Oklahoma City, OK – November 30, 2007 – National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Million Dollar Rider Mandy McCutcheon came from the Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity Consolation Round to win the Non Pro Futurity Championship Friday afternoon at the 2007 NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show. McCutcheon is the first and only Non Pro and first and only woman to reach million dollar rider status. She advanced three horses to the Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity finals.
McCutcheon, of Tioga, TX, scored a 220 on Haidachino Hollywood, by Hollywood Dun It and out of Haidachino Cherry. The Quarter Horse gelding is owned by Tim & Colleen McQuay of Tioga, TX. McCutcheon won close to $33,500 for her Non Pro Futurity Championship.
Two very accomplished reiners share the Reserve Champion honors in the Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity. Sarah Johnson and Kelle Smith both scored a 219.5 and both won close to $23,500 in prize money.
Johnson is from Gainesville, TX. The past Non Pro Derby and Futurity Reserve Champion rode Sonata Spot, a Paint gelding by Mark This Spot and out of Sonata. Sonata Spot is owned by her grandfather, Burdette Johnson of Shell Rock, IA.
Smith, of Belle Center, OH, is an NRHA World Champion and multiple Non Pro Futurity and Derby Champion. Her reserve champion winning run Friday was on her Taka Ticket, a sorrel Quarter Horse gelding by Gallo Del Cielo and out of Significant Shine.
Johnson also won the Intermediate Non Pro Futurity division and a paycheck of $14,621. Joshua Hattig, of Frederick, CO, won the Intermediate Non Pro Reserve Championship on Dudes Whippersnapper, owned by 218.5. Dudes Whippersnapper, by Steadys Dude and out of Miss San Snap, is owned by Josh’s dad, Brad Hattig, of Berthoud, CO.
The Limited Open Futurity Championship was won by Shannon McCarty, of Gaviota, CA. McCarty earned just over $8,800 by scoring a 211.5 on Troubled Gangster by Gangster Chic and out of Shesa Commander Cody. The bay Quarter Horse gelding is owned and shown by McCarty. Carlie Thompson, of Dublin, OH, scored a 210.5 to win the Limited Open Futurity Reserve Championship on her Major Smart Buck, by Smart Starbuck and out of Majors Serendipity. Thompson won just over $5,300 for her reserve win.
The Youth Non Pro Futurity Championship was won by Carlie McKinzie of East Wenatchee, WA, with a score of 215.5. McKinzie rode Almond Bark Chic, by Chocolate Chic Olena and out of Kelinds Almond Jac, owned by George & Cindy McKinzie. Jordan Donnelly, of Aubrey, TX, won the Youth Non Pro Futurity Reserve Championship with a score of 214.5. Donnelly rode her Ikes Top Sail, by Ikes Double Drift and out of High Fives.
Now it’s the Open Futurity finalists turn! Tomorrow evening, the Open Futurity finalists will face intense competition in their quest to become the 2007 Open Futurity Champion and take home a check for $125,000. The grand finale of the 2007 NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show begins tonight at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK. The Open Futurity finalists have advanced through two go-rounds and tonight is the night they’ll find out if all their hard work has paid off!
The stands will be packed inside the State Fair Coliseum for the biggest night of the year in the Reining world. If you can’t make it to the Open Futurity Finals, join us on the web! The NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show is being webcast through horseauctions.com. If you’d like to cheer on your favorite reiner, just go to www.nrha.com and click on the link to the live webcast. Tens of thousands of people have logged on during the past 9 days of competition and the best news is-it’s FREE! Don’t miss the big event tonight!
