October 5, 2002 – Reno, Nevada – A year ago, Robbie Schroeder of
Gainesville, Texas was leading the NRCHA World Championship Snaffle Bit
Futurity Limited Open competition right up to the end - then the last horse
moved him out of the top slot. In 2002, the story played out more to his
liking and he became the Limited Open Champion on Lena Spark, a son of
Shining Spark out of Chelsea Lane.
Schroeder, the 2001 American Quarter Horse Association
Professional Horseman of the Year, was proud of "Shiner's" performance. "He
wants to be good. He's a horse that really accepts training well."
Even so, he admits to having been a little nervous about
the stallion making his debut center-stage in Reno. "A lot of people were
able to show their horses before this event, but my schedule didn't let me
do that. I got here during Non Pro week, though, and after only a couple of
days riding him here, he got really focused and ready to work."
Schroeder has trained and ridden multiple AQHA World
Champions and AQHA Honor Roll horses. Lena Spark, was owned by Schroeder and
partner, Eric Story until just weeks ago when he was purchased by Buddy
Leach's Sweet Lake Land & Oil of Lake Charles, Louisiana. This is the first
show horse for former US Congressman Leach, who is a democratic candidate
for Louisiana Governor in 2003.
Lena Spark will be shown next at the National Reining
Horse Association Futurity – a wise move considering that his rein work
score in the Limited Open Finals competition was a staggering 227! That
score, combined with a 217 and 216 in the herd and cow work, respectively,
gave him a composite score of 660.
The Reserve Championship went to Russell Dilday on Dana
Roulet's Topsails Rein Maker, a son of Topsail Cody out of Jameen Gay.
The action continues at the World Championship Snaffle
Bit Futurity on Sunday with the Open Finals to start at 9 am.
