The 35th annual Tom Powers Triple Challenge Futurity will get under way in Berrien Springs, Michigan first thing in the morning, Thursday, June 25 and promises to be one of the best showcases for Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle horses of the year.

Founder Tom Powers says nearly every stall is full for this year’s futurity which is one of the largest and longest running pleasure futurities in the world.

The weather has been kind to those moving in over the past several days, some even arriving in time for the Jeff Bujack Quarter Horse Shows June 20-21 and for the Triple Challenge NSBA/AQHA Special Event yesterday.

“In 2014 our futurity paid back over $318,000 plus trophies and awards,” Powers says. “Our 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure Maiden Stakes Class was once again very successful. In this class only we paid back $55,000 between Open and Limited riders. In addition to that, Harris Leather awarded $3,000 to the open winner and $1,000 to the limited rider if riding a Harris saddle. Our guaranteed purse for 2015 is $60,000.”

Judges Steve Meadows, Jon Barry, Jonathan Meilleur and Randy Wilson will begin officiating duties with the Maturity Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle at 8 a.m. on Thursday. Also featured on Thursday will be the Color Longe Line classes and several Western Pleasure classes.

Friday morning will be devoted to the Non-Pro and Open Western and Hunter Longe Line classes followed by several Hunter Under Saddle classes and the afternoon features Western Pleasure classes for Open and Non-Pro competitors.

Saturday will showcase the Western Pleasure Super Sires 3-Year-Old Non-Pro classes (open and limited divisions). To be eligible to compete, horses must be sired by one of the stallions enrolled in the Super Sires program.

The featured event on Saturday will be the presentation of the Maiden 2-Year-Old Stakes Class with a guaranteed purse of $60,000. Only horses that were sold through the Yearling Stakes Sale last year are eligible to compete in this year’s class. The winner of the Open Division will take home $25,000 and $8,000 is up for grabs to the winner of the Limited Division. In addition, Harris Leather will present bonus checks ($3,000 for the top placing Open Rider and $1,000 to the highest placing limited rider) to those competing in a Harris saddle.

At the conclusion of the Stakes Class the show will host a BBQ followed by this year’s Yearling Sale, presented by Alan Parker Auctions, in the indoor arena. Last year gross sales were reported at $894,450. The sale average was $10,907. This year 76 yearlings have been consigned to the sale. Purchases can be made in person, on the phone or online through Proxibid (https://alanparkerauctions.proxibid.com/asp/AuctionsByCompany.asp?ahid=3209)

To view the catalog click here:

http://alanparkerauctions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/2015-Tom-Powers-Final.pdf

The futurity will conclude Sunday with 3-Year-Old Novice Hunter Under Saddle followed by Youth Hunter Under saddle, 2-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure, Walk-Trot, Novice Non-Pro Western Pleasure, 2-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure and 50& Over Western Pleasure.

Many futurity classes are sanctioned by the NSBA. For a complete show bill click here:

http://www.tompowersfuturity.com/futurity/2015%20Futurity%20Flyer.pdf

Click here to check out the candid photos from the 2015 Tom Powers Futurity

Check back here at www.instrideedition.com for daily coverage and photos from the 2015 Tom Powers Futurity.