sale at the Futurity last year, but her preview was so good that I knew she was special, and I decided at that point that I wanted to show her if she didn’t sell for a lot of money. We ended up bringing her back home, and I’ve gotten to show her. She’s been pretty awesome and by far the best horse I’ve ever shown,” said the NRHA Professional.
A half-point behind, NRHA Professional Joshua Crawley and Gunnamoonya (Gunnatrashya x Shining Moonstone x Shining Spark) – a mare bred by Andre De Bellefeuille and owned by Crawley – took Reserve honors and a $6,024 check.
“She felt really good in there tonight,” Crawley said. “Stopping is her biggest maneuver, so to run in and get a good maneuver accomplished right away was important. I tried to play smart and stay out of the penalty box, and she handled everything great; she was really fun to show.
“To feel my horse try that hard and have that kind of run, and be that good, was incredible,” he continued. “It is a long two weeks here, and three runs is a lot on a 3-year-old. I was just thrilled with her.”
The Level 1 Futurity Open Champion received a Continental Saddlery custom saddle, a custom Montana Silversmiths Trophy Buckle, Anderson Bean boots, Classic Equine Contour Pedic Reiner, Bluebonnet Feed, a SmartPak Gift Card, a Shorty’s Caboy Hattery certificate and tote bags courtesy of KO Trading.
The Level 1 Open Reserve Champion received a Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle sponsored by Custom Bits and Spurs by Maheu, Classic Equine product, Bluebonnet Feed and a Grooming Kit from KO Trading.
A night to remember
Making history at the 2017 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® NAAC Show were the following riders and owners (unofficial):
Tom McCutcheon crossed the Million Dollar Owner mark.
- Total before the Non-Pro finals: $950,438
- The following horses helped him cross:
- Best Nite Ever – Level 4 Champion – $40,160
- One Stormy Nite – seventh place in Level 4 and Youth Futurity Champion – $12,940
- This Chics Nite – ninth place in Level 4 – $7,924
- A Special Sidekick – 21st place in Level 4, 12th place in Level 3, seventh place in Level 2, sixth place in Level 1 and fifth place in the Youth – $13,448
- Whizkey N Jewels – 18th place in Level 4 and third place in the Youth – $4,353
Silver Spurs Equine became a Million Dollar Owner with $1,022,713.
- Total before the Open finals: $944,532
- Xtra Dun Step – third place in Level 4 – $69,876
- Xtra Gotta Step – 31st place in Level 4 – $8,304
Shawn Flarida climbed past the Six Million Dollar Rider threshold to $6,047,065.
- Total before the Open finals: $5,956,015
- Mr Masota Star – third place in Level 4 – $69,876
- Missin My Tinsel – ninth place in Level 4 – $21,174
Andrea Fappani crossed the Five Million Dollar Rider mark to $5,061,177.
- Total before the Open finals: $4,938,326
- All American Vintage – Level 4 Reserve Champion – $113,937
- Lil Patron – twenty-sixth place in Level 4 – $8,914
For complete results visit nrhafuturity.com
