With spring in the air, Tom McCutcheon Reining Horse Inc. has some exciting news.  2010 USEF Horse of the Year, Gunners Special Nite, has sired his first foal, a stud colt, out of Nifty Jodie Jac who is owned by Turnabout Farm Inc., followed by a filly out of Starbucks N Lace owned by Tom and Mandy McCutcheon.  This brother and sister team mark a new era for the reining industry.

Gunners Special Nite (aka Bailey) and Tom McCutcheon won the team gold and individual gold at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.  This helped secure them a nomination for USEF Horse and Equestrian of the Year.   The team was victorious once again in January of this year, at the USEF Convention, where they were named 2010 USEF Horse of the Year and 2010 Equestrian of the year.   Gunners Special Nite is owned by Turnabout Farms Inc. and currently stands at Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses Inc. in Aubrey, Texas.

Along with new babies at the ranch, Tom has taken on some new Non Pro clients, along with Sarah Willeman and Barb Wibbels.  Sarah’s appreciation to Tom and Mandy for their dedication to the sport of reining was evident in her speech at the USEF convention, while accepting Gunners Special Nite’s award for USEF Horse of the Year. “..It’s a comfort to know that Tom always has the best interest of his horses and his clients at heart.  He’s a credit to the sport of reining and to the horse world in general.  His intelligence in the business and his generosity toward his clients are rare qualities, and along with his talent as a trainer, make him, to me, the model of what a horse professional should be.”  Sarah is looking forward to another great year with her three mares, Chic Olena Starbuck, Darlins Not Painted, and Chexy Dun It, that both she and Tom will be showing.

Barb Wibbels-Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses breeding manager is proving to be a major contender in the Non Pro Division with her horse Heza Ruf Hombre.   The team finished off the year as a finalist in the 2010 NRHA Limited Non Pro Futurity in Oklahoma City, and recently marked a 214 at the Cowboy Classic Non Pro Derby in Stephenville, Texas.  Barb is looking forward to watching Heza Ruf Hombre and Barbara Williams in the NRBC Classic in Katy, Texas.

Looking forward to an exciting year are new comers Julie Rodgers and Sweet Mega Brown.  Julie and Mega’s first show under the McCutcheon banner proved to be a great success for both horse and rider during the Cowboy Classic in Stephenville.  "I have been so pleased to have joined Tom McCutcheon's Non Pro Program.  Early this year, Tom helped me define my goals and come up with a plan to achieve them.  He was very open and candid in pointing me in a new direction both with my breeding program and goals for the show pen.   Tom's staff is also top noch. They go above and beyond to prepare me in the weeks leading up to a show.  Barbara Willams has been especially helpful in building my confidence and teaching me to be less concerned about the outcome of a class and more focused on the details of the execution.  I am really looking forward to the upcoming year!"

Rebecca Cates who recently purchased Oaks Steady Star is eagerly awaiting her run at the NRBC this year in the Non Pro Classic. “Becky” also recently welcomed (with an “it’s a Girl” balloon) her own little filly on Saint Patrick’s day by Einstein’s Revolution. “All I can say, they have been awesome, they have helped me and always go above and beyond my expectations. I have a great time, Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses has become my second home!”

Shawn Stratman and KR Tejons Delight will also be joining in the fun at the NRBC this year. Shawn is pure energy and smiles every time she out at the ranch.

Liz Strader rides a palomino gelding Shiney Sweet Thing. Liz is new to the sport of reining, but her dedication is apparent at all of our Wednesday Night Fun Night Clinics.

Tom and Mandy are both looking forward to this year, with the arrivals of Gunners Special Nite’s first foal crop, watching Cade, their son, show in the Non Pro division, and Carlee their daughter take after her Grandma, Colleen McQuay, at the Hunter Jumper shows. 2011 is already proving to be one for the history books, and as the year progresses Team McCutcheon is grateful for all they have achieved and eager to see what is around the next corner.