As the first draw of the Futurity Open entered the Bay Arena at the Reining By The Bay, the early morning fog began to recede over the hills in San Francisco. By the time the rider, Andrea Fappani, returned aboard his second of three mounts in the class, the arena glowed in the dazzling California sunshine – but not more than Designed To Spark (Jacs Electric Spark x Taris Designer Genes x Mr Boomerjac), who marked a 220.5 to win the Level 4 Championship.
“He’s a little bit immature, but I think he’s going to end up being a really nice horse,” Fappani said of the stallion. “He’s a very physical horse, and mentally, he’s very strong.”
This was the first time Fappani has shown his 3-year-olds this year. When performing with green horses, you “never know what you will get” in the show ring, he said. But there were no surprises at this year’s show for Fappani, who has garnered more than $5.3 million throughout his career, according to Equi-Stat.
“Everyone likes to win every run, but the main thing for me is the reaction of the horse. It’s important for me to see that what I’m doing outside is working inside for the horse,” Fappani explained of his strategy at early futurities. “That’s what I’m happiest about [with] my horses today; they went in and reacted to all of my cues the same as outside, regardless of the crowds.”
Designed To Spark, owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, jumpstarted his Equi-Stat record with a $10,627 paycheck. He will take what he learned and head to the High Roller Reining Classic in Las Vegas next.
The Reserve title went to Fappani, as well, who rode Diamonds In My Genes (Whizkey N Diamonds x Electric Genes x Jacs Electric Spark) to a 219.5. The stallion, owned by Rhodes River Ranch, garnered $8,992 for the title.
Quarter Horse News
written by Katie Marchetti / photo by Katie Marchetti
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