FUTURITY AND DERBY WORLD CHAMPIONS
“What a perfect way to end the futurity season. IMAFROSTYFIREFIGHTER and Ashley Walstrom are the WPRA World Finals 2D Futurity Champions,” wrote Garnder on her social media channels. “In be better off under the saddle of Ashley Walstrom. That match worked to perfection and the trio claimed their first WPRA world title in the 2D Futurity division. WPRA photo by Rodeobum.com (James Phifer) Angie Gardner (shown here) knew that her 4-year-old gelding IMAFROSTYFIREFIGHTER was something special and wanted to test his talents in the futurity world. Following their first competition she realized she wasn’t going to be able to commit the time and that the horse would
request that when she makes the NFR I want to be there. I think with the horse she has and now with Jackson it might not be this year, but she is going to get there.” In 2021, Gunderson rode Nacho Money Honey “Junie” to the world title, and she noted there was a common denominator in both world titles. “One thing I can say about both those horses is I was really confident on both of them,” said Gunderson. “We started both of them and they were with us the whole time. I felt like I knew them so well and they rode just like I like a horse to ride. “Anything I asked of them they did. They were super willing. From the second I got on them everything was easy, and they wanted to run barrels. Both loved their job.” And Gunderson loves hers seeing all the young prospects making dreams come true. She is excited to see what a 2-year-old she currently has in training will do in the barrel racing world. “The family that owned Junie actually has another one – a 2-year- old we started this year for them that is a Kandyman like Jackson and I really like it,” noted Gunderson. “It is Junie’s full sister and out of Jackson’s sire, so a combination of the two horses that I have won the world on. His name is The Kandyman Can and I am excited to see what his future holds.” ImAFrostyFireFighter Snatches 2D Futurity World Title Capturing the 2023 WPRA 2D Futurity World Title was ImAFrostyFireFighter ridden by Ashley Walstrom and owned by Angie Gardner from Wisconsin. The 4-year-old gelding sired by Ima Firefighter and out of FDD Party Night won the title after collecting 145 points at WPRA sanctioned futurities to edge Kalie Anderson’s Screwdriver who took the reserve title with 125 points. Heidi Gunderson was excited to win the 2023 WPRA Futurity 1D Title aboard JD Jackson Kandyman more so for the owner of Jackson than for herself. Jackson’s owner until after the WPRA World Finals was 83-year- old Dan Dolan, who has had horses his whole life and this was a bucket list win for him. WPRA photo by Rodeobum.com
the spring I had big plans to run Odee in the futurities myself but after the first futurity I quickly figured out that with my work schedule and inexperience as a futurity competitor he was going to be better off with Ashley as his jockey. Fast forward to this fall and I had totally forgotten that I had nominated him until Halee Grisham happened to be looking at the standings and noticed that Ashley and Odee were leading the points in the 2D. “With Ashley being due to have her little girl in December there was no way that they were going to be able to compete at world finals. So, we just crossed our fingers and hoped that he had a big enough point lead to hold on to the title. A quick flight to Waco with fingers crossed ended with the win!” FM Fast Burnin Fuse Name WPRA Derby World Champion Becca Gilley of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, finished the 2023 WPRA Derby season with two horses in the top three when all points were tallied. Taking top honors was FM Fast Burnin Fuse with 175 points, while WPH Buzzed Up Latte tied for second with Margaret Jones’ Smooth Money Raider with 165 points. “FM Fast Burnin Fuse “BadA$$ Brad” is the 2023 WPRA Derby World Champion!! He is by CM Dynamite Frost x Bacardi Bubbles and is owned by Fran McCoy,” wrote Gilley on her Facebook page. “WPH Buzzed Up Latte “Buzz” tied for Reserve Derby World Champion! He is by Guys Dash A Latte x Bonnie’s Buzz and owned by Wood Brad. “These two geldings have given me their all this year and I couldn’t be more proud of them. It is so special to have had these two home raised colts since they were 3 years old until now. They mean the world to me, and I can’t thank Fran and Brad for always believing in us. I love my Bay Geldings.”
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 WPRA NEWS 39
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