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PS Whizzen Colonel and Shawn Flarida won the Developing Horse Division at the 2020 National Reining Breeders Classic. * Photo courtesy of NRBC

NRBC: Shawn Flarida and PS Whizzen Colonel Claim Developing Horse Futurity

It’s not often that Shawn Flarida leaves an event early, but with his son Cody set to get married this weekend, he had to make some changes.

“I actually showed all my futurity horses today because I’m jumping on a plane in a few hours to go home for the wedding, so I can’t show tomorrow (in the Hollywoodstinseltown Open Futurity),” Flarida explained Thursday, Aug. 27, with a smile. 

Flarida piloted PS Whizzen Colonel to the Tamarack Ranch Developing Horse Futurity Open Level 4 Championship on Thursday, and a check for $5,260, with a score of 220.5. 

“He turned really, really good. I didn’t run him as hard as I could have in the circles, but he stopped great. You can just point him down there, say the word ‘whoa,’ and he stops. He was really good,” Flarida said. 

PS Whizzen Colonel

PS Whizzen Colonel holds a unique place in Flarida’s heart. He had ridden the colt’s sire, Wimpys Littlecolonel, as well as his dam, PS A Whizzen Chic (by Walla Walla Whiz). 

PS Whizzen Colonel was bred and raised by Patsy Schultz, one of Flarida’s long-time customers. “Patsy passed away in February. I had worked for her forever, and it was incredibly sad,” Flarida said. “Her horses got sold, and I bought this horse for another client of mine, Joe Bowman, that I’ve worked for a long time. He’s never won a Futurity before, and he’s going to be so excited when I call and tell him. I’m excited for him, too.” 

Although he’s leaving the NRBC, Flarida won’t be gone long. 

“I’m super excited for my son Cody and his future bride Katsy Leeman. We’ll be there to celebrate and then fly back here on Sunday, and then my other son, Sam, shows Monday in the NRBC,” Flarida said. “I thank all my help. I thank my wife for organizing and getting me here. There are so many people to thank, including all the owners, and of course the man who is going to fly me home.”

Taking second in the Open Level 4 with a 219.5 was Fernando Salgado and Step Out N Rock It, owned by La Sierita. Step Out N Rock It, by Wimpys Little Step out of Miss Whiz Dunit, won $3,302.

The Developing Horse Futurity was the second major aged-event class to be completed at this year’s NRBC. Earlier, Daniel Schloemer & Recoded won the Toyon Ranch Emerging Horse Futurity.