The Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity and Horse Show was in full swing October 21, with a full day of Non Pro, Non Pro Rookie and Prime Time, and Open classes. The day concluded with the Smoking Trash-sponsored Salute to the SWRHA Sires exhibitor party with food and cocktails, featuring the SWRHA Stallion Auction golf cart giveaway and an auction for an embryo transfer service from Pinnacle Equine/Dr. Chelsea Makloski, DVM. The party included plenty of fun for exhibitors’ young family members, too, with the children’s costume parade.
With the large number of entries, the Open ancillary classes ran late into the evening. Coverage will be
included with the news on Friday.
Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro Champion—Raeanna Thayn and Coded N Karma
Youth rider Raeanna Thayn was back in the winner’s circle at the conclusion of the Non Pro classes on Oct. 21, this time aboard 10-year-old gelding Coded N Karma (Electric Code x Whiz N Snap x Topsail Whiz). The pair marked a big 75 to win the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro.
“He ran down and stopped huge, circled really good and turned really good for him. I like his consistency.
I’ve had him since middle of his 6-year-old year, and my family has owned him since he was 3—he’s just
always been Mr. Consistent,” Thayn said of the gelding that has earned more than $74,000 in his career. “I
try to stay focused, because ‘Karma’ is the best when I’m focused and calm.”
Thayn also finished second in the Intermediate Non Pro and tied for second in the Non Pro with a 74.5
aboard 4-year-old mare Roseswhiz (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Rose Electric Step x Jacs Electric Spark), aboard
which Thayn won the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 earlier in the week.
Thayn’s trainer Josh Murphy says the young horsewoman is an exceptional student.
“Raeanna is awesome. She is not only super talented, she is very coachable. Anything you can do on a
horse, you can tell her to do and she can just do it,” Murphy said. “It’s really fun to work on things at a
high level with someone like her.”
Limited Non Pro Co-Champion—Christine Trautman and Smart Whizard Spook
Christine Trautman rode her 6-year-old gelding Smart Whizard Spook (Smart Spook x Miss Poco Whizard
x Whizard Jac) to a score of 73.5 to tie for first in the Limited Non Pro, in addition to finishing in a tie for
third in the Intermediate Non Pro and a tie for fourth in the Non Pro.
“It was just super fun. My horse was really locked in,” Trautman said. “He went right to work like he
always does. Every time I show him he is locked in, spot on and does everything big and honest. I am
super grateful to have him. He is such a joy.”
Trautman almost missed her chance to show this morning. Her home is on the market, and she had to
rush to get it ready for a last-minute showing today before loading up and hauling in to Ardmore for the
show.
“We had to really hustle to get ready this morning. It didn’t go the way I thought it was going to go. I had
to drive up from home, so we were running a little behind, in a funny way,” Trautman said with a laugh. “I
had time to lope three circles and go in the pen.”
Prime Time Non Pro Champion and Limited Non Pro Co-Champion Rodion Cantacuzene, Jr.
With a score of 73.5, Rodion Cantacuzene, Jr. laid claim to the Prime Time Non Pro victory and tied for
first in the Limited Non Pro aboard 5-year-old APHA gelding Pale Dun Star (Pale Face Dunnit x Get Ya
Some Stars (APHA) x RR Star (APHA)).
Rookie L1-2 Champion—Teddy Gerrald and Xtra Rev My Holly
At his very first NRHA show, Teddy Gerrald marked a 71 to win the Rookie Levels 1 and 2 aboard his
beloved 4-year-old mare Xtra Rev My Holly (Einsteins Revolution x Holly Duns Duel x Hollywood Dun It).
“It was terrifying; absolutely terrifying. When I was younger this was easy. I was fearless. Now as a middle-aged man, it’s just not as easy,” Gerrald said with a laugh. “Three shows in and it’s getting easier, and it’s been a blast.”
Having a horse he can count on like Xtra Rev My Holly helps ease some of Gerrald’s show pen nerves.
“She feels a little better every time we go. Most of that is me probably calming down, so then she’s
starting to as well. She was pretty good today. Now that it’s over with, I can’t wait to get back in there,”
Gerrald said. “I love that she’s mine. She’s fun to look at; she works real good for me and fits me real well.
I’m in love.”
Rookie Prime Time Champion—Stephanie Johnson and Sugarwhizngun
A splendid run-off decided the champion of the Rookie Prime Time. After tying top scores of 70.5 in the
class, Stephanie Johnson on Sugarwhizngun and Valencia Pitzing on Baileys Sidekick faced each other
again for championship honors. In the end, Johnson’s 71.5 edged Pitzing’s 70.5 run-off score.
“I’ve never run off before, so it was fun and very exciting. My horse was a little tired since we just did the
first run a little while ago, but he was a good boy,” Johnson said of the 8-year-old gelding by Gunner and
out of Starlights Sugarwhiz by Little Bay Starlight. “He was actually better his second run than the first
one. I was very happy with it.”
The victory marked the perfect ending to Johnson and her gelding’s show season.
“This is our last show of the year, so I was really happy,” Johnson said. “I ride with Casey Deary and Katie
Davis, and I get help from Josh [Tishman] and everyone at Team Deary. I want to thank our farrier and
vet, and the whole Team Deary.”