AZ SUN CIRCUIT ROPE HORSE FUTURITY
The 2021 $25,000 added AZ Sun Circuit Rope Horse Futurity, hosted by Jay and Lindsay Wadhams, attracted many incredibly talented horse and rider teams to the Westworld of Scottsdale. The event showcased over 390 runs and 280 head and heel horses competing for over $145,000 in the Open Futurity, Limited Open, and Non Pro.
OPEN HEADING
The Open Heading Futurity started off strong with 90 horses. After three tough go-rounds and 20 competitive horses battling it out in the short-go, Andy Holcomb and Walkin The Dog made it out on top with a combined total of 926.5. Coming back high call in the short round, a good steer, and a great catch from heeler, John Chavez, gave them the lead. Holcomb will be taking home over $10,000 dollars between his two horses. Walkin The Dog is a 2015 chestnut gelding by War Bird Dog and out of War Peppys Love, owned by Blake and Liz Hirdes. Following closely behind Holcomb with four head horses in the short round was Trevor Brazile finishing second through fourth and taking home over $21,000 between his horses.
OPEN HEELING
Ima Trashy Romeo, a 2016 gelding by Gunnatrashya out of Zana Lena, and Cord Forzano left the arena with the Open Heeling Futurity Championship and over $12,000 in prize money. Forzano came back high-call in the short round, taking control of a fast steer that really allowed his horse to perform to the peak of its ability. They finished with an impressive total of 920.5, securing the lead more than five points ahead of second place. Trailing right behind Forzano was Dakota Kirchenschlager winning second on Wnd Affair, owned by Darren Johnson, and third on Hat Six Fine Dinero, owned by Walter Greeman.
NON PRO HEADING
Paul Bogart left Arizona with a rewarding win in the Non Pro Heading on Shesa Royal Cat, a mare that was born and raised with the Bogart family. Her mother, Jacks Royal Ginger, also raised by the Bogarts, leads the charts as the ARHFA top-producing broodmare of all time with over $100,00 in progeny earnings. Paul and Shesa Royal Cat drew good steers in the long rounds, and a quick footed steer in the short go giving “Irene” the perfect chance to impress the judges. They scored a combined total of 675.34, taking home over $3,000.
NON PRO HEELING
The last ARHFA event of the week was a tough one! Davis Grupe and his 8 year old buckskin gelding, Brigasis Jay, secured the win with a 680.78 in the average. Grupe recently bought his horse from Open Heeling Champion Cord Forzano. After a couple months of jackpots, Grupe knew that his horse was ready for the show arena. He would also like to thank his header Dakota Kirchenshlager for helping them make it out on top.
ALL PHOTOS BY ELITE EQUINE PROMOTIONS