REINING FUTURITY FINALS

By: Autumn Fickel

The Congress NRHA Level 3 and 4 Open Reining Futurity finals packed the Celeste Center Saturday night, as spectators gathered to watch some of the most promising 3-year-olds in the country compete for large purses and prizes. No one was disappointed. 

With $192,332 in purses, $64,500 in added money from the Friends of Congress Reining, the stakes were high. Running the classes concurrently, exhibitors and their horses continued to rise to the challenge amid thundering cheers from fans. 

The Congress Champion in the Level 4 Open Futurity was Franco Bertolani, riding Hollys Hijacker, owned by Quarter Dream SRL. The 226.5 run earned the pair an impressive $28,471.70. 

The Level 4 Reserve Champion was Dean Brown and SHR Sweet Sugar Joe. They earned $17,330.60 in addition to their Level 3 winnings. These winnings make Brown, unofficially, an NRHA Million Dollar Rider. This accomplishment is shared by only a small number of other riders and the NRHA program was only created in 1995. 

In the Level 4 class, third place was Ohio native Shawn Flarida on Suprized, owned by Mike Vargo, who is also from Ohio. The pair scored a 224, earning them $12,997.95. 

The Congress Champions in the Level 3 Open Futurity were Dean Brown and SHR Sweet Sugar Joe, owned by Robert Santagata. The pair earned $11,716.66 with their 224.5 point run. 

The Level 3 Reserve Champion was Brandon Brant, riding CCR Voodoo Star for Beech Hollow Farms. The 223-point run earned Brant a purse of $7,131.88.  

Dany Tremblay, riding Amazing Gun, owned by Daniel Bouchard placed third taking home $5,348.91 with a run that scored an impressive 223. 

The preliminaries were held Wednesday, October 2 and exhibitors were invited to a Draw Party the next day. 

For a full list of results, visit www.quarterhorsecongress.com and follow the official Congress social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat.