Quarter Horse News
Written by Kelsey Pecsek
As the final horse-and-rider duo to go down the fence in eight sets of Futurity Open competition, Phillip Ralls and Call Me Mitch dominated the Protect the Harvest/Lucas Oil National Stock Horse Association (NSHA) Futurity Open. The event, held Aug. 19-24 in Paso Robles, Calif., marked the home stretch for 3-year-old horses on their way to Reno, Nev., for the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Snaffle Bit Futurity. Ralls and his mount went into the cow work comfortably with a 433 (217 herd/216 rein). After marking the fourth-highest score down the fence, a 220.5, Call Me Mitch and Ralls’ 653.5 total on three secured the Futurity Open Championship by a two-point margin.
Ralls and Estelle Roitblatt’s stallion son of Metallic Cat earned $18,526 for his win. Futurity Open Reserve Champions and Intermediate Open Champions Justin Wright and CR Stylish Danny Rey accumulated a 651.5 (221 herd/211.5 rein/219 cow) to take home checks totaling $16,273 for owner Eric Freitas.