By Mary Cage
An action-packed week of reining at the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity October 23–28 saw Paints shine among a talented crowd. APHA awarded Gist Silversmiths trophy buckles to five lucky Paints as part of our 2018 reining buckle incentive program. Winners were:
- Open: Gunna Outshine Ya, a 2015 sorrel solid stallion by Gunnatrashya and out of Sailing Spark (QH); he was ridden by Casey Deary and for Virginia Langley
- Rookie: A Girls Best Friend, a 2002 sorrel solid gelding by Like A Diamond and out of Sugs Amber Cat; he was ridden by owner Cherie Bugg
- Non-Pro: Guns R Spooky, a 2010 sorrel solid gelding by Smart Spook (QH) and out of Berry Yer Guns; he was ridden by owner Mattie Gustin
- Non-Pro Futurity: Timed For The Gunshow, a 2015 palomino solid stallion by Colonels Nite Special and out of Timed To Shine; he was exhibited by George Lawrence
- Green: Colonels Flashy Gun, a 2005 chestnut overo gelding by Colonels Lil Gun and out of Shesgotalotofflash, exhibited by Ruth Hamlin
Outside of the APHA buckle incentives, tons of other Paints shined too.
Taking home the top spot in Level 4 Non-Pro with a score of 220 was Mandy McCutcheon aboard Whizzenintothenite, a 2015 sorrel solid stallion by Colonels Nite Special and out of Ms Whiz Dunit (QH).
With a score of 215.5, Stoney Russell and Whata Special Nite split ties to win Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the Non-Pro, as well as the Prime Time Non-Pro division. Whataspecialnite is a 2015 sorrel solid stallion by Colonels Nite Special and out of SLJ Sweet N Juicy (QH).
In the first Ancillary Intermediate Open class of the show, Gunners Dazey, a 2012 sorrel overo mare by Colonels Smokingun and out of Hagandaz (QH), and Nick Valentine tied for the win; they also took home the Limited Open championship, the Ancillary Limited Open championship and placed second in Ancillary Open and Ancillary Intermediate Open.
Benzs Special Nite, a 2015 sorrel solid stallion by Colonels Nite Special and out of Best By Benz (QH), and Lee Deacon tied for second place in the Level 1 Open.
With Raeanna Thayn aboard, Coded N Color finished in a five-way tie for second in the Novice Horse Non-Pro Level 2. Coded N Color is a 2014 sorrel overo stallion by Electric Code (QH) and out of Missy Olena.
Congrats to all of our Paint reiners! Full results are at swrha.com/futurity/2018.htm.
##
[Reprinting all of part of this story is permitted, so long as credit is given to the Paint Horse Journal and a link provide back to apha.com.]
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 promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.