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NSHA Snaffle Bit Futurity 2009 – Sunday
The 2009 National Stock Horse Association Futurity came to a close on SUNDAY, Aug. 23, culminating a week’s worth of action, camaraderie and world-class horsemanship.
SUNDAY, 6:00 a.m.
On the final morning of the NSHA Futurity, riders and attendees enjoy a complimentary breakfast in the new Mission Square area of Paso Robles Event Center. The breakfast was sponsored by San Juan Ranch.
SUNDAY, 6:10 a.m.
Brenda and John Stephenson of the San Juan Ranch in Shandon, Calif., welcome attendees to the San Juan Ranch-sponsored breakfast on the final morning of the NSHA Futurity. The competition and championships lie ahead.
SUNDAY, 8:55 a.m.
Anne Reynolds and Got To Be Smart, owned by Pearson Joyce, score 216.5 in the cow work for 654 points overall to win the Non Pro Futurity.
SUNDAY, 9:05 a.m.
Ramona Wold and Imalilglamourgirl, owned by Ken and Ramona Wold, take reserve in the NSHA Intermediate Non Pro Futurity.
SUNDAY, 9:50 a.m.
Juli Fitch of Arbon, Idaho, aboard Very Smart Cassidy, owned by Todd Fitch, proudly shows off her champion’s buckle after winning the NSHA Amateur Futurity.
SUNDAY, 10:10 a.m.
Rick Drayer (right) celebrates winning the NSHA Intermediate Non Pro Futurity with his wife, Carla, and champion horse Mr Fever. Rick also takes reserve in the Non Pro Futurity.
SUNDAY, 11 a.m.
Sarah Winters and JA Westcoast Whizard, owned by Cantrelle & Sander, competed in both the Open Futurity and Intermediate Open Futurity.
SUNDAY, 5:45 p.m.
Zane Davis, 38, of Whitehall, Mont., wins the 2009 NSHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open aboard Reymanator, owned by John Semanick of Jacksonville, Fla. The pair earned the highest cow work score of 225.5 for 663.5 points overall, along with the $24,000 payout.
NSHA Snaffle Bit Futurity 2009 – Saturday
The morning NSHA Select Sale and evening 2009 World’s Richest Stock Horse competition on SATURDAY, Aug. 22, bring the crowds to the NSHA Futurity.
SATURDAY, 8:30 a.m.
Saturday morning, the World Championship Team Penning Association event at the NSHA Futurity attracts 162 contestants from five states to the Midstate Fairgrounds. Show secretary Kris Vienna of Hemet said the Open division’s total purse exceeds $8,000.
“The team penners enjoy being here during the futurity, especially the cow work. We’re looking forward to the sale. I think there might be some real bargains on good horses.”
SATURDAY, 9 a.m.
The Main Arena is transformed into a Sales Pavillion as the 2009 NSHA Select Horse Sale nears, at 11 a.m.
SATURDAY, 10:15 a.m.
Dave Thornbury (center) of Calabasas Saddlery enjoys a birthday surprise in the Western Trade Show. Liz Kent (from left) Kaitlin Myers, Dan Daponde and Steve Carpenter join in the celebration, which caught Dave by surprise.
“I had no idea. I was just sitting here working — not a clue. A lot of my customers and people with my chaps are here. This is a great place to meet a lot of friends. It’s a good show.”
SATURDAY, 11 a.m.
Linda McManaman of Exeter obtains her buyer’s number from the Duarte Sales office trailer minutes before the 2009 NSHA Select Sale.
“I’ll be looking at the broke horses.”
SATURDAY, 11:22 a.m.
The sale begins — Florian Barth from Fox Creek Ranch in Tres Pinos, Calif., makes the top bid for Lot No. 1, Peppys Vegasshowgirl, to start the 2009 NSHA Select Horse Sale. The 1998 Dual Peppy mare brought $4,800.
“I bought four horses here last year. They have great quality horses here — that’s why I keep coming back.”
SATURDAY, 5:30 p.m.
2008 World’s Richest Stock Horse Champion Russell Dilday mounts Topsails Rien Maker and shares last-minute words with Mark Matson before heading from the barn to the arena.
“I was just thinking about not screwing up the herd work.”
SATURDAY, 6 p.m.
The crowd in the outdoor Chumash Arena at the Mid-State Fairgrounds is ready for the 2009 NSHA World’s Richest Stock Horse competition.
SATURDAY, 8:50 p.m.
