The Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity and Horse Show concluded October 24 with a full day of ancillary classes. Young riders competed in the Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Slate 2 of the Youth and Short Stirrup classes, while Slate 2 Non Pros and Rookies showed in the Ancillary Arena. The afternoon featured a full second slate of Open classes in the Coliseum.
For full results, visit www.SWRHA.com and follow the Southwest Reining Horse Association on social media for fun updates and photos.
Open (2) and Int. Open (2) Champions—Clemerson Barbalho and Babys Night Light
With a big score of 74, Clemerson Barbalho and Babys Night Light, owned by Heather Luthven, claimed the win for the second slate of both the Open and Intermediate Open.
“She felt awesome. I liked the fact that I didn’t have any penalties, because every time I have shown her before, she has always shown her talent, but she’s not always easy to show,” Barbalho said of the mare, a 4-year-old by Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Shiney Night Light. “I feel she’s getting more finished now, and at this show she felt solid.”
Barbalho noted that shows like the SWRHA Futurity are an integral part of his training program. “I think the best thing to get a horse ready is just to go to the horse shows,” he said. “That’s what I’m trying to do here. I am trying to figure out how to show her next year, so in this situation, you have to go to the horse shows and work on their mind and get them used to the noises and the people.”
Open High-Point Champion—Josh Murphy on Whiz A Golden Spook
The Open High-Point at the SWRHA Futurity and Horse Show was a goal of trainer Josh Murphy’s for Whiz A Golden Spook’s owners, Kaye and Lillian Beshears. He marked a 73 in Slate 2 to tie for second and a 73.5 earlier in the week in Slate 1 to claim the title for the family’s special horse.
“The High-Point is what we were really hoping to get,” Murphy said. “Consistency is the name of the game, and she was really good both days for me. We’re really excited.”
Murphy has only been riding the 6-year-old mare by Smart Spook and out of Whizin Off Sparks by Topsail Whiz about a month. He says she’s easy to like and a true show horse. “When they sent her to me, I liked her right away. She’s so obedient. Really talented, big maneuvers, waits for you, listens to you the whole time,” Murphy said. “She makes you feel like you could do anything with her, and that’s what reining is all about—she embodies willingly guided.”
Int. Open High-Point and Ltd. Open (2) Co-Champions—Matt Flarida and Xtra Cocktailforchic
With a 72, Matt Flarida of Purcell, Oklahoma, and Xtra Cocktailforchic not only tied for the win of the Limited Open, they also took sole possession of the Intermediate Open High-Point title.
“I didn’t get turned around as well as I would have liked to, because she was anticipating it a little bit, but after that she circled great and really ran down the pen nice and pure, then stopped and rolled back really good,” Flarida recalled. “I’m just glad to have a nice, solid mare to show and am thankful for her.”
By Wimpyneedsacocktail out of Tejana Chic, Xtra Cocktailforchic is owned by Robin Broughton. Flarida has had the now 5-year-old mare in training since her 2-year-old year.
“We made the lower-level finals on her at the Futurity as a 3-year-old, and I showed her a little last year. This year she has gotten quite a bit stronger,” he said. “We just won the Limited Open at the Congress, so she’s coming off that, and she was really good here.”
He added that Xtra Cocktailforchic is an exceptionally sweet mare that is quiet and kind. He plans to show her at the NRHA Futurity in the ancillary classes before passing the reins to Broughton in 2022.
“I thank Robin for letting me show this mare, and my wife for her support of me,” he said.
Limited Open High-Point Champion—Naike Bell on Smart Chicago Spook
Naike Bell earned the Limited Open High-Point buckle aboard 7-year-old Smart Chicago Spook (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Smart Chicago Lena x Smart Chic Olena), owned by Thomas Tucker. The duo marked a 74 in Slate 1 to finish second in the Ltd. Open and a 72 in Slate 2 to tie for first in the class.
