A True Test of Form to Function Today at 2015 WCHA Breeders’ Championship Futurity
Jason Smith, Kate and Jarrell Jackson, and Andy Staton show off the beautiful Equine Chronicle WCHA Ranch Horse Challenge trophy saddle! Images courtesy of Anne Prince.
By: Brittany Bevis
The countdown to the WCHA Breeders’ Championship Futurity is complete because the event kicks off today in Tunica, MS! This 3 in 1 Halter extravaganza consists of the WCHA Breeders’ Championship Futurity, the Big Money Futurity, and the brand new Equine Chronicle Ranch Horse Challenge.
Helping to determine who will be awarded with over $200,000 in cash and prizes over the next two days include judges Justin Bisel, Bob Kail, Tim Finkenbinder, and Wayne Halvorson. In addition to open, non-pro, and color classes; AQHA owner-breeder-exhibitor futurities; Champion of Champions class; and the WCHA Produce of Dam class, there are plenty of new events on the schedule. New for 2015 is the WCHA Mare Program, wherein mare owners can nominate their mare’s qualifying foals, making them eligible for added money at the Futurity.
Once the Halter classes are complete this afternoon, but not before 5:00 pm, the first portion of the Ranch Horse Challenge will begin. Horses of all breeds, ages, and genders will be judged in a typical Halter conformation class by four judges and a calcutta will take place. Tomorrow, the horses will return to compete in the Ranch Riding portion of the class, which will not begin before 3:00 pm. The Halter portion will count for 40% of the total score, and Ranch Riding will count for 60%.
Committee member Steve Meadows and Tim “The Trail Man” Kimura joined forces to design a special pattern for the Ranch Riding Challenge. Click here to view the pattern.
Several incredible prizes will be up for grabs including a trophy saddle for the Ranch Horse Challenge Champion, trophy halters, trophy tack, and purse winnings. Monies will be divided with 75% going to the top 10 challenge competitors in each division, open and non-pro. The remaining purse of 25% will be paid to the top 10 placing open and non pro exhibitors in the Ranch Riding portion of the challenge. In addition, a special award will be presented to the top three non-pro competitors in the open division of the challenge. Also, the top ten in both the Halter and Ranch Riding portions will receive prizes.
“With the tremendous growth and interest in the Ranch Horse division, we wanted to diversify our show with a class that would bring in new exhibitors,” said Board Chairperson Beth Dunlap in a 2015 Equine Chronicle interview. “We felt that if we could create an event that included both riding and a conformation competition, we could highlight the form to function of great horses that all horseman can appreciate.”
Click here to read a website interview about the Ranch Horse Challenge with Luke Castle.
WCHA Breeders’ Championship Futurity Links:
Click here to view class entries and a showbill in the Futurity Premium Book.
Stay tuned for more photos and results coming from the WCHA Breeders’ Championship Futurity.