With the first draw in cow work, Bob Avila and Chics Magic Potion thrill with a 225 that was untouchable for the remaining 16 entries. The performance vaulted them past Russell Dilday and Jake Telford in overall points to win the 2009 World’s Richest Stock Horse Championship.
“You’re never too far ahead of everyone in this event. This is the best of the best. When you draw first, you get what you deserve, and you get the benefit of the doubt — if there is any doubt.”
SATURDAY, 9:40 p.m.
The 2009 World’s Richest Stock Horse Champions, Bob Avila and Chics Magic Potion, pose in a victory line-up that spans the Chumash Arena with a few of their stock horse friends. Minutes before this picture, Bob emotionally told Horsetrader.com that this would be Chics Magic Potion’s final win picture — he intended to retire him.
“He’s done so much for me. I’ve had him since he was a 2-year old. I want him to retire when he’s on top. He ranks way up there with the other horses I’ve retired. He’s such a fun horse, a nice horse. He’s my buddy. There’s no mean part about him, and he gives it to me — every time. “I want to give him the respect he gives me. He’s been a great winner, and I want him to go out a great winner.”
ADDITIONAL COVERAGE:
» View the Official NSHA Results
» Read coverage by Quarter Horse News
SATURDAY, 9:49 p.m.
Bob and Dana Avila pose with Chics Magic Potion after winning the 2009 NSHA World’s Richest Stock Horse Competition. Then, the bridle came off the 9-year-old stallion for the last time in the show arena. Bob said “his buddy” would go out on top after this prestigious victory, a $20,000 win that pushed Chics Magic Potion’s career earnings past $300,000 — tops in the reined cow horse industry. Dana smiled and lightened the moment.
“He’s going to be Bob’s practice team roping horse now.”
NSHA Snaffle Bit Futurity 2009 – Friday
A variety of classes fill FRIDAY, Aug. 21 at the NSHA Futurity, including several NSHA and VCHA classes.
FRIDAY, 8 a.m.
Cattle enjoy an oat hay breakfast behind the main arena. Fresh cattle, 840 of them here, are a key to good competition. Cattle manager Pat Russell says the trail of this group of Mexican cattle began last winter.
“One key is to go to a supplier with cattle from a single source, not from multiple previous owners. You want them relatively even, from front to back, and from an outfit with a good, all-weather shipping facility and a good crew that knows how to handle cattle. All contracts for this year were done by last Dec. 15 — it’s easier for the ranchers. We want them all about 500-550 lbs. This group is from Milt Rudnick out of Bakersfield. They came up from Mexico last winter, never used, weighing about 380 lbs. We checked them for size and condition weekly — see how they were eating, how healthy they were. Right before the show we get them on oat hay. These cows are fresh.”
FRIDAY, 8:15 a.m.
Kara Morris, Ranch Horse Manager for the Fairlea Ranch in Exeter, says good morning to Electric Gun — one of 83 horses in the NSHA Select Sale Saturday morning at 11. Eleven of the horses are consigned by Fairlea Ranch, six yearling stud colts, a pair of mares with foals, and one bred mare.
“It’s really nerve-wracking to think what tomorrow is going to bring. It’s almost like an art show. I’ve been sculpting these guys for a long time, making them look as they should. These horses are the finished products. All the time, energy and care making something — you hope you get a benefit from it. Our horses grow up in the mountains, so they get a little muscle on them in their first year. They get to be a horse for a while. All of them are halter-broke, but they’re not handled until May of this year. Then, we begin a daily regimen to get them ready for this sale. After all the time, you want to see them go to someone who’s going to put them to good, productive use.”
Click here to see Auction Horses!
FRIDAY, 9:30 a.m.
“Use your leg!” Russell Dilday (left) yells encouragement to First-timer Ty Burk on Rocket in Friday morning’s NSHA First-timer Class. Amateur rider Tammy Adams Edsall of Oakdale (center) says the trainers’ enthusiasm makes a difference.
“They’re all good cheerleaders for each other. Also, if you have ever have an issue or question, they’re super easy to call and talk to. They listen. And there are so many First-timer classes, Green classes, Youth classes — they make it so much easier for the entire family or for beginners to get involved.”
FRIDAY, 9:45 a.m.
First-timer Tucker Clark, who works for Kevin Stallings of Bandolero Ranch in Tucson, Ariz., poses for his “first-win photos” after taking Hickorys Pepibella to the NSHA First-timer Championship and Peppys Prize Freckle to Reserve. Tucker, 22, began showing last December.