Rookie Professional High-Point Champion—Katie Davis on Gunna Bend And Snap
Katie Davis had a winning day across the board. She tied herself for first place in Slate 2 of the Rookie Professional class, marking a pair of 72s on Chicsdundreamin and Gunna Bend And Snap. She also clinched the Rookie Pro High-Point Championship for her efforts on Gunna Bend And Snap, a 5-year-old mare by Gunnatrashya and out of Miss San Electric by Jacs Electric Spark, owned by Elizabeth and Casey Bibbs.
“Gunna Bend And Snap felt really good today and was right there with me. I’m really excited to win the High-Point. We had a great day. One of my Rookie riders (Stephanie Johnson) was the High-Point in the Prime Time, and to tie myself on two great horses was very fun,” Davis said. “We have wonderful clients who take really good care of us and want us to succeed in the pen, so it’s good to be able to do that for them.”
Both horses Davis showed in the Open also performed well for their Non Pro and Youth owners earlier in the day. Davis trains out of Deary Performance Horses, and Casey Deary’s daughter Joy Deary showed Chicsdundreamin to a win in the Short Stirrup. The former NRHA L3 Futurity Champion gelding’s owner Nancy Stillwell—Joy’s grandmother—also shows the gelding.
Davis says it speaks volumes to both horses’ hearts and also helps her improve as a coach and a rider. “Both the horses were shown this morning, so for them to come back to me and try is great,” Davis said. “It’s really fun to ride a horse like Chicsdundreamin, and then to watch Joy show him this morning and just go for it was so fun. To be able to coach Joy and Nancy on that horse, and then go in and show him myself, gives me more perspective and gives me an advantage to coaching them.”
Barbara Hanaghan Wins First Tim Lynch Memorial Rookie Award
The most poignant award of the entire SWRHA Futurity and Horse Show was presented Sunday afternoon. The inaugural Tim Lynch Memorial Rookie Award was awarded to the highest-scoring Rookie across both slates of Rookie classes.
Barbara Hanaghan rode Revolvingwithmagnum to a 72.5, not only winning the Tim Lynch Memorial award but also the second slate of Rooke Levels 1 and 2.
Tim Lynch, a former President of the SWRHA, was a major supporter of the National Reining Horse Association Rookie programs. Lynch passed away in mid-September after an 18-year battle with cancer, and the SWRHA Board of Directors announced the new Memorial Award.
Tim’s wife, Tracy, was on-hand to present the Tim Lynch Memorial buckle and trophy. “This is a perfect way to honor Tim. He loved reining, and he loved helping people. I am so proud to be here to present this today,” Tracy said.
Hanaghan deeply appreciated the buckle. “It means so much to win this award. Something like this is so special,” she said.
Hanaghan has owned Revolvingwithmagnum for a little over two years. “I love everything about him. He’s a huge stopper and turner and is absolutely so physically talented. His mind is great, and he’s easy on the eyes,” she said of the 7-year-old gelding by Einsteins Revolution out of Magnum Done It. “Today he felt
great, which he always does. He just carries me around and is awesome.”
Non Pro (2), Int. Non Pro (2) and Non Pro High-Point Champion—Raeanna Thayn and Coded N Karma
Raeanna Thayn had a hectic day on the last day of the SWRHA Futurity and Horse Show, showing multiple horses in both the Youth class in the Coliseum and the Non Pro class in the Ancillary Arena. The young competitor didn’t let the chaotic schedule shake her focus, marking a 73.5 on 10-year-old gelding Coded N Karma (Electric Code x Whiz N Snap x Topsail Whiz) to cinch up the Non Pro High-Point title and win Slate 2 of the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro. She also tied for reserve in the class on her 4-year-old mare Roseswhiz (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Rose Electric Step x Jacs Electric Spark) with a 72.
“It’s a little stressful, but it worked out. I was pretty lucky today because they had the same pattern in each arena, but I also had some really good people around me who help me a lot,” Thayn said. She noted her trainer Josh Murphy reminded her to stay calm and on pattern.
She added that running the same pattern in both classes was like having another chance to correct any less-than-perfect maneuvers the second time around. “It was nice to be able to run the same pattern and be ready for what they did in the other pen,” she said. It also helped to have a solid aged gelding like “Karma” underneath her. “He’s just super consistent, and just anything under saddle he’s just perfect about.
