The IRHA Ranch Horse Futurity—produced by the International Ranch Horse Association, a venture between entrepreneur Daniel Patton and the American Paint Horse Association—paid more than $97,000 in its Open and Non-Pro ranch riding events at the 100X Reining Classic on August 26, 2023, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. APHA corporate partner Markel also sponsored the event, along with SC Equine Online Sales, Continental Saddlery, Classic Leather Designs, EnviroEquine and Pet, and Four Star Quarter Horses.
Now in its second year, IRHA added a Non-Pro futurity to the slate in 2023, in addition to its Open division. Competition was tight, even ending in a nail-biting runoff for championship honors in the Open division. The 2020 buckskin overo stallion Nic The Whiz and Logan Pluhar emerged victorious in the Open Ranch Horse Futurity, capturing $7,059 plus a $9,000 IRHA stallion incentive bonus for the win.
Fun fact: Nic The Whiz was reserve champion of the 3-Year-Old Reining Challenge Level 2 & 3 at the 2023 APHA World Championship Show and is featured in the Fall 2023 Paint Horse Journal article “Log Work” with trainer Bud Lyon.
Congratulations to the 2023 IRHA Ranch Horse Futurity champions:
IRHA Open Futurity Champion
Logan Pluhar & Nic The Whiz
IRHA Non-Pro Futurity Champion
Christy Morgan & Red Dirt Spook
Check out full results here.
More information about the IRHA: https://apha.com/news/apha-daniel-patton-partner-to-expand-all-breed-ranch-horse-opportunities/
Photos courtesy 100X Reining Classic Facebook Page.
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About the International Ranch Horse Association
The International Ranch Horse Association is the premier ranch horse organization, offering expanded competitions for ranch horses, including IRHA world championship classes, the IRHA Ranch Horse Futurity, expanded Ranch Horse Triple Crown events and more.
About the American Paint Horse Association
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 in 1962. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.