Few sporting events capture the attention and respect among devotees as does the National Reined Cow Horse Association's Snaffle Bit Futurity. In its history, the futurity has grown from a 27-entry event, and from a stock horse show organized, managed and staged by a handful of volunteers to a world class event that has become one of the horse industry's premier spectator shows.

The first SBF in 1970 featured just 27 entries who arrived at the California State Fairgrounds in Sacramento to vie for top honors. The performance lasted two days and produced a tie for first place between Bobby Ingersoll on Leocita Chex, owned by Fritz Strain, and Les Vogt on Wrong Key, owned by Fred Mungia. Though the entries and spectators were sparse by today's standards, it was obvious to the California Reined Cow Horse Association that they had a hit on their hands, and they began to make plans for SBF number two.

Held again in Sacramento, the 1971 Futurity drew 45 entries for three days of competition. It was an encouraging increase in numbers, dampened only by the rainy weather. Ken Sutton, owner and rider of Royal Cutter, emerged victorious and distinguished himself as the only Non Pro rider ever to win the futurity. Les Vogt, riding Bob Chex for owners Marabito and Mungia, was Reserve Champion.

In 1972 the futurity moved to the Lyttle Cow Palace in Santa Rosa, California, where a covered arena, open on the sides, gave some protection from the elements, which were again nasty. Despite the rain, more spectators than ever huddled in the grandstand to watch the unprecedented number of entries (72) vie for a piece of the cash awards and silver buckles. Sugarnic, owned and ridden by Greg Ward, was the Champion, and Tyke Minetti (a Non Pro) picked up Reserve honors on Doc's Cowboy. New to the futurity schedule was the Hackamore Maturity, which gave older snaffle bit horses a showcase for their talent. Restricted then to horses who had competed in the previous Snaffle Bit Futurity, the contest was later opened to all 4-and 5-year-old horses.

The 1973 SBF showed a small increase in entries to 87, but the most dramatic change was in spectator attendance. It was standing room only in the Lyttle Cow Palace on the day of the finals and the crowds hollered, hooted and stamped their feet for their favorites. A new three-judge system replaced the former two-judge system, and only 1.5 points separated the top four horses. Wrangler Chex, owned by Nina Rose and ridden by Les Vogt, earned a narrow .25 win over Don Thompson's Horseshoe Man, ridden by Dick Knight. Another new contest joined the lineup that year: the Junior Stock Horse Championship in which top youngsters from throughout the West were invited, on the basis of their year-long show records, to compete in their own event.

The fifth annual SBF, held in Santa Rosa, stayed even in entries with 87 competing for the win, but the competition was getting tougher. Owners were breeding or buying and training horses specifically for the SBF. The point spread among the top horses was getting smaller every year and it was hard to make the cut to the finals. So the CRCHA decided to take the top 15 horses, rather than the top ten, to the ultimate competition. Big M Nu King, with Duane Pettibone aboard, not only made the cut but went on to win the 1974 Championship for owner Pat Risely by a full 1.25 over Reserve Champions Maxi Chex and Les Vogt. The Bridle Horse Sweepstakes was added to the program in 1974. Originally designed for previous SBF entrants, it later opened to all 4-and 5-year-old horses. Spectator-wise, the SBF crowd was becoming so large that it was clear the CRCHA would have to deal with that problem if they were to continue the futurity.

It was decided, then, to move the SBF to Reno Park Sports Arena in Nevada, a fully-enclosed facility with more spectator seating. Some said moving the futurity out of California was a mistake, but a record-breaking 128 horses were paid up for the 1975 event, and the crowd followed in bigger numbers than ever. More that $400,000 in cash plus trophies and other awards, was up for grabs, and the event was expanded to five days. Bobby Ingersoll put together an incredible display of equine talent and became the first "Triple Crown" winner, taking the Championship in the SBF with Hankey Pankey, then winning the Hackamore Maturity and the Bridle Horse Sweepstakes. Previous SBF winner Greg Ward rode Sugar Fred to the Reserve Championship. In recognition of the significant number of Non Professionals and Ladies competing in the SBF, two contests within the futurity were introduced in 1975 when the Ladies and Non Pros paid additional entry fees and competed among themselves within the Open division for their own high p
Point awards and additional purse money. Tyke Minetti, on Doc's Know How, was the first ever Non Pro Champion, and Dema Clark, riding Bar Fly, took top honors in the inaugural performance of the Ladies division.

