The High Roller Reining Classic featured a ton of talented, gorgeous Paint Horses September 9–15 in Las Vegas, including the winner of the Level 3 Open Futurity.
Arno Honstetter of San Marcos, California, rode Mizzfire, a 2011 bay solid stallion by Colonels Smokingun and out of West Coast Mizzen (QH), to the win and took home $10,111 in prize money.
Mizzfire, pictured above, photo by Waltenberry, was bred by Tom and Mandy McCutcheon of Aubrey, Texas, and is now owned by Story Book Stables of Scottsdale, Arizona. Arno and the stallion marked a 218 for the win.
Arno started riding Mizzfire last year in preparation for owner Brenda Joyce to take over the ride.
“I wasn’t looking for the most athletic horse, but one that was really good minded for her to show,” Arno explained. “In the beginning he did everything really cute, but then he started putting more effort into everything, and he’s turned out to be a really cool horse now. He tries really hard.”
As Mizzfire’s competitive debut, he made quite the impression in the show arena.
“I was really happy with him for his first time in the show pen,” Arno said. “I think it’s great that APHA is honoring the highest-scoring Paint Horse. It’s nice to give the owner another form of recognition with the added APHA buckle. We’ve been lucky that a lot of the great horses we’ve had are Paints.”
Top-scoring Paint Horses in each division were awarded trophy buckles, courtesy APHA. Congratulations to all these Paint horses and their riders, owners and supporters:
Open Futurity
Mizzfire, exhibited by Arno Honstetter and owned by Story Book Stables
Lucas Oil Open Derby & Whizkey & Diamond Open Stakes
Dont Miss My Gun, exhibited by Tom McCutcheon and owned by Robert Webb
High Roller Reining Classic Non-Pro Futurity
A Smart Gun, exhibited by Jenn Gilliam and owned by Boyle Ranch
Protect the Harvest Non-Pro Derby & Whizkey & Diamond Non Pro Stakes
Taser Gun, exhibited and owned by Samantha Belcher
SmartPak Non-Pro Maturity & Non-Pro Ancillary
Gun Ball Machine, exhibited and owned by Kathy Copus
Open Ancillary
Doc Bars Smokingun (showing under AQHA name Hollywood Golden Gun, pictured at right, photo by Alden Corrigan), exhibited by Shane Brown and owned by Glo Tazi
Youth Ancillary (tie)
Spot Me Perfect, exhibited and owned by Courtney Yohey
Ms Pepper Gun, exhibited by Holly Lansidel and owned by Gloria Bradley
Rookie Ancillary
Oaks Lectric Gun, exhibited by Josie Dilworth and owned by Joann Anderson
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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.