Great Plains Futurity coming to Kiplinger Arena

"Wimpy's King Lad" tucks his rump and slides to a stop as he and Seth Chamberlain of Oxford, Nebraska, prepare to compete in the Central Plains Reining Horse Association "Great Plains Futurity" for three-year-old horses Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Kiplinger Arena, in the 1500 block of West Fifth in McCook, Nebraska.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Central Plains Reining Horse Association plans its "Great Plains Futurity" for the first time at the Kiplinger Arena on the Red Willow County fairgrounds in McCook, Nebraska.

Sherman Tegtmeier of Bennington, Nebraska, CPRHA president, said he's excited about bringing the futurity to the Kiplinger. Historically, he said, the organization has hosted its futurity at large arenas in Broken Bow and Lincoln, but because of scheduling conflicts this year, coordinators decided to come to the Kiplinger. "It's not that the Kiplinger is 'third choice,'" Tegtmeier explained. "It's the only other arena in the state of the same quality and calibre."

"The arena is a great size, and the fair board has made an outstanding effort to provide the number of stalls we need," he said.

They're expecting between 100 and 200 horses.

Tegtmeier said the organization hosted a couple shows at the Kiplinger in 2005 and 2006, "testing the waters." They're back this year, with their futurity for three-year-old horses. "There's more money in this than in other shows," Tegtmeier said.

Robert Thayn of Oxford, a CPRHA board member, is excited about the show in McCook. He's sure horse owners and exhibitors, especially those from the eastern parts of Nebraska, will be glad they traveled outside their usual show range.

"Robert and Robin Thayn are doing a fantastic job" coordinating the show at their end, Tegtmeier said. He added that Seth Chamberlain, another reining horse trainer, also of Oxford, is definitely an asset with his ability and knowledge of reining horses.

The public is invited to attend. Dogs -- on leashes -- are welcome.

The shows start at 11 a.m., Friday; and 8:30 a.m., Saturday and Sunday.

The Great Plains Futurity is being managed by Connie Henrichs, of White Horse Show Management, Albion. Connie is the mother of Robin Henrichs of McCook.

Another "connection" between the CPRHA futurity and McCook is Sherman Tegtmeier's wife, Sarah Jo, the daughter of Joe and Jody Frazier of rural McCook.