April 14, 2006 - Shelly Gish, of Hallsville, Texas, guided Beverly Swan's Racin Jets Icon (A Sharper Image x Daiquiri On The Box) to a first-round win at the Running On Faith WPRA Pro Futurity on Thursday, April 13. The 5-year-old Paint gelding set the pace in 14.803 in a very competitive first round.

The inaugural running of the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association-approved futurity drew 64 starters out of 73 entries for the $5,000-added event that is taking place April 13-14 at Wichita, Kansas. But it was not only the first running of this particular futurity. The event also marked the debut of the new WPRA Pro Futurity Program – in which competitors at futurities throughout the year will qualify for the WPRA Pro Futurity Finals in January, 2007.

Futurity producer Katie Neil, of Kechi, Kansas, was pleased with the turnout, saying "We've had a wonderful, great time. I'm so happy that the gals came out to support us. I've got to say Grace to God for letting us do this -- We are running on faith."

Veteran futurity secretary Pat Hutter was also excited by the turnout. "For the first WPRA Pro Futurity, it's going really well," said Hutter. "The support is better than expected. We have more entries than anticipated. We've got lots of awards and prizes, and are looking forward to the next one in Claremore, Oklahoma."

Former National Finals Rodeo qualifier Tamara Reinhardt, Canadian, Texas, piloted her mother Vera Hammon's 4-year-old mare Hubertas Alibi (Sir Alibi x Bottoms Folly) to a second-place finish in the Futurity with a 15.811.

The top horse in the full-second 2D split was Play Doca (Docs Nifty Bar King x Doca Laura) ridden by Amanda Richardson, Sturgis, S.D., for Todd O'Bryan.

Sidepot incentives were also offered in the Futurity. Jo Lynn Grieves, from Winner, S.D., rode her 5-year-old mare Dream Of A Dash (Dash For Perks x Discos Dream) to the top of the Limited category for riders with less than $5,000 lifetime futurity earnings.

WPRA Pro Futurity Chairwoman Kim Thomas, Ardmore, Okla., rode her home-raised 4-year-old mare Flits Gittin Credit (Cash Not Credit x Florida Flit) to the Intermediate Incentive win for riders who have accumulated less then $5,000 in earnings over the past three years.

Former Great Lakes Circuit Champion Donna Kalish, Dodgeville, Wis., topped the Senior incentive for riders over 50 with her 5-year-old mare Ms Treasure Penny (Treasured Too x Emilys Valentine).

Sharin Hall-Grant took Ken Pruitt's 6-year-old mare Bahama Bully (Bully Bullion x Failas Magic) to the Derby Championship in a time of 14.550.

In the 4D Challenge, former National Finals Rodeo qualifier and current Prairie Circuit Director Lanita Powers, Edmond, Okla., took top honors in 14.492 with her gelding Wahini Cash. Kenna Squires, Carnegie, Okla., and Racin Pastem were half-second back in the 2D with a 14.992. Amy Turner, Kismet, Kansas, and VH Royal Red were the best in the 3D with a 15.498 rolled over from the Derby. Laura Rodgers, Athens, Texas, rolled over her futurity time of 16.026 with Zevis Eye Opener to win the 4D.

The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association is the governing body for professional barrel racing. It began in 1948 as a group of Texas ranch women who wanted to add a little color and femininity to the rough-and-tumble sport of rodeo, and has now grown to a million-dollar industry with women athletes riding well-conditioned race horses. Today, the WPRA has approved barrel races in hundreds of rodeos sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association each year with total barrel racing prize money of totaling in the millions. For information on the WPRA, visit www.wpra.com. For information on the WPRA Pro Futurity finals, contact wpra@magoteaux.com.