Dual Reyish, by first-time sire Hottish, scored 228 points on Sunday, December 10 in Fort Worth, to win the 2017 NCHA Open Futurity and $192,672. It was the second NCHA Futurity win for his rider, Austin Shepard, and the first for his owner Billy Wolf, of Whitesboro, Tex., as well as for his breeder, Greg Smith, Mineral Wells, Tex.
Austin Shepard won the 2007 NCHA Futurity on High Brow CD LTE $502,202, and was reserve champion in 2016 on Sir Long Legs LTE $271,872. Shepard also won his second NCHA Open World Championship earlier this month riding Deluxe Checks $279,235, by Im Countin Checks. His first World Champion was Bet Hesa Cat LTE $267,465. In addition, Shepard also tied for 12/13 place in the 2017 NCHA Futurity on CR Dualin Tuff, sired by Woody Be Tuff and owned by Center Ranch.
The Animal, a full brother to 2016 NCHA Horse of the Year Ichis My Choice, by Cat Ichi, scored 225.5 points for reserve and $169,404. The Animal and Ichis My Choice LTE $339,438 were both bred by EE Ranches. This was the second NCHA Futurity Reserve title for The Animal’s rider, Lee Francois, who was reserve in 2008 on Smart Kitty RG LTE $211,383; it was the first Futurity title for The Animal’s owners, Richard and Beth Carney, Kemp, Tex.
Special Nu Boon, sired by Boon Too Suen, placed third with 224 points under Michael Cooper and earned $126,134 for his owner Rose Valley Ranch, Weatherford, Tex. Special Nu Boon also claimed the title of 2017 NCHA Futurity Champion Gelding. Michael Cooper also tied for 16/17 place on Judgement Day, owned by Rose Valley Ranch.
CR Smart Boots, also sired by Boon Too Suen, had already earned more than $19,000 at the 2017 NCHA Futurity, before he placed fourth with Ty Brown in the Open Finals to earn $111,292. Earlier in the 22-day show the sorrel gelding had placed third with Brown in the Open Limited Finals, and was a Non-Pro Semi-Finalist with his owner Bridey Greeson of Sarco Creek Ranch, Victoria, Tex.
Just Getting Started, sired by Hottish and shown by Jody Galyean, placed fifth with 220 points to earn $100,660. The sorrel gelding is owned by Lloyd and Christina Cox, Marrietta, Okla. Lloyd Cox won the 2010 NCHA Futurity with the event’s record high score of 230 points on One Time Royalty LTE $442,674. This was the eighteenth NCHA Futurity Open Finals for Jody Galyean, Christina Cox’s father, who won the 1986 NCHA Futurity on Royal Silver King.
Complete results from the 2017 NCHA Open Futurity go to nchacutting.com.