Clay Arrington/Get Radical In My RV Win 2-Year-Old Maiden Ltd. WP, Stacy Huls/You Could Be Next Win 3-Year-Old Ltd. HUS
By: Brittany Bevis
Two new Congress Champion Futurity winners were crowned this evening at the 2017 All American Quarter Horse Congress. First up, Stacy Huls rode You Could Be Next to win the 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Ltd. Futurity.
Stacy has been involved with this horse from the very beginning after purchasing him as a yearling. The big stallion is by Next Detail and out of Skys Blue Boy mare.
“He gives it his all every time,” she says. “He tries, he’s kind, and he’s super talented. I think the industry needs another Hunt Seat stallion. He’s got the brains, and he’s got the moves.”
You Could Be Next is currently being leased by Sandra Morgan, who will show the horse in Select Hunter Under Saddle here at the Congress and L3 and L2 Amateur Hunter Under Saddle at the AQHA World Show, while Stacy will show him in Junior Hunter Under Saddle. What attracted Sandra to this horse is his movement and personality. “He’s like a giant dog!” she says. “He’s great-legged and great-minded.”
For their efforts, this team was rewarded with a check for $3,661.36. Stacy would also like to point out the help she’s received along the way from friends, Paul and Tami Thurston. “They deserve a lot of the credit, because he spent quite a bit of time with them last year. He kind of goes back and forth. He spends the spring on the west coast and the fall on the east coast. It’s been a great partnership, and I couldn’t do it without them.”
The Reserve Champion was Kelly Woodlief with Heads Will Turn. Third was Karen Graham with Jerry Jonsez. Fourth was Jennifer Paul with Al American Girl. Fifth was Brittany Kroll with Better With Moxie.
18-year-old Clay Arrington showed all the top dogs how to get it DONE tonight winning the 2-Year-Old Maiden Ltd. Western Pleasure Futurity with Get Radical In My RV. Clay was presented with a huge check for $9,046.44. In response to his big win tonight, Clay simply says, “I’m still processing this!”
Clay is very excited about this particular two-year-old, who is by Radical Rodder and out of Miss Good Cookie. “I know some people don’t have faith in them, but I believe they make good show horses when they come around. This horse is special.”
Clay thoroughly enjoys every part of starting, breaking, and training young futurity prospects and feels very blessed for all of the people who help by lending a helping hand or giving insightful advice. “Every horse is different, and they all have their unique quirks. It’s just a matter of figuring them out. Aaron Moses, Courtney Chown, Casey Willis, Blair Townsend, and Gil Galyean have all helped me get to where I am today. I thank God every day for the blessings, the horses, and the people I get to be around.”
Clay’s long term goal is to be a NSBA Million Dollar Rider one day, that is after he graduates from high school… The big check he earned tonight will certainly help, and he has another chance to add to his lifetime total when he rides Get Radical In My RV in the open division finals tomorrow as well as Wonit On My RV in the 2-Year-Old Non Pro Open Western Pleasure. He rode the pretty roan to win the 2-Year-Old Non Pro Ltd. Western Pleasure a few nights ago. Now, all that’s left is to decide which two-year-old he’s going to show at the AQHA World Show. “It’s going to be a tough decision!”
The Reserve Champion in the class was Blair Townsend with KM Sudden Fried Chicken. Third was Andrew Sharp with I’m Really Classie. Fourth was Natasha Humphries with Moonin The Neighbors. Fifth was Erin Lieurance with Iresistable Krymsun.
