Bamacat and Austin Shepard, who tied for the win in the Open second go-round with 219 points, came back in style yesterday with a 224-point win in the Semi-Finals of the NCHA Futurity.
High Brow Jackson and Monty Buntin placed second with 221.5 points; Grant Setnicka was third with 220 aboard Hi Ho Nabisco.
“I had a good draw today and we were lucky and cut three good cows,” said Shepard, who had drawn first to work in the previous go-rounds.
“He can go fast and stop hard and has enough look and intensity about him that he does everything really pretty. There aren’t many holes in him, if I do my job.
“He’s sure been there every time I’ve needed him.”
Shepard and his wife, Stacy, raised Bamacat out of MH San Tules Dually, who was shown by both Austin and Stacy to earn $330,220.- in open and non-pro competition.
Shorty after he won the 2007 NCHA Futurity on High Brow CD, Shepard suggested they bred MH San Tules Dually to High Brow Cat, the sire of High Brow CD.
“In my opinion, High Brow Cat is the best breeding horse we will ever see in our generation,” said Shepard. “He cost a lot of money, but I told Stacy that’s the best mare we will ever own and we need to breed her to Cat.
“From the first ride, this colt has been really smart. I was the only one who worked him and the year I hauled Bet Hesa Cat (for the world championship), I wasn’t home very much. But that summer I could cut a cow on him and he looked like one of my three-year-olds.”You always dream that they are going to be this good, but you’re still surprised when they are.”
Shepard credits other trainers and friends for helping him to stay upbeat, after a disappointing 212-point first go-round performance on Bamacat
“So many of them made a point to wish me luck or encourage me,” he said. “And Jason Clark invited me to come and work him at McDavid’s place. I think that made all the diffrence in the world – letting him see a good cow and being able to take my time.
“I really have to thank Jason for doing that. The Futurity is hectic and he had a lot going on.” Clark is a finalist tonight, as well, on Reverendquitanspoon, owned by David and Stcie McDavid.