Jake Telford and Spark N Loulena Win 2008 Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Hackamore

Spark N Loulena had the attention of the crowd from the moment she began her reining pattern for the Open Hackamore Finals of the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity.

Piloted by Jake Telford, the pair executed perfect spins, flawless lead changes, and in-the-dirt stops to mark a 219 – the highest rein work score. “She was just beautiful. She moves so well, and couldn’t have worked better,” exclaimed co-owner Floyd Miller of Bayfield Colorado. Co-owner Newt White, Santa Fe, New Mexico, echoed that sentiment, “She did great. We were hopeful that she and Jake would do well – she’s a very consistent mare, but there were quite a few threats.”

In the cow work, the pair marked a 215.5, tying for the high score. The resulting 434.5 total earned not only the Championship, but also a check for $6,923, a Gist Silversmiths Champion buckle sponsored by Dick Hershman, a horse hair Mecate from Krause Mecates and San Benito Braiding, a Cinch monogrammed down vest from Wayne Hodges 4-Star Trailers/Outlaw Conversions, and Platinum Performance.

Miller and White purchased Spark N Loulena, by Shining Spark and out of Mary Lou Lena, at the 2006 Snaffle Bit Futurity Select 2-Year-Old Sale, where she was the second high seller. “They worked her and we felt comfortable she would be able to do this job,” noted White.

The partnership began after Miller purchased Cottonwood Springs Ranch from White, and the ensuing partnership has begun to produce some big results. Spark N Loulena won the Reserve Championship at the Hackamore Classic, and won the Open Hackamore class. The partnership also had an entry, Dual Deuces, make the Open Futurity Finals with Jake Telford, and another missed the Open finals by a point.

“Getting involved in the reined cow horses has been a great experience, and a lot of fun,” said Miller. “I really have to thank Newt, because without him, we wouldn’t have gotten involved. Carol Rose has also been a great influence on us – she has great horses, and is a great horsewoman. And really, Jake Telford has done great things for our program, and he deserves this recognition, too.”

Tying for Reserve in the Open Hackamore was Shining Lil Nic, ridden by Kevin Stallings, and Kiss My Shiny Lips, ridden by Jake Telford. Both marked scores of 427, and collected checks of $4,966, horse hair Mecates from Krause Mecates and San Benito Braiding, and flipped a coin for a Hackamore from Benny Guitron and Steve Guitron, a Cinch monogrammed vest from Wayne Hodges 4-Star Trailers/Outlaw Conversions, and Platinum Performance.

Shining Lil Nic, by Smart Shiner and out of Dig A Lil Nic, is owned by Bill and Janiejill Tointon, while Kiss My Shiny Lips, owned by Holy Cow Performance Horses, is by Shining Spark and out of Lipschic.

Held at the Reno Livestock Events Center in Reno, Nevada, the Snaffle Bit Futurity will pay out over $1.3 million. The triathlon even concludes Sunday, October 5, with the Open finals.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the 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 Adequan®, Wayne Hodges 4-Star Trailers and Outlaw Conversions, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Quarter Horse News & Performance Horse magazine, the Peppermill Hotel/Resort, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and EQUIOXX, Great American Insurance Company and the Silver Legacy Hotel, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.