Money in the Bank

The USTRC Cowtown ShootOut saw an extra dose of color, thanks to added incentives reserved exclusively for Paint Horses. Twienty-four Paints and owners raced to the chutes in Fort Worth, Texas, to vie for $5,000 and custom Gist Silversmiths trophy buckles, presented by APHA.

Doc’s Flyin

Though the competition was fierce, Tommy Zuniga had no problem roping in the win, thanks to Hickory Doc Flyer.

“I actually didn’t know about [the Paint incentive] before I got to the roping,” the horseman from Centerville, Texas, said. “I only entered the Open roping, but I thought I better get my membership just in case I do well. Winning paid for the membership and more!”

Luck—and a good horse—were on Tommy’s side; the heeler and heading partner Joel Bach roped 30.2 on five to win the Open Average and $6,036. Tommy’s colorful mount, Hickory Doc Flyer, a 1999 sorrel overo stallion by Delta Flyer and out of Hickorys Bay Doll (QH), also snagged a $2,500 Paint incentive as the fastest #6 and over Paint rider for owner Cole Davison of Hico, Texas.

In addition to his USTRC success, Hickory Doc Flyer is a veteran in the APHA show pen. The stallion boasts the 2003 reserve world championship and the 2005 world championship in tie-down roping, as well as Superiors in tie-down roping, heeling and steer stopping.

“He’s not necessarily the fastest horse in the world, but he’s always right there at the right time,” Tommy said. “He never gets in your way, and he always knows exactly what you need him to do. For some weird reason, he knows what that is.”

Thanks to his fast times, Tommy earned a qualification slot for RFDTV’s The American Rodeo. Watch for additional coverage of Paints on the road to The American on Flash.

Flashin’ the Competition

Tommy and Hickory Doc Flyer weren’t the only flashy team to take home a paycheck. Caleb Butler or Decatur, Texas, and Dashin Okie clinched the #5 and under Paint incentive. Paired with heeler Weston Podzemny, Caleb and the 2001 brown tobiano gelding by Dashin Is Easy (QH) and out of Okie Hero finished second in the #12 with 34.23 on four.

Other successful teams included:

Kory Koontz of Amherst, Texas, and Smart Colored Irish, a 2003 bay solid stallion by Color Me Smart and out of Irish Jolee (QH), who earned $3,225 in the Open and #15 ropings.

Josh Bonner of Chatfield, Texas, and Ritual Moon Wolf, a 2008 dun solid gelding by Tanners Sly Wolf (QH) and out of Chakita Moon Jag, who earned $2,524 in the #12 and #11 ropings.

Shannon McCright of Azle, Texas, and Mepache Negro, a 2002 black solid gelding by RPM Hankins Barrs and out of Ebony Blackburn (QH). The team earned $1,015 from the #12 Gold Plus, #11, #10 and #9 ropings.

Justin McCright of Azle, Texas, and Spanish Divi, a 1998 palomino overo gelding by Skippa Divi (QH) and out of Marinas Fancy (QH), who earned $838 from the #12 Gold Plus, #11, #10 and #9 ropings.

Bill Force of Burleson, Texas, and Jigsaw Surprise Mount, a  1998 bay overo gelding by Velvet Cowboy and out of Boston Mount Winch, who earned $889 in the #8 roping.

Mack McClister of Alvarado, Texas, and Skips Sloe Gin, a 1995 sorrel solid gelding by Skips Apache Kid and out of Flickas Beauty (QH). The pair earned $150 in the #8 roping.