Never Reylinquish, pictured in action this afternoon, lived up to her name today, as she took the lead with 222 points in first go-round competition of the NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth. Ridden by 2008 NCHA Derby champion Boyd Rice, the Dual Rey daughter was fast, fluid and on the money.

“She just stopped and waited and brought her nose around every time,” said Rice, who scored 218 points on Monday riding Third Cutting, by Boonlight Dancer, for Carl and Shawnea Smith. “She felt good and sure controlled everything.”

Never Reylinquish is owned by her breeder, Don Ballard, Sugar Land, TX, who is slated to ride her in the NCHA Futurity Amateur division next week. Her dam, Look Never Mind, is by Squeak Toy, who is out of a Thoroughbred race mare.

Never Reylinquish is a full sister to Neverey, the earner of $120,000. A full brother, 4-year-old Rey Never Mind, a finalist in the 2008 NCHA Limited Open Derby, is consigned to the NCHA Futurity Select Seasoned Cutting Horse Sale on December 9, at Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth.

Rice, 2005 NCHA World Champion riding Bobs Hickory Rio for James Kenney, won last year’s NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity on Oh Cay N Short, and most recently won the AQHA Senior Cutting on Sophisticated Catt, by High Brow Cat, and tied for first in the Junior Cutting on Arc Cat Her Please, by Chic Please, at the AQHA World Show in Oklahoma City.

The NCI Building Systems NCHA Futurity continues through December 14. Watch the live webcast.