Smart Lil Paragon scored 146.5 points under Zeke Entz to earn $4,833 and claim the championship of the 2006 All American Quarter Horse Congress Open Cutting Futurity, on October 4th. Cetas Ahoy Mate was second under Tracy Barton.

Smart Lil Paragon, a bay gelding sired by Smart Lil Paradign, is owned by Zeke Entz, Collierville, TN. Entz also rode Smart Lil Jewel to third place in the Open Classic for Brad Spence.

Tracy Barton  had his finest moment in the Open Classic, where he claimed both the champion and reserve titles on Black Catamounts Rey, by High Brow Cat, and High Hope Haida, by High Brow Hickory, and tied for fourth on Sixes CD and Playin Shorty. Black Catamounts Rey is owned by North Ridge Ranch, Pierre, SD; High Hope Haida belongs to Craig Woodlief, Wendell, NC, who won the Non-Pro Classic on the chestnut mare.

Cetas Ahoy Mate, by Smart Mate, also carried his owner, Kirkland Gruber, St. George, SC, as champion of the Congress Non-Pro Futurity, while Jessica Pierce took reserve aboard Tuff Mate, also sired by Smart Mate.

The Open Derby win went to VVF Perfect Plan, by Smart Plan, ridden by Jim Mitchell for Charles Flohr, New Albany, OH. Dottie Oh Dual, by San Badger Dual, and Jazz Atthe Honkytonk, by Dual Jazz, tied for second. Dottie Oh Dual is owned and ridden by Greg Beutenmiller, Harrisburg, MO. Jazz Atthe Honkytonk is owned and ridden by Randy Chartier, Marine City, MI.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Congress, which has grown from a three-day event to a full three-week slate of competition in Richmond, OH, near Columbus.