In its first year at Reno Park, the SBF crowd filled the stands to overflowing, and the CRCHA was again faced with the problem of having to move the futurity.

The 1976 SBF was held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, a plush, completely enclosed arena with paved parking, indoor exhibit space and theater-style seating. Entries made their biggest jump, to 195, and a tie for 15th place sent 16 horses to the finals. The top contenders hovered within a few points of each other until the last of the fence work when Benny Guitron, riding Kit's Smoke for owners Mr. and Mrs. Bert Crane, turned in a fantastic cow work to shoot four points ahead of his nearest competitor to become the SBF Champion. In the Ladies and Non Pro divisions, Pat Bello, riding San Juan Chex, edged out previous Non Pro winner Tyke Minetti on Cowboy Two by .5 to win both divisions.

In 1977, the SBF expanded to six days as entries broke the 200 mark by eight. The judging system was changed to allow three experienced cutting horsemen to judge the herd work while three other judges scored the reined and fence works without having viewed the herd work. Attesting to the growth of the futurity, Jake Walgenbach was hired to oversee the event. Scoring in the 1977 SBF was so close that 17 horses went to the finals due to a tie. Bill Wildes took the Championship honors on his little mare named Sugaree by besting Reserve Champions Doc's Moselle and Bobby Ingersoll by a point. The total spread between first and 17th place was 9 points. Sugaree took home $10,000 for the win. A lady and a Non Pro each qualified for the 1977 SBF finals. Linda Baker was the 1977 Ladies Champion and turned in an outstanding performance on Cashier's Chex, owned by Penny Schermerhorn, to capture the reined work and finish fifth in the finals. Gerry Westfall, riding Andy Green Springs, was declared Non Pro Champion and fished 12th overall.

In 1978, finalists were expanded to the top 25 and the SBF was expanded to seven days. For a record-breaking third time, a horse ridden by Bobby Ingersoll won the Snaffle Bit Futurity. Doc N Missy, owned by Oxbow Ranch of Prairie City, Oregon, scrambled down the fence after a difficult cow, clinching the Championship by a 3.0 margin with an incredible fence work score of 154. Doc N Missy won more than $16,000. Gene Suiter, a tough competitor from Glendale, Arizona, rode Dry Sherry to the Reserve Championship for owner Jay Anderson of Colorado Springs, Colorado. A young contestant from Thousand Oaks, California, Karen Kittleson, walked away with two horse trailers and nearly $3,000 in cash plus other prizes when she and her Paint mare, Diamond Jewel Wood, won both the Non Pro and Ladies divisions.

The Wild Bunch class, still going strong, featured a special guest - Red Skelton! Sporting a shaggy moustache and chewing a dollar sized cigar, Skelton rode his curly maned, rubber necked paint into the arena at the last minute to delight the audience with his special humor.

The 1979 SBF produced a new face in the winner's circle when Billy Arthur, Ontario, California, rode Aledo Bay for veterinarian Michael T. Stabbe of Clovis, California, to a 1.5 point win over the field. Reserve Champion was Cal Jo Jo Bar, ridden by Kenny Pugh for owner Joe Scoma of Moraga, California. For the third time, a lady captured both the Non Pro and Ladies divisions when Zera Varian won both Championships on her horse Sugar D'or.

In 1980, Tom Lyons, who had horses in the finals of the past four SBFs, rode Docs Baroque to win the fence work and, ultimately, the Championship. Gary Baumer rode Cal Reb Bar to the SBF Reserve Championship for owner Lisa Anderson, and Pat Bello repeated her 1976 victories to again win both the Ladies and Non Pro divisions, this time on Gays Leo Bar.

The 1981 SBF was expanded to nine days. The judging system was also expanded, and three more judges were added to the roster for a total of nine. That meant each segment-the herd, reined and fence works-had its own three experts to score the rides.

