The 2017 NCHA Futurity Final was remarkable in more ways than one. Austin Shepard won his second Futurity buckle just one week after being crowned World Champion and Dual Reyish’s owner, Billy Wolf only met both horse and trainer the night before the final.
But on top of that – Hottish, the sire of Dual Reyish, now has proven progeny from his first crop, with a Futurity winner and fifth placed finalist Just Gettin Started, ridden by Jody Galyean.
Billy’s agent, Jim Ware was there – and as always with his finger on the pulse, emphasized what a remarkable result for Hottish. Dustin Adams, the owner of Hottish told CHTO’s Simone Cobb, he excited about Hottish’s future.
Hottish First Time Sire of 2017 Futurity Champion Dual Reyish!
December 11th, 2017 by Simone CobbBilly Wolf Chuffed As Owner of Dual Reyish 2017 NCHA Futurity Champion
December 11th, 2017 by Simone CobbWhat a great story! The owner of Dual Reyish, the new 2017 NCHA Futurity Champion, only laid eyes on the horse the night before he won! It was also the first time Billy Wolf met Dual Reyish’s trainer, Austin Shepard.
Billy, from Whitesboro, TX told CHTO’s Simone Cobb, he purchased the horse in May of this year on the faithful advice of his good friend and agent Don Ham.
Dual Reyish is from the first crop of Hottish foals. He’s out of Little Reylena. Austin Shepard and Dual Reyish won more than $192,000 for the win.
Austin Shepard Makes An Historic 2017 NCHA Futurity Win!
December 10th, 2017 by Simone CobbIn 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.
Rocky Davis Claims 2017 NCHA Unltd Amateur Futurity Championship
December 9th, 2017 by Simone CobbIt was a dream come true for Canada’s Rocky Davis who took out the 2017 NCHA Unlimited Amateur Futurity Final.
Rocky came out third last in the final and scooted past Bella Anderson to win by half a point aboard Redneck Creyzy with a 219.5.
He told CHTO’s Simone Cobb he’s going to stay in Texas for a while where it’s a little warmer to keep showing his gelding.
Chad Bushaw Victorious in 2017 NCHA Non Pro Futurity
December 9th, 2017 by Simone CobbChad Bushaw’s victory in the 2017 NCHA Non Pro Futurity was anything but bittersweet as the crowd roared approvingly during his exciting run.
The Texan rode a mare he trained and called Bittersweet marking a 225 for the win.
Chad told CHTO’s Simone Cobb a great story about why he chose that name, but that he wouldn’t a change a thing. He said it’s been a few years since winning in the Will Rogers, making his victory sweeter still.
Bittersweet is a Metallic Cat out of Miss Sea Rey. The paid earned more than $61,000 for the win!
Reserve Champion went to Brandon Westfall on Smooth Lil Cowtown who scored 221 and took home $52,000.
Ali Good & Lance Cooper Tie For First in 2017 NCHA Ltd Non Pro Futurity Final
December 6th, 2017 by Simone CobbAt just 16 years old, Lance Cooper has joined an elite group of Will Rogers Futurity Champions! Lance shares first place in the 2017 NCHA Ltd Non Pro Futurity with Ali Good, when they topped the final with a 222.
Lance rode Zen and Tonic, a horse he found himself just a month before the Futurity He told CHTO’s Simone Cobb part of skill is not getting nervous in the final.
Meanwhile, last rider of the final, 18-year-old Ali Good put in the ride of her life to match Lance’s 222. She rode Sneakish, he first major aged horse.
Ali told CHTO’s Simone Cobb she’s excited to continue showing the horse and credits her grandfather Bill Riddle with her success.
Robert Masterson & David Taurel Share 2017 NCHA Amateur Futurity Championship
December 6th, 2017 by Simone CobbRobert Masterson honored the memory of his father after he shared first place in the 2017 NCHA Amateur Futurity Championship.
Robert, from Guthrie, TX marked a 215 aboard Little Guy Cat, a score matched by David Taurel.
He told CHTO’s Simone Cobb Little Guy Cat was his Father’s horse which made the win extremely special.
Meanwhile, seven horses later in the first set tough cows and the pressure of a Futurity final failed to get the better of David Taurel.
David, from Whitesboro, TX, rode Playboy Is Smooth to meet Robert Masterson’s score of 215.
The Co-Champion told CHTO’s Simone Cobb he was looking forward to a run off to decide first, but was happy to win a coin toss that saw him take home a horse trailer.
The two winners both took home more than $17,500 in prize money. Third place went to Bella Anderson who rode Bobby Jack Cat and marked a 212.5.
Ron Davis Named 2017 NCHA $5,000 Novice Non Pro World Champion
December 4th, 2017 by Simone CobbRon Davis from Morgan Mill, TX was thrilled to be named the 2017 NCHA $5,000 Novice Non Pro World Champion in Fort Worth.
Ron earned the buckle on Kits Little Headlinr, a horse he bred by Cats Headliner.
Ron finished the year with $45,481 in earnings, some $8,000 ahead of Reserve Champion Dana Azevedo.
Pedro Ornelas Crowned 2017 NCHA Futurity Ltd Open Champion
November 30th, 2017 by Simone CobbPlenty of big stops and cow smarts saw Pedro Ornelas run away with the 2017 NCHA Futurity Limited Open Championship in Fort Worth.
Little Jo Cat created a frenzy of excitement from the crowd, marking a 225 to win by 4 points. The gelding is a High Brow Cat out of Jo Jo Boon, owned by the Anderson Cattle Company. Jo Jo Boon also won the Ltd Open Final, making it the first time a winner has bred another winner in that event.
Pedro, who has not had extensive show experience, took home more than $18,600 for the win.
Pedro was joined by his wife Janee and two children for the interview, told CHTO’s Simone Cobb he felt like he was floating in his first final in the Will Rogers.
Second place was taken out by Nate Lansford on Cat About Houston with a 221. Both Pedro and Nate will go onto the Open Semi Finals later in the event.