Alyssa Whetten, Glen Truelock and Becca Alden brought home wins from the New Mexico Quarter Horse Association Breeders Futurity. The Futurity contestants were competing for over $10,000 in cash and prizes at the New Mexico State Fair 2008 Breeders Futurity held in mid-September.

 Forty-five entries from New Mexico and Colorado were vying for the bragging rights, prize money and gifts,  and more than 55 mares and stallions had offspring eligible to compete in the breeders classes at the event.

 One of the largest classes was the Yearling Lunge Line (nominated stallions) with 11 entries in the class. The purpose of showing a yearling on a lunge line is to demonstrate that the horse has the movement, manners/expression/attitude, and conformation to become competitive under saddle. The class consists of first a lunging demonstration lasting 90 seconds showing the horse at three gaits in both directions, and second, a conformation inspection.

Whetten, of Newkirk, led her yearling gelding, CC Poco Lucky Strike, to the winners circle. Glen Truelock, of Tucumcari, was second with Sparkles Array owned by Harold Borden.

Truelock, who is a veteran at the Breeders Futurity, placed first in the two previous years competition.

Whetten often told Truelock “He was the man to beat.”

And as the placings were being announced Truelock and Whetten began to realize they were the last two standing. Whetten said she knew it was Truelock and Truelock said he hoped it would be her.

Then Truelock, who is 80, and Whetten, who is 15,  bridged the generation gap, and joined in a big hug. “It was a great moment for both of us,” Truelock said. And Whetten couldn’t resist the opportunity to kid her elder when she said, “The  cute factor always plays a big role.”
Whetten won more than $1,200 with her first place.

Others placing at the Breeders Futurity were:
l Whetten and CC Poco Lucky Strike, 3rd in Yearling Geldings Halter.
l  Truelock and Sparkles Array, 4th in Yearling Gelding Halter.
l Becca Alden, of Tucumcari,  5th with Montoya Nona Yearling Lunge Line (nominated stallion), 1st in Yearling Lunge Line (nominated mare) and 4th Yearling Fillies Halter.
l Truelock with Zippin Skip, 1st in 3-year-old Western leisure and 1st in 3-year-old English.