Wesley Galyean and Nineteen 42 Clinch Win in Tulsa

Wesley Galyean and Nineteen 42 (Hottish x Lil Rattler x Dual Rey) secured the 2024 Breeder’s Invitational Classic/Challenge Open Finals win with a score of 225 points on May 15, 2024 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Tulsa Expo Square. It took 437 points to advance to the finals, but the duo earned 221.5 points to be second in the first go and 217.5 points in the second go for a total of 439 points. First out in the finals, Galyean and Nineteen 42 walked into the pen and cut their pick of cows, which proved to be just right for the 5-year-old sorrel gelding owned and bred by SMF Cutting Horses LLC.

“I was really proud of him through the go rounds, and then, we were lucky enough in the finals to finish on top. We were first, and we had three or four cows that we thought were going to be great. We were able to get three of those cows cut, and I felt like we had a ton of working time. Those cows were all in good places, and he’s just such a cool moving horse,” Galyean said. “With the way he can kind of bend and fold up underneath himself, those cows fit him really, really well. They just showcased what he can do – bending and folding and ripping and gripping so well like he does.”

Formed to promote and enhance the cutting horse industry, the Breeder’s Invitational is one of the biggest shows of the year and an honor to win, especially showing with the best of the best. After an early success this year, Galyean showed Nineteen 42 at The American Performance Horseman and the NCHA Super Stakes. After feeling that the gelding lost some his confidence, Galyean spent time leading up to the Breeder’s Invitational getting him comfortable and fighting against the cow again.

“It’s an extremely big pen at The American, and I had one that was a lot of cow that ended up smoking him. Then, he wasn’t all that good at the Super Stakes because of what happened to him at The American. He can be a little temperamental and sensitive, so I had to really take time to change up some things to get him ready to be the best version of himself,” Galyean explained. “But you know, the three Fort Worth shows and this show, they’re the four biggest shows of the year by far, and it’s a huge deal to win. Everybody’s here, and everybody’s gunning for it. Whenever you can win one of these major shows like this, it’s a big deal for a horse. He had the opportunity to show what he can do, and he definitely earned it. This is probably the biggest win of his career so far.”

Galyean believes living near Tulsa is an advantage in preparing for this show, and he gives much credit to Arika Fell for getting Nineteen 42 ready. Looking ahead, they plan to continue hauling and showing the gelding, capitalizing on the blessings he brings.

“I live about 30 miles from this one, so I’m able to work everything at home before we get to the show, and that helps being able to work some good fresh cows at the house. Arika lopes this horse, and she does an amazing job knowing his temperament and how to get him where he needs to be, so she’s a huge reason this horse is as good as he is,” Galyean said. “We are so blessed to have him, and in the right situation where he’s working to the best of his ability. We give God all the glory for blessing me with horsepower, the right circumstances and the knowledge to do what I do.”

Galyean and Nineteen 42’s patience with each other through a setback made for an exceptional week in Tulsa, wrapped up with a $20,192 win in the final go of the Classic/Challenge Open. Adan Banuelos came in second on Metallic Dawg (Metallic Cat x My Lizzy Babe x Lizzys Gotta Player), owned by the Rocking P Ranch, with 224 points, and third on Steem (Hottish x Cat Mist x High Brow Cat), owned by John and Barbara Gaughan, with a score of 222.5.