Randy Shepherd Wins Outta Dough Masters Non Pro Shootout on Sparkin Affairs
The premier event for Friday evening was the Outta Dough Masters Non Pro Shootout, and it was an impressive roster of 24 seasoned riders aged 60 and over. Prizes included a trophy saddle, gift bags, and products thanks to sponsors including Outta Dough, Merrill’s Salon And Spa, Santa Cruz Animal Health, and Platinum Performance. Every entry in the class received a gift bag. In the end, it was Randy Shepherd and Sparkin Affairs who won the class with a 213, taking home $704, a saddle, and numerous awards.
“My horse was really good tonight. It was a pretty big win for him. He ran in and stopped, turned, and circled good. One stop down the side could have been a little better, but he was really good everywhere,” Shepherd said of his horse, an eight-year-old gelding by Shining Spark.
Shepherd gave a lot of credit for his win to his daughter Kylie. “She got him ready for me. She also got her daughter, my granddaughter, ready this morning, and she won her class. I ride with Yonathon Baruch and his barn, and he found this horse for me,” he shared. “I thank Kylie and Yonathon.”
Shepherd added a thank you to the sponsors of the event. “Thank you for sponsoring the saddle and prizes. That’s really cool. Thank you to all the sponsors. Without them we couldn’t have a horse show,” he said.
Ron Thompon and Taris Dreamer took second in the Outta Dough Rookie Shootout with a 211, winning $704.
Maria Renzi & Mobster Bay Win Rookie Level 2 (1) and Prime Time Rookie (1)
With her horse Mobster Bay, Maria Renzi won the first slate of both the Rookie Level 2 and the Prime Time Rookie. The pair had a bobble in Thursday’s classes, so Renzi’s goal for the day was to fix what had gone wrong. “We fixed that today. Mathieu (Buton) gave me a few cues to show him. We went in quietly and I let him look around, and I felt like he was going to be there for me,” she said. “I won just by fixing what was bad yesterday. It was awesome.”
Billy Williams had shown Mobster Bay, by HF Mobster out of Shiney My Bay, as a three-year-old, and Renzi elected to keep the now four-year-old reiner. “I needed a new horse. I loved him, and even though he wasn’t really for me, we fought through it, and I think we clicked today,” she said. “First and foremost, I thank Mathieu Buton. He’s amazing. I also thank Billy. He trained that horse and kept him honest and quiet, and I’m so appreciative of that.”
Renzi, of Fairview, Texas, is looking forward to possibly showing in the derbies in 2020. “Hopefully, we have work to do, but that’s what I’m hoping for next year,” she said. “I’m so glad we have these rookie classes for us to start out with.”
Valencia Pitzing took second in the Prime Time Rookie, second in the Rookie 1, and tied for second in the Rookie 2 on her horse RC Fashion Chic. Tying with Pitzing for second in the Rookie 2 was Natalie Mauzerall and Heavens Bells.
Emilee Radford Wins Rookie 1 (1) on Wimpyslittlecadillac
Emilee Radford bought Wimpyslittlecadillac at the 2018 NRHA Futurity. “He’s just been awesome. We love him,” she said of the horse they call Skip.
Radford and Skip marked a 70.5 to win the Rookie Level 1. “It was really good. I just tried to be slow and correct. He was good and there with me, and very patient. Mirjam Stillo is a great coach, and this horse is pretty easygoing,” she said.
It was the last show of the year for Radford and Wimpyslittlecadillac, by Wimpys Little Step out of Tejana Chic. “We’re actually going to head home and get warm. We’ll be back next year,” Radford said. “I thank the whole team at Mirjam’s. She and Andrea are great, and so are their help. I also thank my husband who supports all the shenanigans.”
Layton Tishman & Chics Love Me Wimpy Win Green Reiner Levels 1 & 2 (1)
It was only Layton Tishman’s second time to ride Chics Love Me Wimpy – the first being at last year’s SWRHA Futurity and Horse Show. This time the duo won the Green Reiner Levels 1 & 2 with a 71.
Chics Love Me Wimpy, by Wimpys Little Step out of Dream About Magic, is owned by Debbie Good. “Debbie was sweet enough to let me ride him again today, and he was super fun. He was good today. He was smooth and he takes care of you so you don’t have to worry about much,” Tishman said. “This might be an addiction now, so I might need a horse of my own soon.”
