Tim McQuay Rides Dun It On The QT to Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity Championship

Tim McQuay, the National Reining Horse Association’s first $2 Million Rider, uncharacteristically had only one horse qualified for the Billingsley Ford Open Futurity Finals at the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity. But one was really all it took!

From the time he entered the arena on Dun It On The QT, the performance was vintage McQuay. The venerable champion rode Dun It On The QT, owned by Jerry Kimmel to a score of 225.5 in a textbook perfect pattern punctuated by flowing circles, smooth transitions and in-the-dirt stops. The son of Hollywood Dun It out of Tivios Little Queen made it all look easy.

That ease and that run earned the Open title, plus an EZ Go Golf Cart, a Lawson Bronze, and a check for $13,265. “It feels really good to win,” said McQuay prior to the awards ceremony. “Lately, I’ve felt that I had a cloud over my head, and just wasn’t able to win and compete like I have. It’s nice to have this right before the NRHA Futurity.

The Southwest Futurity’s lucrative added money -  $49,999 in the Open Futurity alone, is made possible through the Southwest Reining Horse Association’s annual On-line Stallion Auction. As a way of paying back the owners who donate breedings, the association awards golf carts to the owners of the sires of the highest placing horses by participating stallions. In the Open, that designation went to Reminic N Dunit, sire of Remies Smokin,  shown by Stefano Calcagnini for Shannon Denault. Reminic N Dunit earned a second golf cart for the performance of Rudy Dun It, ridden by Garth Brown for owner Claude Lindsey to the highest-finishing Intermediate Open Slot.

Since McQuay shares ownership of Reminic N Dun It with Dave Silva, that was two more golf carts to add to the one he’d just won on Jerry Kimmel’s Dun It On The QT. Plus, daughter Mandy McCutcheon won the Non Pro Futurity earlier in the day on his horse, Haidachino Hollywood, so that meant FOUR golf carts headed for McQuay Stables!

There was another special award made at the conclusion of the Open Finals. The Houston Ranch Open Mare Bonus of $2,000 went to Snow Light, ridden by Chris Ferguson for owner Cobina Post.

Craig Schmersal claimed the Open Futurity Reserve Championship on Lundin Farm’s RR Dunit Like A Star. The Reserve title paid $8,074 for the score of 222. RR Dunit Like A Star is by RR Star and out of Seven S Willow.

There was a tie for the Intermediate Open Championship. Jody Brainard, riding Custom Harley, and Jason Grimshaw, on Hesa Smokin Shiner, each scored 221.5. “We didn’t want to run off this close to the Futurity,” explained Brainard. Grimshaw added, “Our horses are working too good, and gave us a lot. We didn’t feel like we needed to.”         Both took home equal money of $6,781.

Custom Harley is by Custom Chrome and out of Peppys Tonette. “He felt great tonight, and I’m really looking forward to going to the Futurity.” Custom Harley is owned by Rancho El Fortin.

Jason Grimshaw competed on Hesa Smokin Shiner for Gus and Gaynia Revenberg. “This is a great horse,” said Grimshaw. “I didn’t ride him right in the prelims, but there’s a lot of horse left.” Hesa Smokin Shiner is by Shining Spark and out of Smoking Sana.

In the Limited Open, the winner had a familiar last name, but a new first name! Trainer Jordan Larson has had much success in the Hardy Murphy Coliseum, but this time it was his wife, Taylor, who made the headlines when she topped the Limited Open division with a score of 216.5 on Smokin Lil Gun.

“I just started showing again in the last couple of years,” said Larson. “My husband (Jordan) has been a great help. It was amazing to win here.” Larson and her husband trained Smokin Lil Gun, who she says is “my buddy.” The Limited Open Championship earned Taylor $1,595. Smokin Lil Gun is by Lil Gun and out of Smokes Strike.

The Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity will be featured on Wide World of Horses on RFD-TV on January 14. Thanks to the support of the Ardmore Tourism,  Oklahoma Tourism and Oklahoma Agriculture Departments, the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity will be showcased as part of the 2008 Oklahoma Series and available to over 30 million homes.  Check the web site at www.wideworldofhorses.com for scheduled air times in January.

The Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity show concludes Sunday, October 28, with the Rookie and Non Pro Limited classes.

The Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity is known as “Where the Finest go First,” and in the past 23 years, many Southwest Futurity alumni have gone on to greatness.  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.