In one of the most exciting Non Pro Futurity finishes in National Reining Horse Association history, Josh Hattig of Berthoud, Colorado, earned the 2001 NRHA Non Pro Futurity Championship on Fridays Gold Eclipse.

Hattig and former titlist Mandy McCutcheon each scored 220 to tie in the finals, and both came back for a tie-breaking runoff. McCutheon went first on Dun Gotta Gun, a son of Hollywood Dun It out of Katie Gun that is owned by her parents, Tim and Colleen McQuay. She bettered her previous run by a half point.

Hattig and Fridays Gold Eclipse came in next and the ensuing run ignited the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds crowd. When the run was over, the score of 221.5 gave them the title and $27,666.78.

The flashy palomino is by Steady Tradition and out of Bar Good Friday, and is a full brother to Steadys Dude, the horse that Hattig won the NRHA Derby on this past May.

In the Intermediate Open Finals, Trent Pedersen rode Slide Zone (Lenas Wright On X Ms Skippa Tan), owned by Kathy Tomac, to the championship. It was the first major win for Pedersen, who is an assistant trainer for Bob Avila in Yamhill, Oregon.

There was a tie for the reserve title between Shadd Parkinson on Coeur D Mister, owned by Debra and Dorn Parkinson of Prescott, Arizona, and Bub Poplin on Rise N Shine Jac owned by John Rhineer of Morgan, Utah.

Today the action continues and the excitement will build steadily all day as the stage is set and ready for the NRHA Futurity Open Finals which begins at 7 pm. The winner of the clean-slate finals will receive $150,000.