He’s always been a good boy,” Thayn said. “In the Non Pro, he ran in and stopped really good for me, especially considering how we had to walk in. He just handled it great.”
Metcalf Quarter Horses Limited Non Pro Co-Champion—Jeremy Zangl and Nix Groovy Dream
Jeremy Zangl had plans to leave Friday but decided to stay and enter the Limited Non Pro to school for the NRHA Futurity in November. That decision paid off, as Zangl will now be heading home with a Co-Championship after scoring a 70.5 aboard Nix Groovy Dream. Nix Groovy Dream is a 3-year-old gelding by NRHA $6 Million Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Zangl’s Derby mare Groovy Spook.
When asked about his run, Zangl shared he was very proud of Nix. “His turn arounds we have been struggling with, and he was really good today, so that was great,” Zangle said. “We also have been struggling with our lead changes and he nailed them all week, so I was super happy about that. He was quiet in his turnarounds and he is just so laid back. He’s like an old trooper, but he’s a 3-year-old.”
Metcalf Quarter Horses Limited Non Pro Co-Champion—Nicole Ingram and Chic Whiza Dream
With a score of 70.5, Nicole Ingram and Chic Whiza Dream (Magnum Chic Dream x Kalico Whiz) took home Limited Non Pro Co-Championship as well as High-Point honors for the class.
“Our run was pretty good today; we have been working on it all week,” Ingram said. “Every show my trainer has me working on different things, so each time I enter the pen there is something new that I am working on accomplishing, and every time I have stepped into the pen I have accomplished it.”
Ingram is working to perfect the intricacies of showmanship to improve her scores. “Little fine details like squeezing and making her head drop, keeping her collected through her lead changes, and me running faster into the stops,” Ingram said.
The team leaves next week for the AQHA World Championship Show, followed by the NRHA Futurity for the Adequan® NAACs.
Non Pro Prime Time High-Point Champion—Michael Hancock and Nics Custom Dually
It’s not often a winning run is described as ho-hum, but with a horse as easy to ride as Nics Custom Dually, that’s exactly how it felt to past NRHA President Michael Hancock. Hancock and the 8-year-old gelding by Mister Nicadual and out of Custom Whizper by Custom Crome marked a 72 to win the second slate of the Non Pro Prime Time and claim the Non Pro Prime Time High-Point buckle.
“It was very good. He’s a Steady Eddie. Does everything like he’s supposed to do, and it was kind of boring actually,” Hancock said with a laugh. “He’s been very good every time I’ve shown him.”
Hancock has owned the gelding since the horse was three and knows him like the back of his hand. In fact, he hadn’t ridden Nics Custom Dually prior to the week of the SWRHA, as the horse stays at trainer Barbara Williams’ place in Ardmore.
The time apart didn’t seem to matter in the show pen, as the two still fit each other like a glove. “I hadn’t ridden a horse for 30 days,” Hancock exclaimed. “He’s just that easy, just a really nice horse. Barbara Williams does a great job keeping him trained and ready for me.”
Rookie High-Point Champion—Teddy Gerald and Xtra Rev My Holly
Teddy Gerald admits he wasn’t very excited about the SWRHA Futurity and Horse Show. He’s taken a several-decade hiatus from the show pen and had plenty of nerves about his first big NRHA-sanctioned show, but you wouldn’t know it watching him accept the Rookie Level 1 and 2 High-Point championship buckle.
“It’s a relief. I’ve been dreading this week for a long time. For two years I’ve been getting ready to start showing again, and I’ve been dreading it and dreading it,” Gerrald said with a laugh. “I’m so glad it’s behind me. I feel a lot better. I’m not going to say I won’t be terrified next time, but I know it won’t be as bad as this time.”
Gerrald sealed his High-Point title with a 71.5 in Slate 2 of the Rookie, which was also good for second in both levels. He relies on trainer Trent Harvey to help him make decisions under the gun and says now it’s time to build on what he’s accomplished.
