The bellwether of cutting limited age competition, the Abilene Spectacular, begins on Wednesday, January 2 in Abilene, TX, with the first go-round of the open 4-year-old division. Last year’s champion, Copaspepto (pictured), ridden by Tag Rice for Marvine Ranch, completed his 4-year-old season as 2007 NCHA Horse of the Year.

Copaspepto made his debut in the NCHA Futurity, where he placed ninth in the finals and earned $82,446. This year’s Abilene Spectacular 4-year-old open entrants include 10 NCHA Futurity open finalists (from 25), headed by June Bug Dually and Rey Down Sally, who tied for third and fourth in the NCHA Futurity and each earned $160,229.

Rey Down Sally, ridden by Gary Gonsalves for Iron Rose Ranch, Carbondale, CO, is the tenth horse in the fourth set of cattle on Wednesday, January 2. June Bug Dually, ridden by Paul Hansma (under Darren Simpkins in the NCHA Futurity) for Jeff McCoy, Burke, SD, is the fourth horse in the sixth set of cattle.

Other Futurity open finalists to look for include, Rey to Play with Lloyd Cox; Some Kinda Sweety under Shannon Hall; Stylish Little Bow with Eddie Flynn; Peptos Stylish Sue and Boyd Rice; Star Above and Phil Rapp (ridden by Tim Smith in the NCHA Futurity); Tassa Cat under Jody Galyean; Dual With Lena for Shannon Hall; and Special Nu Kitty ridden by Clint Allen.

Ken Mock will also show Dual Ya Scoot as the first horse on Thursday, January 3. The gelded son of Smart Lil Scoot carried owner Philip Layne to NCHA Futurity Amateur and Non-Pro Limited championships, and to place third in the NCHA Futurity Non-Pro.