WorldWide Slide (2026)

09/12/2025

𝐍𝐑𝐇𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐑𝐇𝐀 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 💵

Peter DeFreitas set a goal to become an NRHA Million Dollar Rider before he turns forty. He accomplished the milestone almost a month later than his goal with the $55,724.84 he earned in the 2025 NRHA Futurity for a top-ten finish in the Level 4 Finals on One Mighty Gunner, by Gunner Dun It Again out of One Mighty Aphrodite.

This milestone was earned through many highlights across his career. Earlier in the year, he earned $19,400 for winning 3rd in the 100X Reining Classic 4-year-old Stakes on Warrior Mask. In 2023, he earned $12,700 for a top ten finish in the Level 3 NRHA Futurity, and a top 5 finish in the 2021 Level 3 NRHA Futurity on Dust Off Ya Gunns paid more than $15,000.

DeFreitas’s grandfather started him showing when he was very young, and that devotion has never wavered. “It’s an exciting event, and it is so intricate and difficult, it is always challenging,” he shared. “The horses are changing all the time, and how we show them is changing, so it’s a constant process of improving if you want to get better.”

Early in his career, DeFreitas learned the craft from NRHA Professionals like Mike McEntire and Sam Smith. His first break as an independent trainer came in the form of Head Trainer at Double Run Farm in Leland, North Carolina. Since moving to Whitesboro, Texas, DeFreitas feels like his skills as a trainer have flourished.
Getting into a horse’s mind, learning to train the different individuals and adjusting to how they respond to pressure have been some of the key items DeFreitas has improved upon over his career.

“The mind is what makes a really good show horse, because nowadays, our horses are such good athletes that a lot of them can do all of the stuff,” he said. “It’s a matter of how you can get them to execute it at a high level; whether they can mentally hang with you more than it is getting them to do hard stuff.”

“Being around these guys who are training horses at a high level all the time and trying to compete at these major events causes me to be on my game all of the time,” he said. “I can go and ride with people and get help. Having a different set of eyes has probably been more beneficial than anything.”

He thanked Monica Watson of Double Run Farms for believing in him for the number of years she has. Also thanking his wife, Erin, for her help and support.

Congratulations Peter on this milestone!

08/12/2025

𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐍𝐑𝐇𝐀 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐨

The new OG&E Arena shook like an earthquake on Sunday, December 7, as a global audience of reining enthusiasts screamed, clapped, roared, and stomped their approval as run after run on as the best reining professionals in the world performed on the industry’s best three-year-olds.

With each performance, the anticipation skyrocketed to learn who would be etched into NRHA History as the 2024 NRHA Futurity Champion, arguably the most prestigious title of the reining industry. When the crowd quieted and the dust settled, one score beat the rest – by an astounding 5 points. Newly, but unofficially, named NRHA $6 Million Rider Casey Deary rode Belissimo to the title for Arcese Quarter Horses, making him a four-time NRHA Futurity Champion.

Belissimo is by Magnum Chic Dream, making him the first offspring of that stallion to win the NRHA Open Futurity. He is out of the great mare that Deary won the NRHA Futurity on in 2012. At that time, the title earned a respectable $165,000, but for the title in 2025, Deary earned $350,000, a testament to the growth and health of the industry.

Without checking, Deary believes his earning for the year surpasses $1 million.

Belissimo was raised at Oswood Stallion Station and entered Deary’s program as a two-year-old. “He’s always been an incredibly good loper and a beautifully made animal, but he has a little different feel,” Deary said. “He’s really intense and really, really quiet. His first reaction is to push back against you, and it took some serious thinking for me to figure out that if I went softer and slower, he got softer and slower. If I tried to go harder at him, he got tougher. It is a little backwards from how you would treat a normal stallion.”

Of the run, Deary said it was a perfect storm. “I had three in there, and I had plenty of time on the mare and did the worst job getting her ready. I got the gelding ready, but we were a few later coming over than I was hoping to be, so I hustled and got him ready. He showed great for me. Then, I went straight to barn six where David Moore has been working like – like he’s me, like it was him who has been in here winning all week long. He had Belissimo ready for me to just jump on.

