Just like clockwork, on Thanksgiving Day, November 25^th, at precisely 1:00 p.m., the 39^th consecutive running of the NRHA Futurity for three-year-old reining horses got underway. The hustle bustle of pre-show activity melted to quiet anticipation as the first horse entered the arena at the Oklahoma State Fair Park.  It didn’t take long to see the caliber of horses entered in this year’s event. 

 

The third horse in, Custom Lena (Custom Crome x Josie O Lena) owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, was guided by Todd Bergen to a score of 219.  Two other entries matched that score: Hesa Genuine Whiz (Topsail Whiz x Chewy Candy) ridden by Andrea Fappani for Michael Towers and Sailin Starlight (Grays Starlight x Miss Quixote Sails) ridden for Bronco Billys, LLC by Sam Smith.  At the completion of the first go-round, first section, these three reiners were on top of the Open Division leader board.

 

At the end of the day, Sam Smith and Sailin Starlight topped the Intermediate Open Division.  Bonitas Dun Smoke (Bonitas Champion x Star Dunnit), ridden for Bob Anthony by Rocky Dare, placed second in this very strong Division.  Jamie Bissell, riding his own Fancy Mate by Smart Mate and out of Spencers Babe finished the day as the number one rider in the Limited Open Division, while Jordan Larson guided Jackie Redish’s Hesa Slick Nic (Buenonic Chex x Malicious Melody) to second place.

 

Of course this was just the beginning.  With over 500 entries, it takes four days to complete the first go round, then another three days to finish the second.  The 30 top scoring horses, plus ties, in the Open Division of the Futurity will advance to their clean slate finals on Saturday evening, December 4^th.  The winner is guaranteed $175,000 as well as a truckload of prizes made available by generous NRHA Futurity sponsors.