The 2024 Southwest Reining Horse Association Rancho Los Palominos Non Pro Futurity kicked off Friday, October 18 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Familiar names mixed with new at the top of the leaderboard, many of who are looking ahead to the final futurity of the year – the National Reining Horse Association Futurity in Oklahoma City.
The SWRHA Futurity has long been known as, “Where the Finest Go First,” and numerous SWRHA alumni have gone on to great success.
The SWRHA Futurity continues on Saturday with the 142-entry Billingsley Ford Open Futurity.
Rancho Los Palominos Level 4 Non Pro Champion – Mandy McCutcheon and Golden Nite Survivor
Mandy McCutcheon and Golden Nite Survivor, by Gunners Special Nite out of Golden Survivor, took the championship and won $8.747 in the Level 4 Non Pro Futurity with a score of 218.5.
McCutcheon has ridden countless special horses over the years, and Golden Nite Survivor fits the mold. Her sire, Gunners Special Nite stands at the McCutcheon’s, and Mandy and her husband Tom previously owned Golden Survivor, who was shown by their son, Cade, as a youth. “It’s kind of like a full circle, and it makes this win, and this horse that much more special” McCutcheon stated.
Mandy loves the SWRHA Futurity and enjoys it every year. “It’s well run and it’s nice to always know it will be a good show,” she said.
She has utilized the past couple months to get in tune with Golden Nite Survivor, aka Bella. “I am just now getting to know her, and I am proud of how she showed,” she said, adding a thank you to the entire team that helps her get to the show pen and be successful.
Rancho Los Palominos Level 3, 2, & 1 Non Pro Champion – Audrey Martinotti & Helll Hath No Fury
Audrey Martinotti, aboard Helll Hath No Fury, by Inferno Sixty Six out of MMB Spook Gotta Girl claimed the Level 3, 2, and 1 Non Pro Futurity championship. Their score of 214 also placed in the Level 4, bringing their total earning to $12,684.
The journey to Ardmore was no easy feat for Martinotti, who just recently had her second child. Trying to balance both being a mom and a competitor has been quite the task and she has had to overcome many obstacles. Not only has she been raising her two children, but also her show horse.
Helll Hath No Fury is her first home grown horse, bred by Giovanni Cioli. The mare was wild as a foal and stood out from the others, hence her name, “Fury.” She was not an easy horse to start, but with the help of her brother, Martinotti had the mare prepared for the show pen.
The SWRHA Futurity was Fury’s third time in the show pen. “She felt really good today, and I got to smile, let loose, and have fun.”
This show is very special to Martinotti. She won the Level 1 championship years ago at the beginning of her career, when she was only 15. “To come back here and have this big of a win, and win my first saddle, means so much to me,” she stated.
Rancho Los Palominos Prime Time Non Pro Champion – Teresa Putman & Augustus Mcgrey
With Augustus Mcgrey, Teresa Putnam claimed the Prime Time Non Pro Championship at the SWRHA Futurity. Not only did the pair take the Prime Time title, they also placed in Levels 4, 3, and 2, meaning Putman will return to Gainesville,Texas $3,390 richer.
Augustus Mcgrey, bred by George Bates, belongs to Teresa’s son, who plans to rope on the stallion, by Shepherd Star out of RN Starlights Chic, in the future. “This may be his last appearance in the reining pen,” Putman shared.
Putman’s trainer, Sebastian Petroll, joined the interview to share, “Teresa does most of the training and riding herself.” He added, noting that Putman keeps her horse at home and hauls to his place for lessons.
“I need to thank Sebastian, my daughter, and my horse for this incredible win,” Putman added.
Rancho Los Palominos Masters Non Pro Co-Champions – Cady Shaw & Dreamin Whiz Me
Cady Shaw and the 3-year-old mare Dreamin Whiz Me, sired by Electric Snow out of Dream Whiz Me, tied for the win in the Rancho Los Palominos Masters Non Pro, earning $1,000.
“She’s been lots of fun,” Shaw, who raised Dreamin Whiz Me stated. She added that the mare is third generation in a line of show horses she has bred and shown.
“For her first time one-handed in the bridle, I was pretty happy. She’s been a good girl this year,” Shaw said. Making the mare even more special is that her dam, Dream Whiz Me, recently passed.
“I really appreciate the sponsorship of Rancho Los Palominos. These events wouldn’t happen without our sponsors,” Shaw said.
Rancho Los Palominos Masters Non Pro Co-Champions – Wesley Brown & Spooky Chic
Wesley Brown and Spooky Chic, a Story Book Stables bred 3-year-old mare, by Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Eclectic Chic, tied for the win of the Rancho Los Palominos Masters Non Pro.
Rancho Los Palominos Platinum Non Pro Champion – Glen Reed & Walla Wears A Jersey
Glen Reed and Walla Wears A Jersey win the Rancho Los Palominos Platinum Non Pro, taking home $1,060. The 3-year-old gelding, by Walla Walla Whiz and out of Always Wears A Jersey, was bred by Jeffery Petska.
“I give God all the credit still, and I am just happy to be here.” Reed said.