The Southwest Reining Horse Association has competition opportunities for riders of all levels. While the Billingsley Ford Open Futurity ran inside the Hardy Murphy Coliseum on October 23, the Ancillary Arena was bustling with riders just diving into the sport of reining with the second slate of the Green Reiner and Ride and Slide classes. In addition to the class wins, exhibitors also vied for High-Point titles in those classes.
The young leaders of the SWRHA also met to take care of business Saturday afternoon in the SWRHA Youth Meeting. Rhea and Tyrel Pole hosted the meeting, which was sponsored by Whoa Zone.
For complete results, visit www.SWRHA.com, and follow the Southwest Reining Horse Association on Facebook for more fun updates.
Green Reiner L1 & L2 High-Point Champion and Ride and Slide Level 1 Non Pro & High-Point Champion—Lindsey Lester and Dreamin About Sailin
It was a great show for Lindsey Lester and Dreamin About Sailin (Magnum Chic Dream x Pennys For Sail). Yesterday, the team won the Ride & Slide Level 1 Non Pro along with Reserve in the Green Reiner Level 1 and Level 2.
Lester went into today’s classes with more confidence. “We had really good runs yesterday, so my game plan was just to see what happens, and it turned out positive,” she said.
The duo scored a 71.5 to win the Green Reiner Level 1 and reserve in Green Level 2, claiming the High-Point buckle for both levels. It was the pair’s first High-Point buckle together. The winning didn’t stop there—the duo went on to win the Ride and Slide Level 1 Non Pro with a score of 71 and secure the High-Point buckle.
“The spins were really good and the circling was so good, especially to the left she did so much better than yesterday,” Lester said. “The right was still good but we can always work on it. The rundowns we will work on over winter, but she was still good in them.”
Lester has been riding with Dany and Fred Tremblay since June and attributes a lot of success to their program.
“The atmosphere is so good, they are so nice,” she said. “They help me out with everything. They are such nice people; it is such a great group.”
Lester also thanked Mandy Faust and her mom and dad.
Green Reiner Prime Time High-Point Champion—Katherine Wallis and Lil Dream Ride
After winning the first section of the Green Reiner Prime Time, Katherine Wallis had a plan for Slate 2.
“We spent a little more time in the warm-up pen today, and we knew what to work on today from yesterday,” she said.
The plan seemed to work, as she piloted her horse to a 72 to win the Green Reiner Level 2 and Prime Time on Lil Dream Ride (Magnum Chic Dream x Ruf Ride). The duo also won the Green Reiner High Point Championship.
The past seven months have been a time for personal growth for Wallis. Changing trainers and riding styles have been a challenge, but with the help of her trainer Mathieu Buton, things have come together.
“He really caters to the horse and the rider,” she said. “He listened to me and we were able to go at a pace where I was comfortable and it was very beneficial.”
It was an emotional day for Wallis. “I won one year-end buckle for Hunter Under Saddle a long time ago, but this is the first reining buckle I have ever won. It is very special,” Wallis said. “I have so many people to thank: my mom for supporting my horse dream for all these years, Mathieu Buton, and Fred Thomsson. Hunter Mericantante has really helped the horse and has been tuning on her. I couldn’t be here without everyone.”
Ride & Slide Open Level 1 & 2 High-Point Champion—Marie O’Neal and RS Twistin Nic
The Ride and Slide Open Level 1 and Level 2 High-Points went to Marie O’Neal aboard RS Twistin Nic, a 2007 gelding by Nic It In The Bud out of Twisters Enola Gay.
O’Neal has learned a lot from this show and is enjoying the experience. “The first run was really good. We marked a 70.5. The second one, I have been told 1,000 times to pass the end marker, and I didn’t, but it’s fine. I guess that’s how you learn,” ONeal admitted.
O’Neal is confident she’ll get better with more experience in the show pen. “On a daily basis, I work more with 2-year-olds,” ONeal said. “My job is to start colts, so it was a big deal for me to learn how to ride with one hand and how to feel a horse in the bit and not in the snaffle, so this is what this horse has taught me the past two months.”
Taking home two buckles is quite the accomplishment. O’Neal credits the people who have helped her get this far.
“I am super thankful to Judy and Randy Shepherd for letting me have this horse to show, and the whole team at Baruch Reining Horses,” ONeal said. “I thank Yonathan Baruch for his time and patience with me, and all the people from elsewhere, like Argentina where I lived before, and France and my family… It’s a hard life, and it is a lot easier when you have people who love you and support you every day.”
Ride and Slide Level 1 & 2 Open Champion—Rylee Morgan Hestand and Gunners Doll Lena
The Ride and Slide Open Level 1 and 2 went to Rylee Morgan Hestand and Gunners Doll Lena with a 70 in Level 2 and a 71 in Level 1, winning both classes. Gunners Doll Lena is a 5-year-old gelding by Gunners Remedy out of Holly Doll Lena, owned by Elena Marie Wuorimaa.
“He went in there and turned really good for me. He was good in his rundown and stops and stayed solid the entire time,” Hestand said.
For the last five years, Hestand has been riding with Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses. “I love their program, I get to learn a bunch from everyone,” she said. “There are so many people with a lot of knowledge.”
Ride and Slide Non Pro Level 2 Champion & High-Point Champion—Sara Blevins & Kashnkarry
Sara Blevins and her horse KashnKarry, a 5-year-old gelding by Lil Joe Cash out of Mizzen Shine, secured the win in the Ride and Slide Level 2 Non Pro (2) with a score of 70.
The duo had a successful day in Slate 1. With their win in Slate 2 of the Ride and Slide Non Pro Level 2, they easily claimed the Ride and Slide Non Pro Level 2 HighPoint title.
“Yesterday I just made sure to cruise him around and be really chill, and today I pushed him a little harder. He was very good, solid, and with me the whole time. I have no complaints,” Blevins said.
Blevins has been riding Kashnkarry since the gelding was 3 years old. “We have grown a lot together. He has gotten 10 times better in the time he’s been with [my trainer] Yonathan [Baruch]. This horse has such a great personality and is so sweet,” she said.
Next up for this team is the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City, where they will compete in the Youth Adequan® NAAC.