“Frappuccini was in there getting his last horse ready, so when Andrea left, I basically had a free paid warm up. All of my help scattered all around the stands in barn 6 and screamed and yelled and clapped and whistled, and poured their hearts into it. That horse basically had that experience in six before he came over here. That is as good as that horse has been in the pen for me. He was so focused in and let me put him right where he needed to.”

Maverickbuzthetower, the gelding by Americasnexttopgun out of Chics Vintage Flare, tied for the reserve championship and earned $130,000 for Bosque Ranch Performance Horses. The mare, Hello Pretty Woman (Walla Walla Whiz x Americasnextgunmodel) was part of a four-way tie for 15th. She earned $25,000 for Arcese Quarter Horses USA.

The win was made even more special by his son Owen’s success on the previous day in the Non Pro Futurity. “Last night was the highlight of the year for me,” he said. “It was so awesome to see my son succeed!”

He joked, “This morning, I watched Owen’s run to get some show tips on how to run my circles a little better.”

After the futurity, Belissimo will have some time to rest and recuperate before returning to the show pen to compete in the 4-year-old events next year. If all goes as planned, Deary will continue showing him through his derby years as well.

He thanked his farrier, Glenn Spradling, for taking care of Belissimo’s hooves, the Arcese family for their long-term trust in his program, his team of veterinarians, and his equine dentist, Randy Riedinger. He also thanked his wife, Nicole, and his children for their help and support.

“I have fantastic customers who raise the best horses in the industry,” Deary said. “I’m so fortunate that I get to ride horses that allow me to make mistakes, like I have all week long, and still get to come back and have a shot at winning.”

08/12/2025

Scenes from the final day of the NRHA Futurity 📸

08/12/2025

𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐰𝐨𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟏 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

Douglas Oliveira and All Twos slid their way to a score of 216, securing the Level 1 Open Futurity Championship. Traveling from Brazil, Oliveira and All Twos are a relatively new team—and an even newer addition to 7 Lakes Ranch.

All Twos is a 2022 mare by Colonels Shining Gun and out of Ruby Chic Olena. “She has a big heart, and I believe because of that, she gave it all she could,” said Oliveira.

Oliveira shared that this event was a major challenge for him, not only because he has had limited time with the mare, but also because it was his first time showing in the “big coliseum.” Still, he added, “It is a big show with big responsibility and a big opportunity to show my work.”

He thanked God first, “because if He is not in your life, you do not have anything.” He also thanked Marcello Maeda, the first trainer he worked with in Brazil for over five years; John Phillip Lessard and Gabriel Borges; and the entire 7 Lakes team for their help at the show. Lastly, he expressed his gratitude to Mirko Midili for the opportunity and guidance.

08/12/2025

𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐨 𝐍𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀 𝐕𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟐 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲

Rodrigo Nieves and A Vintage Kiss lit up the arena as they rode their way to the top of the Level 2 and Level 3 Open Futurity, marking an impressive 222.5. A Vintage Kiss, affectionately known as “Smooch,” is a 2022 mare bred by Sergio Elia, by A Vintage Smoke and out of Gunna Kissya, and proudly owned by Maren Simonet Henderson. Taking home a check for more than $153,100 for their combined winnings.

“It was a dream run, everything under control, ‘Smooch’ was with me all the time and she showed how powerful she can be under pressure, it was an amazing run” Nieves shared, still glowing from the moment.

Originally from Uruguay—a small country of just 3 million people—Nieves explained that while they have horses, the conditions and opportunities are vastly different. “This is a huge motivation for young riders back home to believe in their dreams and to know that anything is possible in this life,” he said.

Reflecting on the journey that brought him here, he added, “There have been so many changes and so many challenges in my life. But when I look beside me, I see all the support we’ve had here in the USA. Maren supports me constantly with her ideas and emotions. We still have a long way and so much to learn, but we’re ready for the next one.”

Tonight, Nieves stood in the arena surrounded by the people who matter most—Maren and her entire family, as well as his own: the Nieves family. He was quick to acknowledge that success like this is never accomplished alone. He credited his wife Veronica, daughter Julieta, and son Liam; his team members Felipe Mendiondo (assistant), Santino Espinosa (groom), Rami Morrison, and Paulo; his farrier Filmino; veterinarian Dr. Foley; Rolando; and Lawrence Ranch. He also offered a heartfelt thanks to his mental coach Gil and his English teacher Fany—mentioned with a smile.

