Dufurrena and Im Hott Blooded Make Scorching Run in The Ike 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro

As Rieta Dufurrena rode Im Hott Blooded into the show pen for The Ike Derby and Classic 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro finals, she was still reeling a bit from their first go. There, she and the mare cut two cows and ended up holding one of them for 50 seconds, one of the longest times she’s ever had to hold one. The pair won the go-round with a 222, then copy and pasted their run — minus the tough cow — to mark another 222 and win the 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro Championship.

“She was just consistent in both runs. They were pretty identical for the most part,” Dufurrena said. “I cut better cows for her in the finals that didn’t try to eat her lunch, so that was good. It was a little more picture-perfect.”

For the past two years, Dufurrena has shared the mare with her dad, National Cutting Horse Association $2 million rider Ed. While each has made finals with the mare at different places, Dufurrena said The Ike was the mare’s first big win. Im Hott Blooded is finally gaining confidence in the show pen, Dufurrena added, to the point that she feels like she can put more difficult cows in front of her.

“I feel a little invincible on her at the moment, just because she feels so solid and consistent,” Dufurrena said. “I hope that win means that she will continue her streak, and hopefully we can get a couple more championships under her belt.”

By Hottish, Im Hott Blooded was bred and raised by Dufurrena’s parents. The mare is out of Miss Ella Rey (by Dual Rey), who is the dam of EquiStat Elite $13 Million Sire Stevie Rey Von.

“I think what they share is probably their grit and how much they really care for a cow,” Dufurrena said. “Personality-wise, they’re two totally different horses. She’s probably more like her mother than anything.”

Dufurrena thanked her parents, including her mom, Shona, for the opportunity to show Im Hott Blooded. She also thanked her help at The Ike — Ed, Michael Cooper, Sean Flynn and Austin Shepard.

Taking Reserve in the 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro were Elizabeth Quirk and Rockn The Rollz, who marked a 218. The gelding (Rollz Royce x Special Nu Kitty x High Brow Cat) was bred by Rose Valley Ranch and is owned by Quirk and her husband, Todd’s, Ten/27 Ranch LLC.