ARHA-Futurity

Show Results

2008 Arabian Reining Horse Futurity

2008 Half-Arabian Reining Horse Futurity

Welman/Ames team deliver a Knock-Out Punch during the $130,000.00 Purebred/Half-Arabian Futurity Reining Classic  

Scottsdale, AZ Feb. 25, 2008- A strong field of Purebred and Half-Arabian futurity horses competed in the 4 th annual Reining Futurity Classic held during the Scottsdale Arabian Horse show. 25 Purebreds and 30 Half-Arabians contended for the $130,000.00 purse. Both classes were NRHA sanctioned and were open to 4 and 5 year old horses. It was a three go event, the first two runs were accumulated scores-the top 1/3 of the respective classes advancing to the final go which was a clean slate run.

A great week of reining came to a finale with Brian Welman landing a “combination punch” winning both the Purebred and Half-Arabian class for Dick Ames of Jordan, Minnesota. “We only won by one point,” laughed Dick Ames. “John O’Hara and Tyson Randle are great trainers and it could have gone either way. The Arabian and Half-Arabian reining horse has come a long way and we still have a long way to go to reach our full potential. Reining has obviously added another dimension to the Arabian breed. We need to put more effort into breeding reiners.” Dick concluded.

Riding Fyre in the Skye (Heza Zee x Sarabask) Welman brought home the first place check in the $50,000.00 purebred class with a score of 214 ½. A close second place went to Tyson Randle riding TA Khalil (Algonkwin x TA Khedannaa) with a score of 213 ½ for George Wiley of Sanger, Texas.

Brian continued to ride strong winning the $80,000.00 Half-Arabian class on TR Texas T (Ima Dun Kid x Portena) with an impressive score of 219. Always a strong competitor, John O’Hara took home the second place check for Boyd and Julie Batterman from Bennett, Nebraska riding BSF Starbuck (Were Dun x Escapade MF) with a score of 218. John also placed third on Buckshot Lady Luck for Buckshot Farms.

Adding to the excitement of the Half-Arabian class, the winning horse was sold earlier in the week to Jon and Mindy Peters of El Capitan Ranch, Santa Barbara, California, during the Cedar Ridge Auction. Although long time Arabian horse breeders, this is their first Arabian reiner and they were thrilled to be part of the action.

After his great success at the show Brian said, “We obviously had a great time this year. I feel very fortunate to win. I see big changes in the Arabian and Half-Arabian reining horses. We are starting to breed for this event and I expect the quality of the reining horses to continue to get better and better. I always bring my family to this show-my wife and kids have a lot of fun and I am already looking forward to next year.”

NRHA president Kim Sloan attended this year’s show "I have been fortunate to have had the privilege to attend the Arabian Horse Reining Futurity twice. Both times I have been impressed with the quality of the reining horses in both the Half-Arabian and Purebred Arabian class. This year’s class certainly depicted the increase in the quality of the reining at the show. The Arabian Horse Association and the Arabian Reining Horse Association both need to be commended on the dedication and development of the Futurity.” Kim further stated: “This show represents the highest added breed association futurity within the NRHA. The NRHA fully supports the effort of these two organizations. I definitely believe that we are going to start seeing the Arabian horse competing in more NRHA classes in the future. The NRHA is also looking forward to having the reining classes at your ‘Nationals’ being NRHA approved in the future."

The Futurity Reining Classic distributes winnings utilizing NRHA payback schedule B with a customized payout. In addition to the impressive payout, both champions received Trophy Saddles, donated by Eleanor’s Arabians, Dale Chavez and Nymeyers Tack, Champion Buckles designed and donated by Tom Howe, Stitched Saddlebags, donated by Linda and Melissa Pasicznyk, Leather Halters, Champion Buckles, Lawson and Morrison bronzes donated by the Purebred/Half-Arabian Futurity.

This year’s five NRHA judges were: Karen McCuiston, John Tuckey, Donald Flohr, Betsy Tuckey and Cindy Rucker.

The Purebred/Half-Arabian Futurity Reining Classic is held in conjunction with the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show. The show offers reiners a dedicated practice and show arena. The event continues to attract top riders and horses and is becoming one of the premier reining events in the country.

Reining Futurity Prize Money

The prize money will consist of a yearly projected purse with added money. In addition, all nomination fees will go in to the prize money for that class minus the class expenses. Nomination fees not designated will be distributed by percentage of the number of horses shown in each class.

Archived Results [click here]