“I do what Trent says!” Gerrald said with a laugh. “At the end of the day, the big stuff we had all week, it’s the little things like circles that we’ve got to go home and perfect. It’s all those little things that keep getting me, and also they’re horses; they’re different every day.”
Gerrald’s special little 4-year-old mare Xtra Rev My Holly (Einsteins Revolution x Holly Duns Duel x Hollywood Dun It) also helps to give Gerrald confidence in the show pen. “She stops great. I can’t make her not stop good unless I really screw it up,” Gerrald said. “I’ve got no complaints. I’m going to go home with a smile on my face. I love her, maybe a little too much. I wouldn’t trade her for the world.”
Prime Time Rookie High-Point—Stephanie Johnson and Sugarwhizngun
On the final day of the SWRHA Futurity and Horse Show, Stephanie Johnson capitalized on a successful week in the show ring with Sugarwhizngun to seal the Prime Time Rookie High-Point title.
Though she didn’t feel she rode her best in the second slate, Johnson still managed to score a 69 to tie for second in the Prime Time class and hold onto the High-Point. “It feels great. It feels absolutely wonderful. Today was good, but it wasn’t as good as [Slate 1] the other day. I made a couple of rider errors, so I’ve got stuff to work on now back at the ranch,” said Johnson, who rides at Casey Deary’s in Weatherford, Texas. “All in all, it was a good run and my horse was great. I liked my stops, and my
circles were good.”
She says her horse is a big part of why she’s able to focus on herself when showing. “I love that he is a very calm horse,” Johnson said of the 8-year-old gelding by Colonels Smoking Gun and out of Starlights Sugarwhiz by Little Bay Starlight. “If I’m nervous, he doesn’t show it. I love that about him, and that he’s a great stopper. He’s very forgiving. He never acts like he feels my nerves at all.”
Prime Time Rookie (2) Champions—Ryan Voorhees and Gunna Be Special
On the final day of competition, Weatherford, Texas, competitor Ryan Voorhees’ plan for the Rookie class focused on precision. The plan paid off, as Voorhees and Gunna Be Special ended the day as champions of the second slate of the Prime Time Rookie.
“I’ve been having trouble with my lead changes, so my trainer had me go through the changes pretty slow. I was just trying to be very accurate,” he shared.
Voorhees purchased Gunna Be Special, a 9-year-old by Gunners Special Nite out of A Bueno Poco Dunit, earlier this year. Knowing it was time to step up his game, he was drawn to the gelding’s talent and ability.
“He knows more about reining than I do, and he’s taught me a lot. He can plus-half all his maneuvers,” Voorhees said. “I’m learning how to ride for a plus-half, and that’s why I bought him. He’s definitely elevated my game.”
Although he and his family have a background in show horses, Voorhees didn’t begin riding reining horses until five years ago. “I’ve done it off and on since then, just not very seriously. When we moved to Texas nine years ago we wanted to try something different, and my family and I have had a lot of fun doing it,” he said.
Voorhees thanked his daughters and NRHA Professional Jimmy van der Hoeven.
Spurs and Strings Quarter Horses Youth 14-18 and Unrestricted High-Point Champion—Laina Hanaghan and Shining Moonstep
Laina Hanaghan has only been riding Shining Moonstep (Wimpys Little Step x Shining Moonstone x Shining Spark) for two months, but she’s already notched a big win under her belt with the 5-year-old gelding. The 17-year-old Sulphur Springs, Texas, teen and her horse scored a 73 to win Slate 2 of the Youth 14-18 and Unrestricted Youth as well as the High-Point titles for both divisions.
“It means a lot to me to win this. He’s a special horse and takes care of me, and it’s more about me trusting him and letting him do his job,” Hanaghan said. “He stopped good for me when I ran in, which was my biggest fear is that he wasn’t going to stop.
He was really good everywhere, started the turns good for me, waited in the lope off, and he was really good in the first set of circles, even though I safetied up on him a bit. The second set of circles he came back to me really good in the slowdown, and he was awesome in the stops.”
