“Are you going to Reno with that one?” It’s a question that can be heard around barns, horse shows, and practice pens whenever a colt or filly of a certain age is being very fancy, and is being ridden by someone who is established in the National Reined Cowhorse Association (NRCHA). It is naturally assumed that a 3-year-old will go at least one of three places to be shown if they are of the western, working horse variety; Fort Worth for the cutting, Oklahoma City for the reining, or Reno for the reined cowhorse.
The NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity (SBF) is a famed event whose rich history can be explored in depth at http://nrchadata.com/SBF_history.asp. An element of that narrative is the timeline which details the location of the event for the last 46 years. Perhaps we often hear the event referred to as “Reno” because it has been held in the “Biggest Little City in the World” for 38 of those 46 years. The show took a brief hiatus to Las Vegas for one year in 1989, and spent a mere seven years in Fresno, California.
My first trip to “Reno” was in 1997, and I will never forget that futurity finals, which actually took place at the Selland Arena in Fresno. Spectating at that facility during the cow work finals was like watching a theatre performance: The lighting was low in the stadium seating area as the judges, dressed in black, took their honored positions, and then the arena became radiant with horses and riders as they worked their cattle at a high pace bringing the crowd to their feet with shouts and cheers! I remember the look of exultation on Teddy’s [Robinson] face when he was sure that he had this one in the bag on Smart Little Cash. I also remember the withered sadness of Crawford [Todd] as his amazing mare, Hickory Holly Cee, stood up after falling while circling the cow. He leaned into her, standing in the arena, and hung his head over her saddle for just a moment as greatness slipped away. Whether the Snaffle Bit Futurity happens in Reno, Nevada, or another venue, there is always an array of emotions from riders, owners, and spectators.
In November of ’97, I made my first trip to the city of Reno for an NRCHA event. We loaded our 3-year-old gelding in the trailer and drove across the Loneliest Road in America (NV Route 50) to get there. Upon arrival at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, we watched as load after load of sand was hauled into the main arena. Soon after, one lone rider came in on a paint horse; that was the first time I ever saw Smoky Pritchett who would later become a member of NRCHA’s Hall of Fame. Later that day, the arena began to fill with other competitors who were showing their horses the sights. I didn’t know any of them, but as the week went on, I would start to put faces to the names of people whom I had only read about in magazines: Greg Ward, and Ronnie Richards are the first who come to mind.
Reno, as a reined cowhorse venue, became special to me because it was the place where I made the first connection with those who are indigenous to the reined cowhorse culture and tradition. Even though that week in Reno was not The SBF, it was a Snaffle Bit Futurity nonetheless, in Reno, Nevada.
Moving back to Reno in 1999, the Snaffle Bit Futurity and “Reno” were one again. Over the years showing and spectating, I think my favorite place to be was at the practice pen early in the morning. The warm fall days were always welcome after shivering in the dark under the Reno Rodeo Arena lights at 6:00 a.m. Riders would gather, quietly sipping their morning coffee and greetings of “Mornin,’ and Good luck today” were softly exchanged. Those mornings were always a time when I could take a breath and just enjoy watching the day come to light while the horses worked cattle, moving fluidly in preparation for the moment they had spent so long training for.
The Snaffle Bit Futurity is an intimidating place to showcase your horse. It’s not the grounds or the building or the arena; it’s the prestige and notoriety of the event. In every level of the futurity, each contestant has come there to do their best, and win! In every horse show class, the same rules apply. Contestants have arrived in Reno to earn a check and take home the prizes. Owners have sent their prized horses to Reno to create champions! I remember a moment at the back gate when the Director of Judges had to be called to inspect a snaffle bit. Bill Enk gave me a little nudge and said, “There’s no crying at the Snaffle Bit Futurity,” as he saw tears in my eyes from the prospect of his decision. Then, he told the inspector that the snaffle was indeed legal. My initial tears were from the fear of a no score and the thought of having to tell the owners of that horse a mistake had been made. All of our hopes and dreams for that horse and the potential notoriety were slipping away. My tears, after Bill went back to his post in the judge’s box, were from the relief that we would not only be spared the embarrassment of a no score, but there was still hope to make the finals in Reno!
In 2004, it was finally my time to exhibit a snaffle bitter in Reno. For many years I watched Annie [Reynolds], Dema [Paul], JoAnne [Carollo], and many others taking it to the limit and reaping the rewards in the Non Pro divisions. I knew that someday I wanted to do the same. I enjoyed my experience immensely and my horse did everything that I asked of her. With a little bit of luck, I made the finals in one division. I have forgotten a lot from that day, but I will never forget the trepidation that I felt while waiting to walk down the tunnel for rider introductions. I had never felt more alone or out of my element. Unsure of why I belonged in that class of people, it gave me pause to reflect on the years leading up to that moment. I was a Reno finalist! I had earned it! I’m sure that there had been blood (mine), and I know that there had been plenty of sweat and tears. I started riding cowhorses in the mid-nineties, and finally in 2004 I was part of an elite group—those who get to say “I was a finalist in Reno.”
Recently I had a conversation with a former Snaffle Bit Futurity Open finalist. We were talking during a draw party at a reining competition where he had made the finals. He smartly observed the draw party vibe was not quite the same as it was in Reno, and I know that he was right. Draw parties in Reno are full of hope, wonder and mystery. You get to draw for three events, and the motto buzzes throughout the show that “there is no bad draw in the finals!” Yes, there is something special about Reno, and about the Snaffle Bit Futurity itself. It’s a culture and a family that grows and evolves every year.
The Snaffle Bit Futurity has recently been moved to Fort Worth, Texas for 2017, and years to come; Reno will surely be in the rearview mirror. There are so many reasons to move the show, but the bottom line is that the event has outgrown the complex that it has called home. When talking with contestants about the move they comment that there have been issues with stalls, weather, warm-up arenas, RV spaces, parking and location in general. They say that Texas is centrally located and it will be easier for those from the east to attend. Seeing the logic in their reasoning, I must agree, though it saddens me to see the loss of this NRCHA tradition. It is still hard to imagine that when the trailers get loaded next fall, and are headed to the Snaffle Bit Futurity, they will not be journeying for the hallowed ground of Reno, but for the legendary Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth. Indeed, tradition will not be forgotten; it will be re-created and carried on.
I appreciate your time, and I value your feedback. Please take a moment to rate or share this article below. Your comments are also welcome. All the best to you! Until next time ~ Jennifer
Since this writing, I have learned that there will indeed be a futurity in Reno in 2017. Best of luck to both venues, and the cohesive fulfillment of tradition for the cowhorse culture.
