Horse chasing a cow
Cat Gethr & Kody Porterfield. • Photo by Molly Montag.

In Command: Porterfield & Cat Gethr Win NCHA Futurity Limited Open

Sometimes it’s better when things don’t go as planned.

Trainer Kody Porterfield wasn’t looking for Cat Gethr when he saw the then-2-year-old Metallic Cat filly on a trip to check out some other prospects before last year’s National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity. But, one thing led to another, and he ended up training her anyway.

Fast-forward a year later and he and the 2015 mare made the 2018 NCHA Futurity Limited Open finals on Wednesday (Nov. 28). He and his team of helpers – Jaime Snider, Matt Miller, Tarin Rice and Boyd Rice – picked out cows the group thought would be his best shot at winning. Then, in the draw before Porterfield was to go, those cows got picked by another rider –and that turned out to be a good thing.

“We just dropped down our list and cut our second favorites, which thank goodness ended up being the better ones,” said Porterfield, who marked a winning 223 with J.C. Jackman’s red roan mare. “But, the best thing is, when that happens and I want to get nervous and freak out a little bit, that’s when all my help comes in handy.”

The mare, who Porterfield admits isn’t very big, gave the Weatherford, Texas, trainer a run in the Futurity Limited Open finals that filled him with pride. The crowd at Will Rogers Coliseum screamed with every big move and, afterward, Porterfield reached down and gave her a well-deserved pat on the neck.

“I didn’t know what anybody else thought. I thought it was a pretty good run and I wasn’t really worried about the score. I mean, yes, I wanted to win, but I was just super happy with my mare and felt like she’d given me her all,” he said. “So, regardless of the outcome I was glad that she anted up and really showed me that she’s got what it takes.”

This year’s win earned $12,323 for Cat Gethr’s owner, JC Jackman, of Clewiston, Florida. Although Jackman wasn’t able to be at the show – Porterfield said he was on his way – the trainer was thankful that their first horse together turned out to be a good one, and thanked his family  — wife, Cheyenne, and 2-year-old daughter, Klaire – as well as his staff for helping with the winning effort.

“It takes a huge team to win one of these events and we’re just very blessed,” he said.

Porterfield, who now has an Equi-Stat record of more than $261,000, previously won the Limited Open Futurity in 2015 with This Isa Third (Third Cutting x Cat Fancy This x High Brow Cat).

Cat Gethr is the fourth money earner out of Love A CD (CD Olena x Smart Love x Smart Little Lena). The bulk of Love A CD’s $139,837 Equi-Stat produce record was won by her leading earner, Roamin Cat ($116,140, by High Brow Cat)

Futurity Limited Open Reserve Champions Reycan In The Cash and Greg Wright marked a 219. Wright and the gelding (Dual Rey x Cancan Kitty x High Brow Cat) earned $11,255 for owner Eric Freitas, of Santa Maria, California.

One of eight money-earners foaled by his dam, Reycan In the Cash is a full brother to her leading earner, Cancan Reyvolution ($176,682). In all, Cancan Kitty has an Equi-Stat produce record of $318,761.

Click here for the full order of finish in the 2018 NCHA Futurity Limited Open finals.

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