Mare Power ties for Southern Cutting Futurity Derby Open Championship

The Southern Cutting Futurity Derby Open Championship purse was split between two horse and rider pairs that each scored a 221 in the finals. The same individuals had been involved in a four way tie for fourth place in the preliminary round with a score of 219.

Who were they?

Austin Shepard rode Reyzin Jewels (Reyzin The Cash x My Jewels Missin x Lenas Jewel Bars) and Michael Cooper rode Bella Louella (Metallic Rebel x Catty Louella x High Brow Cat) to the Co-Championship and took home $16,023 apiece.

Reyzin Jewels

Austin Shepard and Reyzin Jewels have had a successful fall run, already claiming the Cotton Stakes Derby Open Championship. The young mare has already posted more than $130,000 in earnings according to EquiStat.

Austin Shepard on Reyzin Jewels at the Southern Cutting Futurity. * Photo by EM Photography

They’ve made finals rounds this year at Augusta, The Ike, the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Super Stakes, the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association (PCCHA) Derby and the NCHA Summer Spectacular for owner Billy Wolf.

“She’s just very mature, very strong and willing, a very nice horse every day,” Shepard said after winning the Cotton Stakes on her.

Bella Louella

Since purchasing Bella Louella this summer, Michael and Jennifer Cooper have loved showing her.

“My wife and I had watched that horse quite some time with Lindy [Burch] and I know she loved that mare. I asked her about buying her earlier in the year and she didn’t really want to sell her,” Cooper explained.

Jennifer has had the most success on her this year but it was Michael’s turn to show her off in Jackson, Mississippi.

“I just had a funny feeling about that mare and she has been so good, she’s taken my wife to two Non-Pro championships,” Cooper said.

Michael Cooper on Bella Louella at the Southern Cutting Futurity. * Photo by EM Photography

Marking a 221 to tie with Shepard for the Southern Cutting Futurity Derby Open Championship was the cherry on top for him.

“I think she’s got so much to give. I just can’t wait to see what happens with her,” Cooper said after the win. “That mare is so cowy and tries so hard every day and she’s one of the kindest mares I’ve ever been around.”

They plan to give her a little time off before focusing on her 5/6-year-old career.