Twenty-three new futurity champions were crowned today in the opening of A Little Futurity in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle classes for youngsters, non-pros, North Carolina residents and even the most seasoned riders were featured in the 10^th anniversary celebration of what has become one of the premier futurities in the country.

“This event exceeded my expectations ten years ago and just continues to humble us every year,” says Larry Little.

The Novice Youth Western Pleasure got the day off to a strong start with eight entries. Austin Green rode Certainly Inspired, owned by Steve and Susan Thompson, to a win in the class earning $112.

The biggest class of the day was the 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure. Ashley Fry, of Galax, Virginia, piloted The Rock, a red roan stallion sired by RL Best Of Sudden and out of Lopen Good Bar, to a win in the class, earning $380.80

Kenny Lakins showed One Lazy Investment to a win in the Open Western Pleasure Maturity for owners Peek and Virginia Owen, of Greenville, South Carolina, narrowly edging out A Certain Vino in the class of six.

The Maturity Limited Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle drew 13 entries with a tie for victory between An Asset For Sure, owned and shown by Wayne Smith and Call Me Blazing Hot, owned and shown by Tammy Schuster. Both take home $282.

Large crowds gathered all the way around the arena for the first glimpse of the new 2-year-old Western Pleasure contenders of the year.

Angie Cannizzaro, of Purcell, Oklahoma, piloted Best Game In Town, to a win in the class besting nine other entries for owners Stanley and Susan Scott of Ocala, Florida. Best Game In Town is sired by RL Best Of Sudden and out of Troubles A Blazin and earned $588 for the win.

Kyle DeFreece won the Limited Open 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure aboard Maid U Look, owned by Katie Johnson, of Chipley, Florida. Maid U Look is sired by Machine Made and out of Beccatha and was bred by Kyle’s parents, Mark & Melinda DeFreece, of Whitesboro, Texas. The brown mare earned $299.25 for the win.

At the conclusion of the show Monday an exhibitor and sponsor dinner was hosted by InStride Edition, just prior to the presentation of the 3 & 4-Year-Old $1,000 Novice Horse Western Pleasure Sponsored by Southern Oaks Farms/Peek and Virginia Owen. Rock County Kid, a 2011 bay gelding by Good I Will Be and out of JDZ Madison County took home $13,760 for his win in the class. Rock County Kid is owned by Sharnai Thompson and was ridden by Rusty Green.

Classes resume on Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. with the 3-Year-Old Novice Horse Open Hunter Under Saddle Class.

Complete results from today’s classes can be found here

For up to the minute results from tomorrow’s show check the InStride Edition Facebook page.

Checkout some candids from the show.