By Kitty Herrin
A pony-size horse and a high school kid were the high-money winners over a field of seasoned professional veterans that included two National Finals Rodeo qualifiers, a Dodge National Circuit Finals Champion, numerous Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit and Northern Rodeo Finals qualifiers. The $3,500-added Open Futurity winner, Mables Little Rocket, was jockeyed by Abby Knight, of Charlo, Mont.—a high-school rodeo super star, who is currently sitting tied atop the leaderboard in the MHSRA barrel racing standings with the help of her 5-year-old partner.
The duo had just won both days at the Boulder High School Rodeo the weekend before the futurity. Rocky, Abby’s mom, was hoping for a cutting prospect when she bred her cowbred mare Tinka Rocket Command to the late Passive Income (who was by First Down Dash and stood at Y-Y Quarter Horses of Stevensville, Mont.). Size-wise “Katie” is definitely cowy at just 14 hands, but she is speedy as well. Katie and Knight won both futurity go rounds, the futurity Average and the Friday night warmup jackpot. Their total winnings for the weekend were $2,987. They also won a Montana Silversmiths Buckle and King’s Arena Horse Cooler.
The $500-added Open Derby champion was The Saga, owned and ridden by Jill Ferdina Miller, of Lewistown, Mont. The 2004 bay gelding, race-bred top and bottom, won the derby first go, was second in the second go and won the Average. His sire, Leaving Memories, is by First Down Dash, and his dam is by the thoroughbred sprinter Reb’s Policy. Miller, a former Montana Circuit Finals qualifier, was also just named the Montana Circuit WPRA co-sanctioned barrel racing champion. Miller and The Saga also got checks in the open 1D, as did her other talented gelding, Chiquitas Cash. Miller left Great Falls with a total windfall of $1,281.35.
The promise of Circle Y trophy saddles to each of the Open Divisional average winners, numerous awards and great ground in a dry, spacious indoor arena attracted 497 open runs over three days. Contestants came from all over Montana and as far away as North Dakota and Saskatchewan.
The Circle Y 1D trophy saddle winner, Lenas Mijo Dulce, ridden by Lindsay Karp, of Missoula, Mont., swept the Open on Saturday and Sunday with smoking times of 15.546 and 15.558 respectively. Karp, the 2010 Montana WPRA Pro Rodeo Champion, bought her talented, cowbred 2002 sorrel gelding from NFR qualifier Deb Renger of Canada. Karp and her horses had been on hiatus as she awaited the arrival of her daughter, Paisley, and Saturday marked her first runs since becoming a mom just 11 days earlier. Ironically, one of the saddles sent from Circle Y was a 12-inch child’s saddle that was going to be returned for a larger size, but Karp gladly accepted it for Paisley to grow into.
AT-A-GLANCE:
1st Annual King’s Arena Futurity
When: Oct. 7-8
Where: King’s Arena in Great Falls, Mont.
Entries: 531
Total Payout: $26,636
Winners: Open Futurity Average: 1) Abby Knight/ Mables Little Rocket/ 31.756/ $1,420; 2) Tammy Jo Carpenter/ PC Sun Streaks/ 32.102/ $1,065; 3) Shelley Murphy/ Mygirlfanciesthecash/ 32.226/ $710; 4) Darcy Mapston/ First Affirmed Cash/ 32.630/ $355.
Open Derby Average: 1) Jill Ferdina Miller/ The Saga/ 31.960/ $420; 2) Torie Briese/ Fancys Raren Halley/ 33.249/ $315; 3) Laura Kleinjan/ Stetson Full Of Cash/ 33.697/ $210; 4) Codi Smith/ Divas Devil Do/ 33.890/ $105.
Open Average: 1D) Lindsay Karp/ Lenas Mijo Dulce/ 31.104; 2D) Kaycee Greany/ Diamond/ 32.142; 3D) Darlene Carroll/ Sugar Joe Diamond/ 33.182; 4D) Crissie Hansen/ Devine Honor/ 35.107.
Michael Mahaffey is associate editor of Barrel Horse News. E-mail comments on this article to [email protected].
