Dustin Rogers proved the stallion Johnny’s Lil Cash’s ability to swap seamlessly between heading and heeling when he earned titles in both the Jerry Bailey Memorial limited heading and heeling at the Platinum Medal Rope Horse Futurity in Rapid City and took home $19,050.

Johnnys Lil Cash is a 2017 stallion by Lil Joe Cash and out of Joses Little Uno by Pale Face Josie. He is bred and owned by M Bar W Ranch.

“He carried the team (in the heeling),” Rogers said. “I made some mistakes and honestly didn’t do my job as well as I’d like, but he always shows up and gives 110%. From standing great in the box to how he finishes a run, he just stands out.”

His Limited heeling performance helped him earn his first win of the week in Rapid City in 894.28 on four runs, worth the single largest check of the week at $10,150.

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The following day, Rogers followed up the performance with another high callback position to the short round in the Limited heading. He clinched it in the short round and took home the $8,900 check for his first-place score of 889.40 on four runs.

Rogers had the opportunity to step aboard the stallion after he spent time with two of the top names from the reined cow horse realm.

“He came from Chris and Sarah Dawson and was started as a cow horse,” Rogers said. “I got him at the end of his 5-year-old year, showed him in the roping as a 6-year-old and now I’ve been able to continue on and get to show him in the intermediate and limited classes.”

With his Platinum Medal earnings, Johnnys Lil Cash will easily clear the $110,000 mark in QData lifetime earnings. Rogers insisted that although his training program played a part, the red stallion’s natural athleticism has carried him to success out of both roping boxes.

“He’s always been good on both ends,” Rogers said. “There’s a few stallions that can just look great on both ends. He might be talking to everybody back at the stalls, but the second you put his saddle and bridle on he’s all business. He’s just as perfect as can be on every run.”

Rogers’ training operation is now based out of Texas. The 35-year-old has worked to build a reputation as a trainer and is classified as a 6.5 header and 6 heeler in Global Handicaps.

“That was the whole point of pushing for money added and opportunities with our limited class,” Myers said. “Dustin trains horses as good as anybody I know on either end, but he doesn’t have the highest number. And there isn’t just a ton of space for those guys in the futurity game, so we made that a priority at Platinum Medal.”

Platinum Medal Limited Heading Results

1. Dustin Rogers and Johnnys Lil Cash, 894.28 on four, worth $10,150
2. Daniel Reed and Promably Smart N Nu, 889.49, $8,400
3. Taylor Thompson and SJR Diamond Playit, 888.67, $6,650
4. Bobby Mote and SBD Boons Frenchgirl, 887.12, $4,900
5. Bobby Mote and Mucho Natural, 883.54, $3,150

Elite Breeders Incentive

1. Daniel Reed and Promably Smart N Nu, $2,250

Non- Pro Sidepot

1. Levi Grimes and Zipanic Freckles, $3,060
2. Logan Allen and DJ Coles Peppy Cat, $2,040

Platinum Medal Limited Heeling Results

1. Dustin Rogers and Johnnys Lil Cash, 889.40 on four, $8,900
2. Nick Pullara and XXotic, 885.34, $7,300
3. Ty Spickelmier and Sport N Man, 879.21, $5,400
4. Dustin Rogers and Tuff N Style, 871.73, $3,500
5. Britt Williams and DD I Be Tuff, 869.65, $1,900

Elite Breeders Incentive

1. Nick Pullara and XXotic, $2,250

Non-Pro Sidepot

1. Tyus Olson and Stylish Reyzin, 848.24 on four, $2,260
2. Logan Allen and Playboys Patron, 643.94 on three, $1,500