Nieves made sure to honor Brazil and the reining community there as well, where he spent 10 years riding and growing as a horseman. Their influence, he said, shaped him into the rider he is today.

08/12/2025

𝐂𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 & 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬

NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Brian Bell executed each maneuver of the evening on Cee Tinsel Spark with all of the skill and precision one would expect from such a successful rider. The 222 awarded by the judges earned the Prime Time Open Futurity Championship and the Open Prime Time Futurity Challenge Purse for George and Carol Bell, his father and step-mother.

Brian has shown three generations of mares in Cee Tinel Spark’s line. His grandmother, Cee Miss Hollywood’s get have earned more than $600,000 collectively. Brian has shown all of them. Cee Tinel Spark is the first foal out of his mother, Cee Miss Tinsel. He was sired by Spooks Gotta Spark.

He explained what it’s like to show so many horses of similar lines, he said. “I know what to expect out of them. They are big stoppers and big turners, and they are easy to show. It’s kind of fun to train a horse that you already have a bit of a roadmap as to what to do with them.”

In the showpen, Brian said that Cee Tinsel Spark was a steady-eddy. “I feel like I plus-halved every maneuver. His turns were really strong. His circles were really strong. I had to drive him around there the whole way. He is really easy to maneuver and really easy to get along with,” he said.

Of the opportunity for extra money, Bell was well pleased. “I’ll take extra money however I get it. Between the Futurity Challenge and the APHA Chrome Cash, there are lots of opportunities for added money. Some of our customers are scrambling at the last little bit to get all of their ducks in a roll, so it’s great for our customers. Back in the day, there was only one way to win the Futurity, and now, there are a lot of ways to win. From the customer’s standpoint, it is way better. This year, with $25,000 going to last place, I think it's pretty huge. A couple of years ago, when last place only paid $8,500, you almost felt bad when you asked the customer to split it with you.”

Bell and Cee Tinsel Spark earned more than $35,614 for George and Carol Bell.

He thanked his father and Carol for letting him take full control of their horses in his program.

08/12/2025

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐝𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐚 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐇𝐅 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐩𝐠𝐮𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟑 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟑 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞

Marcelo Almeida da Silva traveled all the way from Brazil about 20 days ago and has been riding at Deary Performance Horses. He came to show HF The Topgun Chic in the 2025 NRHA Futurity, and owner Stoney Russell was glad the mare was entered in the Challenge side-pot when the 221 scored in the Level 4 Finals, topped the rest of the field, and earned the Level 3 Open Futurity Challenge Purse, which topped $4,900.

Having only ridden HF The Top Gun Chic, trained by NRHA $5 Million Rider Casey Deary. The mare is by Americasnexttopgun out of Wimpys Lil Tag. For the past 20 days, he wasn’t sure what to expect in the showpen.

Through a translator, Almeida da Silva said of the mare, “I like her kind eyes. She is very calm, like she has a calm soul. I haven’t ridden her much, but I feel like she is always waiting for my next signal and giving me all she has. She has a huge heart.”

He was excited to run in the Level 4 Finals. He said, “It was really special. She was amazing there. This was my first Level 4 finals in a major event, and it has been a longtime dream of mine to make the Level 4 finals at this Futurity. This has been a huge show for me and an amazing time.”

He will be returning to Brazil after this show, and he expects the mare to join Casey Deary’s show string. He will be busy showing at home and isn’t sure when he will be able to return to the U.S.

He thanked God first, then his family, the Deary Performance Horses team, and everyone who has helped him get to where he is right now.

08/12/2025

𝐌𝐫 𝐉𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟐 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞

Mr Jo Cool was home-raised by Dakin Allred, which made the more than $7,600 sidepot earned in the Level 2 Open Futurity Challenge even sweeter. Around two months ago, some of Allred’s customers, Mike & Tatyana Riley, purchased him the stallion by Colonels Smoking Gun out of Cooldrinkawalla.

