Yesterday in Fort Worth, the 2025 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® featured a full day of competition across both arenas!
In the John Justin, the Cowboy Class, presented by 6666 Ranch, took center stage, while our judges worked through the Non Pro and Open Futurity herd work finals in the Watt Arena.
Here’s a look at who marked the top scores in yesterday’s herd work finals.
In the Non Pro, Tammy Jo Hays and Smart Talkin (Smooth Talkin Style x Dulces Smart Chet x Smart Lil Ricochet) earned the high score with a 218.5.
Following in the Intermediate Open, both Bubba Petty and Sheboonzy (Bet Hesa Boon x Smokin Hot Gal x Hottish) and Julia Winders and Chilly Hall (Hal Of A Run x Chilly Merda x Cats Merada) tied for the high score with 215 points.
Rounding out the divisions in the Limited Non Pro, Caden Allen and THR Hesa Hickory Cat (Bet Hesa Cat x Smart N Katsi x Smart Little Pepinic) earned a 214 points for the high score.
In the first Open set of the day, and just the fourth horse to step into the pen, Shine Yer Sugar (Kit Kat Sugar x Shine Yer Gun x Shiners Nickle), owned by Shes The One Ranch and shown by Matt Koch, set the pace early and marked an impressive 220 to take the Open high score.
In the Intermediate Open, Gibberissh (Smooth Talkin Style x Hiss N Vinegar x Dual Smart Rey), owned by Jeffery and Jennifer Foland and shown by Abbie Phillips, marked a strong 219 to lead the division. This marks Phillips’ first appearance in the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open finals, where she’ll be showing not one, but two horses throughout the rest of the week.
Rounding out yesterday’s high scores, Trapper Lowndes piloted Metallic Sannrey (Sannman x What A Rey x TR Dual Rey), owned by Ruth Nixon, to an exceptional 221, claiming the Limited Open high score by three points.
Today’s schedule includes the Open Bridle preliminaries, followed by the Non Pro Futurity reined work finals. We’ll finish the day with cow work finals for both the Non Pro Boxing and Non Pro Futurity divisions. The Western Bloodstock Sale Preview will also take place at 3:00 p.m. in the Watt Arena.
Cowboy Class Champion
Cowboys and cowgirls from working ranches all across the United States gathered yesterday at the John Justin Arena to test their luck in the Cowboy Class. Added in 2023, this class combines reined work, cow work and modified steer stopping in a fast-paced, exciting event that tests both horse and rider’s grit, skill and tenacity.
Cooper McCleskey and TRR Full Throttle (Pepcid x TRR Playgun Showgirl x TRR Big Iron), owned and bred by Tongue River Ranch, took home the Cowboy Class Champion title this week.
“I live and work on the Tongue River Ranch in Dumont, Texas, as the horse trainer there,” McCleskey said. “I actually lived there when I was in high school, so I lived there for four years, and then came back about a year ago as the horse trainer. I've been training horses forever.”
Tongue River Ranch, founded in 1898, encompasses approximately 89,000 acres along the Tongue (South Pease) River and prides itself on preserving the Western legacy by producing high-quality livestock and dependable horses. The ranch has been recognized numerous times for its success, including receiving the American Quarter Horse Association Best Remuda Award in 2011.
“I love training young horses,” McCleskey said. “I like starting 2-year-olds, and I've shown one in the Snaffle Bit [Futurity]. It's a blast watching their progression and knowing what their capabilities are. Kind of like this horse—he wants to get better all the time, so that makes it fun.”
McCleskey, the son of Elwyn McCleskey, a renowned competing ranch cowboy who notably won the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championship in 2016, said he’s been showing throughout his whole life along with his brother.
“I just want to keep getting better at showing and making better horses,” McCleskey said.
McCleskey and TRR Full Throttle, by Tongue River Ranch’s late and celebrated stud Pepcid, began working together a year ago, and this is the stallion's first-ever major event. McCleskey couldn't be prouder.
“He's been a blast to have,” McCleskey said. “He wants to please and to be your buddy.”
While McCleskey is elated to be this year's Cowboy Class champion, he said he's more honored to have led TRR Full Throttle to success and plans to continue doing so.
“I can't give this horse enough thanks,” McCleskey said. “I'm glad to be a part of him and hope we continue to go places.”
