Joy Deary & Dun It For Whiz – Rookie Level 2 [1] Champion – Rookie Level 1 [1] Co-Champion
Riding her mom’s good horse, Dun It For Whiz, 13-year-old Joy Deary won the Rookie Level 2 [1] and tied for the win in the Rookie Level 1 [1] at the SWRHA Futurity and Horse Show.
Bred by Calvin Burger, Dun It For Whiz is a 5-year-old gelding by Dun It For Whizkey out of Indians Gunalena. He was originally purchased from Mandy McCutcheon for Deary’s mom, Nicole, to show; however, since Joy qualified for the Run For A Million on him, her mother has allowed her to keep showing him.
“The circles were pretty good, but we need to work on the steering a little bit,” she said of her run. “He stopped well, and overall, the pattern was good.”
When asked why she thinks her mom has let her continue showing Dun It For Whiz, she said, “Because we get along so well, and my mom is caring and kind, and she wants to show her other horse, so she’s letting me use her good one.”
She thanked her dad for bringing her to the show and her mom for letting her borrow her horse.
Hunter Martin & Shineoncrazydiamond – Rookie Level 1 [1] Co-Champion
Although Hunter Martin has only been reining for about six months, she’s off to a great start with her 6-year-old gelding by Shine Chic Shine out of Cashing In Diamonds. This was only about her fourth show with Shineoncrazydiamond, lovingly called “Sid.” It was a good one when they scored a 71 and tied for the win in the Rookie Level 1 [1].
“He’s a phenomenal horse,” she said. “He’s won a ton and I’m just trying to stay aboard.”
Martin described her horse as a “cookie monster” with a huge personality, adding that Nicker Maker horse treats are his favorite.
About getting into reining, Martin said of her horse, “He’s making a little girl’s dream come true.” She thanked her husband, Garth and Debbie Brown.
Becky Parrish & Gunning For Paris – Green Reiner Level 2 [1]
Becky Parrish started reining about 7 years ago when she put a horse in training with Van Luse. She bought the horse she shows now, Gunning For Paris, as a yearling after watching the mare’s full brother show at the Paint World.
Josh Murphy trained the mare and showed her as a 3-year-old, and Parrish is happy to be showing the mare by Snipers Smoking Gun out of Lady Whiz Pistol in her 4-year-old year, especially after scoring a 71.5 to win the Green Reiner Level 2 [1] class.
Parrish admitted that the run wasn’t her horse’s “career best,” but overall was pleased with her performance. “She got a little amped, but overall, she was there with me. She loves to stop, and she did that for me today. The rollbacks were on point, so I was really excited!”
She thanked her mom, Josh Murphy, and his team at JM Reining Horses, “They are always picking me up and telling me to go for the next one. It’s always good to have those people in your corner.”
Kennedy Beltz & Shiney Bigstar – Green Reiner Level 1 [1]
In the Level 1 Green Reiner [1], Kennedy Beltz’s performance on Shiney Bigstar scored the highest. The judges gave it 71 points. She has previously shown in Ranch Horse events with Bud Lyon, but she has had her eye on reining for a long time.
“All of the people in NRHA are so friendly,” she said. “It’s been nothing but warm welcomes, for sure. It’s been a wonderful experience starting in reining.”
The 5-year-old gelding is Beltz’s first to show in NRHA, and she is loving it! “He’s only ever been an open horse; Fernando Salgado showed him at the Futurity in 2023,” she said. “He’s getting used to being a green reiner’s horse. It’s been a new experience for him, but he’s handling it great.”
By ARC Gunnabeabigstar out of PS Katie Shines, Shiney Bigstar was bred by JoAnn Anderson. Beltz described him as having a funny personality. “On the ground, he’s super ADHD. He’s kind of a mess, and then you get on him and he is like the laziest thing that you have ever ridden. He’s so calm and very chill.”
She thanked her trainer, Bud Lyon, for finding him for her, Shane Brown for helping her at the show.
Emily Justice & Flinn Gunna Markya – Youth 14-18 [1] & Unrestricted Youth [1]
Throughout their partnership, Emily Justice and Flinn Gunna Markya have faced many challenges, but as evidenced by the 73 they scored to win the Youth 14-18 [1] and Unrestricted Youth [1], they are getting things right!
“I love her so much,” she said of the 6-year-old mare. “She has a really goofy personality, and she always makes me laugh. We are a lot alike, even down to the long, frizzy hair!”
Justice was pleased with the run, saying that the mare listened great and their spins were on point. “[Pattern 3] is kind of a rough pattern because you have to go all the way around the arena for the rundowns, and the horses can anticipate going fast, but she stayed with me the entire time.”
Bred by Jody Puno, Flinn Gunna Markya is by In Like Flinn, out of ARC Gunna Mark Ya.
When asked what she loves most about reining, she answered, “Definitely the difficulty and finesse it takes to do your pattern well.”
She thanked her trainer, Franky Vazquez, her sister, Ella, for always being at the back gates, and her parents for their help and support, as well as everyone else who has helped her in her journey.
Lilly Walters & Gunna Prosper – Youth 13 & Under [1] Co-Champion
Lilly Walters and Gunna Prosper made their way back to the winner’s circle when they scored a 72 to tie for the win in the Youth 13 & Under [1].
“He was right there with me the whole time,” she said. “The only thing is, we could work on is our stops, but I think that’s more of ‘me’ problem than a ‘him’ problem. He rolled back really good into that circle and was right with me the whole time. I love his spins. He can spin very good.”
She described the 5-year-old gelding by Gunnatrashya out of Whizenstartlight as being “like a dog.” She said that he enjoys petting and eats anything she offers to him.
