Barbara Merrill Wins Wheat Montana Spin Three Futurity and Merrill Barrel Saddle on a Kid’s Horse!

2003 Wheat  Montana Spin Three Futurity & Derby

August 20-21, Three Forks, Montana

Article by Kitty Herrin, Photos by Kandi Schuman 

Barbara Merrill started Hat D Doc, a 1998 AQHA sorrel gelding by Merridoc out of Sweet Baby Mine by If Im Elected, on the barrels as a four-year-old for her friend Judy Blomquist. A month before she ending up buying the gelding for herself, Merrill told Blomquist that he would be a good kid’s horse. He was just so quiet and maybe even a little lazy. Blomquist definitely agreed about Hat D Doc’s quietness. When he was two she took him for a ride up a hill and when they headed back down his saddle turned all the way under him. Instead of bolting, he just stood there until she was able to right herself and the saddle. But besides being quiet the gelding was very handy in his turns and wanted to work. So Merrill, of Axtell, Utah, decided he needed a chance to make it as a barrel horse. Now as a five-year-old he is a horse you can push all the way from the gate, even on a standard pattern, to the first barrel and he wraps it! And that’s just what he did at the Wheat Montana Spin Three Futurity in Three Forks, Montana. Hat D Doc was fourth in the first go, but then came back and won the second go. And being the fastest qualifiers for the top-10 short go Merrill and Hat D Doc ran last and won it all with a 17.244 on a standard pattern! When their time was posted a number of contestants who had had their sights set on winning the customized $1600 Neil Merrill Barrel Saddle groaned and wondered why Merrill would need another Merrill saddle . . . couldn’t she just give it to them? “The only way I can afford one is to win it!” she said with a twinkle in her eye. The coveted saddle is designed by her husband and manufactured by Three Forks Saddlery. Their portion of the $7000 total payout was $2044.

Just off a win at the Tri-Angle Barrel Futurity in Great Falls, Rayna Prewitt and Sonitas Cut N Run were the Reserve Futurity Champions. Sonitas Cut N Run is a 1998 AQHA sorrel gelding by Sonitas Chula Joe out of Lady Of Times by Jet of Honor. Their futurity winnings totaled $1526. They also won the 1D at the Classic Equine American West 4D-NWBRA Open Barrel Race on Wednesday night. Their share of that $2800 payout was $244.

Organizers Joe and Nancy Petersen were really impressed by the depth of this year’s futurity field and pleased at how the ground held up, with the fastest time being run the second day by the last horse out. A 17.999 and 18.069 didn’t even make it back to the short go.

The Amateur Futurity winner, based on the fastest time from any of the goes, was Mark Bugni on his 1998 AQHA bay gelding, Miracle Money Spender. They ran a 17.446 in the short go and also finished third in the Open Futurity. In addition to $150 Bugni was awarded a beautiful custom silver plaque from Competitor News.

Rachael Sproul rode Noble Eclipse, a 1997 APHA sorrel gelding by Sun Days Eclipse out of Hoops Honey by El Rey Jose, to the Spin Three Derby win. The gelding, owned by Harriett Gibson of Conner, Montana, won the first go and was second in the second go to win the average and $426 of the $1150 total payout. In addition, the duo received a trophy buckle sponsored by Clint Mortinson.

Close on their heels were Hesa Rare Runner and Lindsay Karp from nearby Winston, Montana. Hesa Rare Runner, a 1997 AQHA bay gelding by Rare Bar out of Shayrun by Sixarun, was second in the first go, won the second go and ended up just one-tenth of a second shy of the average win. They took home $380.

Nancy, Carl, Joe and Jessica Petersen and Jody and Nick Sarchett thank their 2003 Cash Sponsors for making the Spin Three Futurity & Derby a reality: Fort Three Forks, Broken Spur Motel, Conoco, Wheat Montana, Nutri-Lix, America’s One Mortgage, Equibrand, Coors, Ace, Billion Dodge, UBC-Butte, McCreanor’s Food Farm, First Security, Sacajawea Inn, Three Forks Saddlery. And their award sponsors: Clint Mortinson, derby buckle; Three Forks Saddlery, Neil Merrill Barrel Saddle; Classic Equine, 4 saddle pads, 4 bell boots, 2 sensor flex pads, 4 Legacy boots; Dutton Bits, 2 barrel bits; Double Diamond, 8 halters; Nutri-Lix, 4 gallons; Champion Turf, tack; High Desert Silver, earrings, headstall concho set; Professional’s Choice, 10 $20 gift certificates, Competitor News, amateur plaque; and Jones Leather Company, American West 4D awards.