“This horse has huge ability,” Allred said. “He’s a little immature mentally; he gets a little overwhelmed, but he is very, very, talented, and I think he is going to be really special as a five or six-year-old.”

Allred recalled that his first stop with Mr Jo Cool in the finals was huge. Because he had some trouble in the rundowns in the semifinals, he had to approach them a little more strategically in the finals. He felt like the turns were the best he has had with this horse in the show pen.

Allred isn’t sure if he will show Mr Jo Cool at the Florida Classic, thinking that he may give him a longer break. He said that the 100X 4-Year-Old Stakes is definitely in the cards for them.

He thanked owners Mike & Tatyana for believing in him, his partner Nikki Tyndall, and all of their vets and farriers, and the rest of the team who help and support them. He also thanked the horse.

08/12/2025

𝐃𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟏 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞

Sumer Opinker was excited to tie for the win in the Level 1 Open Futurity Challenge and earned almost $9,500 for owner Heather Ruble, because Ruble raised both Dry Bones Rattling and his dam, Annie Bee Elegant. He was sired by Patriot.

“It’s kind of cool for them to have two generations of the family going,” she said. “He’s been a lot of fun.”

“Rattle” has been in Nathan Piper’s program from the beginning. “[Heather] was really excited to have him in a big program, like that,” Opinker shared. “I rode him pretty much from the beginning, and Nathan took him for a couple of months and showed him at Waco and at the SWRHA Futurity. I got him back and got to show him here.”

Of the run, she said, “He was phenomenal. He just kept getting better and better each run. The stop just kept getting better and better. He turned really good for me. I was just really proud of him everywhere.”

She said he is a joy in the barn at home, too, and always has a good attitude when it's time to work.

She thanked her team at Piper Performance Horses, the owners, Nathan and Jean Piper, her friends, family, and their vets and farriers. “It takes a big team to make all of this happen, so I am very grateful to have them,” she said.

08/12/2025

𝐉𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟏 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐮

Roxanne Koepsell was happy to have paid Jo Jos Rockin and Roberto Jou into the Open Futurity Challenge Purse, when they scored a 215.5 and tied for the win in the Level 1. The title earned more than $9,500. Jou has ridden under the tutelage of Duane Latimer as often as possible since 1998. Jou lives in Brazil, but travels to the U.S. as often as he can to ride with Latimer.

“Duane trained this mare, and I was happy for the opportunity to catch ride her,” Jou shared. He has only been in the U.S. for a month this time, and he and Latimer have traded back and forth riding her.

“She was very green, so Duane wants to continue building on her training,” he said. “I know her and how to get the maneuvers, so he let me show her.”

Jou said that she has shown well for him all week, and her bobbles have been his own. “I went into one of the stops too fast, and she needs a little more help getting into the right lead. I think Duane told me, like a hundred thousand times, to keep her nose inside, and I didn’t, so I missed one stop,” he shared with a laugh.

“In all the runs, she is always quiet. You can go as fast as you want in all of the circles, and she is always there, and she always slows down good,” he shared. “That was another bobble I had in the first go; she almost stopped in one of the slowdowns. She was always perfect, but not me. I need to get sharper about that.”

He expects the filly to catch up in her training quickly and looks forward to seeing her do great things for Latimer in the future. Jo Jos Rockin is by Lil Joe Cash out of Shes Got Good Guns.

He thanked his wife, Paula, his kids, and everyone in Brazil who helped him get to the U.S. He also thanked Koepsell for the opportunity. “I owe a special thanks to Duane,” he said. “He’s like a dad here. He doesn’t like me to say that because it sounds like he is old, but he is my family here in the United States; he always helps me with everything about reining, coaches me, and gives me opportunities.”

07/12/2025

As we are counting down to the start of the 2025 NRHA Open Futurity Level 4 Finals we bring you some !

07/12/2025

On Thursday, December 4, tragedy struck for two young reiners and their non-reining sister when their barn caught fire in Omaha, Nebraska. Kayleigh Menard’s partner and best friend, “Otis,” also known as Hollywood Blvd, a 2014 gelding by Hollywoodstinseltown out of Justwatchwhatigot, was in the barn, as was her younger sister, Juliette’s heart horse, Smart Little RC, lovingly called “Gus.” Smart Little RC was a 2011 gelding by RC Fancy Step out of Cats Smarty.

