InthePast 01 MattGaines TrixieTari Grayscale

In the Past: Living His Dream

InthePast 01 MattGaines TrixieTari Grayscale

Equi-Stat Elite $7 Million Rider and National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Hall of Fame Rider Matt Gaines has won many championships during his 35-year show career. However, until recently, Gaines, pictured in the early 1980s showing Trixie Tari, a daughter of Doc Tari with more than $20,000 in lifetime earnings, had failed to win the one prestigious championship title every cutter dreams of winning – the NCHA Futurity Open. That changed on Dec. 10, when Gaines rode Second Spot (Spots Hot x Reycy Moon x Cats Moonshine) to the Futurity Open winner’s circle.

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In the Blood: Spooky Whiz


Blood SpookyWhiz KPSpooky Whiz & Andrea Fappani • Photo by Kelsey PecsekWhen Spooky Whiz and Equi-Stat Elite $4 Million Rider Andrea Fappani won the 2016 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity Level 4 Open on Dec. 3, they wrote their names in history as the winners of the 50th renewal of the NRHA’s premier event. They did it in good style by scoring a 225.5 and earning the guaranteed winner’s check of $150,000 for owner Rancho Oso Rio LLC.

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Second Spot Carries Gaines to First Futurity Title

SecondSpot MGaines 121016NCHA Futurity Open Champions Second Spot & Matt Gaines • Photo by Kelsey PecsekThe National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity, held Nov. 17-Dec. 10 in Fort Worth, Texas, was the debut for hundreds of cutting’s best up-and-comers. For Matt Gaines and Second Spot, it was an event that will not soon be forgotten.

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Sly Playgirl Brings Sale-Topping $800,000 Bid

SlyPlaygirl 16saleAt $800,000, Sly Playgirl topped the charts at the third session of the Preferred Breeders Sale this year. • Photo by Kelsey PecsekBuyers proved the market is strong for high-quality breeding stock at Session III of the Western Bloodstock Preferred Breeders Sale in Fort Worth, Texas. Held Dec. 9 in conjunction with the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity, the session offered a diverse group of 180 weanlings, yearlings, broodmares and stallions, with sale topper Sly Playgirl selling for a cool $800,000.

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Wade Miller Claims NCHA Futurity Unlimited Amateur Title

MetallicCandlelit WMiller 16HHMetallic Candlelit & Wade Miller • Photo by Hannah HarrelAs the end of the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity draws near, the action is ramping up, and on Dec. 8, the Unlimited Amateur finalists got their time in the spotlight. Thirty-two talented duos competed for the coveted Champion’s check, but it was Wade Smith and Metallic Candlelit that walked away with the $12,656 payday.

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Nu Chex To Cash Becomes NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire

NuChexToCash headshot 550Nu Chex To Cash • Photo courtesy of the NRHAThree has been said to be a “magic” number. For one National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) stallion and NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee, the number three marks an impressive NRHA milestone. The NRHA would like to congratulate Nu Chex To Cash for being the newest NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire.

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Austin Blake Tops NCHA Futurity Non-Pro

austinblake stuffinmypockets 16kbpAustin Blake and Stuffin My Pockets won the NCHA Futurity Non-Pro with their score of 224. • Photo by Kristin PitzerThe National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Non-Pro finals, held the night of Dec. 8, were packed with 23 talented horses and riders. While there were great runs throughout both sets, two homebred horses posted the highest scores.

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Shoofly, You Can Bother Me Any Time!

It’s a busy season here at the Cowboy Publishing Group offices in Fort Worth, Texas. At Quarter Horse News we’re busy with Futurity season coverage and year-end marketing pushes. It’s been more than a few weeks since I’ve been able to continue my year-long journey through the art here in the office, but something lovely came to me a few weeks and I thought I’d share.
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Desires Smart Lena Tops Preferred Breeders Sale Session II

DesiresSmartLenaDesires Smart Lena was the highest seller at $93,000.The Preferred Breeders Sale Session II, held in Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 8, listed 179 weanlings, yearlings and broodmares in the sale catalog. By the end of the sale, two half-siblings brought the highest bids, with Hip No. 4014, Desires Smart Lena leading the way at $93,000.