Greg Ward won the 1981 SBF Championship on Sugar Remedy, a filly out of Sugarnic, the mare he rode to the 1972 Championship. One point behind was Me O'Lena, owned by Double R Ranch of Clements, California, and ridden by Ronnie Richards. The closest competitors to the top two horses were 7 points back. Kathy Wilson rode Martha Rey for owners Thomas Jr. and Dixie Young, to win the Non Pro title, and the Ladies division was taken by Jody Haeberle, riding Londons Dart for owner Mike Baker of Pasadena, California.

1982 was the year of the stallions when for the first time a stallion, Sanpeppy Smoke, ridden by Kenny Pugh, won the Championship. Stallions also dominated the next six places. Sanpeppy Smoke commanded the finals to win a six point victory over Reserve Champion Doctor Sujo, ridden by Barney Hinds. Sanpeppy Smoke, owned by Kenny Pugh and Coy Sanders, had bested 292 other entries to win. In the Non Pro divisions, Frank Rue on Fernwood Tivio, owned by Rue and Forsman, outworked 45 others to win top honors, and Karin Richards took the Ladies division when she rode Double R Doc to the Championship.

Also that year a five judge system where the highest and lowest scores are eliminated was established and the 30-second rule which allows riders half a minute to decide whether or not to keep the steer they had drawn in the fence work was also adopted.

Expansion of the Snaffle Bit Futurity Performance Horse Sale was yet another milestone that came in 1982. Held annually since 1971, the sale had been a successful marketplace for top stock horses, but the move to Reno Park in 1975 created a problem as no adequate sale facility could be found nearby. So sale manager Duane Pettibone talked John Ascuaga into hosting the sale in his posh Nugget Casino in Sparks. The tradition continued until 1982 when, due to its popularity, the sale drew too large a crowd for the facility. It was decided to split the sale into two sections: a select yearling and broodmare sale held at the Nugget, and a performance horse sale, held at the convention center. Both sales enjoyed continuing popularity; so much so that both sales were later held at the convention center to accommodate the crowds.

In 1983, an unprecedented $75,000 in cash went to Im Full Of Pep, the stallion who won the Open Championship. Ridden by Stan Fonsen, Im Full Of Pep capped nine days of work with an exciting performance in the finals when he and Ole Zan Tucker, ridden by Bobby Ingersoll, engaged in a seesaw battle for first place throughout the competition. It was not until the last third of the last event that the stallion garnered a 1.5 point victory over Ole Zan Tucker, who settled for Reserve honors. Im Full Of Pep, owned by Art Haskins of Danville, California, is out of Im A Sugar Vandy, who was fifth overall in the 1975 SBF. In the Non Pro division, Kathy Wilson of Wilton, California, rode Doc S George to a decisive victory over Gill Horn and Slip Snip Bar, while Anne Reynolds of Hammett, Idaho, riding her mare Nancy McLain, earned enough to top the Ladies division and, while she was at it, scored 220.5 in the herd work to give her the highest score of any entry in the Futurity that made her the first woman to achieve that honor.

The 1984 Futurity saw one of the closest contests ever when just 1.5 points separated the top three places in the Open division. Former Champions Stan Fonsen and Bobby Ingersoll, riding Lei Aloha and Oak Be Great, respectively, seemed to have the contest sewed up following their scores in the preliminaries, but in the finals, comparative longshot Plumb Dry, ridden by Gary Baumer, bested them both with an outstanding job in the herd work and solid performances in the reined and fence works to earn the Championship. Plumb Dry was owned by Leonard and Patricia Brooks of Jamestown, California. Reserve Champion was Oak Be Great, ridden by Ingersoll and owned by former SBF Champion Rider Ken Sutton of Sacramento, California. The Ladies and Non Pro divisions were won by 1983 Non Pro winner Kathy Wilson, riding Billy Clover.

There was a flurry of competition right down to the end in the 1985 Snaffle Bit Futurity finals as Bob Avila on Docs Missy Command and Greg Wright and Peppy Par Three went into the last phase tied for first place with 295. Avila's fence work scored an amazing 150-the highest score on the fence up to that point- and it looked as if Avila had the Championship all wrapped up. Wright was one of the last to work and he knew exactly what he needed to win, but could it be done? It was. The judges agreed that Wright and Peppy Par Three put in the best work of the day and awarded them an astounding 152 for the fence phase, which put them in the lead by 2 points and clinched the Championship for the 20-year-old from San Juan Bautista, California. Peppy Par Three won $50,000 for owner Charles Walker of Salinas, California, who purchased the Peppy San stallion at the 1984 Snaffle Bit Futurity Performance Horse Sale.

