Venom Boonsmal and Sarah Dawson Strike Again with NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Hackamore Win
After a stellar futurity year, Venom Boonsmal hasn’t had a moment in the spotlight for most of his 4-year-old year. However, he and Sarah Dawson ended their tough luck with a win in the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Hackamore.
Dawson and the blue roan stallion by Peptoboonsmal and out of A Black Widow (by High Brow Cat) won the Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association Pre-Futurity in 2023 and made the open finals of the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity. Since then, the duo has been snubbed of another title.
“He’s very gritty. He’s got a great attitude about everything. It’s just kind of like he’s almost been snake bit,” Dawson said. “It seems like everywhere we go, something happens, and it just keeps him from being on top. But he’s more than capable enough, and it’s nice to finally get something won on him.”
Sarah Dawson and Venom Boonsmal * Photo by Amy Olson
The pair marked a 445.5 composite (rein 222.5/ cow 223) to win the Open Hackamore class on Oct. 17 in Fort Worth, Texas. They earned $14,100 of the $70,500 purse for their win.
“He felt fantastic in there. It felt like we really got his turnarounds tapped off, and then he’s always been a good fence horse, but was just kind of really gritted up today and put a really good fence run together,” Dawson said.
Dawson was excited for the young stallion to be back in the spotlight, especially in Fort Worth where his breeders and owners , Aaron Ranch, could be in attendance.
She thinks the horse has a bright future and will continue to show.
“He’s really fun to ride because he has a great attitude about everything,” Dawson shared. “He’s great to be around on the ground, like Hadley [Dawson’s young daughter], she can come over and pet him and give him a hug. So for being a stud, he’s got a great personality.”
Open Hackamore Reserve ChampionThe Open Hackamore Reserve Championship was captured by Matt Frederick on Starlight Time (One Time Pepto x Starlight Edition x Bobby Starlight). They marked a 438.5 (Rein 220/ Cow 2118.5) and took home $10,575 for owners Raising Hal Cow Horses LLC.