Wesley Brown reining horse
Wesley Brown & RM Stepin N Diamonds • Photo by Fletch

Wesley Brown Steals Show at RMRHA Futurity

With zero expectations for the event other than to show his mare for the first time, Wesley Brown rode to the high score in the Rocky Mountain Reining Horse Association (RMRHA) Summer Slide Futurity Non-Pro in all levels. Aboard RM Stepin N Diamonds (Whizkey N Diamonds x SDP A Lasting Step x Wimpys Little Step), Brown rode to a 216 in the finals.

The RMRHA Summer Slide, held at the National Western Complex in Denver, saw 21 non-pro riders vie for the Futurity titles. In the end, it was the overall poise of Brown and his mare that left an impact on the judges.

“The overall picture of the ride was what I am most thrilled with; she was good for me in every single maneuver,” Brown said. “I didn’t ask her for her life [in the show pen], and she was just good everywhere.”

Brown purchased the 2015 mare from Russ Mothershead at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby, and before the show in Denver, had ridden her only once. Trainer Sam Smith, based in Oklahoma, suggested Brown make the journey to show in Denver.

It was a profitable first trip to the Rocky Mountains for Brown. His score earned $1,301 in the Level 4 Non-Pro, $880 in Level 3, $581 in Level 2 and $317 in Level 1. He and RM Stepin N Diamonds added another $1,932 for topping the closed incentive.

“It was fantastic, and we had a ball there. The city of Denver was a lot of fun,” Brown said. “They did a great job; it flowed well, the people were fantastic and the payouts were great. It definitely made me want to go back.”

Brown, who has his own breeding program, enjoys following through to show the futurity prospects he foals. He said it’s almost assured he’ll be back, and maybe next time with a homebred. Regardless, he is looking forward to futurity season and the NRHA Futurity in November.

“[I’m] pretty excited right now! I didn’t have any expectations at all. I wanted to see what we got, but beyond that, I had no ideas,” Brown said. “Bottom line, she is a show horse. When you get out there, she gives 100 percent. After the way she showed [in] the first go and the finals – very willing – I am very excited about the future.”

The Futurity Levels 4, 3, 2 and 1 Non-Pro Reserve titles were secured by Michelle Cowan after she marked a 215 riding Dunnit With Shine (Pale Face Dunnit x Wheres My Shine x Shining Spark). She accumulated a $3,511 paycheck, including her second-place finish in the closed incentive.