Talented American Paint Horse wins NRHA open futurity

Gunnatrashya captured the NRHA Open Futurity title in Oklahoma City recently, outscoring over 400 horses entered in the open division of this event. Photo Courtesy of NRHA & ©Waltenberry.   Hirez JPEG (1.64 mb)

This is only the second time in history that an American Paint Horse has won this prestigious event. Gunnatrashya now joins RR Star, who won the event in 2001.

Going into the finals, Gunnatrashya was trailing by a close margin of 1.5 points for second place behind Kaystein after the opening two rounds. But after an outstanding finals performance, Gunnatrashya clenched the win.

Gunnatrashya is owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA in Weatherford, Texas, and was ridden to the victory by top NRHA rider Shawn Flarida of Springfield, Ohio. The 3-year-old solid sorrel stallion is a registered Paint Horse sired by Colonels Smokingun, known simply as “Gunner” in the reining world. Gunner is the first million-dollar Paint sire in NRHA history, as well as the highest-earning Paint Horse performer in NRHA history. The colt is out of Natrasha who is by Trashadeous.

“He’s been one of my favorites all year long,” said Flarida. “ I knew when we were done that he had performed really well. I knew my horse was as good as he could be, and I didn’t make any mistakes. This horse is just really special, so much feel and talent.”

Archese Quarter Horses USA purchased the horse in May 2009, sight unseen, from Bill Horn and John Dorminy according to Flarida. John and Katarina Dorminy of Fitzgerald, Ga. bred this horse and own the dam. Katarina Dorminy shows in the Non-Pro division of NRHA. Eleuterio Archese is from Italy where he is in the transportation business, and has a farm in Weatherford, Texas. He is a long-time client of Flarida and he has been around the reining horse industry for many years and is a NRHA Hall of Fame owner. He owned horses that won the NRHA Futurity and Derby with Wimpys Little Chick and the NRHA Derby with Walla Walla Whiz, which Flarida rode for him as well.

There were close to 1,600 total horses entered to compete in this event, their second-highest entries to date according to NRHA officials. Several other Paint Horses were finalists and leaders in their divisions at the NRHA Futurity.

Open Futurity Paint Horse finalists included:

•  Berryinfinitesurprise, owned by Steve and Dori Schwartzenberger
•  Whodini PT, owned by the Haverty Ranch
•  Colonelsmokinpep, owned by Stacey Jones

Paint Horse division winners included:

• A Gal With A Gun, Non-Pro, owned by Jana Simons
• Busta Move Bubbagun, Open Level 2, owned by Sarrah Day
• Crystal Lena, Youth Non-Pro, owned by Jordan Donnelly
• Taris Little Lilly, NAAC Intermediate, owned by Julie Boer
• Nuff Gun, Non-Pro Gelding, owned by Bill Bradley

Gunnatrashya’s winning run is posted online at http://www.nrhafuturity.com.

More About APHA
Currently, American Paint Horses are being registered at APHA’s Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters at a rate of more than 35,000 horses each year. APHA has registered more than 958,000 horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded 47 years ago, and now serves approximately 85,000 active members around the world. APHA, a non-profit organization, prides itself on community involvement and educating the public about the beauty and talent of the breed. Among its many activities, APHA works to preserve bloodlines and maintain the outstanding characteristics of Paint Horses. For more information, visit the Association’s Web site at apha.com or call (817) 834-2742.