Tom Williams took a 13-year break from cutting horses.
“I didn’t intend to stop for 13 years, but that’s the way it worked out,” he said on Saturday on the floor of the Ike Hamilton Arena in West Monroe, Louisiana.
His obligations to business and family — house construction, namely — got in the way. You know, life stuff.
But he returned three years ago and has been successful.
His most recent triumph: guiding Hashtag Metallic to the 4-Year-Old Amateur championship at The Ike this weekend, a title that paid more than $4,000 to the winners.
“Cash,” by Metallic Cat and out of Shes Playin Tag (by High Brow CD), and Williams posted a 219 in the finals as the second draw.
“It was a good clean run,” said Williams, a winner of more than $190,000, according to Equi-Stat. “The horse was good, the cattle were good. It was just a good, smooth run.”
Cash, bred by Rock Creek Ct Hrs Ltd. of Weatherford, Texas, and Williams are on a good stretch. The duo advanced to the Amateur finals at the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity in December in Fort Worth.
Falling short there wasn’t the horse’s fault, his owner said.
“I messed him up on my third cut,” said Williams, who is from Haleyville, Alabama. He had a fantastic show there. I blew my third cut. Knocked him out of that. He’s just a real good horse. He’s real easy to show.”
Since returning to the sport three years ago, Williams has had some success, flourishing on both Sofies Cat and her full brother Sofies Choice Cat (High Brow Cat x Sofie Rey). Sofies Cat, a 2014 mare, and Williams were Reserve champions in the Amateur at the 2017 NCHA Futurity, Williams’ first year back in the saddle.
“We’ve been pretty successful since we came back,” said Williams.
Next for his current ride is the Arbuckle Mountain Futurity later this month.
