First and foremost. That was the theme yesterday, in the first set of the Open Semi-Finals, where Tim Smith, Lindy Burch and Roger Wagner qualified for today’s Finals with 219, 219 and 218.5 points, respectively.
Smith’s performance on Smooth Peanutbutter, and Burch’s with Louellas Cat, set the bar and topped the day, along with Wagner’s 219-point ride aboard Stylish Martini, in the last set of the day.
Wagner’s two aces in the Finals, Stylish Martini, by Docs Stylish Oak, and Boons A Dreamin (218.5), are both owned by Marvine Ranch, Meeker, Co.
Stylish Martini was bred by Marvine Ranch, which is owned by Jon Winkelried.
Louellas Cat, by High Brow Cat, is from Oxbow Ranch, a leading breeder of cutting horses, founded by Dan Lufkin, New York, NY. Her dam, Louella Again, by Dual Pep, was a limited age event finalist with Burch, and won the 1997 Bonanza Classic under Lloyd Cox.
Louellas Cat’s half-brother, Movin Downtown, by Movin On Hickory, is the earner of $334,523.
“She looks exactly like her mother,” said Burch of Louellas Cat. “She’s almost like a clone.
“She’s been easy to train and a dream all year. She feels so confident and I feel confident on her.
“I never give up on a mare family,” added Burch, who was the first female rider to win the NCHA Open Futurity — in 1980, aboard Mis Royal Mahogany.
In 2009, eight of the top 4-year-old NCHA money earners were linked to Oxbow breeding on the dam’s side of thier pedigrees, including Metallic Cat, 2009 NCHA Horse of the Year; Third Cutting, winner of over $435,000; and Smart Kitty RG, reserve champion of the 2008 NCHA Futurity.
Kathy Daughn, the only other woman to have won the NCHA Futurity — and one of the few riders, male or female, to have won the prestigious more than one time — also qualified for today’s Finals, riding ARC Bellezza, by Dual Smart Rey, for Lee Tennison of Fort Worth.
“Lee bought this mare here as a yearling,” said Daughn. “I like Dual Smart Rey and I told him that she might be a bargain and she was.
“This is Dual Smart Rey’s first colt crop, so it was one of those things, you try it and see if it works, and it did.
“She’s really consistent and the same every day. I’m really happy with her. She just has a presence about her.”