Saturday at the Wild Card Reining Challenge began with the Khris Crowe Seminar. Dr Crowe is an outstanding Texas-based veterinarian. Her level of expertise as a master of breeding and conditioning horses is extraordinary and widely respected. She actually gave two clinics, one that covered aspects of preparing athletes for high level competition and its accompanying stress and one that simply offered a short, delightful overview of the amazing and unique aspects of our beloved horses.
The show got underway mid-morning with Taylor Bradshaw continuing her winning ways, taking top honors in Rookie Level 1 and 2 with her Tinselena Nic. Susan Copeland and Stop On Time won the DRHA Rookie, Sharon Gray and KR Next Exit took the Prime Time Rookie, Lorraine Larramendy and Timber Winner won the Rookie Masters and Leah Miller and her Jac Be Whizard won both the Green As Grass and the Green Reiner.
Of course, on Saturday afternoon it all came down to the $65,000 Added Tamarack Ranch Open 4 Year Old Futurity, the first of its kind and a legitimate “idea whose time has come.” It is one thing to talk and talk about a concept like the 4 Year Old Futurity … and quite another to have it up and running. Congratulations to Brumley Management Group, LLC and the Wild Card Reining Futurity for making this happen. The competition among the four-year-olds was actually quite intense, with some strong performances. At day’s end, a white-faced mare with a sense of humor named Wallawhizagun and NRHA Professional Gabe Hutchins from Tamarack Ranch LLC, turned in the high score to win the Level 3 and 4 and take home over $11,000. Right behind this strong lady was yet another one. The dynamic rider Abby Mixon and her Ruf Nite tied with Andrea Fappani and Gunners Hitman for the second spot in the Level 4. That put Abby second in the Level 3 and at the top of the Level 2, sending her home with a check for $9,366 tucked in her jacket. California trainer Nicolas Barthelemy and Dunits Lil Gun won the Level 1 section for owner David Adams netting them a total of just under $6,000.
There’s just one more morning of action for the first Wild Card Reining Challenge and then it becomes one more show for the Reining horse history books. Here’s an event that featured free education, great competition, top prize money, fun and a concept that’s been patiently waiting for this moment for fifty years. Applause is in order!
Watch the Wild Card Reining Challenge action LIVE via live stream broadcasting Sunday morning on www.HorseShowGlobal.com, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram, #WildCardReining.
