Why were you successful in the 2021 Futurity?
There was a combination of things but mostly consistency. My mare was not the fastest, but she was quiet enough to lope through the pattern when we needed to and kick it up a notch when we needed to. We didn't push her as we were bringing her along, and we let her find her feet and progress at her pace. I think that builds confidence in both the horse and the rider. Then there is the luck of the draw: I usually hate going last. I never watch any of the people in my class. It doesn't matter how well they do on the pattern; it matters how I do it. More often than not, we beat ourselves instead of being beaten by others. The last run, I knew I had to run a 14.00 or better to catch 1st no matter how anyone else ran. Luckily it worked out for us.
What advice would you give to future competitors?
Start early. Buy good long yearlings or 2-year-olds and take it SLOW. That horse has many years to set the "new fast time," so let them progress at their pace and learn to love their job. My 2022 Futurity horse is nowhere near where Snip was at this point mentally, but I am not going to force the issue. He may not be a Futurity champion, but that's ok. He will make a great-aged horse if I let him figure it out. Plus, take small victories with pride. This is a lot of work for the horse and the rider and if you set a goal and reach it, then celebrate! Don't forget, you’re building a great horse, and it never happens in a day.