Non Pro Halter Exhibitors Cash in On $200,000 with APHA World Platinum Breeders Futurity

PHJ release by: Jillian Sinclair

APHA.com

This year the APHA World Show looks a lot different than those in the past for many reasons, one of them being the expanded Platinum Breeders’ Futurity. Yearling horses are now eligible to compete for payouts in this elite halter futurity—and those payouts are bigger than ever. This year, the division paid out over $196,000 to exhibitors.

The elite Platinum Breeders’ Futurity program continues to grow, along with its payouts—it marked an 18 percent increase in purse funds for the 2020 World Show.

Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Mares Breeders’ Futurity

Anthony Bladen of Sunderland, Maryland, kicked off the futurity by winning $14,964 with his weanling mare Shes Maybelleen, taking the championship in the Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Mares Breeders’ Futurity. Shes Maybelleen is a 2020 sorrel overo mare by Execute and out of KR Karmel Kande (QH); owned by Anthony, she was bred by Terry and Anastasia Kull.

Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Weanling Mares Breeders’ Futurity

Hailing from Ramona, Oklahoma, Cara McMillian-Gibson walked away with a check for $7,763 with her 2020 chestnut solid mare Trinkets. Sired by Execute and out of PF Supreme Grace (QH), the mare is owned and was bred by Carolyn Stewart.

Platinum Non-Pro Yearling Mares Breeders’ Futurity

Victoria Holt’s excitement was plain to see—and hear—when she and her mare Queen Of Cool were crowned the winners of the Platinum Non-Pro Yearling Mares Breeders’ Futurity. You can’t blame her for being excited about winning $6,975. For Victoria, though, it’s about more than money—it’s a chance to show off her special horse. The horsewoman from Salem, Oregon, saw the mare for sale on Facebook and knew she had to have her.

“It was a great moment,” Victoria said about the win.

Queen Of Cool is a 2019 black overo mare by Cool Addiction and out of Grand Oletta; she was bred by Dale and Kathy Parker of Scio, Oregon.

Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Yearling Mares Breeders’ Futurity

Christopher Page is no stranger to the Platinum Breeders’ Futurity; this year, Christopher and his mare Kechin Yer Attention took home $2,213 for their win in the Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Yearling Mares Breeders’ Futurity. The 2019 chestnut solid mare is by My Intention (QH) and out of Fancy Deja Vu; Christopher and Amy Page of Collinsville, Texas, own and bred the mare.

“The payouts are great,” Christopher said. “It’s run really well. We’ve been coming down here for a few years and have been very blessed to have placed in the top.”

Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Stallions Breeders’ Futurity

Greg Davis and Very Good Intentions looked like the picture of perfection en route to winning $10,409 in the Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Stallions Breeders’ Futurity. Greg’s passion for his gelding and APHA was clear.

“It’s so exciting to see an organization that works hard to get money put together to reward owners, exhibitors and everyone involved,” Greg said. “It’s just incredible; it’s the greatest thing and the show [atmosphere] is so nice, and everyone is easy to work with.”

Very Good Intentions is a 2020 sorrel overo stallion by My Intention (QH) and out of Very Addicting; he was bred by Susan Brees and is owned by Dr. Gigi Wood Davis of Savannah, Tennessee.

Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Geldings Breeders’ Futurity

Making the trip from Brazil, Indiana, paid off for Robin Robinett and her gelding Heza Classy Legend earning $5,630 in their class. Bred by Dan Voss, Heza Classy Legend is a 2020 sorrel overo gelding by Secrets Of A Legend (QH) and out of Classys Morning Star.

Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Weanling Stallions & Geldings

Christopher Page earned his second Platinum win of the day with Western Son, walking away with a check for $9,073—proof of how the Platinum program pays off even for solid Paint-bred horses. The homegrown 2020 chestnut solid stallion is by My Intention (QH) and out of Fancy Déjà vu.

Platinum Non-Pro Yearling Geldings Breeders’ Futurity

Katie Leonarski and PF Supremelyexecuted, a 2019 sorrel overo gelding, won $5,231 in the brand new Platinum Non-Pro Yearling Geldings Breeders’ Futurity. PF Supremelyexecuted is by Execute and out of Spremely Divine (QH); he was bred by Chester Prince and is owned by Mitch Leonarski of Williamstown, New Jersey.

Platinum Non-Pro Yearling Stallions Breeders’ Futurity

From Patoka, Illinois, Fred Cole and Intensions Secret stood out from the rest—and not just because he was one of the most colorful horses in the class. Fred beamed with joy as he walked out of the arena with a check for $3,923. Bred by Trent Adams and owned by Fred and Vanessa Cole, Intensions Secret is a 2019 sorrel overo stallion by Intensions and out of Fascinating Secret (QH).

Platinum Non-Pro Solid Paint-Bred Yearling Stallions & Geldings

Anastasia Kull and KR Mr Xceptional rounded out the futurity, walking away with $5,313. The horsewoman’s face went from shocked to excited as she went to collect her prizes. KR Mr Xceptional is a 2019 chestnut solid stallion by KR Hes Xceptional (QH) and out of FF Private Dancer; he was bred and is owned by Terry and Anastasia Kull.

This year has changed a lot for the horse show community, but it did not stop the non-pro handlers from bringing their weanlings and yearlings together to celebrate their passion for the sport. At the in-gate, smiles on exhibitors’ faces were everywhere as they congratulated each other or wished luck to friends. While this exclusive futurity offers the opportunity to come home with a big payout, it also creates friendships that go beyond the arena.

*Estimated purses and total payouts; results are unofficial