   
2003 Wheat Montana Spin 3 Futurity  
  Horse Owner Rider 1st Go 2nd Go  Fastest of Both  Short Go Average  
2 Hat D Doc Neil and Barbara Merrill Barbara Merrill 17.838 17.344 17.344 17.244 34.588  
15 Sonitas Cut N Run Rayna Prewitt Rayna Prewitt 17.9 17.391 17.391 17.401 34.792  
25 Mircle Money Spender MarkBugni Mark Bugni * 17.516 n 17.516 17.446 34.962 1st Amateur
27 Midnight Moon JC Pat Hayden Lisa Scheffer 17.771 18.051 17.771 17.712 35.483  
12 Solara Jill Lane Jill Lane 18.339 17.916 17.916 17.594 35.510  
3 Cashs Mega Bux Melissa Gall Lisa Scheffer 17.903 17.783 17.783 17.884 35.667  
22 Surely Shes A Star Robert and Sammi Bessert Sammi Bessert 17.907 18.038 17.907 17.779 35.686  
14 DBA Takeachanceonme Julie Dobson Rick Manucy 17.927 17.921 17.921 17.931 35.852  
13 Sansue Streaker Andrea Anderson Andrea Anderson * 17.708 17.882 17.708 19.999 37.707 2nd Amateur
18 LeRoy Done It Jon and Lynda Ottun Jon Ottun 17.895 18.137 17.895 28.463 46.358  
31 Judge Buy Cash Frank and Lyne Brenda Mays 18.007 17.999 17.999      
34 Cause For Dreams Marvin and Maria Nybert Cally Goyins 18.146 18.069 18.069      
17 Rebels Raven Cat Melissa Montague Lisa Scheffer 18.247 18.3 18.247      
24 Zippo Zan Bob Angela, Kim, Alyce Hager Rachael Sproul 18.281 18.53 18.281      
23 Teddy's Money Shirlee Parini Shirlee Parini 18.328 18.592 18.328      
21 Lena's Sailin Freckle Gayleen Malone Milee Malone * 18.926 18.365 18.365     3rd Amateur
26 Mr. Sun Dollar Kathy Kunka Kathy Kunka 18.395 36.111 18.395      
28 Vaga Bar Patsy Mark and Debbie Robinson Luke Robinson 18.538 21.988 18.538      
33 Owyhee Blitz Bob and Kay Weeks Kay Weeks 18.84 18.54 18.54      
8 Dash Dorothy Claudia Ogilvie Blue Ogilvie 18.541 18.603 18.541      
7 Chico Peppy Doc Kachena Fowler and Shawn Lesmeister Kachina Fowler 18.805 18.552 18.552      
4 Leos Sailin Bay Bee Gayleen Malone Gayleen Malone 18.617 18.606 18.606      
30 Cashs Vegas Lady John and Lois Hill Raelene Konzak 18.807 18.627 18.627      
35 A Crackshot Joe Kent and Randy Rassmassen Paul Yenny 19.418 18.675 18.675      
20 San Mans Sugar Chip Claudia Ogilvie Claudia Ogilvie 19.016 19.07 19.016      
29 Azure Distance Kelly Thompson Kelly Thompson * 20.206 19.066 19.066      
32 Hard Felon Rod or Stefani Lyman Stefani Lyman 19.089 19.377 19.089      
16 Star Doc Sissy Diana Ahlgren Diana Ahlgren * 19.665 20.503 19.665      
11 Mister Dark Fox Peggy Johnson Luke Robinson 19.723 20.186 19.723      
5 SL Flyin Special Robyn Strong Robyn Strong 20.082 20.155 20.082      
19 Fly For the Bux Mark and Misty Radue Misty Radue * 21.519 20.15 20.15      
9 Fire Water Flame Willy and Carolynn Vietor Willy Vietor * 22.856 22.824 22.824      
1 JRS Dunmore Miss Therese Farris,/Jim Coleman Therese Farris * 24.457 24.213 24.213      
    1st Round 2nd Round Short Go Average        
6 Regain Fame Danyelle Campbell Danyelle Campbell ns ns        
10 Pittses Young Guns Matt Caudill Rachael Sproul scratch scratch        
34 After Noon Gary McFarland Jessica McFarland scratch scratch        
2003 Wheat Montana Spin 3 Derby
  Horse Owner Rider 1st Go 2nd Go  Average
16 Noble Eclipse Harriet Gibson Rachael Sproul 17.893 17.726 35.619
14 Hesa Rare Runner Jestin or Jolyn Karp Lindsay Karp 18.06 17.669 35.729
9 Raren To Dash Dave and Donna Johnson Donna Johnson 18.137 17.876 36.013
11 Zans Coy Bar Heidi Robinson Heidi Robinson 18.376 18.448 36.824
1 HSB Runnin Rocky Barbara J Cook Barbara J Cook 18.597 18.807 37.404
13 Secret Nick and Jody Sarchett Jody Sarchett 18.568 18.951 37.519
5 Shiney Pecco Calvin Bohleen Rachael Sproul 18.814 18.743 37.557
10 Dancingrightpastya Travis and Amy Lantis Amy Lantis 19.114 18.576 37.690
6 HSB Doc Kimberly K. Heagy Kimberly K. Heagy 18.884 18.915 37.799
4 Todabankerelse Jill Lane Jill Lane 18.941 18.918 37.859
3 Lasses Shadow Walter Gruel and Son Inc. Monica Gruel 19.853 18.463 38.316
7 Make Mine Cash Money Rick Manucy Rick Manucy 18.122 23.018 41.140
15 Apollos Sunshine G.F. Walker Sally Jane Mosby 18.461 23.498 41.959
2 Beaus Patsy Stinger Mark and Debbie Robinson Luke Robinson 23.976 18.834 42.810
8 Bees Minni Bomb Peggy Johnson Mikell Tabbert scratch scratch #VALUE!
12 VCR Pleny of Cash Jon and Lynda Ottun Jon Ottun nt 31.625 #VALUE!

