Barrel Futurities of America Board of Directors met January 22 & 23, 2012 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Three term President Charles Brock ceremonially handed over the gavel to new President Jimmy Roper. New directors Vickie Adams and Jolene Montgomery were acknowledged(Jolene was absent due to competitions in Arizona, and Vickie was absent Sunday due to broodmare foaling complications). In attendance were Chris Duke, Louis Fincher, Leslie Willis, Becky Canaday, Tamara Reinhardt, and Cindy Arnold. Chris Duke was elected to serve as Vice President and Terry Leach was appointed Director to serve the remainder of Chris’ term.
With Charles Brock’s direction, the BFA and the World Championship event have experienced growth and success. President Jimmy Roper anticipates a smooth transition and exciting developments as the BFA continues to attract new sponsors and increase payoff opportunities.
The BFA World Championship event, December 3-8, 2012, will be welcoming two new event sponsors, Med-Vet Pharmaceuticals and 4 Star Trailers. BFA is pleased to announce the $20,000 MVP Juvenile Futurity and the $15,000 4 Star Derby. Med-Vet Pharmaceuticals will also award each Juvenile Futurity average check winner a 2 month supply of the breathrough supplement Exceed 6-Way.
4 Star Trailers will present each of the Derby Finalists a monogrammed horse trailer accessory.
Rock and Roll Cowgirl, a division of Panhandle Slim, responded to the favorable reception at the 2011 World Championship event by becoming the title sponsor of the Junior Barrel Race. Rock and Roll Cowgirl will continue to present every event champion with an apparel gift certificate and will award EVERY Junior contestant and World Championship Finalist with a Rock and Roll Cowgirl tote bag.
Team Steinhoff will join the World Championship awards roster. In honor of the legendary barrel horse Nate Shilabar, the Steinhoff family will present the Rock and Roll Junior Barrel Race division champions’ awards: 1D-Team Steinhoff saddle, 2D-Team Steinhoff breastcollar, 3D-Team Steinhoff headstall, and 4D-Team Steinhoff bronc halter.
With the addition of event and award sponsors finalized, the BFA Board turned its attention to increasing payoff opportunities. Stall fees for the 2012 World Championships will be increased from $100 to $120. The additional revenue is designated to increase the BFA Year-End Futurity bonus payout as follows: Champion-$10,000, Reserve Champion-$5,000, 3rd-$4,000, 4th-$3,000, 5th-$2,000, 6th-$1,000. Arena banners will be displayed at BFA-approved futurities to improve awareness of this futurity incentive. Too, the points standings will be highlighted on the webpage.
Mary Ellen Hickman, Future Fortunes, Inc., reported on the continuing success of the stallion incentive program and its partnership with BFA. Mary Ellen cited 145 Future Fortune entries in the BFA Futurity and noted 28 were Amateur entries. Future Fortunes is already planning for its 10 year celebration in 2013. The BFA Board acknowledged it will prepare to announce a celebration purse increase for the 2013 World Championship. This item will be finalized by the meeting at Fort Smith in May, if not sooner.
Schedule changes for the 2012 World Championship were discussed. The $uper$takes will be competed Tuesday evening, December 4, making for a “true” first competition run experience for the 50 nominated 3 yr. Olds. Responding to members’ input, the Futurity and 4 Star Derby will be contested Tuesday and Thursday, and the Victory Farms 4D and MVP Juvenile Futurity will be held Wednesday and Friday. Time-saving measures will be implemented as follows: no derby exhibitions, 45 second time limit for exhibition(one trip through the pattern, CANNOT restart the timer!), staging area in the warm-up arena to facilitate less wait between competition runs.
Danny Ray, Going Big Time Sale Company, reported outstanding sales results from the BFA World Championship Sale. Total sale receipts were $751,650 and sale topper for $50,000 was Hip 78, Lovin Fame, consigned by Marilee Deines and purchased by Gayle Howes. Complete sales results can be viewed at www.victoryfarms.com.
Support and thank BFA sponsors and futurity producers. Contact BFA Board members with concerns, compliments, and questions(contact information www.barrelfuturitiesofamerica.com).