NCHA News

Dual Reyish, ridden by Austin Shepard. Hart Photography.

The line was drawn in the sand Saturday night, when 24 horses with scores of 217 points or higher, from a field of 69 semi-finalists, qualified for the 2017 NCHA Futurity Open Finals. On top of the roster, with 223 points were Dual Reyish, by Hottish, and Austin Shepard, for Billy Wolf, Whitesboro, Texas; followed by One Time Pepto daughter Timely Collette, with 222 points under her owner Kelle Earnheart; and Im Quintan Checks, by Im Countin Checks, with 220.5 points under John Sanislow, for Circle Y Ranch, Millsap, Tex.

Austin Shepard, who won the 2007 NCHA Futurity on High Brow CD, also qualified for the Open Finals with 218 points on CR Dualin Tuff, by Woody Be Tuff, owned and bred by Center Ranch. Center Ranch-owned CR Look At Me Now, with 217 points under Gary Gonsalves, also qualified for the Finals.

Center Ranch, Centerville, Tex and Rose Valley Ranch, Weatherford, Tex., were the only 2017 NCHA Futurity Open Finalist owners represented by two horses. Finalists Judgement Day, by High Brow Cat, and Special Nu Boon, by Boon Too Suen, are both owned by Rose Valley Ranch and both earned 219 points in the Semi-Finals under Michael Cooper. In addition to Austin Shepard, Michael Cooper was one of just three riders to qualify two horses for the Open Finals. The third is Morgan Cromer who qualified with 220.5 points on Metallikhaleesi, sired by Metallic Cat and owned by Texas Holy Cow Performance Horses, Santa Ynez, Calif., and 217 points on Little Dirty Harry, by Metallic Cat and owned by West Coast Cutting Horses, Santa Ynez, Calif.

Dual Reyish represents the first crop of performers sired by Hottish, who was bred by Double Dove Ranch out of Stylish Play Lena LTE $264,477. Stylish Play Lena has produced earners of $1,664,563, including 2014 NCHA Futurity Open reserve champion Smooth Talkin Style LTE $293,232.

Hottish also sired Just Getting Started, owned by Lloyd and Christina Cox, Marrietta, Okla. Just Getting Started qualified for the Finals with 218.5 points under Christina’s father Jody Galyean, who won the 1986 NCHA Open Futurity with Royal Silver King. Christina’s brothers, Beau and Wesley are both also NCHA Futurity Open champions – Beau in 2008 on Metallic Cat, and Wesley in 2004 on Spots Hot.

Jody Galyean, 63, and Ronnie Rice, 65, are the oldest riders to qualify for the 2017 NCHA Futurity. Rice, who qualified with 217.5 points on Gary Goodfried’s Woody Be Tuff daughter Docs Fanci Cabernet, has won the NCHA Futurity three times – in 1998 aboard Dainty Playgirl; in 2001 on San Tule Freckles; and as co-champion with his nephew’s son Tarin in 2012, riding CR Tuff Hearted.

Hottish and Sigala Rey are the only first crop sires among the 2017 NCHA Futurity Finalists. Sigala Rey , also bred by Double Dove Ranch, is the sire of C Biscuit, who qualified with 219 points under Jason Clark for Christy Leeth, Weatherford, Tex.

By Sally Harrison www.sallyharrison.com