The American Rope Horse Futurity Association (ARHFA) kicked off their Cowtown Classic in conjunction with the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Show on July 5. Tate Kirchenschlager was all business with multiple entries in the Pre-Futurity and Futurity classes, but A Painted Sunshine stood out from the rest and took home $9,962 after besting the other competitors by more than five points in the judged heading.
A Painted Sunshine (Second Painted Sign x Miss Freckles Handle x Mr Cross Play) is owned by Riley Weehler of Blockton, Iowa. Weehler showed the big grey gelding during his four-year-old futurity season, then sent the horse to Kirchenschlager. The duo burst on to the scene last year winning the ARHFA World Championship Heading futurity and never looked back.
“When you ask him to make a run, it doesn’t matter whether you’re competing or whether you’re practicing, he wants to give 110 percent all the time,” Kirchenschlager said. “He’s got a very friendly personality in the stall and he’s a very friendly horse, but when you cinch him up to go in the box it’s business.”
Earlier this year, the pair dominated the Arizona Sun Circuit ARHFA heading and pulled another check during the Gold Buckle Spring Futurity.
In Fort Worth last week, Kirchenschlger and A Painted Sunshine won the first round with a 233.43 to earn $1,500. Then, they took second to SJR Bet He Sparks (Bet Hesa Cat x CD Sparkle x CD Olena), also rode by Kirchenschlager. A Painted Sunshine scored 232.48 in that round and took home an additional $850.
The final round was their best, Kirchenschlager and the grey marked a 237.72, for a total of 933.21 after being judged on their box, running and rating, setting and handling and facing.
“He’s pretty full contact so the main thing I have to worry about is just making sure that I’m sharp and I’m ahead of him,” Kirchenschlager said.
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