The 2025 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity marked another milestone for the Valley Equine Super Stallion Incentive, which awarded $174,300 to the top ten horses sired by eligible stallions in the Open Futurity Finals. Out of 373 entries, 30 horses made the finals, and half of those were sired by eligible stallions. It was a strong reflection of the reach and influence of the program across today’s leading cow horse pedigrees.
The Super Stallion Incentive is designed to do more than add money to the payouts, it strengthens the foundation of the sport by rewarding the owners, breeders, and riders who build these horses from the ground up. This year’s results told that story in motion, from the historic win that headlined the Finals to the steady presence of stallions whose progeny continue to perform at the highest level.
Bowie Nights
(Metallic Cat – Lil Bit Reckless, by CD Royal)
Incentive earnings: $40,089
The Open Finals reached a defining moment when Bowie Nights and John Swales delivered a fence run that brought the John Justin to its feet. Scoring a 225.0 down the fence for a composite of 662.5, the pair sealed the win with a five-point lead to claim both the Open Futurity Championship and the top Incentive spot.
Owned by Bar One Land & Cattle LLP and bred by Russ and Janet Westfall, Bowie Nights’ success was the product of trust and timing. John took over the reins from his sister Veronica with only sixty days to prepare, a family effort that turned into one of the most memorable victories in recent NRCHA history.
“Rocking P Ranch, home of Metallic Cat, is proud to be part of the Valley Equine Super Stallion Incentive program. We believe this program is an important way to give back to the breeders and owners who continue to support our vision. For the past eleven years, Metallic Cat has been chasing the coveted title of NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion– and on Saturday night, that dream became a reality. We couldn’t be prouder of all of our Open Finalists and the incredible horses that made this moment possible.”
Gibberissh
(Smooth Talkin Style – Hiss N Vinegar, by Dual Smart Rey)
Incentive earnings: $27,888
Fourth overall in the Open Futurity and Reserve Champion in the Incentive, Gibberissh carried the Smooth Talkin Style influence to the spotlight. Ridden by Abbie Phillips and owned and bred by Jeffrey W. & Jennifer Foland, the young stallion showcased the trainability and balance that his pedigree promises.
“Getting a foal to the show pen starts long before the spotlight ever hits them. Gibberissh represents five generations of Check-Up Ranch breeding, and his success is the result of decades of belief in our program. Owning Weatherford Equine gives us the opportunity to see every facet of the process, and that makes moments like this even more meaningful. The Valley Equine Super Stallion Incentive honors that kind of vision and commitment, and we’re so proud and so thankful of the role Valley Equine continues to play in strengthening the future of this industry.” – Jennifer Foland, Owner and Breeder of Gibberissh
Although Smooth Talkin Style no longer stands at Valley Equine, his foals remain eligible for the Super Stallion Incentive through the 2026 crop, allowing breeders who invested in him while he was here to receive the benefits of our lucrative incentive through the 2029 futurities.
Mink Seville
(Metallic Cat – Dual Rey Mink, by Dual Rey)
Incentive earnings: $24,402
Fifth overall in the Open Futurity and third in the Incentive, Mink Seville and Boyd Rice delivered a steady, composed finals effort that held up in a deep field. Owned by Austin and Stacy Shepard, the stallion stayed consistent through the week and finished strong when it counted.
Bred by Los Jaboncillos Ranch, he comes from the same cross as Metallic Rey Mink, a Valley Equine resident stallion that Los Jaboncillos also bred and owns, which underscores the continuity behind this result.
High Brow Casual
(High Brow Cat – Dressed In Oak, by Olena Oak)
Incentive earnings: $19,173
Sixth overall in the Open Futurity and fourth in the Incentive, High Brow Casual and Shane Steffen delivered a consistent, polished Finals performance. Owned by South Cove Ranch LLC and bred by Casey and Nichole Branquinho, the horse stayed composed through all three phases and converted steady marks into a strong Incentive check.
Reyal Blaque
(Badboonarising – Reyal Money, by Dual Rey)
Incentive earnings: $15,687
Tied for seventh overall in the Open Futurity and fifth in the Incentive, Reyal Blaque and Corey Cushing delivered a clean, well-timed run that stayed strong through every phase.
The stallion is owned by A Bar A Ranch and bred by Plantation Farms LLC, the owner of Badboonarising. His finish was one of four Open Finals appearances for Badboonarising offspring, an impressive result for a stallion with only two foal crops of show age.
Tuff And Arising
(Badboonarising – CR Rosie Tuff Stuff, by Woody Be Tuff)
Incentive earnings: $11,620
Tied for sixteenth in the Open Futurity and sixth in the Incentive, Tuff and Arising and Trent Pedersen put together a consistent, hard-working finals effort that earned a share of the Incentive purse. The mare is owned by Kelly Lindell and was bred by Ty Smith, representing another strong performer for Badboonarising.
DT Cash Angel
(Reyzin The Cash – SJR One Time Rhonda, by One Time Pepto)
Incentive earnings: $11,620
Tied for sixteenth in the Open Futurity and sixth in the Incentive, DT Cash Angel and Jaren Jones earned their place among the industry’s best through a strong, consistent showing. The mare is owned by Thomas and Melissa Sims and was bred by DT Horses LLC, adding to a proven record of finalists bred and developed through their program.
Baddies Only
(Badboonarising – Sweet Talkin, by Smooth Talkin Style)
Incentive earnings: $11,620
Tied for sixteenth in the Open Futurity and sixth in the Incentive, Baddies Only and Clayton Anderson delivered a confident, forward run that earned a place among the industry’s top young horses.
The stallion is owned by professional barrel racer, Fallon Taylor and was bred by Troop Quarter Horses. His performance added to the strong representation of Badboonarising offspring in the Finals, continuing to build momentum for the young sire’s record.
Highly Hazardous
(High Brow Cat – Scooters Daisy Dukes, by Dual Smart Rey)
Incentive earnings: $6,100.50
Tied for twenty-second in the Open Futurity and ninth in the Incentive, Highly Hazardous and Erin Taormino held their ground in one of the most competitive finals fields of the year. Owned by Griffin Marshall and bred by Aaron Cook, he reflects the balance and cow sense that keep the High Brow Cat line at the forefront of the sport.
Its Jelly Time
(Bama Jelly – Ultra Time, by One Time Pepto)
Incentive earnings: $6,100.50
Tied for twenty-second in the Open Futurity and ninth in the Incentive, Its Jelly Time gave John Swales his second horse in the Open Finals. Owned by Bar One Land & Cattle LLP and bred by Austin Shepard, the horse delivered another solid performance for the program, closing out a standout week for Valley Equine Super Stallion Incentive earners.
The 2025 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity results reflected steady growth and the lasting influence of the Valley Equine Super Stallion Incentive. The $174,300 awarded to owners of finalists sired by eligible stallions reinforced the program’s role in supporting those who invest in developing quality horses from the start.
The program continues to grow each year, with additional payouts still to come through the end of the 2025 show season. As breeding plans take shape for 2026, payouts for the Super Stallion Incentive are expected to expand again, driven by envisioned breeding choices.
“The Incentives are just one example of how many ways [Valley Equine] is impacting our industry, and giving back to an industry that has already been such a huge blessing and part of all of our lives.” – Jennifer Foland
Each year’s results build on the last, shaping a program that rewards consistency and commitment within the sport while providing added value to the connections who make it possible.