AW4D and NWBRA Spin Three Open, Juniors and Seniors

First Name Last Name Horse Name Time  
7 RAYNA PREWITT CUT N RUN 17.530 1ST 1D $244
23 RACHEL MYLLYMAKI-SPROUL SCOTT 17.683 2ND 1D $202
38 TORI BRIESE MUFFIN 17.804 3RD 1D $160
11 BARB MERRILL THAT'S NO EFFORT 17.847 4TH 1D $118
36 JUDY MYLLYMAKI ALVIN (CO/SR) 17.853 5TH 1D $76
46 GAYLEEN MALONE ROOKIE 17.854 6TH 1D $42
37 HEATHER BAKER SMARTY 17.983  
49 SAMMI BESSEIT GUMP 17.984  
58 DUSDEE SHEPPERSON BORDEAUX VIXEN 18.017  
59 LISA HEDDEN KEANA JET 18.024  
41 RICK MANUCY PERRY 18.043 1ST 2D $219
42 JUDY MYLLYMAKI ROSIE (CO/SR) 18.127 2ND 2D $181
29 DIANA MORRIS THE FIELD OF DREAMS 18.197 3RD 2D $144
70 LINDA RICHMOND COWGIRL 18.216 4TH 2D $106
16 TAMMY THOMPSON LACY 18.234 5TH 2D $68
52 THERESE FARRIS FLY 18.298 6TH 2D $38
5 CADEE TEW (SAME AS JR) 18.300  
64 KITTY HERRIN ROLLY 18.343  
63 SALLY JANE MOSBY APOLLO 18.474  
44 JODY SARCHETT SECRET 18.480  
68 DEENA MOEYKENS   18.491  
25 MILEE MALONE BAY BEE 18.496  
60 HEATHER BAKER SKEETER 18.508  
62 LUANNE CUTLER TRISHA'S DASH 18.512  
2 KAY WEEKS CASH BAR BIANKIES 18.520  
12 JOYCE ARMS SASSY 18.547 1ST 3D $187
22 BRENDA MAYS UBA DASHING JUDGE 18.551 2ND 3D $155
21 ALYCE HAGER ZANZ TUFFERNELLY(CO/SR) 18.582 3RD 3D $122
71 PEGGY TREXLER YOGI 18.633 4TH 3D $90
26 JOBETH ASKIN PAL 18.694 5TH 3D $58
9 BARB COOK TJ 18.697 6TH 3D $32
31 DUSDEE SHEPPERSON LIH RED JACKIE 18.697  
6 ALYCE KONKEL DENNIS 18.738  
13 KAREN COBB TUFF N LACEY 18.750  
56 LINDSEY KARP GYPSY 18.777  
53 JAMIE PERRY COLT 18.798  
19 DARCY ANDERSON MIXER 18.853  
50 BOBBI TAYLOR TUCKER 18.876  
45 KATHY KUNKA MR SUN DOLLAR 18.897  
48 RACHEL MYLLYMAKI-SPROUL CHUBBS 18.960  
8 KITTY HERRIN SCARLETT 18.971  
