The second day of competition at the National Reining Breeders Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, featured the Tamarack Ranch Developing Horse Futurity. The Developing Horse Futurity featured $20,000 in added money, with Shawn Flarida, Eduardo Salgado, and Raphael Bourdeau all claimed big chunks of the purse.
Shawn Flarida and PS Whizzen Colonel Claim Tamarack Ranch Developing Horse Open Level 4 Championship
It’s not often that Shawn Flarida leaves an event early, but with his son Cody set to get married this weekend, he had to make some changes. “I actually showed all my futurity horses today because I’m jumping on a plane in a few hours to go home for the wedding, so I can’t show tomorrow [in the Hollywoodstinseltown Open Futurity],” Flarida explained with a smile.
Flarida piloted PS Whizzen Colonel to the Tamarack Ranch Developing Horse Futurity Open Level 4 Championship, and a check for $5,260, with a score of 220.5. “He turned really, really good. I didn’t run him as hard as I could have in the circles, but he stopped great. You can just point him down there, say the word ‘whoa,’ and he stops. He was really good,” Flarida said.
PS Whizzen Colonel holds a unique place in Flarida’s heart. He had ridden the colt’s sire, Wimpys LIttlecolonel, as well as his dam, PS A Whizzen Chic. PS Whizzen Colonel was bred and raised by Patsy Schultz, one of Flarida’s longtime customers. “Patsy passed away in February. I had worked for her forever, and it was incredibly sad,” Flarida shared. “Her horses got sold, and I bought this horse for another client of mine, Joe Bowman, that I’ve worked for for a long time. He’s never won a Futurity before, and he’s going to be so excited when I call and tell him. I’m excited for him, too.”
Although he’s leaving the NRBC, Flarida won’t be gone long. “I’m super excited for my son Cody and his future bride, Katsy Leeman. We’ll be there to celebrate and then fly back here on Sunday, and then my other son Sam shows Monday in the NRBC,” Flarida said. “I thank all my help. I thank my wife for organizing and getting me here. There are so many people to thank, including all the owners, and of course the man who is going to fly me home.”
Taking second in the Open Level 4 with a 219.5 was Fernando Salgado and Step Out N Rock It, owned by La Sierita. Step Out N Rock It, by Wimpys Little Step out of Miss Whiz Dunit, won $3,302.
Eduardo Salgado Wins Tamarack Ranch Developing Horse Futurity Levels 3 and 2 on Theoneyourelookinfor
Theoneyourelookinfor is extra special to Eduardo Salgado. He rode the mare’s sister in Brazil, winning numerous titles. When he moved to the United States, he purchased the mare’s dam, Jameen Olena and bred her to Shiners Voodoo Dr. “It’s special because I have her sister in Brazil, and she’s really similar to her sister. This is my first baby here in the United States,” Salgado shared.
That cross paid off, as Salgado and Theoneyourelookinfor took the Championship of the Tamarack Ranch Developing Horse Futurity Open Levels 3 and 2 for checks worth $4,790. “Today’s run was really good, and I was really, really happy with her. I pushed her today. She turned really well, and her circles were both plus-halves, I think. She had a little bobble on the last stop, but I think she was so nice,” Eduardo said of the 220-point run. “This was the first time to show her, and my plan is to show her in Vegas next and then the big futurity.”
Salgado isn’t finished showing in Tulsa. He has another horse to show in the Hollywoodstinseltown Open Futurity on Friday, and two horses to show in the NRBC next week. “I thank my family, my wife, my son, my brother, all my helpers and customers, and everyone who helps me. I thank everyone!” he said.
Taking second in the Level 3 was Daniel Schloemer and Dirty Diamonds with a score of 219. Dirty Diamonds, by Whizkey N Diamonds out of Wimpys Cat Step, is owned by Big Dreams Investments. The pair also placed in the Level 4 to win a total of $4,282.
Finishing Reserve in the Open Level 2 was Stefano Calcagnini and PL Trashyasparkler with a score of 218. Owned by Luigi Parise, PL Trashyasparkler also placed in Levels 3 and 4 for total earnings of $3,717. PL Trashyasparkler is by Gunnatrashya out of Custom Sparkler.
Raphael Bourdeau and Chics Dig Sparkles Win Tamarack Ranch Developing Horse Futurity Open Level 1
Raphael Bourdeau purchased Chics Dig Sparkles a year ago as a two-year-old. The young mare, by A Sparkling Vintage out of Peppy Chic Finale, impressed him with her physical stops and good mind. Those traits paid off, as the pair earned the Tamarack Ranch Developing Horse Futurity Open Level 1 Championship.
“It was really special to win this. I moved down here from Canada about five years ago and all I wanted to do is train horses, and it feels like it paid off. It feels really good,” he shared.
Bourdeau and Chics Dig Sparkles also tied for seventh in the Level 2, bringing their total earnings for the day to $1,127. The duo marked a 216 despite a small bobble. “Our first stop she might have hit the track of another horse because she came out of the stop a little bit, but the other two stops were good. She turned and circled really well, and her lead changes were good. She felt really good everywhere. I can’t complain,” he said.
Bourdeau works for Dany and Fred Tremblay in Overbrook, Oklahoma. “I’m going to help Dany get his horses ready, and then after that I’m going to go back to the ranch and ride some two-year-olds,” he shared. “I thank my parents, Dany, Fred, and everyone who works with me.”
Garrett Gentry rode KB Wimpys Gunnrunner, owned by Gary Marsolais, to a score of 215.5 to win the Open Level 1 Reserve title and place in the Top Ten of the Level 2, to win checks totaling more than $853. KB Wimpys Gunnrunner is by Wimpys Little Step and out of Dun Gotta Gunner.
Tamarack Ranch, located in Joseph, Oregon, prides itself on raising reining horse prospects with sound mind and healthy bodies. The clean air, quality forage and pristine environment creates a perfect place to raise incredible athletes. Tamarack Ranch breeds and houses elite reining horses of every age and also serves as the training location for NRHA Professional Gabe Hutchins. Originally from Indiana, Hutchins attended Findlay College in Ohio before working as an intern, then assistant trainer for Shawn Flarida.
Gabe is one of NRHA’S top 20 riders and now has over $636,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings. As his record developed, so did his vision and he has become the perfect visionary and leader for the Tamarack Ranch program.
The overall theme of Tamarack Ranch is investing in the future – both by producing top-level reining horses and by sponsoring events and shows. The NRBC is glad to partner with this forward-thinking team which is also the sponsor of the Open Virtual Draw Party in 2020. For questions or to schedule a visit to Tamarack Ranch, please contact them at tamarackranchreiners@gmail.com or call 260-249-0158 or 260-416-1377. Plus, visit the website at www.TamarackRanchReiners.com.