“When we got here, I showed in the Limited Open Bridle, and they were announcing about the First-timer deal, so I got in. It gives me a chance to compete and get some confidence. It’s great the way everybody helps you out — Russell (Dilday) and Jake (Gorrell) are out there helping me and all, cheering me on. Everybody wants everyone to do the best they can. They want to win, but they want everyone else to do well, too. Now I’m thinking about going home and getting everything corrected. I want to get where I can let my horse be as good as she is. On my stops, there was a little hesitation on my part. And I need to loosen up a little bit — let the horse show herself. I’m learning.”
FRIDAY, 2 p.m.
Danielle Paskowitz (left), the leading rider on the 2009 NSHA Non Pro Stock Horse standings, reviews with Mark Matson her go on Smart Tom Tucker in Friday’s NSHA Non Pro and Novice Non Pro Bridle class. She took fourth.
“It’s such a fun group of people, and they are so supportive. I tried something different today and it didn’t work. I wanted faster circles, and in order to go faster, I thought I’d try leaning forward instead of kicking, kicking, kicking to get them. Then I didn’t line up and come across straight, and I lost the lead change. It was my fault — I didn’t set it up right. Cost me six points. But hey, if you don’t take risks…”
FRIDAY, 2:45 p.m.
John Ward (from left) and Bo and Casey Branquino relax at the Paso Robles Events Center Friday. John says talk of today’s futurity horses being the best ever is like comparing the great sports teams of different eras.
“One trainer starts pushing. The next guy starts pushing. Then you add the breeding factor, and the bar is raised. It’s called competition — people want to win, and the bar rises. From my perspective, the horses now may not necessarily be the best ever. Thirty years ago, when Greg Ward, Bobby Ingersoll, Les Vogt — those guys were tough to beat. Maybe the conditions are better than ever today. The facilities. The cattle. It’s always interesting comparing eras, trying
to figure out what really is the ‘best ever’.”
FRIDAY, 4:40 p.m.
Tish Wilhite of Clovis, Calif., finishes Friday’s last class in winning form, taking Just Ask Me Nice to the Non Pro Hackamore title with a 440.5 total score.
“With Just Ask Me Nice, I asked her nice and she said OK! She was good last year in the futurities, but now — all of a sudden — she has just come into her own. She’s getting really easy to show. She’s always been talented, and now she’s getting it all. Kathy Wilson, who went right before me (and won the Non Pro Hackamore reserve riding Dandy Little Randy), set the bar really high with a couple 218 scores. I just lucked out with a really good cow, a tough cow, but it was darn sure a money cow! So that made all the difference in the world. I’ve never scored that high on this mare.”
FRIDAY, 5:00 p.m. FRIDAY, 6:00 p.m.
Local wineries, J. Lohr, Sculpterra and Hearthstone, kicked off the World’s Richest Draw Party and Wine Tasting for Saturday evening’s big bridle competition, the World’s Richest Stock Horse.
Bob Avila picks a wine glass and checks the bottom to see his draw number in the traditional World’s Richest Stock Horse Draw Party. Dana Avila (left) looks on along with Heather Hayes. » See more draw photos by clicking here!
NSHA Snaffle Bit Futurity 2009 – Thursday
On THURSDAY, Aug. 20, the NSHA Futurity moves into the Open reining phase. Herd work finished Tuesday, and the fence work will come Sunday.
THURSDAY, 8 a.m.
Remington, an 18-month old Papillon, is perked up about the start of the week’s reining competition this morning. His owner, Lisa Pomerance of San Juan Bautista, Calif., says he thinks he’s a horse.
“He likes working cattle. He thinks he can do it, even from the bleachers.”
THURSDAY 8:45 a.m.
Billy Cochrane (left), along with fellow judges Bobby Lewis and Dave Vietor, follows the go of Anne Reynolds and Shiny And Verysmart in the morning’s second set of reining competition.
“The quality of horses this year is as good or superior to any group of 3 year-olds I’ve seen. The trainers are getting better, the horses are getting better. It’s early in the season — we’ve got another month before the big (NRCHA) Snaffle Bit Futurity, and these horses are performing well. Here in the rein work,the horses are really going in the rundown, taking chances, and they’re making it work. Form and correctness is the ultimate performance, and when you add speed to it, you’re increasing the level of difficulty. These young horses are using a lot of speed — the trainers are not afraid to expose them. That shows that these horses are pretty well-trained. It’s good for this time of the season. Acutally, it’s good for any time of the season.”
THURSDAY, 9:05 a.m.