Tishman will show Chics Love Me Wimpy again in Saturday’s Green Reiner classes and watch her husband Josh Tishman compete in open classes. “I thank Debbie and Josh. I have a great team to help me,” she said.
Eduardo Ramirez took second in both the Green Reiner Levels 1 and 2 on his horse Jeweled Out with a 70.5.
Debbie Rhodes Wins Green Prime Time (1) on Mercedes Gotta Gun
Riding her horse Mercedes Gotta Gun, Debbie Rhodes won the first slate of the Green Prime Time. “It went well. She was listening to me. My circles were good. I need to work on my lead changes, but other than that I felt good about it. It was fun,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes purchased Mercedes Gotta Gun, by Cromed Out Mercedes out of Gun Zandwich, two years ago from Nick Valentine. “She’s just a sweet mare. She takes care of me and gives me confidence,” she said. “I thank my trainer, Pierre-Luc Phaneuf. If it wasn’t for him I couldn’t do any of this. He’s my rock. I also thank Olivia, my daughter-in-law. She helps me a lot,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes will show in a few more classes over the weekend, and then Mercedes Gotta Gun will go home with Phaneuf. “She’ll stay with him for a few months and then we will start back the first of February,” she said.
Skyler Deshotels Ties for Win of Youth 14-18 (1) on Xtra What A Voodoo
Riding her five-year-old mare Xtra What A Voodoo, Skyler Deshotels tied for the win of the first slate of the Youth 14 – 18 class. Deshotels, of Sherman, Texas, has had the mare, by Shiners Voodoo Dr out of What A Hen, for about a year. “We’re just now starting to get along really well. Today she was really great. She and I both held it together, and everything came together today,” she said. Deshotels, who is 16 years old, added, “Thank you to my trainer Sebastian Petroll, his wife, Melanie, and all the people who work for them.” Deshotels will return to show in the youth classes on Sunday.
Josie Spratt & Whiz I Was An Okie Tie for Win of Youth 14-18 (1)
Josie Spratt says her mare, Whiz I Was An Okie, can be quite a brat but is a good horse. The mare proved it when she helped Spratt tie for the win of the Youth 14 – 18 with a 71.5.
“She’s a star. I just sit up there and hope I stay on. I’m done showing today but will come back Sunday to show in the Youth classes,” Spratt, of Purcell, Okla., said.
Whiz I Was An Okie, a six-year-old, is by Pale Face Dunnit out of HR Foxie Okie Whiz. She and Spratt will next show at the North American Affiliate Regional Champions in Oklahoma City. “I thank Matt Cunningham for being my trainer, and my mom Stacy Wilkes. I’ve had some bad runs and she keeps letting me show,” Spratt said.
Manon Fontaine Wins Unrestricted Youth (1) on Mobster Bay
Mobster Bay pulled double-duty on Friday, winning the Rookie Level 2 and Rookie Prime Time with owner Maria Renzi earlier in the day, then topping the unrestricted youth in the afternoon. “This was the first time I showed her. It was just incredible. The horse was super nice and it was really fun,” Fontaine said.
Fontaine, an 18-year-old from France, is interning for Mathieu Buton. “I thank Maria. She is so nice and is a really good person. She gave me a super opportunity to show her horse today. I also thank Mathieu,” she said.
Sorrel Schreibvogel Wins 13 & Under (1) on Dun Its Chico
Riding the veteran reiner Dun Its Chico, Sorrel Schreibvogel marked a 70.5 to win the Youth 13 & Under.
“It was cold and he was pretty fresh, but we did lots of walking and trotting around to calm him down,” she said.
Schreibvogel has been showing Dun Its Chico, by Hollywood Dun It out of Smart Chinas Chic, for four years. “He’s just great. I love stops on him. I thank my parents and grandparents for working with me and helping me,” the 12-year-old said.
Tying for second in the 13 & Under were Faith Horner with Dreamin Ruf, and Natalie Mauzerall on Heavens Bells.
