Billie Jack Saebens won $16,510 by sweeping the 4-and-Under Pre-Futurity Heading and Heeling titles at the American Rope Horse Futurity Association’s Oil Can Classic April 25, 2025.
In the heading, Saebens rode Una Furiosa, a 2021 gray mare bred by the Flag Ranch and owned by Shane Boston. The gray powerhouse, by Bobby Starlight out of a Furyofthewind daughter Playin For Fury, earned a composite score of 912.18 on four head to take home the title. For the win, Saebens and Southern Ranches pocketed $6,080.
In the heeling, Saebens topped the field aboard Hallle Berry, a 2019 red roan mare by Metallic Cat out of One Sparking Time, owned by Southern Ranches. The flashy red roan, whose flashy looks matched her big stops, put together a composite of 902.96, banking $10,430.
Una Furiosa: A Head Horse Built for the Modern Game
Saebens first laid eyes on Una Furiosa in the catalog of the Triangle Sale two years ago. He knew she had “the look”—uphill build, low-set hocks and a presence. Purchased alongside a few other prospects by Shane Boston, Una Furiosa was started by Ty Benson before landing in Saebens’ program in late summer of her 2-year-old year.
“I’ve had her ever since,” Saebens said. “She’s fast. She scores great. From the start, she’s stood up in the box with her ears forward and waited on me. Her rhythm is really good, and she’s just cow-bred enough that she’s got feel without being over-reactive.”
The Scottsdale Sun Circuit earlier this spring was her debut—she finished second there—and by the Oil Can, Saebens said she felt “pretty dang good everywhere.” That maturity showed in the scores: Saebens and Una Furiosa topped the Pre-Futurity Heading’s short round with a 229.71, clinching the win by nearly two points overall.
“Honestly, I don’t have that many head horses, so I get to rattle the ones I have pretty hard,” Saebens joked. “But I don’t move to the next step until the one I’m on is about perfect. And I spend a lot of time away from the box, out in the pasture, letting them build confidence.”
Hallle Berry: From Tough Start to Heeling Star
The path with Hallle Berry wasn’t quite so smooth. The Metallic Cat daughter, also owned by Shane Boston, arrived at Saebens’ place after going through a few hands. She watched the cows a little *too* much, and Saebens wanted her more in the bridle.
Patience and strategic exposure made all the difference. Saebens resisted the temptation to force the issue with the cow. Instead, he eased Hallle Berry into a spot behind steers and allowed her to build her confidence gradually.
“You can’t just kick on ’em when they’re scared of a cow and expect it to fix things,” Saebens explained. “I let her ease up there behind cattle, work off a jump at a time. Once she understood the job, she’s been great.”
Hallle Berry’s flair was evident in Ardmore. Her stops and savvy cow sense combined with her undeniable “swag,” as Saebens called it topped the field. She’s already proven she can win, too: She was second at Buckeye in the Royal Crown earlier this spring, and she missed the win at Scottsdale with a leg.
“You let her tail down, put the show boots on, and she looks fancy,” Saebens said. “She’s capable of being a real horse and a show horse.”
“I’ve got 10 or 11 4-year-olds at home,” Saebens said. “I’ve got one good 6-year-old head horse and a 5-year-old heel horse. But this group of 4-year-olds, I’m pretty excited about.”
With a busy futurity calendar ahead—with major events like the Old West Futurity in June, the Gold Buckle Futurities and the ARHFA World Championships in Fort Worth—Saebens is being strategic about hauling.
“You can sit there and try to ease ’em around and protect ’em, but eventually something’s going to come up,” he said. “I’d rather take ’em now, fix any sweats or problems early, than have ’em come unraveled for a hundred thousand dollars at Utah.”
Saebens’ methodical, patient approach—combined with a string of athletic, well-bred horses—is paying off early.
“I’m just really excited,” he said. “This start, these horses, everything coming up—it feels good.”
