As a gusty, chilly north wind brought temperatures down, competition at the NRHA’s 40th Anniversary Futurity at Oklahoma State Fair Park, Oklahoma City turned on the heat. Sunday’s competition saw the completion of the first go round of the NRHA Futurity as well as the Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity.
Craig Schmersal, riding Wrangle Whiz (Topsail Whiz x Wranglers Gay Bar) for owner Timorie Budge, remained the leader in the Open Division tally with a score of 223.5. Four riders scored a 223 to remind Schmersal not to get too comfortable. Following the second go round, scores from both go rounds will be combined to determine qualifiers for the clean-slate finals on Saturday evening, December 3.
The four riders with a score of 223 included Shawn Flarida on Cheree Kirkbride’s KR Lil Conquistador, Randy Paul aboard Smokeelan (Elans Playboy x Smart Little Smokee) owned by Jill Smiekel-George, Tim McQuay and Great King Pine (Earl Be Nimble x Echoing Piney [AQHA Bobs Poco Echo]) owned by Guenter Bosner and a new addition to the top five, Spooks Rey Jay (Grays Starlight x Dox Rey Oak) ridden by Todd Sommers for Jimmy Pierce.
Tanya Jenkins remained the leader in the Elite Trailer Intermediate Open Division aboard Las Cruces Whiz (Topsail Whiz x Shining Bubbles) owned by Manntana LLC while Bill Horn, riding Twist A Rey (Dun It With A Twist x Tamu Expectations) owned by Bruce Duplechin scored a 220.5 to slide into second place. This is NRHA’s 40th Anniversary Futurity – and this is the 40th NRHA Futurity that has seen Bill Horn show at least one three-year-old!
Quincy Cahill Allen is now sharing the lead in the Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity with Ginger Schmersal. Quincy is riding The Dualster (Mister Dual Pep x Nicacheka), which she and her husband Dustin own, while Ginger rode Blazing In Black (Rowdy Yankee x Topsail Blaze), which she and her husband Craig own. Both women scored a 216.5.
Bernie Paetzel remains at the top of the Intermediate Non Pro leader board riding his Toriana Dun It (Mr Tori Kid x Dunits Reining Heir) with a score of 214.5. Behind Bernie is the Limited Non Pro Division leader, Kyle Johnson and his Reeboks Rerun (Reeboks Kid x Workmans Fisty) with a score of 214. In second is Matt Armenta riding his Sweet Magnum Dream (Magnum Chic Dream/JS Sweet N Low) to a score of 213.
There is one go round left for the NRHA Futurity as well as the Cinch/NRHA Non Pro Futurity. The top riders will advance to their clean-slate finals scheduled for Friday and Saturday – prime time. The full slate of ancillary classes – each with a North American Affiliate Championship Division and the North American Freestyle Open and Non Pro Championships – start on Wednesday, November 30th. Since this is a milestone Futurity for the NRHA, many special activities and presentations are planned including the annual Clinton Anderson Clinic to be held on Saturday, December 3rd at 10:00 a.m. There are also three excellent NRHA sales scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each will spotlight the finest bloodlines in the performance horse industry.