The Reserve Championship went to Docs Missy Command for owner John Fournier of Freeland, Washington, who collected $30,000.

Dema Clark of Marysville, California, swept the Ladies division by winning both the Championship and the Reserve Championship on Missy Tucker and Poco Jessie San, respectively. She rode her own entry to the Championship and Poco Jessie San to the Reserve title for owners Mike and Kristine LaGrande.

The Non Pro Championship was awarded to Bob Scott of Clements, California, who rode his own entry Shesa Lou Too to high score of 434.5, which put him a full 12 points above the Reserve horse.

The 1986 Snaffle Bit Futurity brought several "firsts." Among them was that the Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion and Reserve Champion were ridden by the same person-Greg Ward. Ward rode Pat Hubbert's filly, Smokinic, to the Championship and the stallion Nic A Chex to the Reserve title for owner Clear Lake Land and Cattle Company. Adding to the novelty was that both horses were sired by Reminic-a stallion owned by Ward Ranch. Dema Paul was the highest placing woman ever in Open Futurity competition when she rode Docs Jesse, owned by her and her husband, Jim, to third place.

In the Ladies division, Anne Reynolds rode her own Shirley McLain to victory earning $1,500, while Dema Paul and Docs Jessie tied for Reserve honors with Lyn Anderson on Easy Chexx.

The first ever to take the Non Pro Championship home to Wyoming was Glenn Barlow who rode San Zorro, a stallion by Rey De Peppy out of Zorra, to a 1.5 point win over Reserve Champion Lloyd Merriman on his own entry, First Draw.

Another new feature in 1986 was a Junior division, the Little Buckaroos (an 11 and under class). Dan Foster, riding Tontos Gypsy Rose, was the inaugural winner of the event, in which only the herd and dry works were involved. Second was Tommy Guitron on Political Smoker, winner of the 1981 Hackamore Maturity.

In 1987 the Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion was Nu Cash ridden by Ted Robinson and owned by Ralph and Mickey Gragg of Oak View, California. Robinson came to the Futurity with eight horses, five of which made it to the finals. In the final work, Nu Cash and Robinson topped the herd work with a score of 150, tied for first in the reined with 149 and scored 147.5 in the fence. Their combined score was 446.5, 6 points higher than the Reserve Champion Tuff A Lena ridden by Gary Baumer for owners Don and Charlotte Gibson of Wilton, California.

Lyn Anderson of Clovis, California, riding Mae O Lena took the Ladies division Championship over Reserve Champion Judy Martin on Tuckernic. Mae O Lena is owned by Pete Bennett and tied for seventh overall in the futurity finals.

In the Non Pro division Jody Gearhart of Santa Barbara, California, took top honors riding Peppy Smoke Bar Lady, a Quarter Horse mare owned by Jody and her husband Larry. Gearhart went on to win the bridle horse Championship on Mister Tiv. Reserve honors in the Non Pro division went to Matt Day of Bend, Oregon, riding Mrs Ed.

The Reserve Championship in the Bridle Horse Sweepstakes was won by Miss Callie Bar, ridden by former Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion Billy Arthur and owned by Nan Sellman.

In the Little Buckaroo division, Princess Serena, owned by Judy Luis and ridden by Cezanne Luis, took the Championship followed by Charlie Dial, ridden and owned by Sara Ramsey.

Twelve horses entered the Senior Buckaroo competition, a new event for 1987. Vickie Bischell rode her Smoke To Remember and tied in total points with Roxie Commander, ridden by Ed Kemble. Bischel had the higher fence work score so she was declared the Champion in accordance with SBF rules.

Over 160 contestants from 12 states, Canada, and West Germany competed for over $300,000 in cash and awards at the 1988 Snaffle Bit Futurity.

