Like a stick of dynamite, Mambos Dream Girl launched herself and Jack Daniels into the midst of a competitive field at the SWRHA Billingsley Ford Open Futurity Saturday night. As their team whooped and hollered from the back gate, Daniels and the mare, sired by Magnum Chic Dream and out of Mambos Sparkle, scored a 224, winning the Level 1 Championship, finishing Reserve Champion in Level 2, tying for third in the Level 3, and tying for fifth in the Level 4
For their effort, the pair earned $16,121.
“The mare just has such a presence, and my wife and I thought that maybe since I’m in the lower levels, this year we could back off on the pressure – but it seems like she wants to handle it pretty good,” Daniels said.
As the run was unfolding, Daniels said he didn’t know what it looked like. He wasn’t even sure what it felt like. His only measure of success was his wife Kaci O’Rourke’s cheering. When he heard the score, he knew of a few special people to thank.
“My coach, mentor and gets-at-me-when-I-get-a-little-ahead-of-myself, Tim McQuay is great. I had him turn her for me this morning, and he told me to go in there nice and soft. I didn’t listen. Sorry Tim. He’s been such a help, though,” Daniels said cheekily.
According to Daniels, he started Mambos Dream Girl her two-year-old year. He usually only does a few rides in the round pen, but the mare was so feely he stayed in the round pen for 60 days.
“It’s started to pay off, so my wife and I are really happy with how she’s come along,” Daniels said. “Hopefully she doesn’t steal her back.”
Daniels thanked the owners Peter and Courtney Morgan for their wholehearted support in their program as well as his wife and Tim McQuay.