After taking the lead early in the day, Andrea Fappani spent the rest of it nervously watching to see if his score of 225 would hold first place in the Invitational Open Futurity Level 4 at the 100X Reining Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Luckily for Fappani, it did—earning him an additional $100,000 to add to his eight million dollars in lifetime earnings, a milestone he crossed early on in the event.
Fappani rode Inferno Thirty Five, a 2020 stallion named because he was purchased on Christmas Day in recognition of owner Stephen Archer’s thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. Inferno Thirty Five is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six out of MadeOf Pure Spangled.
“I felt really confident,” said Fappani. “He very much felt like a horse that I’ve shown quite a bit, not a first-timer in the pen.”
You read that right: this was Inferno Thirty Five and Fappani’s first time showing together, having not even done a paid warm-up before competing.
In regards to the Invitational, Fappani said that, “It’s been something that has really boosted the whole industry. I think stallion owners have supported it for the right reason. For us as trainers, it’s another great show to showcase our three-year-olds in these great arenas. I’ve been a supporter of it – and my customers have, too – since the beginning.”
Fappani plans to give the stallion some time off before the NRHA Futurity in October. He thanked the owners for the opportunity to show and his whole crew for keeping things running so that he can bring as many horses to a show as he does.
Taking the second place prize of $75,000 with a score of 224 is Trevor Dare and HS Marshal by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun out of Dun Its Dirty Secret, owned by Hacienda Sonador Quarter Horses.
The Invitational Level 2 Open Champion
Mathieu Buton & BB Megaelectricshine
On a horse he said is one of the most athletic in his barn, Mathieu Buton won the Invitational Open Futurity Level 2 at the 100X Reining Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His score of 219.5 earning him a payout of $20,000 for the L2 title, and an additional $7,750 for a ninth-place tie in the Level 4.
“You purchase those young horses and it’s a chance,” said Buton. “Knowing they are eligible for that kind of money out there motivates everybody to give them good values, and it’s just great for the sport.”
Buton rode a horse he has had in his barn since he was young, BB Megaelectricshine, by PS Mega Shine Chic and out of Sssmokin Electric. The colt is owned by Martin Brisebois.
Buton thanked not only his whole team, but said he especially thanked, “everybody that always cheers for me and helps me when things are not going the way you want. They always help you to keep rising and help you to get better and I just love that.”
In second place, Marcos Guimaraes and Dustin Milhollen’s Shootin Wright, by Guns R For Shootin out of Wrightintinseltown, scored a 218.5 for a $17,500 check.
By 100X Reining Classic Press Release
