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10-29-2005
Vanlandingham Wins Two SWRHA Futurity Titles
Jason Vanlandingham qualified for the Open and Intermediate Open Finals at the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity and marked a 227.5 to earn both Championships.
The SWRHA Futurity awarded titles in the Open and Non Pro divisions October 29 at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
Riding Gallos Stylish Star, a stallion by Gallo Del Cielo and out of A Stylish Queen, Jason marked a 220 in the preliminaries. He returned to the arena for the finals to win the Open by 2.5 points and the Intermediate Open by an impressive 5.5 points. Jason and Gallos Stylish Star earned $8,101 for the two championships.
"I knew he was a nice horse but there are so many good horses here and guys that have won more than I'll ever dream of winning," Jason said following his win. "I feel real fortunate. The Lord has blessed us in more ways than we could ever imagine."
Jason, from Valley View, Texas, has worked with Gallos Stylish Star since the horse was just a yearling and knew from the start he would be a great reiner.
"He's just a really nice horse and he took care of me," he said of the stallion, owned by Larry Markle of Coffeyville, Kansas. "He's simple to show and he turns pretty, circles pretty and he stops really, really, big. It all works out well whenever you have a good horse."
Million Dollar Rider Duane Latimer, a former SWRHA Futurity Champion, was the Open Reserve Champion, with a score of 225 on Star Spangled Whiz owned by Cathy Hern. The Intermediate Open Reserve Champion was Pierre Luc Phaneuf, with a score of 222 on Star Spangled Badge, owned by Anndrea Fling.
Italian native Stefano Calcagnini earned the Limited Open Futurity Championship riding Paddys Irish Angel, a Paddys Irish Whiskey mare out of Sunset Easy Tari owned by Janice Canada of Norman, Oklahoma. Stefano, who works at McQuay Stables in Tioga, Texas, marked a 221 to win $622.
Ginger Schmersal topped the Non Pro preliminaries riding Blazing In Black. Their 219 score earned the Non Pro Futurity Championship and a check for $2,084.
"Going into the NRHA Futurity from here, I was really hoping I could have that consistent run again because I just haven't had that self confidence showing her," Ginger said. "I finally feel like she's where I need her to be. She understands me and I understand her."
Ginger, honored for her win, shared some of the arena time with her husband, Craig, whose earnings at the Southwest Futurity Show pushed him past the $1 million earnings mark. Craig was recognized by the Southwest Reining Horse Association with an in-arena announcement, complete with red, white and blue balloons and cake commemorating the milestone.
Katie Forest, of College Station, Texas, earned the Intermediate Non Pro Championship with a 218. Katie rode Montana Whiz Cat, a Topsail Whiz mare out of Canudo Catalyst to receive $833 along with an additional $1,500 for earning the Non Pro Futurity Reserve Championship. The Intermediate Non Pro Reserve title went to Kim Dooley on Dunnit So Pretty, with a score of 216.5.
In the Limited Non Pro Futurity, Matt Armenta of Whitesboro, Texas, earned the Championship with Sweet Magnum Dream. Matt and his Magnum Chic Dream daughter, out of JS Sweet N Low, marked a 212.5 and earned $564. The Limited Non Pro Reserve Championship went to Brenda Morton on Double This Surprise, for their score of 211.5.
Lil Ruf Valentine and Steve Harris of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, drew up last in the Non Pro Finals and earned the Prime Time Non Pro Championship. Steve and his Lil Ruf Peppy gelding, out of Wheeling Valentine, marked a 213 to earn $303 for the Prime Time finish. Prime Time Reserve honors went to Ian Waldron on Chex Rooster.
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