3 minute read
Futurity Recap: Limited Non-Pro Champion
MoCosta
Limited Non-Pro
PHOTOGRAPHY BY S. SYLVESTER PHOTOGRAPHY
Maura “Mo” Costa hadn’t expected to show Gimmee A Break at the 2021 NCHA Futurity. Her husband, Armando, had originally purchased the mare to be his Futurity prospect, but when that didn’t pan out, he let Costa take the reins in the Non-Pro.
It was a good thing he did, too. Despite not having ridden the mare much over the year, Costa soared through the Limited Non-Pro rounds, marking a 215 and a 216.5. In the finals, a score of 218 was already on the leaderboard when Costa rode in from the 21st draw, but she topped it with ease, marking a 220.5 to win the Championship.
“It’s exciting,” Costa said. “It’s something I never really thought I’d ever get to do. I’ve always just liked the horses, and my parents tried to encourage me to chase my dreams. I showed reiners for a long time, but I never thought I’d show a Futurity horse. To end up actually winning a class – that’s pretty big for me. It’s pretty awesome for it to come full-circle like that.”
Costa collected $21,053 for her win, bumping her lifetime earnings up to more than $55,000. She thanked all her help at the show, including John Mitchell, James Payne, Austin Shepard, Sean Flynn and her husband. She was also grateful to the mare that helped make her title possible.
Costa and Armando purchased Gimmee A Break (Kit Kat Sugar x Diva In Denim x Smart Little Lena) shortly after the 2020 NCHA Futurity. The mare, who is owned by Armando’s family’s Fazenda Barrinha Corporation, was bred by Group J LLC. J. D. Garrett trained her as a two-year-old, then Armando took over.
“He did a good job training her,” Costa said. “I knew if he liked her that much, it was going to be really fun for me to swing a leg over! If I stay out of her way for the most part, she’s really good. It makes it really easy to ride her. She’s super cowy, and she knows her job. I just have to try and put her where she needs to go…and then she will just take over.”
Costa, who lost her mother in August after an illness, was happy to see the year end on a better note. Compounding their difficulties, Costa and Armando sold their ranch this year and had nowhere to go while their new home was built. Fortunately, Beechfork Ranch generously stepped up, giving them a place to work out of in the meantime.
“They made our year go a lot easier than it could have,” Costa said. “I just thank God for the opportunity. That’s my number one thing – without Him, none of this is possible.” — By Kristin Pitzer
Glenn Barlow and Ferrocious marked a 218 that held up for the Reserve Championship. Barlow, who bred and owns the gelding (Metallic Rebel x Ferrarey x Dual Rey), collected $16,641.
— Maura “Mo” Costa
Never before has a stallion with his credentials been offered at such an…
