Futurity Recap: Unlimited Amateur Champion

McAlister Assets Unlimited Amateur

PHOTOGRAPHY BY S. SYLVESTER PHOTOGRAPHY

When Jacob Taurel rode into the pen during the McAlister Assets Unlimited Amateur finals, it was a serendipitous moment for the native Venezuelan. He was supposed to be on a mare named Hott N Low, who he had been preparing to show in the Non-Pro and Unlimited Amateur. Instead, it was another horse, Bayywatch, he took to the herd. After marking a 222 with the mare to win the championship and a $26,439 paycheck, he certainly wasn’t complaining.

After the Non-Pro first go, an unfortunate pasture injury left Hott N Low stuck at home recovering and Taurel with no horse to show. Fortunately, his dad, David, 2017 NCHA Futurity Amateur Co-Champion, stepped in. The wellknown horseman, who brought cutting to Venezuela, was set to show Bayywatch in the Unlimited Amateur, but offered the mare to Taurel to show instead.

“My dad was gracious enough to give me one of his spots in the Futurity,” Taurel said. “This is very special. It’s been my dream forever. I know you have to be humble in everything, but I’ve been so close a couple of times. To finally get it is just amazing. It’s pretty special to have them both [his Unlimited Amateur and his dad’s Amateur titles] in the house.”

Taurel and Bayywatch started off their bid for the championship by marking a 213.5 in the first round, squeaking into the semifinals on the bubble. There, they marked a 216, tying for ninth.

In the finals, everything came to plan, according to Taurel. His first cow tried to dart back into the herd as he cut her but changed her mind and went to the outside instead. From there, he stayed confident in his cuts as the run built.

“The little cherry on top was the last cow,” Taurel said. “It just stayed in the middle. My horse was dialed in, so I was able to capitalize on that.”

Taurel’s win was quite unexpected, as he hadn’t practiced much on Bayywatch (Thomas E Hughes x FMR Double The Pepto x Peptoboonsmal). The mare, who was bred by Joel Colgrove, Sr., had only been with his family since David purchased her during the 2021 NCHA Summer Spectacular. Taurel credited Tarin Rice for starting her training and Jose Cruz for finishing her.

“It’s amazing how this horse has matured through the Futurity,” Taurel said. “After three or four runs, they start to be the horses they were supposed to be. Thankfully, it came out tonight.

“She was very accurate today,” Taurel said. I think as we keep going down to the herd, she’s going to get better and better. She is a solid horse that knows how to read a cow.”

Duce Barlow and Irreyplaceable (High Brow Cat x Cherrey x Dual Rey), who is owned by Barlow Livestock Inc., scored a 219 for the Reserve Championship. Barlow and the Rodney Wrinkle Cutting Horses-bred mare collected $21,919.

It’s amazing how this horse has matured through the Futurity. After three or four runs, they start to be the horses they were supposed to be. Thankfully, it came out tonight.

— Jacob Taurel

— By Kristen Pitzer

2013 CHESTNUT STALLION 2013 CHESTNUT STALLION2013 CHESTNUT STALLION 2013 CHESTNUT STALLION 2013 CHESTNUT STALLION

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TO ALL NCHA MEMBERS ZERO TOLERANCE

The National Cutting Horse Association is increasingly aware of the sensitivity of its members and the general public in assuring that its activities show the utmost respect for the cutting horse as an animal and that any perception of inhumane treatment is avoided. The Executive Committee, upon the recommendation of the Judges’ Rules Committee, other standing committees and many members has instructed the staff that a “zero tolerance” policy must be followed in connection with the enforcement of Rule 35.A.

35.A. Zero Tolerance Policy

Inhumane treatment or excessive training of a horse in any manner is strictly prohibited. Both owner and rider of any horse entered in an NCHA approved or sponsored event, by said entry, consents to the implementation of any action allowed by this

Zero Tolerance Policy (Rule 35.A) by either show management or judge. This includes any act which the general public would perceive to constitute inhumane treatment or excessive training of a horse. Any act of inhumane treatment, mistreatment or intent to mistreat a horse will be dealt with in the strongest possible manner as provided for in this Standing Rule. This Zero Tolerance Policy covers acts occurring not only in the show arena, but also those occurring anywhere on the show grounds–the warm-up area, practice pen or any other location.

The “ Zero Tolerance” policy encompasses all of the following acts:

Excessive Training: Excessive Training includes: excessive jerking; cueing; whipping; use of lip wire or similar device; slapping or hitting a horse on the head, or any other part of the body, one time or more than one time, in any manner, either with the rider’s hands, reins or any other object; using a bit in such a way that a horse is caused to bleed from its mouth or face; using any object held in the rider’s hand to hit a horse; or any other act which may cause trauma or injury to a horse. Inhumane treatment: Inhumane Treatment is the exhibition of a lame or injured horse, or a horse that appears lame or injured, or a horse with any other health abnormality, which could thereby result in the horse’s undue discomfort or distress.

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Your cooperation in promoting the welfare of our cutting horse athletes through enforcement of our rules is appreciated and absolutely essential to the ongoing success of the NCHA and its affiliates. Very Truly Yours,