American Paint Horse Spooks Gotta Whiz recently took top honors at the National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) Open Futurity capturing the pinnacle prize—the Level 4 Open division championship—with Jordan Larson aboard. The duo scored a 227 in the finals and a $125,000 check for the win.
The prestigious event took place November 25–December 4, 2010 in Oklahoma City, Okla., and featured the world’s most talented 3-year-old reining horses and riders in five Open divisions.
By Spooks Gotta Gun and out of Prettywhizprettydoes (QH), Spooks Gotta Whiz was bred by the Haverty Ranch in Krum, Texas. The 2007 bay overo stallion was purchased by Michell Anne Kimball as a 2-year-old from Duane Hicks, who owned Spooks Gotta Gun at the time.
“I actually flew out to Marietta, Okla., to try him and his brother,” said Kimball, a Paint breeder and trainer in Encinitas, Calif. “His brother was actually prettier in my mind because he was Englishy-looking and I’m an English rider. He had that pretty long leg and warmblood body-type.
“But when I rode ‘Baby Spooks,’ I knew he was the one. He had a really unique feel, and there was just something about him.”
Kimball was connected with Larson, a Whitesboro, Texas, trainer, through other trainers in late November. The newly formed team won the championship after only three days of preparation together—a huge return on investment.
More colorful success
Spooks Gotta Whiz wasn’t the only Paint to do well at the 2010 NRHA Futurity.
Three Colonels Smokingun (better known as “Gunner”) offspring made it back to the Open Finals including Colonels Shining Gun, Always Gotyer Gunsup and Pale Face Dunnit.
In the Futurity Non-Pro Finals, Ryan Humphrey of Whitesboro, Texas, earned the Level 2 Non-Pro Futurity championship and Level 1 Non-Pro Futurity reserve championship after marking a 212.5 with Wimpys Golden Gunner. Humphrey earned more than $13,500 on the 2007 palomino overo mare, who is by Wimpys Little Step (QH) and out of Gunner Getcha.
In the Adequan North American Affiliate Championships, held in conjunction with the futurity, Julie Boer of Rigby, Idaho, and Taris Little Lilly captured the NAAC Non-Pro and NAAC Intermediate Non-Pro championship titles. Boer scored a 220 aboard her 6-year-old chestnut tobiano mare, who is by Kitsmooth Last Solano and out of Peppys Little Tari (QH). The duo also won the 2009 NAAC Intermediate Non-Pro championship.
More About APHA
Currently, American Paint Horses are being registered at APHA’s Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters at a rate of more than 30,000 horses each year. APHA has registered more than 981,000 horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded 49 years ago, and now serves approximately 85,000 active members around the world. APHA, a non-profit organization, prides itself on community involvement and educating the public about the beauty and talent of the breed. Among its many activities, APHA works to preserve bloodlines and maintain the outstanding characteristics of Paint Horses. For more information, visit the Association’s website at apha.com or call (817) 834-APHA (2742).