The NCHA Futurity, which began on November 22 and concludes with the Open Finals on Sunday, December 14, has already been a memorable event for R.L. Chartier, 24, who won the John Deere Limited Open championship with 223 points on December 9. Five days earlier, Chartier and non-pro cutter Mica Motes became engaged, on Mica’s 22nd birthday.
Chartier, who works for Wrigley Ranches, Weatherford, Texas, under trainer Clint Allen, was riding Hay Maker, owned by Scott Cusick, for his Limited win. The Mr Jay Bar Cat son is one of two horses that Chartier qualified for the Open Semi-Finals on Saturday, December 14. His other mount is Pretty Katz, owned by Wrigley Ranches, which he rode to place fourth in the Limited Open, as well
“Clint has really helped me be able to get horses to where they are sharp and ready to show,” said Chartier, who joined the Wrigley team last year at this time and made his presence felt at the 2008 NCHA Derby, with finalists in the Derby and the Classic, as well as each of the limited divisions.
Chartier appears poised on a path forged by Allen, former assistant to trainer Matt Gaines. Allen made his debut, while working under Gaines, as reserve champion of the 2001 NCHA Limited Open Futurity on Merada Clone. He then won the 2002 event on Its Just About Me, while placing ninth in the Open Futurity on Swinging Five. In 2006, Allen was reserve champion of the NCHA Futurity on Hydrive Cat, owned by Dave and Georgia Husby.
Chartier is a third generation Futurity champion. His father, Randy Chartier, won the 1978 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity, at 21, on Miss Dry; his grandfather, Mel Chartier, owned Dry Doc, when the Doc Bar son won the 1971 NCHA Open Futurity championship under Buster Welch.
When R.L. and Mica Motes wed, there will be yet another Futurity connection. Motes’ stepfather, Winston Hansma, won the 1994 NCHA Futurity on CD Olena for Bar H Ranche. Mica also qualified two horses – Two Times A Star and Too Bossy – for the NCHA Futurity Non-Pro Semi-Finals, so a new family saga might be in the making.