Jody Brainard Tops SWRHA Futurity Open Preliminaries

The 23rd Annual Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity is well underway as the Open, Intermediate Open, and Limited Open riders completed the preliminary round Wednesday, October 24.

The top 20 in each division, plus ties, will advance to the finals on Saturday. This year, the added money in the Futurity has skyrocketed to $119,499 – including $49,999 in the Open division alone.

Although Saturday’s finals will be clean-slate, no one dismisses the challenge of winning the preliminary round in the always-tough field of Southwest Futurity entries. This year, Custom Harley, by Custom Chrome and out of Peppys Tonette, ridden by Jody Brainard, topped the Open prelims with a score of 221. First place in the Open go round paid $4,421. The duo was also entered in the Intermediate Open, and collected an additional $2,810 for first place in that division. Custom Harley is owned by Rancho El Fortin.

Second place in the Open, and a go round check for $2,691 went to Plus Half ridden by Brian Bell, after marking a score of 220.5. Plus Half, by Smart Like Juice and out of Peppys Dandy Doll, is owned by Jimmy Pierce.

Second in the Intermediate Open was captured by Wound By Juice, by Smart Like Juice and out of Wind Her Up Shiner. Ridden by Gabe Hutchins, the pair earned a 219, and $1,710 for owners Smart Like Juice, Inc.

Topping the Limited Open Division was Chexarkana, ridden by Reid Fady, for Kirk’s Rockin K Ranch. The duo marked 216, earning a go round check for $531. Chexarkana is by Nu Chex To Cash and out of CR Kim.

Nick Howard rode his horse Mi Colonel Can Twist to second place in the Limited Open with a score of 213.5, worth $323. Mi Colonel Can Twist is by Dun It With A Twist and out of Sheza Royal Colonel.

The show continues on Thursday morning with the Non Pro preliminary action, as forty Non Pro riders compete for a spot in Saturday’s finals.

For more information on the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity, or to inquire about the SWRHA, please call 580-759-2572, or visit www.swrha.com.