Kelle Smith, Belle Center, OH, scored a 217.5 in the qualifying go round of the Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity to earn a slot in the Finals. She upped the ante with her Finals ride and scored a 221 to earn the championship in the $60,000 added Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity aboard her JD Conquista Anna by Conquistador Whiz and out of Hollywood Anna. Kelle, wife of NRHA Professional Sam Smith, is no stranger to the winner’s circle in OKC. She won the Non Pro Futurity in 2003 aboard See Ya At Seven.
NRHA’s Leading Lifetime Non Pro Money Earner and a multiple NRHA Non Pro Futurity Champion is Mandy McCutcheon. Mandy placed second this year on I Spin For Chics with a score of 219.5 and third on SLJ Sweet N Juicy with a score of 217.5. I Spin For Chics is by Tangys Classy Peppy and out of Chics Koko Angel. The stallion, I Spin For Chics, is owned by Mandy’s dad, Tim McQuay, Tioga, TX. SLJ Sweet N Juicy (Smart Like Juice x Jacks My Sugar Daddy) is owned by Mandy and her husband, NRHA Professional Tom McCutcheon, Aubrey, TX.
John McCarty, Gaviota, CA, was the “top gun” on Top Dun Cody Rose (Top Dun x Fritzie Rose) in the $25,000 added Intermediate Division of the Non Pro Futurity with a score of 215. Chad Clark, River Falls, WI, shared the co-reserve championship with Melony Jayne Jackson, Selma, NC. Both riders scored a 214. Chad rode Hailstorm Jaci, an NRHA Sire & Dam offspring, and a daughter of Shine Like Hail out of Cowboys Mysti Jac; Melony rode Lil Ruf Whiz Quiz by Lil Ruf Peppy and out of Pretty Ms Qhiz.
In a dramatic runoff for the championship title, young Clayton Eggers, the winner of the inaugural Highest-Scoring First Time Non Pro Futurity Rider award and Youth Non Pro Division, won the Limited Non Pro as well. Clayton is from Mingus, TX. He trained and rode his own Hesa Smarty Pants (Freckles Fancy Twist x Sneza Smarty Pants) to his multiple victories.
Nadine Galbraith, Rocky Mount, NC, earned the reserve title on Gundelion (Gunner x Slidin Miss Daisy) and Juan Manuel Vazquez, Markham, IL, was third on Great Juice (Smart Like Juice x One Great Diamond) owned by Smart Like Juice, Inc.
John McCarty earned the Prime Time Non Pro championship on his Top Dun Cody Rose. Don Murphy’s Panas Jewels (Tachitas Jewels x Pana Sugar Chex) won the Non Pro Gelding Incentive Award with his daughter Nelle Murphy, Marietta, OK, riding.
There were Co-Champions, Bryan Luark and Ian Barnard, in the Adequan North American Affiliate (NAAC) Youth 14-18 and NRHA Youth 14-18. Bryan Luark, Burns, CO, representing the Western Slope Reining Horse Association, rode his Boomen James Foley (Boomernic and Pep Aledo). Ian Barnard on Got It Dun (Hollywood Dun It x Last Little Lena) owned by Elizabeth Ann Barnard of Kendallville, IN, rode for the Michigan Reining Horse Association.
In a touching performance dedicated to her mom and “other mothers, sisters, friends and family who have lost their fight with cancer,” Kirstin Foran, Temecula, CA, won the $7,500 added North American Freestyle Open Championship presented by Century Investment Group. Kirstin and her stallion Guinness performed to Faith Hill’s There You’ll Be. Representing the California Reining Horse Association, Kirstin won the championship with a score of 224.5.
For the sixth year in a row, West Texas A & M coached by Dr. John Pipkin, won the Intercollegiate Judging Contest. The evening performance recognized each team. The contestants in this long-standing Futurity event undoubtedly represent future NRHA Judges to help fill the needs of our growing sport.
The Show finishes today with the NRHA Futurity $100,000 added Open and $50,000 added Elite Trailer Intermediate Open Division Finals. With more than $990,000 in cash and prizes at stake, the winner of the Open Division is guaranteed a take home paycheck of $125,000!
