Behind the Scenes at the 2014 NRHA Futurity With Lauren Crivelli

EC Blog by: Lauren Crivelli

The NRHA Futurity has come to a close, and 2014 was definitely a year to remember. The Lucas Oil Open Futurity was huge with a whopping 411 entries. The preliminaries were intense; Snip O Lution, ridden by Martin Larcombe, took the lead after the first go with a 224, and Chexmaster, ridden by Franco Bertolini, led the pack after the second go with a 223.

This year, the second go was a little different, requiring qualification to advance. This was due to the large number of horses that had to go through the pen. The Cinch Non Pro Futurity had a strong showing with 185 horses walking through the gate. After one go round and a consolation, the finals qualifiers were determined. Cade McCutcheon eased his way to the top of the scoreboard on Golden Survivor with a score of 217.

Starting with a clean slate, each of the finals qualifiers entered the arena and completed Pattern # 10. This run-in pattern created a huge amount of energy that the packed crowd fed off of. With each maneuver being cheered on, horses and riders pushed themselves to be the best they could be. As the last horse and rider team to enter the arena for the Non Pro class, Blue Berry Jack and Jesse Assmusen put down a flawless run. As the scores came in, Jesse realized his dream and became the 2014 NRHA Cinch Non Pro Champion with a score of 217. The duo walked away with $42,877.69 plus the use of a Twister Living Quarter Trailer for one year.

Winning both the Level 3 and Level 2 was Taylor Larson aboard the homebred Wimpys Dolled Up. The pair won $54,871.53. The Level 1 Champion title went to HA Casper, ridden by Teresa Putman, winning $27,335.30. Ronald Thompson rode Magnum Marilynmonroe to the Prime Time Championship winning $26,739.26, and Cade McCutcheon won the Youth Futurity aboard Golden Survivor winning $3,594.17.

The Lucas Oil Open Futurity built up the same amount of energy as the Non Pro Futurity. For the first time, Co-Champions were crowned. ARC Gunnabeabigstar and Shine N Spook shared the title with a score of 224.5. Both of these horses portrayed their superior athleticism with quick turns and huge stops. Jordan Larson piloted ARC Gunnabeabigstar for HDC Quarter Horses, and Shawn Flarida was aboard Shine N Spook for Clark Reining Horses, LLC. Both horses took home checks for $132,600. The Level 3 and Level 2 titles were captured by Wimpy Chic and Gabriel Diano with a 224; the duo earned $134,820 for owners Thales Rocha Bordignon. Level 1 was won by Kole Price and FM Shine N Tag Chex, who earned $40,400 for their efforts.

Throughout the week, the North American Affiliate Championship winners were being crowned as well. These championship classes were open to horses of all ages and required regional qualification with the opportunity to be named Champion. The Open Championship was won with a 221.5 by Custom Sweet Berry ridden by Shawn Johnson for owner Shawn Anderson. The Non Pro Championship went to Reiny Day Wrangler, owned and ridden by Lindsay Kovick. The coveted title of Silver Spurs Equine Rookie of the Year was clinched by Cameron Sanford aboard her partner GS Smart Kitty Cat.

NRHA also took the time to honor the Current All Time Leading Dam, Taris Little Vintage, who passed away earlier this year. Her offspring have earned more than $680,000. She was owned and loved by Loren Booth.