The last big stop for reiners before World Shows, the National Reining Horse Association Futurity and NAAC Championships, the 2016 Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity had some extra bonuses on tap for top-performing Paint Horses. This was the first year for APHA to partner with SWRHA for special Paint-only awards: custom Gist Silversmith trophy buckles were awarded in six classes—two aged events and four ancillary classes—to the highest-scoring APHA-registered horses. Congratulations to the following buckle winners:
Open Futurity: Shes Got Good Guns, a 2013 sorrel solid mare shown by Duane Latimer for Roxanne Koepsell
Non-Pro Futurity: Customized My Gun, a 2013 sorrel overo mare shown by Mandy McCutcheon for McQuay Stables Inc.
Ancillary Open: Sweet Ending, a 2012 bay tobiano gelding shown by Glen Estival for Sir Rose Holdings Inc.
The assistant trainer at Vandorp Reining Horses in Aubrey, Texas, Glen took his maiden voyage aboard the gelding they affectionately call “Spot” for Youth owner Taylor Masson of Florida. Taylor showed “Spot” in the 3-Year-Old Challenge at the 2015 APHA World Show.
Sweet Ending and Glen also took high the high-point rookie professional honors for winning both slates. After their success at the SWRHA Futurity, they are now considering late entering in the 4-, 5- & 6-Year-Old Reining Challenge at the 2016 APHA World Show, which takes place November 2–13 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Ancillary Non-Pro: Shining Thru Smoke, a 2011 palomino solid stallion owned and shown by Jennifer Greenleaf
Up to this point, Jennifer’s trainer, Tom McCutcheon, has been showing the 5-year-old stallion with great success in aged events. Now, Jennifer has stepped on to have her own success in the show pen; she also topped her class in the first slate, the Limited Non-Pro.
“He’s just perfect, and I’m just getting to know him and it all just came together, so I’m thrilled,” Jennifer said. “He just knows his job and he’s got a great attitude, so it makes him easy to show. It pays to own a Paint!”
Ancillary Rookie: Pistols N Petticoats, a 2009 palomino overo mare owned and shown by Mackenzie Gellings
Ancillary Youth: Guns R Spooky, a 2010 sorrel solid gelding owned and shown by Madison Gustin
Guns R Spooky is by Smart Spook out of Berry Yer Guns, and Madison says the gelding showed to the best of his ability in both weekend Youth classes; Madison also topped her class in the first slate (Youth 13 & Under) with a score of 72.5, which was a personal best.
“I feel amazing,” she said. “He was so good and he was so easy to show. I’m so happy with him!”
She is looking forward to showing at the 2017 APHA World Show when it moves to September.
The SWRHA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the reining horse, including breeding, training and exhibition. Additional information and complete results from the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity, held at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore, Oklahoma, visit swrha.com.
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.