The 2019 Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity and Horse Show kicked off its 35th Anniversary on Tuesday, October 22, with the Novice Horse Open and Non Pro Levels 1 & 2. Trevor Dare Wins Nov. Horse Open Levels 1 & 2 on Jerseys Baby Driver With a score of 73.5, Trevor Dare and Jerseys Baby Driver bested the field of 95 in the Novice Horse Open Levels 1 & 2.
The win netted $1,946 for owner Janice Laney. “Thank you to Janice Laney for giving me the opportunity to ride this horse for her,” he said.
Dare and Jerseys Baby Driver, by Yellow Jersey out of Wind Her Up Chic, have only competed at one other event. “I showed this horse at Tulsa, and it was really good, and we marked a 220. We had some weak turns I wanted to work on, and today they were a lot better,” Dare said. “It was pretty good today. I’m going to show this horse at Oklahoma City, and I just wanted to get in there and have a good confidence builder.”
It was a great start to the week, which will quickly turn busy. Dare plans to show a couple horses in the Open classes on Thursday, help a non pro rider for the Futurity on Friday, and then show a couple more horses himself in the Billingsley Ford Open Futurity.
Once the SWRHA Futurity is completed, Dare turns his attention to the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show. “After that, we’ll be focusing on the NRHA Futurity,” he said. “I thank my wife, Laura Dare. She’s always there helping me. Thanks also to Thiago Boechat, who runs Silver Spurs Equine Oklahoma, and of course the whole team at Silver Spurs Equine. They make everything happen for us.”
Taking second in the Novice Horse Open Level 2 was Cade McCutcheon and Lil Jersey, owned by Anne-Marie Burns, with a 72, worth $798. Claiming reserve in the Novice Horse Open Level 1 was Casey Deary and Quik Draw McGraw, who also marked a 73. Quik Draw McGraw, who won $610, is owned by Jody Puno and Jolan Puno.
Kary Key and Oh Yes I Can Jac Win Nov. Horse Non Pro Levels 1 & 2
Kary Key, of Millsap, Texas, competed early in the day as draw two on her horse Oh Yes I Can Jac, piloting the talented reiner to a 71.5. Unbeknownst to her, Dee Dee Boeckman and Lauren Love would also mark 71.5s, leading to a three-way tie in the Level 2 and a two-way tie in the Level 1. Although not expecting a run-off, Key and Oh Yes I Can Jac, nicknamed Phelps, managed to pull off the win to win both classes, taking home prizes and checks totaling $863.
“I was actually napping when I got the call. My trainer had already gone back to the hotel, so we had to come back. I just had time to throw everything on him, lope a circle, and go in the pen,” Key recalled. “My horse was like, ‘Well, I’ve already done this before. Let’s do it again a little faster so we get it done a little quicker.’ So he wasn’t with me as much as he was earlier today, but his last stop was great and probably what did it for us.”
Key purchased Phelps, by Marthas Mega Jac out of Smart Juicy Lucy, as a three-year-old. “Lindsey McCutcheon had shown him once in Minnesota. I went and saw him and fell in love, and I’ve shown him since then,” she said. “He’s a quirky horse. Not every day is a day we can get around the pen, because he sees everything, but he’s my rock solid show horse.”
According to Key, Phelps serves an additional purpose. “He’s my Steady Eddie. He keeps me calm so I don’t think too much about my futurity horse. My trainer is really happy I have something else to focus on,” she said with a laugh.
Key will stay busy in Ardmore, showing Phelps in more ancillary classes as well as her horse in the Custom Made Dunit Non Pro Futurity. “I thank my mom, Pat Fletcher. She’s my number one supporter. I also thank my trainer, Jonathon Gauthier. He’s been great and really helps me focus in,” Key said. “I have so many people who have helped. We don’t have enough time to thank everyone.”
Next up for Key and Phelps? The North American Affiliate Championships held during the National Reining Horse Association Futurity in Oklahoma City.
Tying for second in the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 were Dee Dee Boeckman and Shezmylilwhizkeygirl with Lauren Love and Show Like A Dream. Both took home checks for $368. Love won an additional $197 for second in the Level 1. The SWRHA Futurity is held annually at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore, Okla. For information and complete results from the event, visit SWRHA.com or follow on Facebook.