Maverick Smith Wins SWRHA Novice Horse Open Level 2 on Sistalena

Jordan Donnelly Tops Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 with Chexable

The 25th Annual Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity, held at the historic Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore, Oklahoma, began Tuesday, October 20, with the Novice Horse Open Level 2 and Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 classes.

Winning first place in the Novice Horse Open Level 2 was Maverick Smith, of Whitesboro, Texas, who piloted Sistalena to a 74.5. “He’s a good horse. He circled better than normal today, and he was right there with his stops and turnarounds. His stops are where he excels,” said Smith of the 7-year-old Smart Chic Olena gelding out of Peppys Tivio Sis. Sistalena’s owner, Jessica Incarbone, originally purchased him to compete in the Rookie classes. “She just hasn’t had the time, so I started riding him in December when I began training for her. He’s just steadily gotten better and better.”

Thanks to the SWRHA’s generous sponsors, Smith collected an NRHA Morrison trophy and a silver buckle, and also took home a check for $1,181.

Tim McQuay and Gunspinner tied Pete Kyle and Crome Shiner for Reserve with a 74. Both trainers collected checks for $693, and flipped for a $100 Purina Gift Certificate and a saddle pad donated by Kyle Tack. Gunspinner (Colonels Smoking Gun x My Private Enterprize) is owned by Greenway Stables, and Crome Shiner (Custom Crome x Shining Dancer) is owned by Rancho Sereno LLC. Jordan Donnelly, of Aubrey, Texas, scored a 1-2 punch in the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1. She took first place on Chexable, and Reserve honors on Hollywood All Star.

Coming in on Chexable, by Inwhizable and out of Megarita Chex, as the first entry in the Novice Non Pro, Donnelly piloted her 5-year-old gelding to a 72. That score paid off with a check for $518, a buckle, and an NRHA Morrison trophy.

On her second entry, Hollywood All Star (Hollywood Dun It x Judy Elderberry), Donnelly marked a 71.5 and took home an additional $411 and a saddle pad sponsored by Kyle Tack.

The SWRHA Futurity and Horse Show continues Wednesday with the preliminary round of the Billingsley Ford Open Futurity. The top riders from the preliminary competition will earn a slot in the clean-slate finals on Saturday, October 24. The SWRHA Futurity and Horse Show concludes on Sunday, October 25.

Built in 1937, the historic Hardy Murphy Coliseum has been a mainstay as an Ardmore tourist attraction. Primarily designed to host horse and livestock shows, recent renovations to the facility have given it the flexibility to host even more events. Along with the space upgrades that allow the facility to stall 500 horses, the addition of air conditioning provides Hardy Murphy with the competitive ability to attract national and regional events. The renovations have resulted in a premier competitive equine facility.

For more information on the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity, or to inquire about the SWRHA, please call 580-759-2572, or visit  www.swrha.com.