Bob Avila and Smart Little Calboy earned top honors, and a check for $35,000. Jody Gearhart retained her Championship title from 1987 riding Cash Little Lena. For the first time, the Ladies Championship was won by a horse with 20 owners! Dema Paul earned the title on Bex Leoak Chex, owned by a group of women calling themselves T.R.O.U.B.L.E., which stands for "Twenty Rowdy Old Uppity Broads Loving Equines." The cotton candy pink Championship trailer added even more fun to the T.R.O.U.B.L.E. crew.

The pro-am division was broken into two divisions in 1988 - a $5,000 Open Limited and a $2,000 Non Pro Limited. The Non Pro Limited division was open to those Non Pro exhibitors who had not won in excess of $2,000.

The move to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas in 1989 marked the biggest change for the year, but that edition of the Snaffle Bit Futurity was full of "firsts." It was the first year that a non-Quarter Horse had earned the Championship, and it was also the first time a husband-wife team had swept the Futurity. Carl Gould rode the appaloosa Ima Jo's Doll to win $50,000 in the Open. His wife, Kathy, earned the Non Pro crown on Oakin Around.

Anne Reynolds Jones was six months pregnant with her first child at the 1989 Snaffle Bit Futurity. News of the "expectant cowgirl" caught the attention of a Las Vegas television station, which sent a crew to film her during competition and at a baby shower given later by her Reined Cow Horse friends.

Dema Paul once again earned the Ladies Championship, this time on Stars N Smoke.

The Snaffle Bit Futurity returned to the Reno Livestock Events Center in 1990 - and ticket sales jumped over $8,000 from 1988 - the last year the show was at the "Biggest Little City." Jon Roeser earned his first Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Championship in 1990 on Otoe Master, while Tom Buckingham earned the Non Pro title on Colonel De Boon. Roeser and Otoe Master took home $34,015 for the Championship. Buckingham, the first champion to hail from Idaho, pocketed $11,028. Otoe Master went on to win the Snaffle Bit Stakes in 1991.

Nelle Murphy earned her second Junior Stock Horse Championship in a row on Mister Royal Three - the year before earning the honor on Docwood Poco Smoke. Anne Reynolds Jones earned the Ladies Championship on Red Sentinal.

In 1991, Ted Robinson earned his first Snaffle Bit Futurity on Master Checks, and took home $30,000 for the title. It was the second year in a row that a foal of Master Remedy had won the Futurity. Jody Semper won the Non Pro Championship by a decisive 7.5 points. Her mount was Cowtown Hickory, and she earned $10,310 for the win.

Janalee Davis earned the Junior Stock Horse title on Lucky Chex. Jon Roeser earned the Open Bridle Championship on Dot O Lena, for John Showalter.

The 1992 Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion was Doug Williamson on Mr San Olen. Williamson and the talented stallion earned $25,250 for the win. The Non Pro title was awarded to Patti Davis and Spats O Lena, who was awarded a check for $10,742.

Jon Roeser and Dot O Lena returned for the second year in a row to win the Open Bridle Championship, and Cary Ann Ripp earned the Junior Stock Horse title on Remis Rocket.

The prestigious Futurity made another move in 1993, moving to the Selland Arena in Fresno, California, and expanding to 7 days. Sandy Collier made history as the first woman to win the Snaffle Bit Futurity. She accomplished that feat on Miss Rey Dry, earning $27,000. Matt Day pocketed $8,770 for the Non Pro Championship, which he earned on Hollywood Boulevard.

The 1991 Snaffle Bit Futurity Champions, Ted Robinson and Master Checks, earned the Open Hackamore title for 1993. Robinson also earned the Open Bridle title on Charter Colonel. Riding Doc Peppy Chex, Tara Sagniere earned the Junior Stock Horse Championship.

John Ward, son of "the Master" Greg Ward, earned his first Snaffle Bit Futurity Championship on Masteroani in 1994. The title came with a check for $29,886 - but did not come easy. In a grueling effort to hold a rank cow in the cow work, Masteroani went down. After checking his horse for injury, Ward remounted and continued the run. To the delight of the spectators, the judges blew the whistle for a new cow. Jody Gearhart earned her 3rd Non Pro title, this time riding Master Rani Chex, earning $10,186.

