The Equine Chronicle Brings FUN to 2018 Tom Powers Futurity With Bumper Ball Race, Hot Pepper Eating Contest, and More!
By: Brittany Bevis
The 2018 Tom Powers Triple Challenge Futurity is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the 2018 event will be the best yet. And it seems that word has gotten out already, because Mr. Tom Powers has confirmed that entries are up 31% over last year.
The Pre-Futurity
This year, an additional judge has been added to the Pre-Futurity No Bling Show- June 24th-25th. Classes will be judged by Shelly Wilson and Stephanie McConnell.
Competitors must use training equipment and wear plain clothing in order to compete in these classes. No chaps are allowed and no banding is allowed in Western classes. No jackets are allowed in Hunter Under Saddle and no show braids will be permitted. Home braids and tail extensions will be allowed. Long Line horses will be allowed to show in a show halter and longe line. In order to ensure comfortable tack/horse changes, show management is planning on a 30-minute break in between classes.
The Futurity
The competition will heat up during the Futurity itself, June 27th-July 1st, which will be judged by Gigi Bailey, Jeff Greaves, Steve Heckaman, and Louis Hufnagel. Western Pleasure Super Sires classes make their return again this year as does a big $50,000 guaranteed purse in the 2-Year-Old Triple Challenge Stakes Sale Western Pleasure. Once again, Harris Leather & Silverworks will award $3,000 to the Open Champion and $1,000 to the Open Limited Champion, if they ride in a Harris saddle.
The Sale
Be sure to attend Saturday’s pre-sale BBQ that’s being sponsored by Game Time Sports Medicine and Brad Cumper. In 2017, the Triple Challenge Stakes Sale showed gross earnings of $508,000, and the High Selling Yearling went for $36,000. The Top 5 rounded out at $28,700, the Top 10 at $22,370, and the sale average was $9,973.
“The sale seems to be much stronger this year,” Powers says. “The average at our sale is always the best in the country, and people are starting to figure that out and bring their yearlings. They get to ride for at least $50,000 the next year, as two-year-olds, and I hope that will be even higher for 2019.”
The Equine Chronicle Fun Events
If you need a little break from the competition for some fun, The Equine Chronicle has you covered! We’re excited to introduce two fun events at this year’s show- The Equine Chronicle/Powers Pepper Eating Contest and The Equine Chronicle Bumper Ball Race.
On Wednesday, after the conclusion of the last Futurity class, a few brave souls will be invited to try their skills in giant, inflatable bumper balls for The Equine Chronicle Bumper Ball Race. Three adults and four children will compete for the title of the Ultimate Bumper Ball Champion. Word is that the bumper balls have just arrived and Mr. Powers plans to test them out, himself…
On Friday, after the last class of the day, competitors will gather to see who can take the heat in a no-holds barred Pepper Eating Contest! 12 participants will be chosen and placed into three groups of four. The winners of each group will compete in a very hot final competition… Milk and gloves will be available at each table, and a señorita will maintain watch to ensure that the rules are being followed.
For more information about the Tom Powers Triple Challenge Futurity, visit www.tompowersfuturity.com.
Click here to view a Futurity Show Bill.
Check back for a sale catalog that will be available after entries close in June.
