Pale Face Chex slides Bobby Avila, Jr. to top the first section of the NRHA Open Futurity

Oklahoma City, November 27, 2017 – The 2017 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) $575,500-added NRHA Open Futurity counted 370 horses entered in the four divisions. Following the first go-round, 75 horses (plus ties) in each level advanced to the Level (L)1, 2, and 3 Semifinals held today in Oklahoma City.
 

The first section of the NRHA Open L3, 2, 1 Futurity Semifinals saw NRHA Professional Bobby Avila, Jr. riding Pale Face Chex (Pale Face Dunnit x Lena Sugar Chex), owned by 6-K LLC, walk away with a 219. The duo had scored a 216.5 in the first go-round, which brought them the highest composite score today (435.5) to lead the L3 and L2 divisions. “My horse was really good and very calm today,” said Avila, Jr. “I actually got ready early as I thought there could be a few scratches before me. Since there weren’t, we took it easy, and it paid off. I showed him a little different than the way I did the first day; I sat back and loosened my reins so that we would get more credit for our maneuvers, and it worked. I feel really confident now and look forward to the Finals on Saturday.”

Cashing In Diamonds (Lil Joe Cash x Diamond Steppin Whiz), ridden by NRHA Professional Vanessa Strotmann and owned by Stefano Calcagnini, posted a 218 in the Semifinals. With the mare nominated by Green Valley Ranch between the reins, Strotmann posted a 216.5 the first section. With a 218 today, their composite score of 434.5 is the second highest score in the L3 and L2. The duo is currently leading the L1 division. Cashing In Diamonds is an NRHA/Markel Insurance Sale consignment. “This is a really sweet mare we purchased when she was a year old, and I broke and trained her,” said Strotmann. “She is probably the best horse I’ve ever had; she’s very feely and very talented. In the qualifier, we incurred into a couple of penalties, but that was all pilot error. Today, I tried to stay out of the penalty box, and she truly stepped up. I’m looking forward to the Finals!”
 
Smart Chicago Spook (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Smart Chicago Lena), a stallion ridden by NRHA Professional Bradley S. Hill and owned by Thomas Tucker, was bred and nominated by NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Bob Loomis. The pair scored a 214.5 in the Semifinals bringing their composite to a 431, the second highest composite in the L1 Open division.
 
The following number of horses will qualify for the Open Futurity Finals in each level:
 
Level 3: Top 30 horses (plus ties)
Level 2: Top 20 horses (plus ties)
Level 1: Top 15 horses (plus ties)
Prime Time: Top 10 horses (plus ties)
 
Those horses qualifying for only the Level 3 and/or Level 2 and/or Level 1 Open divisions will show in the first section. The remaining qualifiers (Level 4 Open and Level 4 Open/Level 3 Open/Level 2 Open/Level 1 Open divisions) will compete in the second section. The finals in each division will be a clean-slate format.
 
The top 75 horses (plus ties) in the L4 Open division will advance to the Level 4 Open Silver Spurs Equine Semifinal, also sponsored by Not Ruf At All, to be held on Wednesday, November 29.
 
The CINCH Non Pro Futurity: First Go Section 2
 
Following the first section of the Non Pro Futurity and leading the Level (L)4 Non Pro division with a 217.5 score was NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider and Hall of Fame Inductee Mandy McCutcheon riding Gunner Be Custom (Gunner x Custom Made Dunit), a mare bred, owned, and nominated by McQuay Stables Inc. Once the second section concluded, Mandy held on to the highest score in the L4 aboard Gunner Be Custom as well as the second highest score – a 217 – this time riding This Chics Nite (Gunners Special Nite x This Chic N Whiz), a mare owned by Mandy McCutcheon and Tom McCutcheon and nominated by the latter.
 
Debbie Hubbert and Allthewrightstuff earned a 216.5 to lead the L3 and L2 divisions yesterday. The gelding, by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown and out of Shes Cowismatic, is bred, owned, and nominated by Hubbert.
 
A half point behind, Gunnin For The Gold (Pale Face Dunnit x Gorgeous Like A Star), owned and ridden by Terri-June Granger, is leading the L1. The gelding was bred by Greg Hill and nominated by Ginger Schmersal.
 
The third section of the CINCH Non Pro Futurity will be held on Tuesday, November 28.
 
The following will make their way to the clean slate finals:
 

Level 4 Non Pro Top 25 horses (plus ties)
Level 3 Non Pro Top 20 horses (plus ties)
Level 2 Non Pro Top 15 horses (plus ties)
Level 1 Non Pro Top 15 horses (plus ties)
Prime Time Non Pro Top 10 horses (plus ties)
Youth Non Pro Top 15 horses (plus ties)
 
The top 5 horses (plus ties), following those who qualified for the finals in all four levels, have a chance to earn a ticket to the finals by taking part in the Consolation which will be held on Wednesday, November 29.

Riders in the Youth and Prime Time divisions are not eligible for the Consolation, and the champions will be determined in the clean slate finals.
 
For further information, results, live feed and live score, visit nrhafuturity.com

NRHA press release