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By Smooth Talkin Style and out of the exceptional producer Fair Lady Flash, Flash Talkin ' s triumph marked a milestone not only for his owners but also for the entire team that has supported his journey from weanling to champion.
" The Open Futurity is the biggest prize in cutting, so to be able to win it gives us enormous pleasure and satisfaction," said Jamie and Sarah. " Every owner, breeder and trainer aspires to winning the NCHA Futurity, so we are obviously delighted to achieve this result."
The win carries even greater significance given the Inglis family ' s long association with trainer Jason Leitch.
" We ' ve had horses with Jason for 20 years. He showed our first Futurity horse in the newly minted AELEC in 2008 and has finalled one for us almost every year since. We really enjoy owning a Futurity horse – to breed or buy a young one, watch their growth and follow their training, attend a few preworks and then see them walk over that timeline for the first time at the Futurity. And the excitement when you make the final. So to actually win is amazing."
FINDING A FUTURE CHAMPION
Flash Talkin ' s story began when Jamie contacted breeder Peter Shumack with a specific purpose in mind.
" I phoned Peter Shumack, who owns the great imported mare Fair Lady Flash, and asked what progeny he had for sale. We wanted to buy a weanling out of this mare as she was already proven a top-class producer."
Among three youngsters available, one stood out immediately.
" Upon inspection I chose the chestnut colt by Smooth Talkin Style because he was a very athletic type. He had a good front end, good shoulder and a nice hip. We did a deal with Shuey there and then. After breeding, we view athleticism as an important factor when selecting a young horse."
However, developing that talent required patience and careful horsemanship. Benny could become strung out in his movement, and Jason knew he would need time to teach the young horse to round up, collect and remain balanced through his stops and turns. Without that development, Benny risked never reaching his full potential. Fortunately, patience and persistence paid off.
" About six months out from the Futurity, Jason rang to say he thought Benny might be the best horse we ' d owned. It was then we knew we owned something special, as Jason never talked up our horses. We always knew exactly how they were going and what to expect and more often than not they exceeded our expectations."
A MASTERFUL PERFORMANCE
When the Futurity Final arrived, Leitch delivered a masterclass aboard the talented gelding, earning a score of 224.
" Jason got the absolute best out of Benny," said the Inglises. " He is a master at developing young horses for Futurities so they are confident and trained."
Jason consistency at the highest level of the sport is remarkable. " In his career, he has never missed an NCHA Futurity Final."
The victory, however, was far from guaranteed. Competing ninth in the first herd, Benny set the benchmark early, leaving his connections facing an anxious wait of almost two hours as the remaining finalists completed their runs.
" We were so excited when Jason and Benny ' s score was announced," they said. " But it was a very, very long wait for the 26th horse to complete their run. There were so many great horses, excellent cattle and skilful riders to come."
That early assessment proved remarkably accurate.
According to Jason Leitch, Flash Talkin Q-101395 known around the barn as " Benny " displayed many of the traits associated with his elite pedigree. " Flash Talkin Q-101395 showed me early on that he was very agile, which I attribute to his mother passing on a lot of foot speed to her progeny. I ' m a big fan of Smooth as a Cat, Benny ' s grandsire, and Benny also showed a great attachment to a cow, what we call being ' sticky to a cow '."
RECOGNISING SPECIAL TALENT
Jason identified Benny ' s potential early in his two year old year.
" He called Jamie and told him he believed the horse had real ability because he was light and agile," the Inglises recalled.
2026 AQHA ~ JULY / AUGUST ISSUE
Jason Leitch and Flash Talkin Q-101395 with owners Jamie & Sarah Inglis