The 2009 Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Finals was anything but boring, and not won until the very last finalist finished his fence work. All riders, scores, winnings, and owners are listed in the previous post below.
Here’s a recap of the excitement from the stands.
Todd Bergen drew up first in the fence work finals riding Smart Luck. They were leading the pack with a herd work of 214 and the high-score reined work of 221. Finishing a beautiful fence work, they appeared, for a mere moment, to be the unofficial, unbeatable champions. However, in the last few seconds of their fence work, Smart Luck went down while circling the cow–throwing Todd from the saddle. He was unharmed but understandably disappointed–as was the crowd.
Todd Crawford, drawing up 3rd, appeared to have a strong chance at securing the championship on Shiners Nickel after scoring a 216 on an impressive fence run. However, three runs later, his overall score of 646.5 was tied by Boyd Rice riding Picka Patcha Pepto.
Drawing up 20th, Philip Ralls (son of 2-time World’s Greatest Horseman, Ron Ralls) was one of two left with a combined herd and reining work score high enough to have a shot at winning the title. This was only Philip’s 2nd NRCHA futurity although he was Reserve Champion aboard Soula Jule Girl at the NSHA Futurity one month prior. This time, he was aboard Very Smart Smoke, a horse owned by Billie Jo Baxley. They had the second-highest herd work score of 216 and a reined work of 214, but after a fence work run scoring 213, they ended up 4th place. Philip was reserve champion on Very Smart Smoke in the Intermediate Open division, placed first in the Intermediate Open herd work and Second in the IO herd work on Soula Jule Girl. An impressive showing for the young trainer at just his second NRCHA futurity!
It wasn’t until the last draw with Zane Davis and Reymanator that the 2009 Snaffle Bit Futurity championship was secured. They stepping into the arena with the high-score herd work of 218 and a 214 in the reined work and finished with a fence work of 220. Their final winning score was 652.5. This duo were the strong prelim leaders. They also were the NSHA Open Futurity Champions one month prior. Zane Davis and Reymanator were the ones to watch all the way to the end.
Congratulations to Zane Davis, Reymanator, and owner John Semanik!