Ted Robinson Wins Seventh NRCHA Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Title

The 2005 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity was one of many milestones. Legendary trainer Ted Robinson, Oak View, California, earned a record seventh Open Championship during the event, which for the first time paid out more than $1 million during its two-week run at the Reno Livestock Event Center in Nevada.

Ted’s win came on Nu Circle Of Light, a horse he owns with Paula Hunsicker, that is by Nu Circle N Cash and out of Katie Starlight. Katie Starlight had an impressive show career, winning two World’s Greatest Horseman titles, and Ted campaigned Nu Circle N Cash to about $80,000 in earnings. Interestingly enough, Nu Circle N Cash was sired by Nu Cash, the stallion that Ted earned his first Open Futurity Championship with in 1987.

“Nu Cash made me,” Ted admitted. “He was the first futurity horse I ever had and it’s so neat that his grandson is winning too.”

Ted and the stallion he calls “Theo” marked a 213.5 in the herd, a 216.5 in the rein work and a crowd roaring 224 down the fence. Reserve Champion Boyd Rice led the field until Ted entered the arena during third set. Ted knew he would have to make a hard run, and as soon as he saw his cow, he had to let his horse go for it.

“When the cow work came, I had seen that cow and I didn’t’ like him when I saw him because he was big and strong and I thought he would push on me a lot,” Ted recalled. “But he kept working that fence and I knew he was going to stay on the wall. I felt good about him. He just happened to be fast and I had a lot of run and my horse stayed with me.”

With a composite of 654 points, Ted took home his seventh title and the Championship check for $100,000.

Boyd Rice, one of the country’s top cutting trainers, earned the Open Reserve Championship and a check for $80,000. He and Playin Attraction, by Playin Stylish and out of Ginnin Attraction, owned by Burnett Ranches Ltd., led the Intermediate Open Futurity Preliminaries, won the Intermediate Open Championship Friday and then came back Sunday to earn the well-respected Open Reserve title.

“It means a lot to me,” Boyd said of success at the Snaffle Bit Futurity after having so much success as a cutter. “I don’t think those guys (his fellow cutters) have any idea what it takes to do this. The first time I ever watched the videos from past futurities, I thought I have to do that because it’s not that big of a deal. Well once you do it, you realize it is that big of a deal.”

The NRCHA Futurity offered a chance to win to more than just the exhibitors. Two trailers and a 2-year-old gelding were awarded during the Finals performance. The first trailer, a Sundowner 4-horse trailer, was awarded to Mike Helsen from Washing. His name was the last in the hopper after two weeks of drawing during the Sundowner Drawdown. A Sundowner 2-horse trailer was awarded to Rhodes River Ranch, Arlington, Washington during a trailer raffle. Each year, the historic Ward Ranch of Kingsburg, California, donates a 2-year-old gelding to the Association to raffle off. This year’s horse, Magics Mister Rocket, sired by Reminics Pep and out of Ima Dualin Peppy, came with a paid-entry to next year’s futurity. Nancy Jemmet, from Ohio, had the lucky ticket and now has a horse for the 2006 Futurity.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the 56-year-old governing body of cow horse competition, is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bayer Corporation, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, EQ Solutions, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Gold and Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Western Horseman magazine, the Reno Hilton, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Great American Insurance Company, GASTROGARD and ULCERGARD and the Silver Legacy, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry.

For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association or for results from the Futurity, which concluded Sunday, October 2, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.