Breeders’ Visions Rewarded At Circle J Yearling Futurity
Sunday, July 22, 2007

by Diana Davidson

DENVER, Colo. - The 2007 edition of the Circle J Yearling Futurity took center stage on Friday night, July 6 at the National Event Center during the 49th annual Circle J Regional Morgan Horse Show. The Circle J Yearling Futurity is an innovative program designed to promote the breeding of outstanding quality Morgans and reward breeders, and it was clearly evident that both are happening in this year's competition. A two-tier prize money system was once again in place. This payout is designed to reward breeders who purchase the stallion services at the extremely successful Circle J Stallion Service Auction. This year's competition was officiated by Sammi Hazen, Daryl Hopson and Harry Sebring.

Judges Daryl Hopson, Harry Sebring, and Sammi Hazen

This year's field of 19 outstanding yearlings was noted by many as the most outstanding group in the history of this competition. The group represented 13 different sires with eight of the entries eligible for the top prize money as auction nominated get. The preliminary competition featured the yearlings entering the ring one at a time to be viewed at the discretion of the handlers for the three judges with music set to play off of each entry’s name. The audience was able to enjoy the competition in a much more intimate setting as the rail was removed in one corner, and tables and chairs were set up for the spectators to view the competition cordoned off but just feet away from the action. A lovely ringside buffet and bar added to the elegant affair.

After the first round scoring tabulations were made, the top 10 were announced who were eligible to return for the final round of judging. After a short break featuring lively music, the top 10 entries from the first round were brought back into the ring and were presented as a group. The judges studied the entries carefully and then brought five entries side by side in front of where the audience was to compare them more closely.

When the tabulations were all in hand the results were announced in reverse order beginning with 10th place. As announcer Peter Fenton worked his way down the list, handlers, owners and spectators could feel the excitement mounting. The top five placing entries represented five different breeding programs as well as sires to prove the strength of this program.

Ridgewood Farm added another impressive entry to their list of yearling success stories as RWF Paganini posed for the fifth place finish along with $3,000 as an auction nominated get. The son of Beethoven and Intrinsic Beauty was presented by Bob Kellert for Ridgewood Farm and Richard Phillips. ECP Anchor Man represented his sire LPS The Boogie Man with a dynamic showing to capture the fourth place finish and $2,000 for Charles Buller with Bob Kellert again handling the lead.

ECP Anchor Man captured the fourth place honors

When only three yearlings remained, the prize money began to escalate. Gail Bratz and Merv Jacobson look to have a promising new crop of show ring stars from their Stove Prairie Ranch breeding program including the third place entry SPR Pompeii. Keith Nelsen guided the expressive son of Ultras Special Agent and Pompp And Pazazz to the honors along with $7,000 in prize money.

SPR Pompeii posed for the third place

A pair of grand youngsters faced off in center ring as they awaited their tricolor sashes and championship checks. Cristina DiGioia trembled with excitement as her brilliant bay colt CRD Great Expectations lived up to his name as the Circle J Yearling Futurity Reserve Champion. Arcuri Stables presented the promising colt sired by El Toro and out of Cabot Femme Fatale to the tricolor along with $15,000 as an auction nominated get.

Cristina DiGioia with CRD Great Expectations

This left the champion alone in the spotlight as another oversized check for $15,000 was brought into the ring. The announcement was then made that the 2007 Circle J Yearling Futurity Champion was RRG Windsor. Judith Caldwell and her Rancho Rio Grande breeding program have been staunch supporters of the Circle J Yearling Futurity, and this was a very gratifying victory. Bob Kellert was once again on the lead of the champion as he guided the son of Futurity French Command and RRG Mirabella who was a non-auction get, with the winning handler earning an additional $1,000.

Circle J Yearling Futurity Champion RRG Windsor
struck a winning pose with Bob Kellert on the lead.

Circle J Futurity chair Marilyn Esteb and the entire committee were thrilled to present a grand total of nearly $50,000 in prize money in the 2007 Circle J Yearling Futurity. Plans are already underway for the next Circle J Futurity Auction to be held Jan. 19, 2008, with another great Colorado weekend planned. Many of the top-breeding stallions have already been committed to the auction with more to come. If you are interested in taking part in the auction and would like to have the stallion you would like to breed to donated, contact Marilyn Esteb to see if the stallion's service can be obtained. The 2008 auction will go on to produce the entries eligible to compete in the 2010 Circle J Futurity.

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