Sarah Winters leaves the arena on JA Westcoast Whizard after scoring a 215.5 in Open and Intermediate Open reining. At the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity last September at age 18, Sarah was Reserve Champion Limited Open in her first year of Open competition. This year, she’s determined to keep her place near the top.
“I’m putting a little pressure on myself this year, but everyone puts pressure on themselves. For me, there’s more pressure because I did so well last year — I want to keep it rolling and show that last year was no fluke. It’s fun. I was happy with everything today except for my right turn-arounds. We’ll see what happens next (in herd work). He’s a little big, so he’s not as quick a mover. Hopefully I’ll have him broke enough and ready to do it.”
THURSDAY, 1 p.m.
LaDona Emmons puts the finishing touch on Oakinic, owned by Betsy Kienle, before Ron Emmons marked a 212.5 on the gelding in Open rein work.
“Before they go in, they get some extra attention. I like supporting Ron and the clients at the show — I’m out here with the horses, the great people. The camaraderie among everyone here is really amazing. I like to feel like I’m contributing, too, and be sure that the horses look good. Before we get here to the show, they’re all clipped. Once here, they get a bath every day. And then there’s the special attention.”
THURSDAY, 1:30 p.m.
Sandy Collier and Ted Robinson confer during a trip around the warm-up arena before their respective Open rein work. Sandy says the camaraderie in the cow horse world is something special.
“The cow horse people are the friendliest, the most supportive. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that you’ve got to be pretty down home to do this. I don’t think there is one guy or one gal who, if you as a total neophyte or even as a trainer went up to them and said you wanted help trying to do something better with your horse, would do anything but share with you how you could do it better. This group is so approachable and helpful. All the time I am asking these guys `what about this’ and getting their ideas. A lot of guys team up because they live near each other. Lyn Anderson and I have been friends and have helped each other out for years. I think she’s the master of the fence, which wasn’t my strongsuit for a long time. Everybody is so willing to share information, and that makes it better.”
NSHA Snaffle Bit Futurity 2009 – Wednesday
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 19, began with the Non-Pro reining and moved into stock horse classes.
WEDNESDAY, 11:30 a.m.
Russell Dilday and Topsails Rien Maker, last year’s World’s Richest Stock Horse champion, enter their first class of the week, the AQHA Senior Working Cow Horse.
“Practice isn’t for him. It’s for me. The practice run is about a problem that you think you have. You go in there and you either fix it or find it.”
WEDNESDAY, 11:45 a.m.
After his practice run, Russell Dilday and Topsails Rien Maker review the video with Mark Matson.
“In the stops, I was holding my calves on him for the runs and before I stopped him, I was taking my legs off. That was causing him to scotch — being all stopped and going again. It comes from him anticipating the stop. I was changing something on his body, and that hesitaton is a penalty. In the fence work, I wanted to make sure that my horse was stopping and turning good. The last few times I haven’t been as happy as I’d like to be. But he was really good today.”
WEDNESDAY, 12:30 p.m.
With no horse showing on Wednesday, Les Vogt schools his colt, Nic It, before Thursday’s Open reining — in front of the cameras of his TV crew. Les keeps his schedule filled when he’s idle at the futurity by design.
“Between go’s, I try to keep a diversion. It’s good for me. I need to break away from concentrating on the little, tiny problems I see so that they don’ t turn into monsters.On Sunday, I went to a roping clinic in San Luis. Yesterday, I went to see Mike Beers in Santa Ynez.”
WEDNESDAY, 1:15 p.m.
Bob Avila works one of his four Futurity entries, Lenas Love Potion.
“I keep the horses legged up. Keep them focused. More than anything, I do a little of everything that they show in. Circles. Change of leads. I remind them what they do. As a creature of habit, we want them to keep the habit going. This event is a pre-Futurity, a chance to look at what to do so we can focus on the next one (September’s NRCHA World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno).”
WEDNESDAY, 3 p.m.
Everybody loves ice cream. An NSHA-sponsored Ice Cream Social was a welcome break.
WEDNESDAY, 3:35 p.m.
Dana and Bob Avila (counterclockwise from front left), Ricky Nicolazzi, Billy Williams and Anna Nicolazzi hang out during a lull Wednesday afternoon. Dana likes the chances to visit provided by the NSHA Futurity.
“The great thing about this show is that you it gives you time to get together. It’s scheduled in a way that friends have time. It’s great.”
NSHA Snaffle Bit Futurity 2009 – Tuesday
TUESDAY, Aug. 18, wrapped up the last set of Open herd work at the NSHA Futurity, and it opened herd work competition for the First-Timer, Pro-Am and Non-Pro divisions.
