With the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® now past its halfway mark, the momentum—and the competition—continues to rise in Fort Worth. Yesterday’s Open Hackamore preliminaries were no exception and brought the heat in the John Justin.
Toping the composite of the prelims was Swoop Dogg (Metallic Cat x Blue Rey x Dual Rey), owned and shown by Jake Barry with a 298.5 points. The pair marked a 145.5 in the reined work and a massive 153 on the cow work. It took a 291.5 or better to secure one of the top 17 spots headed to the finals. The Open Hackamore finals, presented by Bloomer Trailers, will be held on Friday, October 17. To see which horses and riders are coming back on Friday, visit here.
Non Pro Herd Work Preliminaries
Earning a high score at the prestigious NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® is an impressive accomplishment on its own, but doing it on a horse you bred and own, and out of a mare you once rode to an NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® championship title, makes the achievement even more meaningful.
Myles Brown and Painted Shadows (Scooter Kat x Miss Scarlets Cat x Metallic Cat) claimed the top score in the Non Pro Futurity herd work preliminaries, marking an impressive 221 and finding themselves in the lead of the Non Pro Futurity preliminary composite with a score of 441 (R: 220/H: 221).
Though still early in his career, Painted Shadows has already made his mark, winning the Non Pro division at the 2025 Southwest RCHA Pre-Futurity. But beyond the accolades, it’s Painted Shadows’ connection with the Brown family that truly defines his story.
“This is a horse that my wife and I raised by Scooter Kat out of Miss Scarlets Cat, which is a mare I showed eight years ago that I thought a lot of,” Brown explained. “I've been waiting to show one out of her, and so far, he's everything I hoped he'd be.”
In 2017 at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, Brown and Miss Scarlets Cat (Metallic Cat x Bee Miss Scarlet x Lenas Busy Bee) were crowned the champions of both the Level 1 and Limited Open Futurity, eighth in the Intermediate Open Futurity, as well as placed 16th in the Open Futurity, adding nearly $40,000 to the mare’s lifetime career earnings at a single show.
Taking home that kind of payout is always rewarding, but for Brown, the true joy comes from the process of raising and training a talented reined cow horse.
“I love raising horses; I love every aspect of it,” Brown said. “That's part of the fun—getting to train and show one that you raised. It's special. I think everybody needs to experience it.”
With his deep connection to Painted Shadows and undeniable skill in the saddle, Brown rides with a confidence that helps him head into the final leg of the Non Pro Futurity preliminaries with the right mindset.
“To me, the hardest part is over,” Brown said. “Fence work, even though it can be hard, it's not complicated, so we're ready to go in there and try to advance to finals.”
The dynamic duo will return to the arena for the final part of the Non Pro Futurity cow work preliminaries on Tuesday, October 14, to continue carrying out Miss Scarlets Cat's legacy.
In the Intermediate Non Pro, the top spot was shared by Bubba Petty and Sheboonzy (Bet Hesa Boon x Smokin Hot Gal x Hottish) and Caden Allen and THR Hesa Hickory Cat (Bet Hesa Cat x Smart N Katsi x Smart Little Pepinic), each marking an impressive 215 points. Allen and THR Hesa Hickory Cat also took home the Limited Non Pro high score.
Rounding out the Non Pro divisions, Abigail Brogger and DL Shesa Tru Cowgirl (Quick Be A Cat x Marmosets CD x High Brow CD) claimed the Level 1 Non Pro high score with a total of 214.5 points.
Limited & Intermediate Open Hackamore Champions
In the Intermediate Open, Swoop Dogg (Metallic Cat x Blue Rey x Dual Rey), owned and shown by Jake Barry, dominated the competition with a composite score of 298.5 points, earning 145.5 in the reined work and an impressive 153 down the fence.
Taking top honors in the Limited Open was Ima Jackie Rey (Stevie Rey Von x Ima Sixy Chick x Six Up Top), owned by Bridget Smith and shown by Isaac Johnson. The duo marked a strong 290 points overall, with 141.5 in the reined work and 148.5 in the cow work.
