Casey Deary & Franco Bertolani • Photo by Kelsey PecsekThe 50th National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity’s final day of competition on Saturday, Dec. 5, featured many talented reining horses and riders, but in the end, only one duo could take the 2015 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Championship.
NRHA Professional Casey Deary entered the arena as the last competitor of the day aboard Shesouttayourleague. After scoring an impressive 224 and tying the leaders, Franco Bertolani and Inferno Sixty Six, the riders decided to run off for the Championship, keeping the crowd anxious.
Loping in first was Bertolani and Slide Or Die LLC’s Inferno Sixty Six, who scored a 223.5. Deary and Shesouttayourleague, owned by Rob Curtis, entered the arena for the second time, and after receiving a score of 224.5, Deary became the NRHA Lucas Oil Futurity Level 4 Open Champion!
Winning the most prestigious reining event unofficially brought Deary past $1 million in NRHA lifetime earnings, making him the newest NRHA Million Dollar Rider! Shesouttayourleage is by the newest NRHA Million Dollar Sire, Walla Walla Whiz, and out of NRHA Hall of Famer Wimpys Little Chic (by Wimpys Little Step). The mare was nominated by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, who received $7,500 for nominating her.
With the win, Deary received a check for $142,500, along with several awards donated by event sponsors including a Bob’s Custom Saddle, sponsored by Tamarack Ranch; Montana Silversmiths Custom Trophy Buckle, sponsored by Jerry Kimmel Reining Horses; a pair of Rios of Mercedes boots; Classic Equine product; $500 SmartPak certificate; Shorty’s Caboy Hattery certificate; Bluebonnet Feed products; and one-year use of a Sundowner Trailer provided by Twin Cities South Trailers.
Continued on page 2
