Anyone watching the Open Futurity at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic might have had a strong sense of déjà vu. The rider was familiar – Shawn Flarida in his trademark green shirt. The two horses he rode were familiar – flashy palominos with blaze faces. Indeed, they were bookend versions of their sire, Wimpys Little Step, the stallion Flarida rode to the 2002 National Reining Horse Association Futurity Open Championship.
And, just as he did last year, Flarida managed a one-two punch by taking both the Champion and Reserve Champion titles at Tulsa. The Springfield, Ohio, trainer marked a 224.5 on Wimpys Little Chic to win the class, followed closely by his 224 on RC Fancy Step.
The Open and Non-Pro futurities at the event, held at Expo Square in Tulsa, Okla., are typically previews of the NRHA Futurity, allowing spectators and fellow riders to see some of the top 3-year-olds just starting their careers. The show is also home to a Regional Affiliate Finals, along with numerous ancillary classes that keep it running until the wee hours of the morning. The show started Aug. 30, and by the time it ended Sept. 2, more than 750 riders had gone through the in-gate.
While Flarida took the top spots in the Open, the NRHA’s only million-dollar non-pro, Mandy McCutcheon, won the Non-Pro on a son of Hollywood Dun It. The Open and Non-Pro featured a who’s who of reining, and entries were up in every futurity class. The entries in the Open Futurity almost doubled, up from 45 in 2006 to 89 this year. Intermediate Open Futurity entries totaled 78 this year, up from 39 in 2006. The Non-Pro Futurity saw an increase in entries from 20 in 2006 to 30 this year.
The event is organized by the Oklahoma Reining Horse Association, and event coordinator Tami Wagman said its continued growth is a definite, although welcome, challenge.
“I was really thrilled with the turnout we had and how everything went,” Wagman said.
Because the show grew dramatically this year – partly due to it not competing with the World Equestrian Games, as it did in 2006 – Wagman said she is looking at ways to accommodate the additional entries, including running a second show arena. The warm- up arena was used this year for one ancillary class that attracted almost twice the anticipated number of entries.
“We’re going to have to run two arenas,” she said. “They’re building another arena that will be done in January. We’re exploring all the options we can to make it a great show.”
In addition to the reining classes, a show highlight is the Slide Zone. Held Aug. 31, it featured freestyle reining, a sliding contest, a tribute to the history of the horse and the state of Oklahoma, a demonstration of traditional Comanche music and dance, and an open reining competition.
The “Slide Off” competition featured three riders – Pete Kyle, Shelli Ries and Mike McEntire – aiming for the longest sliding stop. Craig and Ginger Schmersal donated $3,000 for the contest, with the money divided among three Tulsa-area charities. The ever- popular freestyle competition featured four colorful, costumed riders showing off their horses’ skills to music. Jordan Donnelly, Aubrey, Texas, rode her accomplished gelding, Hollywood All Star, to a 221.5 for the win and $3,265. Hollywood All Star is an 8- year-old gelding by Hollywood Dun It out of Judy Elderberry by Elderberry Ace. The $7,500-added Open featured eight top competitors and was won by Mr Dual Rey, ridden by Craig Schmersal and owned by Holly Casey, Mansfield, Ga. The 7-year-old stallion, by Mister Dual Pep out of Robin Red Rae by Dry Doc Rey, marked a 224 and earned $4,058.
Wagman said the Slide Zone allows the OKRHA to give something back to the Tulsa community that supports its show.
“We try to be different and give people something new every year, but it’s really the reining they come to see,” she said. “The Slide Zone has been beneficial because, in addition to seeking support from the horse industry, we look for foundation money and corporate money from Tulsa to support the community. People who have never seen reining are able to come out and enjoy themselves, and have an appreciation for the show and what’s going on there.”
To read the complete story, pick up a copy of the October 1 issue of Quarter Horse News.
