Contributed Courtesy SWRHA, Photography by Fletch

Mandy McCutcheon and Star N Diamonds claimed the win of the Southwest Reining Horse Association Custom Made Dunit Non Pro Futurity with a big score of 222.

“She was good everywhere today. I didn’t have all of her attention in the right circle, but other than that she was pretty hooked up,” McCutcheon said of the run, which came with a paycheck of $5,719. McCutcheon and Star N Diamonds also won the Non Pro Futurity Mare division, worth an additional $750.

Star N Diamonds is by Whizkey N Diamonds out of Starlight On The Bay. “She’s one my dad (Tim McQuay) bought this summer from Abby Mixon. Abby did a great job with her and had her really broke and ready to go. I just needed some time to get used to her,” McCutcheon said.

Just a couple months earlier, McCutcheon and Star N Diamonds put together a solid run in the SmartPak Non Pro Futurity at the NRBC to place fifth. “She was really good at Tulsa. She’s been a good little show mare already,” McCutcheon said.

“It takes a village,” is McCutcheon’s mantra when asked who helps her be successful. “I have been really busy the last few weeks between the Legacy Sale and following my daughter Carlee around to her jumping shows. Between my dad, Tom, Debbie Brown, and Fernando Salgado, they got her ready for me. It is a team effort around me all the time,” she said. “I thank my parents for buying this horse for me and always trying to have some good horses under me and my kids. I thank Tom and all the people at the ranch who work hard and make it possible to go to the horse show. It takes a very large village.”

It was a good day to be riding a Whizkey N Diamonds at the SWRHA Futurity, as Ronny Colston claimed the Non Pro L4 Reserve Championship on Lil Ruf Whizkey (out of Lil Ruf Startime). Colston and Lil Ruf Whizkey pocketed $3,481 for the reserve title.

L3 & L2 Non Pro Futurity Champions

One of the youngest competitors in the Non Pro Futurity, Addisyn Schmersal, took home championships in Levels 2 & 3, and finished fifth in the Level 4 to win $6,172. Her partner for the event was Pale Conquista, a mare by Pale Face Dunnit out of Luz Del Conquistador.

“We have had full siblings to her, and they have all been pretty good. She’s really fun to stop and turn,” Schmersal said. “I have two futurity horses this year, but only brought her to this show. They’re both a lot of fun to ride and show.”

Schmersal and Pale Conquista marked a 218 in the Futurity. “She spun really good and circled well. I was nervous for the lead changes, but she was really good for me,” she said. “I thank my parents for allowing me to show her, and all the people who work for my dad who help get me ready to show.”

Samantha Smith and Dream On Whiz took Reserve in the Non Pro L3 with a score of 216.5, and also finished in a tie for seventh in the L4, earning $2,794. Dream On Whiz, owned by Smith’s father Lance Griffin, is by Magnum Chic Dream out of MS Sassy Whiz. As a side note, shortly after the conclusion of the Non Pro Futurity, Smith and her dog won the small dog division of the Rein In Cancer Dog Races.

L1 Non Pro Futurity Champions

With a score of 214, Sarah McKibben and Triqued Out won the Non Pro Futurity. Not only that, they also took Reserve in the Level 2, and placed in Levels 3 and 4, bringing total earnings for the evening to $2,493.
Triqued Out is by Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Ruf O Holic.

Taking second in the Non Pro Level 1 was Stephan Amedee and A Chic Can Whiz, by Whiz N Crome out of West Coast Chic A De. The pair marked a 212.5, taking home $1,723 for also placing in Levels 2, 3, and Prime Time.

NP Prime Time Champions

When Kelle Smith purchased Exit 21 last October, she had serious doubts that the mare would compete during her futurity year. The talented filly, by Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Diva Dual, has exceeded all expectations, and on Friday not only won the Prime Time division of the Custom Made Dunit Non Pro Futurity, but also finished fourth in the Level 4 with a 218.5. All totaled, the duo won $2,954.

“I bought her a year ago from Michelle Kimball, but at the time she hadn’t been in reining training or even had shoes on. I didn’t know if she’d even go to a horse show this year, let alone do what she’s already done,” Smith said, referencing a Prime Time win earlier in the year during the Non Pro Futurity at the NRBC. “She’s won about $10,000 so far. It makes me a little emotional when horses are your partner and do their job for you like she does.”

Next up for Smith and Exit 21? The NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City. “I thank Sam Smith, Fred Thomsson, the girls at the ranch, and all the people who help me,” she said.

Jose Vasquez and Rock It Sassy Girl took reserve honors in the Non Pro Prime Time, and finished tied for seventh in the Level 4, earning $1,780. Rock It Sassy Girl is by Wimpys Little Step out of Shining N Sassy.

Complete results from the Custom Made Dunit Non Pro Futurity can be found at www.SWRHA.com. 🎠