CORNHUSKER'S BREEDERS &
OPEN BARREL FUTURITY
Promoting stallions and breeders through the sport of barrel racing! Over 70+ stallions enrolled.
Hilary Hilzendeger on RS Bumble Bee Sting setting the new arena record with a 14.828!
$110+K
TOTAL PAYOUT
$60+K
TOTAL ADDED MONEY
715+
TOTAL RUNS
21
YEARS STRONG
3
SPECIAL AWARDS
2024 NUMBERS. 2025 WILL BE BIGGER AND BETTER!
ABOUT CORNHUSKER BREEDERS & OPEN BARREL FUTURITY
The Cornhusker Breeders and Open Barrel Futurity was founded in 2003 by Marlene McGaughey. Cristi Gaffney had told her a few years earlier that if she ever decided to retire that she would be interested in taking over the reins. In 2019, Marlene called, and the two ladies came to an agreement for to purchase the event. Cristi officially took charge in December of 2019. Prior to the Cornhusker, Nebraska had a futurity in Broken Bow since the mid 1990’s it was initially ran by Carolyn McClain and Judy Gracy. They put the event on for the Custer County Fairboard. Then Ronda Hilker put the event on for 2 years under the name Sunrise Breeders. Cristi intends to grow the event while maintaining its great history and bring the best of barrel racing to Nebraska!
In 2023, the Cornhusker Breeders and Open Futurity moved its location from Broken Bow, Nebraska to McCook, Nebraska. The event is now being held at the Red Willows Fairground (Kiplinger Arena). For more information on the arena and fairgrounds, Red Willows Fairground.
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We continue to work hard to make our event fun and family friendly. Our free BBQ will be held on Saturday night again this year in 2024. We would love for you to join us so we can thank you and introduce you.
Special Awards
The Cornhusker does three special awards:
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Home Grown Award (This is given to the high money winner that is the breeder, owner & rider of their horse)
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Nebraska Bred Award (This is given to the high money winner in the breeder's futurity on a horse that was bred in Nebraska)
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High Money Winner (must compete at Cornhusker Futurity & Triangle Cross Classic Futurity)
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Photo: Cristi & Drew Gaffney
OUR CREW
Office
Ground Crew
Announcer
Heather Rhinehart
Michelle Pearson
Jessica Milliman
Clint Smith
Trent Jochimsen
Clint Milliman
Barrel Setters
Gate/Check-in
Photographer
Spencer Gaffney
Zack Gaffney
Colton Duda
Brenda Bowers
Diane Young
Emily Dukat (EMDukat Photography)
Next Gen Rodeo/Webcast
Zack Bocco
Reese Williams
Kolby Brown
Website/Social Media/Advertising
Michelle Battista
2024 CORNHUSKER NEXT GEN RODEO EVENT RECAP
2024 CORNHUSKER WINNERS CIRCLE
2024 BREEDERS FUTURITY CHAMPION & OPEN FUTURITY CHAMPION
HORSE: RS BUMBLE BEE STING
SIRE: FEEL THE STING
RIDER: HILARY HILZENDEGER
WINNING: $10,620
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Their round one time was 15.192. In round two they set a new arena record with a 14.828. They also won the aggregate with a 30.020. Hillary won $7596 in the Breeder’s Futurity and $3024 in the Open Futurity.
2024 HOME GROWN AWARD WINNER
HORSE: JFIVE STONED N VEGAS
SIRE: FRENCH STREAK TO VEGAS
RIDER: BAILEY ALVAREZ
WINNING: $4864.32
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The Home Grown Award is sponsored by Plains Horizons Insurance (Trula Churchill). This award requires you to be the breeder, rider and owner of the horse. Bailey was the breeder, owner and rider of JFive Stoned N Vegas. (French Streak To Vegas X Brookabella) the pair won a total of $4864.32 in the Breeders and Amateur Futurity.
2024 NEW ARENA RECORD HOLDER
HORSE: RS BUMBLE BEE STING
SIRE: FEEL THE STING
RIDER: HILARY HILZENDEGER
TIME: 14.828
2024 HIGH MONEY DERBY WINNER
(BETWEEN TRIANGLE CROSS CLASSIC
& CORNHUSKER FUTURITY)
HORSE: VC ROC THE CLOCK
SIRE: JL SIROCCO
RIDER: JESSICA LEACH
WINNING:
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​Jessica Leach riding VC Roc The Clock ( JL Sirocco X Heavens Special Toast) was the high money Derby winner between the Triangle Cross Classic and Cornhusker Futurity winning a custom hat from Bar None Hat Company.
2024 BREEDERS DERBY CHAMPION
HORSE: KD BABY DRIVER
SIRE: A STREAK OF FLING
RIDER: DUSKY LYNN HALL
WINNING: $3532
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The team was 15.067 and placed second in the first round. The pair won the second round with a 15.051. They also won the aggregate with a 30.118. They earned $3532 over the weekend.
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2024 NEBRASKA BRED CHAMPION
HORSE: JOSE ON THE ROCS
SIRE: JL SIROCCO
RIDER: JESSICA PETERSON
WINNING: $1503.60
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This is given to the high money winner in the breeder's futurity on a horse that was bred in Nebraska. Sponsored by Apex Tack (Mika Drews) and 3S Equine. Jessica owns and is the rider of Jose on the Rocs.
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2024 HIGH MONEY FUTURITY WINNER
(BETWEEN TRIANGLE CROSS CLASSIC
& CORNHUSKER FUTURITY)
HORSE: AIN'T SEEN MY DESIGN
SIRE: AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN YET
RIDER: AMELIA MCCUMBER
WINNING: $2806.60
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​She won a Robbie Phillips saddle certificate so she can order the saddle anyway she would like. Accepting for Amelia are her mom, her niece and her friend.
