It might have made for a long day, but the 141-entry Billingsley Ford Open at the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity on October 19 was one to stick around for. The Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore, Oklahoma, gave open exhibitors a chance to test the mettle of their three-year-olds one last time before setting their sights on Oklahoma City and the National Reining Horse Association Futurity in just over a month’s time.
When the final horse had cleared the pen, and the judge’s sheets had been tallied, it was NRHA Million Dollar Rider Kole Price who had secured his first SWRHA Open Futurity Championship. He took the win on Picture Perrfect after piloting the stallion to a 223.5.
Billingsley Ford Open Futurity Level 4 Champion – Kole Price & Picture Perrfect
Kole Price and Picture Perrfect took the win in the Level 4 of the Billingsley Ford Open Futurity, leaving the arena $22,100 richer. Ronald Anderson owns the 3-year-old stallion who was bred by Amy Medows.
Price has put a lot of time into the colt, even making the decision to skip the All American Quarter Horse Congress this year, in order to better prepare and school the stallion. “I’m very happy with his progress and look forward to showing him in the NRHA Futurity,” stated Price. “I am thankful that I put that extra time into him.”
Anderson purchased Picture Perrfect, by Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Isnt She Perfect, at this very show as a weanling. “I thank Ronald and Gayle Anderson. I don’t even consider them clients, I consider them family,” Price noted.
Tying for the Reserve Championship in the Open Futurity Level 4 with scores of 222 was Casey Deary and King Arthur II, and Jason Vanlandingham and GPB Smokinvintagegun. Each are ending the first weekend of the event with an extra $12,422 in the bank.
King Arthur II, by Gunnatrashya out of Shesouttayourleague, is owned by the partnership of Malson, Arcese, Mclain. He was bred by Curtis Performance Horses.
GPB Smokinvintagegun, by A Vintage Smoke out of Gunners Best Stop, is owned by Vaughn Zimmerman and Robert Santagata. He was bred by GPB Ranch Enterprises.
Billingsley Ford Open Futurity Level 3 & 2 Champion – Wade Mcdonald & Dream On Spook
The team of Wade McDonald and Dream On Spook claimed the top spots of the Open Futurity Level 3 and 2, and finished fourth in the Level 4 with a 221.5. All totaled, McDonald and Dream On Spook earned $27,535 for owner Heather Anne Laird.
Dream On Spook, by Spooks Gotta Whiz out of A Sparkling Dream, was bred by Dee Dee Boeckman.
“He showed good for me, and I was happy with the run,” Mcdonald stated, adding that this was the gelding’s first big win. The team is preparing for the NRHA Futurity, where McDonald has high hopes for making the finals.
Billingsley Ford Open Futurity Level 1 Champion – Leonardo Kellerman & Rothschild Rose
Rothschild Rose and Leonardo Kellerman secured the win in the Open Level 1 Futurity with a 220.5. That lofty score also placed well in Levels 2, 3, and 4, so he’ll head home with $20,784 for owner Janice Laney. Rothschild Rose, by A Sparkling Vintage out of Wound Up Whimp, was bred by Silver Spurs Equine.
This was only the duo’s second time in the show pen. Kellerman is already thinking about the NRHA Futurity and is approaching the prestigious event with confidence after this big win.
“I thank God, for how blessed I am, Janice Laney, my family, my girlfriend, and everyone who has helped me along the way,” Kellerman acknowledged.
Taking the Reserve Championship was Arnaud Ferret and Temptations. Temptations is by PS Mega Shine Chic and out of Misters Temptress. The stallion is owned by Lauren Love and was bred by Adh-Mor Ranch.
Billingsley Ford Open Futurity Prime Time Champion – Franco Bertolani & Whizkey In The Jar
Franco Bertolani and Whizkey In The Jar won the Open Futurity Prime Time division with a score of 219.5. In addition to the Prime Time title, the pair also placed in Levels 3 and 4 for total earnings of $13,133. The 3-year-old stallion, bred and owned by Slide or Die LLC, is by Dun It For Whizkey out of Chexy In Jewels.
“I didn’t want to over-show him, so I just let him cruise through the run,” Bertolani stated. “I am thankful that we were able to win and I feel very blessed.”
This duo’s next stop is the NRHA Futurity, and Bertolani feels confident going into the show. “I am excited to see how he handles the pressure,” he said.
Taking the Reserve Championship in the Open Futurity Prime Time was Craig Schmersal riding Sparkling Face. The Hickory Creek Ranch-bred mare is by A Sparkling Vintage and out of Face The Attitude.
Billingsley Ford Open Futurity Masters Champion – Scott McCutcheon & Megamerican
With a score of 213, Scott McCutcheon and Megamerican, won the Billingsley Ford Open Masters Futurity.
Megamerican, owned by Kyle Acosta and bred by Catherine Sears, has a special connection to McCutcheon. The stallion is by Mega Watt Shine out of Ima Pale Whiz. “He reminds me a lot of his dad, who I qualified for the NRHA Futurity Open Finals with,” McCutcheon said. “I think he’s going to follow in his footsteps. He’s been an easy horse to train.”
The Masters Class was just recently added to the Open at the SWRHA Futurity. “It sure is a nice addition to this futurity,” stated McCutcheon, who is using this show to gear up for the NRHA Futurity.