With more than $55,000 in prizes and cash on the line at the inaugural Best in the West Halter Futurity, almost 70 horses entered the competition, which took place October 11 in conjunction with the Heritage Classic in Hurricane, Utah. Paints earned a good chunk of the prize money at the show.
Barlnk Touch Of Class won Junior Weanling Colts with handler Michele Simmelink of Madras, Oregon, for a check of $3,000. The 2014 buckskin overo stallion by Telusives Touch (QH) and out of Barlnk Classic Fox was bred and is owned by Charles and Kay Simmelink of Madras, Oregon.
Kay says “Dusty” shows potential to compete successfully in both the halter and performance arenas.
“We’ve never left our base of believing in a horse that should be of correct conformation, elegant, very intelligent and can go from the halter pen to the riding arena,” Kay said. “Dusty shows all of these attributes, and from our perspective, we believe he will be able to compete at the top of both.”
Dusty was born April 1, which qualified him for the junior weanling class, but he also battled a severe Rhodococcus equi infection in June.
“Not only did we have to fight for his life for 45 days, but we wondered how far it would set him back,” Kay explained.
But the colt pulled through and is proving to be one for the future for the Simmelink farm.
“Now he’s everything we’ve dreamed of having, and we believe he will do a good job of winning as he’s just a pretty, correct, elegant four-legged critter. He’s also one sweetheart of a colt to be around—such a great disposition and personality,” she said.
Although it’s impossible to predict the future, Kay hopes Dusty continues to grow and develop into a superior horse, and she says the Best in the West Futurity was an excellent start for their young colt.
In Senior Weanling Fillies, LS Designed To Skip won with breeder and owner Steve Ellis of Farmington, Utah. They won $3,000 and took an additional 300 bonus for being the owner, breeder and exhibitor.
TH Its My Partee, a 2013 chestnut solid mare by Goodnite Parteesover and out of Kids Cool Eclipse (QH), won the Yearling Mare Futurity with Erin Henderson of Albany, Oregon, for $2,000. As the owner, breeder and exhibitor, Erin took home a $300 bonus.
Congratulations to these and other Paint Horses at the Best in the West. Keep an eye out for expanded sponsorship and prize opportunities in upcoming years.
[Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted, so long as credit is given to the Paint Horse Journal and a link provided 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 creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.