“Probably my favorite thing about him is that his [barn name] is Potato,” she added.
George King bred the horse that Dany Tremblay was showing as the Walters were looking for a derby horse for Lilly. He suggested she try him, and they clicked from the get-go.
Walters said that she loves how precise reining is and that riders must be on point all the time, else it just doesn’t work out.
She thanked the team at Tremblay Reining Horses and her parents.
Deanna Davidson & Gotta Queen – Youth 13 & Under [1] – Unrestricted Youth [1]
On Gotta Queen, Deanna Davidson scored a 72 to tie for the win in the Youth 13 & Under [1] and for reserve in the Unrestricted Youth [1]. NRHA Professional Gabe Hutchins helped her find Gotta Queen.
“We have had quite the ride together in only two years, and we’ve found a good place for both of us,” she said. “Today, we were applying what we have learned from a new style, and it really paid off. I didn’t push her a whole lot because I was trying to apply the new things that I learned, and it went really well. It is assuring to know that I got that good of a run for not pushing her at all. I think it speaks well of her.”
She described her new skills as becoming more efficient with her hand and breaking old habits. “It was about learning how to make things a lot prettier and ride in this sport because it is a sport of perfection.”
Davidson shared that the mare has a huge personality, saying she’ll “hold a conversation with you.”
About her love of reining, Davidson said, “It prepares young people like me for real-life things at a young age that a lot of people don’t get nowadays. I think it’s going to be totally better for me in the future because I’ve already learned the hard lesson at a young age.”
She thanked her coach, Nimroid Vannietvelt, and her parents.
Will Davidson & What The Fuzz – Short Stirrup [1]
Will Davidson and What The Fuzz celebrated the 1-year anniversary of their partnership with a win when they scored a 70.5 to win the Short Stirrup [1] class.
“At this show last year, we were looking for a horse for me and we found Fuzz at the McCutcheons’ stalls,” he said. “We vet-checked him and we got him, and we’ve been best friends ever since.”
Davidson said the 7-year-old gelding by Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Gotta Git Ya Dun is a huge stopper and sweet to be around in the barn.
When asked why he loves reining, Davidson said, “I like how the people come and cheer for you and how you get to be in there and just show your horse to the best of your ability and have fun.”
He thanked his trainer, Nathan Piper, for helping him, his parents for bringing him to the show, and his sister for helping him prepare.
Julio Felix & Babys Night Light – Ride & Slide Open Levels 2 and 1 [1]
In the Ride & Slide Open Levels 1 and 2 [1], Julio Cesar Dos Santos Felix rode Babys Night Light, owned by Heather Ruthven, to a 71.5 to claim both championships. Julio works for Clemerson Barbalho.
“I like the mare very much because she can really stop,” he said through Barbalho’s translation. He has only shown once before last year in the same event, when he won both Levels 1 and 2 in the first slate.
Babys Night Light is by Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Shiney Night Light.
He thanked the mare, her owner, God, his family, and Clemerson Barbalho for allowing him to show the mare.
Katie Astorino & Lil Sunshine Joe – Ride & Slide Non Pro Level 1 [1]
Riding Lil Sunshine Joe, Katie Astorino scored the win in the Ride & Slide Non Pro Level 1 [1] while marking the 1st anniversary of her first time showing a reiner. Last October, she bought “Joey” and showed him for the first time in the 2024 SWRHA Ride & Slide Non Pro Level 1, which they also won.
Of her run, she said, “It was great! He’s a good boy. We learn so much every time.”
He especially loves how forgiving Joey is and how much he tries for her. “He’s with me every step of the way. I just have to figure out the nuances along the way, but he’s phenomenal,” she said.
Lil Sunshine Joe is an 8-year-old gelding by Lil Joe Cash out of Miss Sunshine Annie. She was bred by Bahn Quarter Horses, LLC.
She plans to give Joey the next couple of months off before legging him back up to show in more SWRHA-sanctioned events next year.
She thanked her horse, the team at Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses, Desiree Kelts, her husband, and Debbie Brown.
Dana Pastorino & Ziggy Rocks – Non Pro [2], Intermediate Non Pro [2], Prime Time [2]
In the second slate of Non Pro classes, Dana Pastorino won big! She rode Ziggy Rocks to a 73.5 and championships in the Non Pro [2], Intermediate Non Pro [2], Prime Time Non Pro [2]. She also secured all three high-point buckles.
Pastorino could feel the freshness in her trusty mount as she prepared to show him on Wednesday, but she also knew that no matter what, he would be there for her. “I had a little bit more horse, and I just used it,” she said. “I used that extra energy to help me be faster in that right turn, and of course, in my rundowns.”
Bred by Diane Koepsell and trained by Duane Latimer, Ziggy Rocks is a 7-year-old gelding by Whizkey N Diamonds out of Shes Got Good Guns. Pastorino has owned and ridden him for three years.
She thanked her husband for accompanying her to the show and the entire Tremblay Reining Horses team.
Kennedy Williams & Wildniteinhollywood – Intermediate Non Pro High Point
Kennedy Williams rode Wildniteinhollywood in both slates of the Intermediate Non Pro and kept her scores consistently high enough to take home the Intermediate Non Pro High Point Buckle.
Wildniteinhollywood is a 6-year-old gelding by Hollywood Dun It out of Best Nite Ever. Williams has been showing her for about 18 months and feels like they are coming together.
“In the first slate, we were in the outdoor pen, and he’s not entirely comfortable there,” she said. “The second time, in the indoor pen, he locked in for me and worked a bit harder.”
She thanked her parents and trainer, Clint Ramsey.