Ep 26: 2023 NRHA Futurity Review

In today’s episode, we take a look at the 2023 NRHA Futurity. We talk about the tie for Open Level 4 Champion, scores, spreads, and use of the judging scale. We don’t forget about the Non Pro Futurity and address the industry buzz around Lane Colston and Adam Donahue’s finals runs.

Congratulations to the Winners!

Level 4 Futurity Champions Brian Bell, Crystalized Whizkey owned by Wallace Wood. 

Level 4 Reserve Champions Andrea Fappani and Inferno Thirty Five owned by Stephen Archer

Level 4 Non Pro Champions Lane Colston and Gunna Be Painted

In This Episode:

Let’s Talk Ties

225.5 tie between Brian Bell on Crystalized Whizkey  and Andrea Fappani on Inferno Thirty Five. The stakes: 350K to the Champion, 150K to Reserve and the Title of 2023 NRHA Futurity Champion.

Andrea Fappani and Inferno Thirty Five were last in the draw. The judges’ held this score for a review which acted as a catalyst creating a perfect storm of confusion in a run off situation. Would there be a run off? No, go with awards. Wait, yes, clear the arena! Um, let’s wait an hour. 

Is it time to change the Futurity Conditions to eliminate the run off option? This is the pinnacle event of the reining industry. Why not require a run off to crown a definitive Champion? No one wants a tie in the Super Bowl, and it shouldn’t be an option at the NRHA Futurity.

We Don’t Judge Style

Style varied greatly between champion & co-champion. Neither are great movers, did that impact scores in circles and rundowns? It was refreshing to see multiple styles perform well and get paid at the highest level. This is what judging has been teaching for years and we saw it played out on the main stage this year. 

Set Up for Success with Pattern Selection

Pattern selection for Go 1 and Go 2 was phenomenal. Pattern 12 allowed separation and provided an excellent filtering process, then pattern 15 thinned out the semi-finalists with some challenging maneuvers. 

New Schedule Helped Everyone

The extra days opened the schedule and allowed for shorter days. The show had good length of working days for judges/staff/exhibitors/horses. Everyone performs better when well rested.

Scoring Analytics

Average cut Scores were 1 to 1 ½ points higher in 2022 compared to this year. Was competition different or was judging more conservative? 

Judging was consistent throughout the entire Futurity, where they were in the draw made no difference, judges did a great job sorting the competition. 

With three-year-olds being this dynamic, what can we expect from them in the next two years? Genetics, training, and development practices have allowed them to mature at this level. But they still need to be brought along and developed to keep them performing well for longer. 

Non Pro Futurity Buzz

NP Champions: Lane Colston and Gunna Be Painted

Adam Donahue’s Circles – did he get marked appropriately?