Kynley Bell & Chics Want My Number Win Youth Short Stirrup (1)
Kynley Bell bested the field of Short Stirrup riders to win the class with Chics Want My Numbers. The pair marked a 70. “I had a great run. I just hope I do better on my circles tomorrow. I’ll do my best,” she said. “I didn’t get much practice in because it’s been really raining at home.”
Kynley and her sister Lydia share Chics Want My Number, an eight-year-old by Wimpys Little Step out of Dixie Chic Olena. “My sister helps me a lot. She really knows him and gives me tips because she knows how to ride him more. You need an hour to get him focused,” Kynley explained. “I thank my sister and my mom and dad. They really help me.”
William Horner Wins Walk/Trot on Dreamin Ruf
Riding Dreamin Ruf, William Horner won the Walk/Trot class at the SWRHA Futurity and Horse Show for the second year in a row. “It went good today. I had a plan. I studied the pattern before I went in,” he said of his winning strategy.
Dreamin Ruf, by Magnum Chic Dream out of Lil Ruf Jessie, is typically ridden by William’s sister Faith. “I thank my mom, my sister, and my dad,” William, who wants to be a Youtuber when he grows up, said.
Multiple Champions Crowned in Leadline
The Leadline class at the SWRHA Futurity and Horse Show was full of dragons, sharks, ghosts, cowgirls, princesses, and more, making it extra hard for the judge to declare a winner. In the end, all the entries were tied and declared grand champions.
Sadie Crawley, Nino Buton, Joseph Tallone, Etta Piper, Ryder Pole, Bae Cruz, Triston Visser, Adeline Heule, Lani Pool, Lexi Laster, Joy Deary, Olivia Deary, Laney Petroll were the winners.
Eva Rittner & Shesa LiL Joe Win Ltd. Open and Rookie Pro (1)
It was the first time for Eva Rittner to show Shesa Lil Joe, and the pair marked a 71.5 to win both the Limited Open and Rookie Professional on Thursday, pocketing $434. Sheza Lil Joe is owned by Terry Ranch.
“We have had her in the barn since the beginning of the year. She’s a five-year-old mare. I’ve been riding her just a little bit,” said Rittner, who hails from Germany but now lives in Gainesville, Texas. “She was great. She’s really physical, so everything is easy for her. I didn’t know what to expect in the show pen because it was my first time showing her. It was kind of like a test ride, but she was with me all the time. I had so much fun showing her,” Rittner said.
Rittner added, “I thank my husband, Luke, and her owner for letting me show her. I also thank all my friends and everyone working so hard around the ranch.”
There was a three-way tie for second in the Limited Open between Lorenzo Concarella, Melanie Petroll, and Matteo Rondanina. Concarella was riding Gotta Shotta Whiz, owned by ELC Performance Horses LLC, while Petroll rode Dun Its Red Berry, owned by Lisa Klaus. Rondanina was riding Ruf Hearted Chic, owned by Angelo Capitelli.
Taking second in the Rookie Professional was Niv Bar-Am and Mr Gunna Chic, owned by Misty Valley Performance Horses.
Zoe Campagna Win Ride & Slide Open Level 1 (1) on Steppin Down
With a score of 70.5, Zoe Campagna won the Ride & Slide Open Level 1 on Susan Meyer’s horse Steppin Down. “It went pretty good. We had good things going,” Campagna said. “We’ll show again tomorrow in the same class. I think they are a good opportunity to learn and show without having to go in the rookie professional class.”
Steppin Down is a 10-year-old by Wimpys Little Step out of GS Shot Gun Wedding. “I thank his owner, Susan Meyer, and Jared Leclair,” Campagna said.
Barak Perera Wins Ride & Slide Open Level 2 (1) on Guns Fortunate Son
Aboard Guns Fortunate Son, Barak Perera won the Ride & Slide Open Level 2 (1). “He was awesome. He was listening to me. His spin was good and his stop was awesome,” Perera said. “He was feeling really good.”
Guns Fortunate Son, a seven-year-old gelding by Colonels Smoking Gun out of Custom Made Dunit, is owned by Kristen Cantacuzene. “I thank the owner of the horse for the opportunity to show this horse.
I thank the trainer Yonathon Baruch and all the help we have in the barn,” Perera said.
Perera has been riding reiners for four years, and plans to show in Saturday’s Ride & Slide classes.