Kolton Hunter and Aaron Stout topped the Riata #8.5 with a time of 44.16 on four head, winning $25,000 aboard two horses sired by Show Me A Song Joes.
On the head side, Kolton Hunter was aboard Show Joe Duchess, an 8-year-old gelding by Show Me A Song Joes and out of Red Eyed Dutchess. On the heel side, Aaron Stout rode Quest Two Best, a 10-year-old stallion by Show Me A Song Joes and out of Miss Trippers Red.
Although they are both from Utah, Hunter and Stout had never roped together prior to arriving at the Lazy E.
“We had never met until yesterday,” Stout said. “We roped for the first time together in the #9.5 yesterday.”
Stout’s family owns Stout Performance Horses, owners of the stallion, Quest Two Best, that Stout rode in the #8.5. Stout Performance Horses also owns the gelding Hunter rode, Show Joe Duchess.
The stallion Stout rode in the #8.5 is a half-brother to 2021 AQHA Heading World Champion, CT Show Me Your Guns, and the full brother to standing Pitzer Ranch stallion, Oh Hell Yes.
“Pitzer Ranch owned and showed him (Show Me A Song Joes),” Stout said. “They showed him at the World Show and won the world on him in the heading. Both Show Me A Song Joes we have are very similar in the way they act and their mannerisms. They’re both built very similar, too. They both are really good, strong to the horn, let you handle them in the bridle.”
Hunter and Stout switched ends in both the #8.5 and #9.5 to maximize their entries.
“I stayed on Quest Two Best, our stud and he (Stout) stayed on Show Joe Duchess,” Hunter said. “We just kept switching back and forth on each end. These horses are just so nice.”
The Utah team roped four head in 44.16, roping a leg in the third round.
“We came out and caught the first one,” Stout said. “We were clean on him and good. On our second one, we caught and were clean. On the third one, I legged him. I thought I missed him, so I was glad to see I at least got a leg.”
On the head side, Hunter knew he needed to stay clean to come back to the final round.
“I wasn’t going to miss one today,” Hunter said. I knew I needed to give Aaron a chance because he would clean it up. I just tried to make sure I got him roped around the horns. I slowed a few down for Aaron (Stout) too much but he was patient with me. The horses worked good, so it was awesome.”
Hunter is the son of two-time NFR qualifier Nancy Hunter. Nancy qualified for the Finals in 2014 and 2015, but shortly after her last NFR qualification, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Nancy lost her battle with cancer in 2016.
“My mom was very successful,” Hunter said. “My dad has been a horse trainer his whole life and has had some really nice horses. He still has nice horses. I have to thank Riata for all you guys are doing. I think it’s very important that this is about the horse, that’s the coolest part.”
As for the $25,000 the team won, they haven’t quite decided what to do with it yet.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with the money, I haven’t got that far yet,” Stout said. “It’s a nice chunk of change. I will probably feed some horses, pay some bills, but I know we’re going to dinner to celebrate.”
The money will come in handy for the Stouts, who ranch in Utah.
“My wife trains horses full-time, and I help her a little bit,” Stout said. “I also day work on ranches and build some fence. I also have a welding business. I just do whatever I can to keep the lights on.”
Hunter, for his part, is the associate vice president of instruction at a technical college.
“So, I help in education,” Hunter said. “We teach all kinds of trades at our school that are so important. I help the instructors in education at the technical college.”
