The 2023 NRCHA Open Futurity Champion Reysmhigh, shown by $3.55 million rider Corey Cushing, will sell in The Select Online Sale Feb. 11, 2024—the first-ever reigning Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion offered to the public through the platform.
The 2020 gelding by NCHA Open Super Stakes Champion Dual Smart Rey out of the High Brow Cat mare Prowlin High is currently owned by Heather Jayne Vatcher and Scott Aswege of SJ Ranch. He is fit, sound and ready to continue his career.
"This is a horseman's horse," Cushing said "Every day, even now, he just keeps getting better and better. He remembers things, and he remembers where he needs to be. The possibilities are endless for him."
Reysmhigh's Career with Cushing
Cushing was walking through the stalls at the Western Bloodstock Sale two years ago when he spotted Reysmhigh.
"He happened to catch my eye," Cushing said. "I gave Heather and Scott a call and told them I found a nice colt. I liked the way he was put together. I went into his stall that day, and I realized he's got a bubble, and he'll let you in it but only if you earn his trust. I liked how he paid attention to me, how much he moved around. He was smart and aware of where he was, even just in the stall that day."
They bought the colt with the plan to train him as a 2-year-old, show him as a 3-year-old and sell him at 4. Cushing was still training out of Arizona at the time, and Isaac Carrel and Brett Guerrieri were starting 2-year-olds with Cushing.
"There's a picture with Ron Ralls helping Isaac with him on those first rides because he was a little froggy," Cushing laughed. "We saddled him and got him leveled out. He's got a bubble, and he will let you in it, but you can't force your way into it. You can him have to be buds about it. He trained up really good all year long. There were days that tough love came into play, but every day he'd just keep getting better. Going into the futurity, we were having good works I needed to continue to prepare him the right way."
The horse stood out in Fort Worth at the 2023 Snaffle Bit Futurity, the best of the five Cushing qualified to the Finals there on. He scored a 662.5, with a 221.5 in the herd work, 220.5 in the rein work and 220.5 in the cow work.
"With what he showed me as far as coming out on top at the futurity, he keeps telling me he can do everything even better," Cushing said. "He's better and more mature even now."
Cushing is hopeful that his new buyers will allow Reysmhigh to stay in training to show in his derby career and in the bridle.
Incentives: NCHA Super Stakes (Paid), NCHA Breeders Invitational (Eligible/no nomination required), NRCHA Stallion Stakes (Eligible/no nomination required), Legendary Stakes: Cutting & Reined Cow Horse (Eligible/no nomination required)
"Beyond that, I think it will take a non-pro who wants to spend the majority of their day around horses," Cushing said. "He's not a beginner horse. He's not a mean horse—he's got quirks, and he takes his job very serious. He takes someone who gets him. He's for a more advanced non-pro. He's never going to quit you. You stay steady and consistent, he'll get better and better. "
The Select Online's Feb. 11, 2024 Sale features aged event horses, broodmares, embryos, prospects and stallions, and it opens at 8 a.m. CT with lots beginning to close at 5 p.m. CT. This will mark the first Select Online Sale of 2024, after a record year for high-sellers and averages in 2023.
More Information on Reysmhigh in The Select Online Sale
Contact Melanie Smith at 940-733-8581 or by email at mel@soloselecthorses.com.
Comments