20 CHRIS RYAN SAM 18.998  
72 RAELENE KONZAK MILLY 19.084  
14 SHELLEY MURPHY STREAK 19.124  
24 TERI TONN BEA 19.207  
55 LAUREN REISER PERFECT CASH 19.241  
15 CHARLOTTE BRUTOSKY BROOK 19.257  
66 LUANNE CUTLER JESS A LITTLE BUZ 19.368  
40 DAWN KUCHINSKY DYNAMITE 19.432  
1 MISTY RADUE JIMMY 19.499  
32 SHELLEY MURPHY CC 19.525  
3 CASSIE LEMON TUX 19.648 1ST 4D $162
69 CATHY BESSETTE TWO FOX TESSIE 19.711 2ND 4D $134
57 TAMMY FRERCK SMOKE 19.820 3RD 4D $106
39 PAT HALL FRITZ (CO/SR) 19.905 4TH 4D $78
4 RHONDA KOUNTZ PANDA CASH 19.934 5TH 4D $50
18 CAROL KING MESA 20.031 6TH 4D $28
10 DIANA AHLGREN SISSY 20.201  
30 LISA HALL JD 20.417  
28 RAELENE KONZAK BABY 20.721  
54 TAMMY FRERCK THREE 20.722  
61 HEIDI ROBINSON ALL SMART CASH 20.722  
65 KAYLA JORGENSEN CASH 21.270  
27 SUSI HOUSER MISSY 21.604  
67 JAMIE NAPIER RED 27.152  
17 LISA HEDDEN JET NT  
33 KELLE MOORE GUSS NT  
34 SUSAN RYAN SAM NT  
35 PAULA BENTLE JC NT  
43 BOBBI JAYE CJ NT  
47 JODY IRISH CRACKSHOT NT  
51 SUSI HOUSER MISSY NT  
73 MARJORIE SCHALL LIBBY nt  
           
  JUNIORS        
83 CADEE TEW (SAME AS OPEN) 17.988 1ST 1D $29
82 KARP LINDSEY GYPSY 18.341  
84 JOBETH ASKIN  PAL 18.465  
81 LAUREN REISER PERFECT CASH 18.787 1ST 2D $26
86 KELSEY ROBINSON JAY RUNNER (JR ONLY) 19.421 1ST 3D $23
80 KAYLA JORGENSEN  CASH 20.399 1ST 4D $20
85 RIELLEY RAY  MALONEY NT  
           
88 SENIORS        
95 JUDY MYLLYMAKI ALVIN 17.853 1ST 1D $37
91 BOBBI JAYE TUFF (SR ONLY) 18.069  
96 JUDY MYLLYMAKI ROSIE 18.127  
93 ALYCE HAGER ZANZ TUFFERNELLY(CO/SR) 18.582 1ST 2D $33
90 GAYLEEN MALONE LENA (SR ONLY) 19.140 1ST 3D $28
92 PAT HALL FRITZ (CO/SR) 19.905 1ST 4D $25
94 JOYCE ARMS MOJO (SR ONLY) nt