Another sister, Michaela, lost seventeen goats that she had raised on bottles. The family also lost all of their barn cats and a flock of chickens.

The girls’ mother, Dawn, suffered burns on her hands from trying to save the animals, but she wasn’t able to get them to come out.
Kayleigh recalled the first time she saw Otis in 2017, a beautiful red dun. “He was a fresh, three-year-old full of s***k and personality, the kind of horse you notice instantly,” she remembered. The family was just getting started in the reining world, and Kayleigh had a lot to learn. Finally, by the end of the year, she was able to buy the young horse.

“That first year came with plenty of highs and lows, from winning plaques to taking penalties and learning how to separate being a showman from being a rider. No matter what happened, he always tried his heart out for me,” she shared.

The horse and rider team qualified for the American Affiliate Finals in 2018, but were unable to go due to financial constraints. In 2021, Kaleigh felt like she and Otis finally had it figured out. They earned a Reserve 14-18 Year-End Championship in the Central Plains Reining Horse Association. In 2022, she earned her first buckle with Otis as the Ladies Year End Champion, then earned another in 2023. They were third for the title in 2024.

“He always met me right where I was, and gave me everything he had,” she reminisced. She’ll miss how he would nicker to her the moment she walked into the barn, and his goofy, quirky personality. “He would stick his tongue out in photos and videos, and would rest his head on my shoulder. He was willing, patient, and kind. He shaped me as a rider and as a young adult.”

Her sister, Juliette, met Gus in 2021. She shared the moment she first saw him: “He was standing there, this beautiful palomino with a soft gold coat and the sweetest, kindest face. There was something in his eyes that drew me instantly. On that very first ride, before I understood the depths of what we would become, I had this quiet, steady feeling that he was meant for me.

“He had so much raw talent, so much try, and even more heart. Deep down, I felt he would be the one who would help me grow into the rider I wanted to be, and I was right!”

Like her sister and Otis, Juliette and Gus struggled through their first few years. She recalled that Gus remained patient through every misstep, just waiting for her to figure it out. “Gus and I built a connection that felt unbreakable – something deeper than words could explain. He meant the world to me,” she said.

This past year, they finally clicked. The horse and rider team accumulated plaques and won their first belt buckle. They achieved their best score thus far, a 70.5. “That run felt unreal,” she said. “Like Gus handed me his whole heart and said, ‘Here, let us show them what we can do!’ I will never forget how proud I felt of him and how proud he seemed to be of us.”

“Gus taught Juliette so much, and helped her grow in ways that only a special horse can,” Kayleigh added. “I used to tease her by calling her a flopping fish, but she has transformed into a truly good rider, and as her older sister, I could not be prouder.”

Gus’s partnership with Juliette didn’t end in the reining pen. Her heart horse carried her down endless trails, competed in barrel races for fun, and then put the polish on for the reining pen. “He took everything in stride, no matter what I asked,” she remembered. “He was the kind of horse who made you feel safe simply by being near him.”

His personality was magnetic. He loved to roll when he was clean and enjoyed putting his nose out the window of the horse trailer to feel the breeze. He always met Juliette at the gate to his pasture, or came running to her when she called for him.

“People smiled just seeing him,” Juliette recalled. “He made friends everywhere he went. He genuinely had a heart of gold. The kind of soul who simply wanted to please whoever was in the saddle.”

The horses were at the center of the girls’ lives. They shaped every part of their daily routines. “There are moments in life that split you into the before and the after,” Juliette shared. “Losing Gus was one of mine. It is the kind of heartbreak that steals the breath from your chest and leaves you standing still while the world keeps turning. He wasn’t just a horse. He was years of growth, trust, patience, and love. He carried me into becoming not just a better rider, but a better person.”

The Menard family is asking for help from the reining community to recover and rebuild. While they will never get Otis and Gus back, they may be able to get their dreams back. The Central Plains Reining Horse Association has set up a GoFundMe for them. Donate here: https://gofund.me/968d25158.

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