Just because a futurity is filled with top-notch horsepower doesn’t mean a trailer full of horses with popular papers is necessary, and Billie Jack Saebens proved that when he showed up with a single entry entry in the Platinum Medal 6 and Under Open Heading and earned the $10,000 win aboard Bonny Freckles T 4.

“(Bonny Freckles T 4) is the only one I had entered today,” Saebens said. “She had an injury this winter and isn’t eligible for incentives like Royal Crown, so she hasn’t had the chance to go much. I had faith that she’d do her job. That mare just has so much try.”

Saebens and the 2019 mare by Freckles Ranger and out of Ima Bonnie Girl N 4 by Twisselena defended their high callback position in the Platinum division of the short round with his best run of the day in 228.11 points to give him an overall score of 900.3 on four runs and the $10,000 grand prize. The event took place on August 21 in Rapid City, South Dakota.

The unique futurity format divided the short round qualifiers into three sections: the silver divison, representing those who qualified in the No. 9 to No. 12 positions, the gold division with No. 5 through No. 8, and the platinum sections with qualifiers No. 1 to No. 4. Saebens’ No. 1 position didn’t give him much breathing room in the platinum pool—he had less than four points separating him from Miles Baker and Relentless Honor at No. 4, and Trevor Brazile on both The Darkk Side and Time To Glo to best.

“My horse was prepared whenever I came here,” Saebens said. “But Miles and Trevor have some great horses. I couldn’t go in there just trying to beat them. I had to do my job and show the judges what we’ve trained her to do.”

Owned by Tana and Bart Hutton, Bonny Freckles T 4 represents their budding breeding program at H4 Ranches in Uvalde, Texas. With the steady hand of Saebens at the reins, the young mare represented the Huttons well.

“I think Bart and Tana should be very proud of this horse,” Saebens said. “They’re a smaller operation that’s up against a lot of big names, and her papers aren’t filled with the mainstream names everybody is talking about, but she’s a great representation of their breeding program and a talented horse.”

To watch the Platinum Medal Open Heading on-demand, plus all the action from the Platinum Medal Rope Horse Futurity 2024, head to Roping.com.

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Platinum Medal Open Heading Results

Open Aggregate– Platinum Division

1. Billie Jack Saebens and Bonny Freckles T 4, 900.3 on four, $10,000
2. Trevor Brazile and The Darkk Side, 899.6, $8,000
3. Trevor Brazile and Time To Glo, 897.02
4. Miles Baker and Relentless Honor, 892.7

Open Aggregate- Gold Division

1. Britt Williams and Smokeing Trip, 892.47 on four, $6,500
2. Miles Baker and Lunchbox, 889.57, $4,250
3. Mike Kunzler and Celtic Tuff, 889.57
4. Jake Cooper and PR Curtiss Glo, 877.88

Open Aggregate- Silver Division

1. Dakota Kirchenschlager and Guyz Magic, 881.16 on four, $3,000
2. Britt Williams and Shiny Lil Peso, 879.9, $2,400
3. Dakota Kirchenschlager and Yes Im Sassy, 879.42
4. Miles Baker and Relentless PYC, 661.55