Russell De Cordova and his mare Lucille Russell carried the day on December 1 with 216 points, which tied Glenn Barlow and Reyzor, who showed on Thursday, for the lead in the Unlimited Amateur division of the NCHA Futurity Unlimited Amateur/Amateur go-round.
De Cordova, Groesbeck, Tex., bred Lucille Russell, by Metallic Cat, out of Playin With Diamonds LTE $44,520, who he showed as a five-time limited event finalist. De Cordova, also entered as a Futurity Senior Unlimited Amateur, is the NCHA earner of $304,526.
Reyzer, by Dual Rey and out of Cats Good Intentions, was also a top Amateur contender on Friday, with 213 points under Duce Barlow.
Reyly Plendl, Kingsley, Iowa, was the high-scoring Amateur rider on Friday, with 215.5 points aboard LHR Play Boon, by Boon San, the horse she showed on Thursday to score 213.5 points as an Unlimited Amateur contender. Bella Anderson and Bobby Jack Cat, with a score of 217 points on Thursday, retained their lead among Amateur riders.
Reyly’s sister, Regan Plendl, showed Cats Lightning Rey to earn 215 points, the second-highest score among Unlimited Amateurs on Thursday. Regan and Cats Lightning Rey qualified for the Non-Pro Futurity Semi-Finals, as well.
Three other top Unlimited Amateur riders on Friday included:
- 215 Charles Russell Bushaw of Weatherford, Tex. on Snappcat (High Brow Cat x Badgers Playdough)
- 214.5 Jose Sigala of Weatherford, Texas on Grenache Grape (Sigala Rey x Safari Fever)
- 214.5 Eric Van Boekel of Ontario, Canada on My Cats A Smoker (Dual R Smokin x WSR The Black Cat)
The Unlimited Amateur/Amateur go-round continues through Sunday, December 2.