Ted Robinson earned the Open Hackamore Championship on Litas Sans, and returned to win the Bridle Horse Sweepstakes once again on Charter Colonel. Janalee Davis earned the Junior Stock Horse title four years after her first championship, this time on Mr Disco Doc.

Ted Robinson pocketed $41,047 for the 1995 Open Championship, which he own on The Nu Colonel, by Nu Cash. That marked Robinson's 3rd Futurity win, and the first time the Futurity was won on the offspring of a Futurity Champion. In the Non Pro division, Korie Baker piloted Smokums Miss Doc Bar to the title.

Smoky Pritchett earned the Open Hackamore Championship on his horse, Freckles Face Smoke. Continuing with his Open Bridle winning streak on Charter Colonel, Ted Robinson once again earned the Championship. Christopher Frith earned the Junior Stock Horse Championship on Tommy Tucker Bar.

In 1996, Robinson earned the Championship title, and for the second time it was won on the offspring of Nu Cash. This time the title came aboard Shesa Lota Cash, and was rewarded with a check for $50,000. Traveling from Wyoming, Glen Barlow blew away the Non Pro competition, earning the high score by 4.5 points on Lenas Hill Billy, earning $16,800.

Sandy Collier earned the Ladies Championship on Katie Starlight. Freckle Face Smoke became the first horse in the history of the NRCHA to win the Open Hackamore class two years in a row - which he did with Smoky Pritchett. Sandy Collier broke Robinson's stranglehold on the Open Bridle Championship when she took top honors on Smokum Doc Bar. Kristina Console rode Dry Reins Golden to earn the Junior Stock Horse title.

1996 also marked the premiere induction into the newly established NRCHA Hall of Fame. The three special inductees were Bobby Ingersoll, Greg Ward, and a very special couple, Ralph and Mickey Gragg.

In 1997, the Snaffle Bit Futurity paid out a whopping $430,000 - up from $279,000 in 1996. Ted Robinson walked away with an unprecedented 5th Snaffle Bit Futurity win - the third in a row, and once again on a Nu Cash foal - Smart Little Cash. Jo Anne Carollo took home her first Non Pro Championship in 1997 on Nicilena.

Todd Crawford earned his first title at the Snaffle Bit Futurity on Tejons Peppy Doc in the Open Bridle, while John Ward rode Colonels Hot Chic to win the Open Hackamore. Bubba Petty earned the Youth Bridle Championship on Arlies Super Cash.

The Snaffle Bit Futurity was extended to eight days in 1998 to accommodate more than 250 entries, and over $600,000 in prize money was distributed.

Cheering admirers, with knotted throats and tearing eyes, gave Greg Ward - The Master - a standing ovation for his spectacular fence work which clinched his fourth Snaffle Bit Futurity Championship. Although he had been battling cancer for two years, he fought back, and made it to Reno on Reminics Pep. Because of his declining health, he was rapidly losing weight. By the time he got to the Futurity, he was about 50 pounds underweight. Regardless, when the results were in, Ward had captured the Championship by 12 points, and took home the first $100,000 check. Sadly, the equine industry lost one of its greatest visionaries, trainers, and friends just two short months later.

In the Non Pro action, Anne Reynolds-Jones held three of the top four places, winning the Non Pro by 20.5 points on Magical Lena, netting $34,835.

As the 20th century came to a close, the Snaffle Bit Futurity returned to Reno in 1999. Bob Avila and Smart Zanolena topped the Open, taking home the $100,000 check. This win was Avila's second, and it was the first as owners for Matt and Lesley Day, as Matt had won the Non Pro in 1993.

Jo Anne Carollo also earned her second Non Pro title, this time on Roosters Chicaroo. They won the class by 12.5 points!

In 2001, the country was still reeling from the 9-11 attacks, so the NRCHA sent a portion of the proceeds from the Silent Auction, held during the Awards Banquet, as well as the Calcutta, to the New York City Relief Fund.

Young trainer Todd Bergen won the Futurity's title crown on Boonlight Dancer. He had long been well known in reining circles, but the win solidified his reputation as a solid cow horse trainer. Jo Anne Carollo earned the Non Pro Championship on Plan To Win, tying her for the highest number of Non Pro Futurity titles. It was a whirlwind show for the pair, as they competed in not only the Non Pro, but the Open, and, consequently made the finals, making a total of 15 runs!

