NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity


CUSHING ROCKS THE SNAFFLE BIT


Corey Cushing & SJR Diamond Mist


Saturday, October 20, was a record-break- ing evening for NRCHA Professional Corey Cushing, Scottsdale, Arizona, as he piloted SJR Diamond Mist (CD Diamond X Cat Mist X High Brow Cat), bred and owned by San Juan Ranch, to the 2018 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Championship. Under the spotlights in the his- toric Will Rogers Coliseum, Cushing became a two-time Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion and Two Million Dollar Rider. In 2012, the Arizona horseman rode CD Diamond, sire to this year’s champion, to the Open Snaffle Bit Futurity win, crossing the million dollar mark at the same time. Just six years later, we are watching history repeat it- self.


Cushing marked a 213 in the herd work, 223 in the rein work and a 222.5 down the fence. The composite score of 658.5 secured the $125,000 win check. The Cushings have always made horse shows a family event, and this evening was no exception as their friends and family celebrated so many milestones to- gether on the arena floor.


More Open Champions An incredible 226 fence score from Clay


Volmer and SDP Hy Rey Bound (TR Dual Rey X SDP Hydriven Hicapoo X Hydrive Cat) secured the Intermediate Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Championship, for owner SDP Buffalo Ranch. Volmer, Millsap, Texas, rode the 3-year-old stallion to a composite score of 660 (216 herd/218 rein/226cow) and $30,000 paycheck. Tonight’s win makes this Volmer’s sec-


ond Snaffle Bit Futurity championship; in 2016 he won the Limited Open Futurity aboard Hesa


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Royalena. Jordan Williams had a busy day preparing two horses for the Intermediate and Limited Open Finals. His hard work paid off as he was crowned NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Limited Open Champion. Williamson rode Angel In Blue Jeanz


(Metallic Cat X Heavens Little Angel X Smart Little Lena) to $15,748 payday with a 216 in the herd, 218.5 in the reining and 217.5 down the fence. Williamson was quick to thank his clients, Wes and Sarah Williams, for all of their support and encouragement.


Miller crowned Non Pro Champion


Hope Miller rode Seven S PrettySmart (Dual Smart Rey X Lena Pretty Playboy X Freckles Playboy) to the 2018 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro Championship. Despite Miller’s trepidation of going down the fence, “Birdie” gave it her all in the arena and turned goals into actions. After hav- ing lots of success the past couple of year, Mill- er is going to have to take some time off. What better way to end a show season than with the highest accolade many riders strive to capture. Miller and Seven S PrettyFace earned a 214 in the herd work, 213.5 in the rein work and a 214 down the fence. The pair’s com- posite score of 641.5 was accompanied with $21,856 and an abundance of prizes: Bob’s Custom Saddle, CR Morrison Bronze Tro- phy, Gist Custom Buckle, Catena USA Watch, Boots by Rios of Mercedes, 100X Custom Hat, Classic Equine Fleece Cooler, CINCH Jacket, CR RanchWear Shirt and product from Plati- num and UltraCruz.


SouthWest Horse Trader November 2018


Seven S PrettySmart Hope Miller & Other Non-Pro Champions


Friday, October 19, could not have been more special Carmen Buckingham, as she was surrounded by close family in Fort Worth. The Idaho horsewoman piloted Cat At


Heart (Heart Of A Fox X Pearlescent Cat X Cats Merada) to a 628.5 composite, the NR- CHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Intermediate Non Pro Champion title and $8,014.


Even though Buckingham and her geld- ing faced some trouble in the herd work, mark- ing a 195, they prevailed to be the winners after laying down a 222.5 in the cow work. The Buckingham ranch is now the home


of two NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Champi- ons. Tom Buckingham won the 1990 Non Pro Snaffle Bit Futurity. In addition to her husband, Buckingham also shared this special moment with her daughter and 2-year-old grandson, It’s not every day a 2-year-old can take a victory lap around the famous Will Rogers Coliseum with his newly-crowned Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion grandmother. Debbie Crafton’s first NRCHA Snaffle


Bit Futurity was a dream come true. The Col- orado cowgirl and Shiney Lil Belles (Shining Lil Nic X Dual Reys Belle X Dual Rey) won the NRCHA Novice Non Pro Snaffle Bit Futu- rity with a composite score of 625.5 (207herd / 216 rein / 202.5 cow), collecting a $3,086 paycheck.


Crafton was quick to credit NRCHA pro- fessional Luke Jones on a great job of training the 3-year-old stallion she purchased just a few short months ago.


Crafton was truly honored to be compet- ing with fellow non pros she has admired for years. We have not seen the last of Crafton and “Styles”; they have big plans for the future. w


Primo Morales Photography


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