Sevens Spanish Gold just couldn’t help but be great. 

The 6-year-old stallion by the late, legendary Dual Spark and out of the Gallo Del Ciello mare Madrid won the Intermediate World Championship at the American Rope Horse Futurity Association’s World Championships under Lipan, Texas trainer Cade Rice with a score of 678.42 on three head, worth $15,000 for his efforts. He’s not the first Dual Spark to excel in that arena, as paternal-sibling Dual Patron won the ARHFA Futurity in the heeling in 2018. 

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“He scores every time,” Rice said. “He will be between your legs and the bridle reins every time. He’s got a ton of run and a ton of rate. I was 10th or 11th callback in the Open short round and got the barrier by .004—I was wrong and he was right when I sent him. He’s a stand-out horse. He’s very controlled. He allows you to handle the cow any way you need to in any situation.” 

Lipan’s Marshall Wier raised the horse and sent him to Tee Richardson, who put the handle on him and got him ready for the fire that Rice threw him to the last six months. 

“You can really put some heat on that horse and use him,” Rice said. “He’s a picture-perfect palomino, and I am excited for the future of his colts. I think we’ll see some great ones. I can’t wait to see what our future holds together.”

Full Intermediate, Limited, and 3-4-Year-Old Heading Results and Payout

Placing in the third round and making the short round, Rice and Sevens Spanish Gold took home an additional $3,500 for their efforts on the week, bringing their total earnings to $18,500. TRJ