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.”