TUESDAY, 1:45 p.m.
Ron Emmons puts in afternoon reining practice with Last Thing Smokin.
“I cost this colt a point on each judge yesterday in the herd and ended up a 209. There’s a lot of show left, though, and I feel good about all four of my Futurity horses. I figure anytime I’m over 210, anything can happen. They all rein and they all go down the fence real well. This colt is going to be right in there, too.”
TUESDAY, 2:30 p.m.
Open trainer Todd Fitch of Arbon, Idaho, helps his wife (and student), Julie, prepare Very Smart Cassidy for Julie’s first snaffle bit futurity competition, the Amateur herd work.
“It’s been a lot of fun to come to California. We enjoyed going to the beach. Now that it’s time to show I’m going to relax and try to remember all the things that Todd’s told me that make a difference.”
TUESDAY, 3:15 p.m.
Sarah Winters, 19-year-old Open rider and assistant trainer for Jon Roeser Training Stables, with the stud colt that on Monday Roeser took to the second-highest scoring Open herd work horse, Respond Like A Fox.
“I’m not a huge fan of the herd work with my horse, but I like the reining coming up next. ‘Fox’ here, though, is great on a cow. We’ll see how he does in the reining.”
TUESDAY, 4:15 p.m.
Julie Fitch gets a “good job” from her husband/trainer Todd Fitch and others upon leaving the arena after a good go in the Amateur herd work. The mother of three boys, in her first snaffle bit futurity, marked a 209.
“It feels great! The one fear you have is of losing a cow. When you hear that buzzer go off, you know you made it.
“It’s so exciting! It makes you feel young again — like getting your youth back a little. You get older and it’s harder to do the things you used to do. When you get on a horse, you get new legs. It may not be for everybody — it’s a lot of work. But it’s sure worth it.”
TUESDAY, 4:45 p.m.
Wyatt Fisher, 9, of Arroyo Grande relaxes with some good reading material and a cool drink.
“There’s lots to see in here!”
NSHA Snaffle Bit Futurity 2009 – Monday
Monday, Aug. 17, launched Open Division competition of the 2009 National Stock Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity, held at the MidState Fairgrounds in Paso Robles, Calif. Horsetrader.com caught some of the competitors during the first day of herd work.
MONDAY, 6 a.m.
Ted Robinson is in the arena, riding the Palomino mare Whole Lotta Cash in pre-dawn work under the lights.
“This Futurity is the mare’s first show. She’s a dead-head at home. Here, she’s not the same horse. I’m fond of her, and I want her to be all she can be. We don’t show until this afternoon, but I’m going to spend some time with her and get her attention back on me.”
MONDAY, 6:10 a.m.
Ron Emmons is in his barn, watering along with his dog, Roy.
“I’m waking up. This is the first day of the first show of the season. I’ve got four good horses I’m excited about. Everybody’s watered. Everybody’s fed. Now I’ll go ride and get them ready and warmed up.”
MONDAY, 9:30 a.m.
Les Vogt relaxes after opening his herd work on Nic It, marking a 215:
“He was very impressive. You never know what you have until you show one. This one is very trustworthy, very predictable. He jumped right in and got in the dirt — made me feel like he could have handled any cow. He’s a fun, fun, fun horse. I’m looking forward to the reined work. He’s a huge stopper, makes beautiful turns, I expect him to be really good.”
MONDAY, 10 a.m.
Ron Emmons and his first horse, Reygans Smart Lena, mark a 213 in their herd work.
“My horse was really good, but that second cow cost me. He stayed out and we couldn’t do too much.”
MONDAY, 4 p.m.
Jake Telford watches an afternoon set of herd work along with his 3-year-old daughter, Sierra.
“Having Sierra here is not a big deal for me. But it’s a lot of work for my wife, Jesse.”
MONDAY, 4:30 p.m.
Ted Robinson finishes his herd work for the day, marking a 216 on Whole Lotta Cash about 10 hours after his pre-dawn session with the mare.
“I’m real happy with a 216. It’s a good way to start, but there’s a lot of horse show left. Going in, I sensed she still was not all herself, and I had to have her out of air going in. If I didn’t have her that way, I would have had a problem. This was a lesson for her — the new show experience and all the noise and confusion — it’s class time. Some horses get educated by it. Others go the other way. Her next two events are really good ones for her. The herd is her weakest event.”
His day is about five hours from over.
“I’ve got four horses to ride — three futurity horses, and one older horse.”
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