Futurity Recap: Limited Open Champion

CadeShepard

T/K Cutting Horses Limited Open

PHOTOGRAPHY BY S. SYLVESTER PHOTOGRAPHY

Clenching the T/K Cutting Horse Limited Open Championship was Cade Shepard aboard Crimsonnettee, owned by Madalyn Cowart. The pair marked a 220 to take the championship.

Shepard is no stranger to the finals, though this Futurity was his first time to walk to the herd as an Open rider. Shepard just recently turned in his NonPro card, and he proved that he was ready, as not only the champion of the Limited Open, but also qualifying his horse in the Open semifinals.

“After I won the Derby finals on Flawless, I told my dad that, when the time was right, I wanted to turn in my [Non-Pro] card,” Shepard said. “He told me there is never going to be a ‘right time’ and if I felt ready, just go ahead and do it.”

Crimsonnette has got the blood lines that prove a champion pedigree. The mare (Bamacat x Wood She Be Neat x Nitas Wood) is a full sister to popular stallion Bama Jelly. Bama Jelly was a qualifier for the 2021 NCHA Teton Ridge World Finals, marking huge scores over the course of the week, including a 225, 226, and an impressive 234. Crimsonnette’s dam is also a half-sister to Junie Wood, the 2014 NCHA Open Horse of the Year, and dam to Janie Wood, the 2021 NCHA Metallic Cat Futurity Open Champion.

“I see a little bit of Bama Jelly in Crimsonette,” Shepard said. “They both have a lot of cow, both are very good athletes and all around good horses to be around.”

Shepard has big shoes – literally – to walk in, as most are very familiar with seeing his father, Austin, competing in the finals. Austin has won over $8 million as a rider, and piloted Bama Jelly to those big scores in the Open World Finals. He also qualified for the Open Futurity finals and tied to split third place aboard Wood She B Magic. The pressure of following in his dad’s footsteps didn’t seem to shake Shepard, though, as his winnings in the Limited Open, combined with his existing earnings in the Non-Pro, put him over the coveted $1 million earnings mark. We will certainly be seeing more of this incredible young trainer in many finals to come.

“I want to thank my family for everything they do – especially my dad for teaching me everything I know,” Shepard said. “Also [want to thank] my help: my dad, Brett Davis, Sean Flynn, Boyd Rice and my girlfriend, Kamryn Clark, for getting Crimsonette ready for me all year and at the Futurity.” — By Amanda Devan

Reserve Champion of the Limited Open Futurity was Thomas Bray riding J+ Ranches LLC-owned Xpialidocious. The duo scored a 219, just one point off the champion, to take the Reserve title.

I see a little bit of Bama Jelly in Crimsonette. They both have a lot of cow, both are very good athletes and all around good horses to be around.

— Cade Shepard