In the cutting world, 2017 will go down as the year of Austin Shepard.
The newly crowned Open World Champion made history when just a week later, he took out the sport’s Holy Grail, the NCHA Futurity Championship.
Austin rode Dual Reyish, from the first crop of Hottish foals, to score an unmatchable 228.
He told CHTO’s Simone Cobb he had a good feeling about his chances of winning on one of the best horses he’s ever ridden.
Dual Reyish is owned by Billy Wolf, who had only seen the horse and met Austin for the first time the night before his historic win!
Austin took home more than $192,000 in earnings for first place.
Reserve Champion went to Lee Francois who rode The Animal and marked 225.5. He won $169,000.