Why were you successful in the 2022 Futurity?
My success was mainly due to the horse I rode. I hadn’t shot a match or ridden a horse in 3 years before going to Shelbyville. The horse I rode had a sound mind and the confidence to carry me to that success. He is actually my brother’s horse, but he could not show him himself due to his school schedule. When my parents and brother asked me to show him, I agreed because I knew the horse had the heart, talent, and skill to be one of the top horses in the non-pro. He did not disappoint us.
What advice would you give to future competitors?
I advise future competitors to invest their time in a good horse with a good mind. Also, not to rush that horse and have the patience not to push them past their limits. When we found Lil Ichi Spot M7 he started in cutting. We took our time over 2 years seasoning him to shooting and showing him every pattern in CMSA at home before we started hauling him. We didn’t ask for speed until he was confident and ready.
