We ’ re very thankful for the AQHA ’ s Incentive Awards into the NCHA Futurity . It makes entering the Derby even more worthwhile , and adds another attractive aspect to the whole event . They have an Owners function on Derby night , and they ’ re doing a great job for the Cutting industry
After the Futurity , they headed north to St . George , Queensland , to the Balonne River Cutters Futurity Show , held in September . Tyler showed Denzel nicely , scoring a 217 and taking third in the Open Futurity . In late September , Dodge and Trish followed their horse south , down to Tatura , Victoria . From the stands , they watched their trainer show Denzel , once again .
‘ Denzel came into his own there ,’ Dodge said . ‘ Although the cattle were tough , Tyler worked wonders . Denzel stepped up , tried his heart out and was absolutely outstanding , putting down an amazing run to mark 221 points to win the Victorian Open Futurity . He ’ s such a cool little horse .’
It was an incredibly exciting & proud moment for the Lamey family , especially for Dodge , as breeding and owning a Futurity horse ‘ that went out and won something ’ was what he ’ d always wanted to do . Trainer , Tyler Hodgman finished off the season on an incredible high , saying that Denzel is always a great horse to work with , and always puts in a fantastic effort .
But more was yet to come . With Denzel ’ s Cutting career off to a great start , Dodge and Tyler had no intentions of taking their eyes off the prize . They knew that a win in the Open Derby , at the 2024 NCHA Futurity , would be a great follow up to Denzel ’ s Victorian win . As with all good training programs for competitive horses , Denzel headed back home to have a well-earned break . The horse would return to Tyler after Christmas , with plans in place to begin preparation for the 2024 Open Derby .
‘ One thing both Trish and I were very adamant about is that we wanted Tyler to take Denzel through his whole 4yo year ,’ Dodge says . ‘ We wanted him to get the full training program with just one cutting horse trainer . We want Denzel as solid as , and you ’ ll never , ever get that by changing horse trainers . I was a trainer for many years , but I ’ ve never even ridden Denzel in front of a cow — because that ’ s Tyler ’ s job — and we ’ re so grateful that he ’ s bringing out the best in Denzel , simply by being allowed to do the entire job . That said , we were more than keen to see how Denzel would go at the Futurity .’
2024 NCHA FUTURITY It was June and the 2024 NCHA 4CYTE USA Futurity Show was in full swing . In the stands once more , Dodge and Trish watched intently as Tyler and The Black Duck walked calmly past the timeline of the Open Derby final . Denzel looked a picture , after being presented to perfection by Tyler ’ s partner , Cienna Knowles .
Cienna also usually lopes Denzel down , much to the appreciation of Tyler . Denzel ’ s Open Derby performance was a true credit to his hard-working trainer , who , as always , would ask for nothing more from the little black horse , than a clean and consistent run .
Well , Denzel definitely did that ! Dodge says that Tyler showed the horse so well , and after the first two cows , they knew they had a shot at winning . Denzel wowed the crowd and , more importantly , the judges . When he cut his third beast , that cow really gave it to him , and up to the bell it was just picture perfect , and he proved himself to be the very special horse that he is , taking out the 2024 Open Derby Championship with a score of 222 .
Both Tyler Hodgman and Cienna Knowles love Denzel , and are very grateful to Graham and Trish for putting their total trust in Tyler to train and campaign , and for Cienna to lope down such an amazing horse as Denzel .
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We ’ re very thankful for the AQHA ’ s Incentive Awards into the NCHA Futurity . It makes entering the Derby even more worthwhile , and adds another attractive aspect to the whole event . They have an Owners function on Derby night , and they ’ re doing a great job for the Cutting industry
BREEDING FOR PURPOSE
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Dodge and Trish are Quarter Horse people and when it comes to the discipline they follow , they are full on Cutting people . The couple always talk about the stallions they might use , then decide on the one they think is going to be that next really good sire to breed to their mare , Cee Sophie Dance Q-73474 , Denzel ’ s dam . Dodge says that Sophie is an incredible mare , having had a brilliant Cutting career all the way through . She ’ s the only mare the couple breed each year , and they always embryo transfer her .
‘ Denzel ’ s sire , Stevie Rey Von Q-90601 , has clicked very well with Sophie ,’ Dodge says . ‘ We ’ ve bred her to him three times for three great progeny . We ’ re very pleased to have two full sisters to Denzel and look forward to them coming through , too . Sophie is by Sophisticated Catt Q-58861 , out of Dancing Duckling Q-32123 , a mare we bought as a 2yo , from the late John Brekelmens . Dancing Duckling was by Docs Spinifex Q-5015 , and out of the Doc ’ s Freckles Oak Q-14053 , mare Oaks Fancy Duckling Q-29238 . The ‘ duck thing ’ has been in our breeding program ever since . Denzel is continuing to prove his great amount of talent and ability , and his breeding is a key factor that ’ s given us results . We decided on a change of sire this time and bred Sophie to the USA roan stud , Third Edge Q-100470 , so we ’ re really keen for that result .’
It ’ s understandable that Dodge and Trish are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Sophie ’ s current and future progeny .
PG . 15
2024 AQHA ~ JULY / AUGUST ISSUE