Bluebonnet® Fueled Horses Top NRHA Open Futurity Prelims, Sweep Finals
The results of this year's NRHA Futurity should have been printed on blue paper, typed in blue ink, and delivered in blue envelopes.
It’s a rare privilege for a single nutrition company to support champions at every level. This year, Bluebonnet® fueled horses and their riders stood out in Oklahoma City, sweeping every tier of the open futurity finals and holding top marks in both sections of the prelims.
Read on for highlights of their stories 👇
Level 4 and 3: Kaci O'Rourke and The Firemen put every fairytale book, motivational speech, and epic sports movie to shame with their performance at the 2024 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity. From a breathtaking run-in stop to whiplash-worthy spins, the standing ovation they received wasn't just warranted, it was compulsory.
The very last futurity finals held in the Jim Norick Coliseum made history in more than one way. Kaci has made her mark in becoming the first woman to claim the Level 4 Open title.
The Firemen's massive 229 score also secured the Level 3 Open Championship - pushing his lifetime earnings to $425,077+ and locking down honors of NRHA's Highest Money Earning 3-Year Old in 2024.
Affectionately known as "Thiago", The Firemen has been fueled by Bluebonnet® Intensify® Feeds since he was a yearling. The stallion by Inferno 66 is owned by Peter and Courtney Morgan, and trains with Kaci and her husband, Jack Daniels, at Pond Hill Ranch in Aubrey, TX.
"He's a horse that has to have a really strong relationship with the rider - I think we're pretty close."
— Kaci O'Rourke, Tom McCutcheon's Virtual Horse Help
Level 2 and 1: Leonardo Kellerman piloted Frozen Starburst to a performance as sweet as his name. The SG Frozen Enterprize x Hollywood Starburst stallion, owned by Janice Laney was born in Brazil, but made his way to the states as a yearling. With Leonardo at the reins, they found success at earlier shows and banked checks in every level of the NRHA futurity with a 222.5 finals result.
Leonardo works out of 7 Lakes Ranch, of Purcell, Oklahoma, alongside a team of talented trainers. Kellerman credits his improved mental strength and wellbeing as a main contributor to his big waves in the show pen.
"Literally everything I asked, he gave it to me."
— Leonardo Kellerman, Tom McCutcheon's Virtual Horse Help
Prime Time: Franco Bertolani and Vulcano resembled a horse-powered eruption during the stops of their 222.5 finals pattern; dirt slinging like ash in their wake.
The blaze faced, bay roan stallion by Spooks Gotta Whiz laid down manuever after manuever right between Franco's reins. Bertolani isn't just his trainer though, he's also a part owner, making the win that much sweeter. The Vulcano LLC partnership has big plans for the future...cough cough, we can't wait to see his foals hit the ground.
"The circles...I can put my hand on his withers and he takes care of me."
— Franco Bertolani, Tom McCutcheon's Virtual Horse Help
Prelims: Mirko Midili and Mark My Word said "write this down" with their first go run of 226 and second go of 224, banking an impressive 450 composite. They topped both sections of the prelims and snagged the American Paint Horse Association "Chrome Cash" side pot.
"Mo," as he is known around the barn, is royally bred, being the son of two NRHA Hall of Famers, Gunnatrashya and Wimpys Little Chic. These legends have produced several successful full siblings, including two NRHA Open Futurity champions, Andiamoe and ARC Gunnabeabigstar. Our Bluebonnet® family might also remember cheering on another full sibling, Finals Bound, in the 2024 American Performance Horseman with pro rider, Cade McCutcheon, aboard.
Needless to say, Mirko and Mark My Word exceeded expectations with their 5th place finish in the Level 4 and notable pre-futurity wins. Also owned by Janice Laney and training at 7 Lakes Ranch, there's no doubt that this striking stallion's story is only just beginning.
"He is the kind of horse that every trainer wishes to have every year at the [NRHA] Futurity."
— Mirko Midili, Quarter Horse News