Steve Orth and Titos Special Nite had an impressive showing in the Zesterra 6 & Under Heeling at the Royal Crown in Waco, Texas. 

The 2016 gelding pulled in a $10,032 by placing in the No. 1 or No 2. spot in each round, scoring a total of 563.72 points on four head for the aggregate win, with NFR average champion header Cody Snow on the head side.

In the opening round, Oklahoma’s Orth scored 138.42 and pocketed $1,200 for second-place efforts on the buckskin gelding owned by Hoby and Anita Horn. The second round brought 143.23 points and a first-place check worth $1,600. Tito added another $1,200 to his earnings with a score of 140.12 in round three for second place. Orth was high callback in the short round with a considerable lead, but he sealed the deal with a 141.94-point run—the highest of the final round. Orth was full of praises for Tito after he exited the arena. 

“Tito’s probably one of the nicest heel horses I’ve ever ridden, day in and day out. He’s a lot of horse, but he’s very, very talented. He hits the ground good, and he’s pretty—that helps,” Orth said.

Orth is very familiar with the bloodlines that help make “Tito,” as he calls the gelding, great.

“He’s a Gunners Special Nite, and I really like them. He came from the Ketchum program in the reining,” Orth said. ”He’s got a sister that’s won a lot. They tried him in the reining and he didn’t fire like they wanted him to. He’s a Gray Starlight on the bottom and shows a lot of those traits too. He’s just so physical and in the ground—and he can run too.” 

Fresh off an ARHFA Sun Circuit Heeling win in March, Orth has maintained consistent momentum and is a threat each time he backs in the box at the futurities. Orth has had success on multiple horses in 2022, but a unique addition to Tito’s resume is that his owner, Hoby Horn, shows him in amateur futurities. This is a testament to the gelding’s cool style and solid foundation. 

Although the gelding doesn’t qualify for the Royal Crown incentive, Orth brought seven additional horses to Waco, most of which do qualify for the upcoming $40,000-added futurities. 

Full Royal Crown Results from Waco

Aggregate

1. Steve Orth on Titos Special Nite, 563.72 points on four head, worth $6,032
2. Dakota Kirchenschlager on Play With Sparks, 555.14 points on four head, worth $4,992
3. Joseph Harrison on Shine Jose, 550.42 points on four head, worth $3,952
4. Cole Davison on The Notorious Spook, 549.61 points on four head, worth $2,912
5. Junior Noguiera on Metallic Payday, 548.75 points on four head, worth $1,872
6. Rhen Richard on SJR Diamond Len, 547.19 points on four head, worth $1,040

Round 1

1. Cole Davison on The Notorious Spook, 139.42 points, worth $1,600
2. Steve Orth on Titos Special Nite, 138.42 points, worth $1,200
3. Kaleb Driggers on Metallic Payday, 138.21 points, worth $800
4. Shay Carroll on Mista Hot Cat, 138.03 points, worth $400

Round 2

1. Steve Orth on Titos Special Nite, 143.23 points, worth $1,600
2. Joseph Harrison on Shine Jose, 140.88 points, worth $1,200
3. Dakota Kirchenschlager on Play With Sparks, 140.1 points, worth $800
4. Cole Davison on The Notorious Spook, 139.74 points, worth $400

Round 3

1. Joseph Harrison on Shine Jose, 140.26 points, worth $1,600
2. Steve Orth on Titos Special Nite, 140.12 points, worth $1,200
3. Dakota Kirchenschlager on Play With Sparks, 139.42 points, worth $800
4. Steve Orth on Seven S Dulcita, 139.2 points, worth $400

Short Go

1. Steve Orth on Titos Special Nite, 141.94 points
2. Cole Davison on The Notorious Spook, 140.7 points
3. Dakota Kirchenschlager on Play With Sparks, 140.51 points 
4. Steve Orth on Dual Oak E, 138.66 points, worth $1,000 bonus