The 26th Annual Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity, held annually at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore, Oklahoma, is well underway as the first section of the Billingsley Ford Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, and Open Level 1 Futurity began on Wednesday, October 27.

Currently at the top of the Open Futurity leader board is Craig Schmersal and Commanders Wishbone with a 221.5. Commanders Wishbone, by Commanders Nic out of Miss N The Waves, is owned by Sam D Ellis and Tina Ellis.

Sitting in second place in the Open division, and first in the Intermediate Open and Limited Open is Brett Stone and Smoking Whiz, owned by Silver Spurs Equine. Stone and Smoking Whiz, by Topsail Whiz out of Glendas A Smokingun, marked a 220.5 in the preliminary round.

With a 217, Jimmy Van Der Hoeven and Sparkling Bells lead the Open Level 1. Sparkling Bells, owned by Petra Zeitler, is by A Sparkling Vintage and out of Cowboys Belle Bar.

Competition continues on Thursday with the second set of the Billingsley Ford Open Futurity, beginning at 8am. The top 20 plus ties will advance to the clean-slate finals on Saturday, October 30.

All the action of the 2010 SWRHA Futurity can be seen via live feed, thanks to Waltenberry Productions. Just visit the SWRHA website at www.swrha.com http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=em4lwidab&et=1103837364962&s=40&e=001DzBRfSiH yo_gPl1nKZY_jk1trowtQ4J0Kp4vSubDv4jymW0kD41Dy7ZidLQqPTU7Ldp1CTW1jXO_mMxUoWD- mzFgB8SHLzLUqXLtEh2lFA0=> and click on the live webcast link.

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 http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=em4lwidab&et=1103837364962&s=40&e=001DzBRfSiH yo_gPl1nKZY_jk1trowtQ4J0Kp4vSubDv4jymW0kD41Dy7ZidLQqPTU7Ldp1CTW1jXO_mMxUoWD- mzFgB8SHLzLUqXLtEh2lFA0=> .