100X Brazos Slide Non-Pro Futurity Ends In Tie

As futurity season approaches, reiners are taking advantage of opportunities to feel out where their prospects are at in their training. On July 25 at the 100X Brazos Slide, 20 entries went through the pen in the 100X Non-Pro Futurity Level 4, and two riders, Mandy McCutcheon and Gina Schumacher, came out on top with matching scores of 215.

McCutcheon rode The Late Nite Show (Gunners Special Nite x Dun It At Starbucks x Smart Starbuck) from draw three to mark the high score and collect $4,300. She and her husband, Tom, bought the mare out of the 2022 Legacy Reining Breeders Sale from one of their clients, Shawn Stratman.

“I knew her mother, and her mother was a great mare,” McCutcheon said. “Her mother is a full sister to Starbucks Sidekick. [The Late Nite Show] had a good look. She’s pretty and cute, and seemed to be easy-going, so all those things put together just made me want to give her a shot.”

During the 100X Brazos Slide, McCutcheon’s plan was to cruise the mare around the pen to see what she needs to work on for the upcoming futurities. She was appreciative to 100X Shows owners Doug and Carter for putting on the event, 100X team member Carly Barrick for doing “an amazing job,” and the others who have elevated the industry in recent years.

“To see how our industry has grown in the last several years between Taylor Sheridan, Doug and Carter, what Teton Ridge does for the American… who would have ever dreamed that reining would be where it’s at now?” McCutcheon said. “I hope that people step back and see what people like them have done for us and show them how grateful we are.”

From the last set, Schumacher and CS Mega Smart Lution tied up the score, also collecting $4,300. The gelding (Snip O Lution x Mega Smart Chic x Smart Spook) is a homebred belonging to Schumacher’s XCS Ranch LLC, and Schumacher was excited for him to pull out a win at his first show.

“It’s very special to me [to tie to win],” Schumacher said. “This horse is so good-minded, always tries and gives me 150%. He always tries to do his best.”

Schumacher appreciated having a place in Texas to take the gelding and looked forward to the rest of futurity season. “It’s been a great show, and it’s great we get to prepare our futurity horses in such a great atmosphere that is going to get them ready for the NRHA Futurity,” Schumacher said. “The plan is to show at The Invitational, and we will decide after that what we will do afterwards.”