She says the gelding has taken some getting used to, but with the help of her trainer Joe Schmidt, the two are quickly forming a partnership. She appreciates Schmidt’s attention to detail with her riding. “He’s a completely different horse. It’s been trusting him in the pen and just learning to let go and not safety up on him,” she said. “Joe really pushes you to get better. He doesn’t just let things go, and I think he’s made me a lot better rider.”
Spurs and Strings Quarter Horses 13 & Under Highpoint Champion—Ireland Faith Lawler and Docs Tinseltown Chic
After a week of staying consistent, scoring a 68 on Friday and then a 69.5 Sunday, Ireland Faith Lawler will take home the 13 & Under Highpoint Buckle. “I went in with the mindset of winning and I came out with the win, and I am so happy with him and so proud of how it turned out,” she said.
Lawler rode her horse Docs Tinseltown Chic, by NRHA $2 Million Sire Hollywoodstinseltown and out of Chuka Chic. He is also lovingly known as Oscar.
Lawler said she is looking forward to their next show, the Winter Ride and Slide, and plans to stay consistent in their training leading up to it. “We will continue what we have been doing, making sure he is good and with me and stays listening,” she said.
Lawler thanks her coach, Tara Podkrajšek, for helping her, her mom Christine Lawler for hauling her everywhere, and dad Jarratt Lawler for his support.
Spurs and Strings Quarter Horses 13 & under Champion—Kynley Bell and Snap N Go
The champion of the second slate of the 13 & Under Kynley Bell marked a 72 on her horse Snap N Go (Master Snapper x Miss Jerry Cat) to take the lead. “It was good. I just need to work on the overturning and what I am doing in the middle in the rundowns,” Bell explained.
Before her run, Bell got some advice from Fred Thomsson. “Make sure you are in the right lead in the rundown and pull on your rollback,” Bell recited.
Bell says her reliable mare only gets a little grouchy before feeding time. “She always has the same attitude, except when she is hungry,” Bell said.
Bell is looking forward to heading to the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City. She thanked Fred Thomsson, Alex Pierce, her parents Spence and Kristen Bell, and her sister for their support.
Short Stirrup High-Point Champion—Lilly Walters and Magnums Guns R Reddy
Lilly Walters got some pretty solid advice from her trainer Mandy Faust of Tremblay Performance Horses before her final run of the SWRHA Futurity and Horse Show in the Short Stirrup class. “She said, ‘Go out there and have fun. It’s funner winning than losing,’” Walters recounted with a smile.
Walters took Faust’s advice seriously, riding her mare Magnums Guns R Reddy to a score of 71.5 to finish second in the class and clinch the Short Stirrup High-Point title.
“That first little lope, she was really good. She didn’t go too fast, she didn’t go too slow, she went the perfect amount of speed,” Walters said. “She was good through the whole deal.”
The young reiner adores her 9-year-old mare by Magnum Chic Dream and out of Guns R Reddy by Nic It In The Bud, both for her talents in the show pen and kind personality to be around.
“It is amazing. This is my second show she’s won here, and she did really good this round. My favorite part is that first roll back. She just whips around and jumps up, and it’s so fun,” Walters exclaimed. “She’s so sweet. And she’s a tank. I love tanks!”
Short Stirrup (2) Champion—Joy Deary and Chicsdundreamin
Little Joy Deary is learning from the best, whether it’s the influence of her dad Casey Deary or the special gelding Chicsdundreamin. Joy won the second slate of the Short Stirrup with a score of 72.5 aboard the former NRHA Level 3 Open Futurity Champion gelding, now owned by Joy’s grandmother Nancy Stillwell.
“I think he did really good, besides the time that we got on the wrong lead running down,” Joy shared. “But he didn’t do anything wrong besides that and had good spins and circles. I love my circles because we go really fast.”
Joy has been riding the NRHA earner of $154,000 for about a year and says she loves the gelding’s kind demeanor. “He’s very fun. He loves people, and he’s sweet,” she said.
The young rider is thankful for the opportunity to show and thanked those who helped her prepare. “My friend Katie, my mom and my dad, and my grandma help me. They told me good luck!” Joy said.