In 2002, Doug Williamson earned his second Snaffle Bit Futurity Championship on Doc At Night - a son of his first Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion, Mr San Olen. It's amazing that the difference of a decade can cause such an increase in purses. In 1992, Williamson and Mr San Olen earned $25,000 for the Championship. Laurie Ward captured her first Non Pro title on Justa Hot Chic. Entries were up for the show, with 234 open riders, and the total payout was $835,900.

The NRCHA Silent Auction raised an all-time high of $25,793 at the Annual NRCHA Hall of Fame Banquet. Benny Guitron received the Vaquero Award, Carol Rose received the President's Award, and Walter Wright was named the Stock Horse Man of the Year. In 2003, the NRCHA Board of Directors decided to add an additional day of competition, so it was 13 days of glory at the Reno Livestock Event Center. 25 years after his first Snaffle Bit Futurity appearance, Bob Avila earned his third title on Chics Magic Potion. Anne Reynolds earned her second Snaffle Bit Futurity title on Legendary Colonel, a half-sibling to her first Champion.

The Select Yearling and Broodmare Sale recorded the highest selling Quarter Horse performance horse broodmare ever to sell at auction on the West Coast when Smart Vandalena sold for $140,000.

The 2004 Snaffle Bit Futurity and Horse Show attracted over 800 entries competing for a total payout of over $902,000. It was one of the most emotional Snaffle Bit Futurities when Brandon Staebler - a first-time Snaffle Bit Futurity Finals qualifier - earned the Open Championship on Starlight Captain. Brandon's son, Zane, had been born with a heart condition requiring immediate surgery, and bills were piling up. When he was talking to the press after the Championship, he noted that "For so long the Futurity was all that mattered. Now we know what is really important."

Dema Paul took hom the Non Pro Championship honors with Shiners Dulena, by Shining Spark. She also won the Reserve Championship on Maggie Hickory, by Doc's Hickory.

Living up to its prestige and tradition, the 2005 Snaffle Bit Futurity broke records, and awarded a record breaking, Million Dollar Payout! Ted Robinson added to his record of Snaffle Bit Futurity Championships, earning his seventh title on Nu Circle Of Light. Nu Circle Of Light is a grandson of the first horse Ted won the Futurity on - Nu Cash.

Tying Jo Anne Carollo and Kathy Wilson for the highest number of Non Pro Futurity titles was Anne Reynolds and More Magic Please. The 2005 title was Reynold's third. For the first time, ever, people all over the world had a chance to view the Futurity live by webcast, thanks to Galloping Video and Waltenberry, Inc.

Todd Crawford finally earned his first Futurity Championship, and passed the million dollar mark in earnings, in 2006 on Smart Crackin Chic, and Anne Reynolds earned her record-breaking fourth Non Pro title on QR Powderific. For the second year in a row, the show set records with its payout - to the tune of $1.2 million.

The association's millionaires were honored during the Open Finals. Ted Robinson, Bob Avila, and Jon Roeser were awarded Carol Owens' bronzes. Smart Chic Olena, Shining Spark, and Nu Cash were also recognized for being the association's million dollar sires.

In true Snaffle Bit Futurity fashion, the 2007 show celebrated the culmination of its ten years of $100,000 payouts in styles. From the NRCHA Hall of Fame members being escorted by stretch limousine into the arena for a special rings presentation, to the Ole Timers' Reunion, the Million Dollar Decade was recognized in style. Ever-fitting, the show paid out over $1.3 million throughout the competition.

Two first time Champions took top honors at the Snaffle Bit Futurity. In the Open division, Boyd Rice and Oh Cay N Short earned the title, while in the Non Pro, Michelle Cowan and Wheres My Shine were crowned the Champions.

Todd Crawford and Anne Reynolds were recognized as NRCHA $1 Million riders, and two more $1 million stallions, Grays Starlight and Reminic, were also honored. Shining Spark became the Association's first $2 Million Sire after the Non Pro competition, and was recognized during the Opening Ceremonies of the Open Finals.