Archer and UF Rockin The House Win 3-Year-Old WP Silver Dollar Circuit Futurity
By: Brittany Bevis
Young AQHA trainer, Dave Archer, rode UF Rockin The House to a win this evening in the Open 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure Futurity at the 2016 Silver Dollar Circuit. This futurity was a new addition to the schedule this year as well as the non-pro version of the futurity that will take place on Saturday.
Today, Archer was in the saddle of “Sven” for his new owner Kirsten Thomsen, who purchased the gelding following the Arizona Sun Circuit earlier this year. She plans to show him for the first time on Saturday in the non-pro futurity.
“Sven” is a full brother to Archer’s wife’s all-around horse, UF A Certain Star, aka “Peter.” Those bloodlines are what initially sparked Archer’s interest in the prospect. “We got him in February of his two-year-old year, and I believe the University of Florida had three rides on him. What attracted me to him is that he’s a full sibling to Peter, and he also has a lot of talent and promise.”
The 15.2 hand gelding has only competed at five horse shows during his short career, but he’s experienced much success winning a NSBA World Championship in the Limited Open 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure and two Reserve Championships at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.
Archer will continue to campaign Sven throughout his three-year-old year at major futurity events, then it’s off to Thomsen’s trainer, Nancy Renfro, where he will get his start as an all-around horse.
“He’s going to go to Nancy after this year and learn the all-around events,” Archer says. “We’ve talked about maybe doing something where he goes back and forth and sticks with me for Junior Western Pleasure too.”
“I think he’s going to be a good Trail horse, but he’s going to be a great lead changer. I really like the way he lopes. He’s never late in behind, and he never misses a beat.”
Thomsen confirms that Sven will be “an addition to” and not a “replacement of” her other all-around gelding, Elis A Sleepin. “No body could replace Eli!” she says. While she doesn’t have much background competing in Western Pleasure, Thomsen is excited for the opportunity to work with a young prospect.
“When I saw him at the Sun Circuit, the first thing I noticed was his movement,” she says. “He looks like he’s going to be great at Western Riding, and I love Western Riding! I don’t get nervous in other events, but I do in Western Pleasure, partly because Sven is a baby and because [I will be riding him in a] hackamore.”
“He’s adorable and such a little Dennis the Menace. He always wants to know what you’re doing. Ever since I tried him out at the Sun Circuit, he’s gotten bigger and feels a little more solid.”
Placing second in the Open Three-Year-old Western Pleasure Futurity was Katie Green with Scoot Over. Third place was Kristy McCann with Hawaiian Honey. Fourth place was Brad Ost with Lookin Good In Red.
Winning the Open Three-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Futurity was Sandra Morgan with Over N Out by her late stallion, Good I Will Be.
