Playing With Da Boys Wins Level 2 NRHA Open Futurity

In the weeks leading up to the NRHA Futurity, Playing With Da Boys wasn't necessarily considered Fappani's best shot at a top finish in the major event. However, after one of Fappani's other mounts was scratched and another incurred penalties that kept him out of the finals, it was up to Playing With Da Boys to save the day. The bay roan mare owned by Neiberger-Camp Partnership impressed Fappani by delivering a big performance when it counted most, and she did it all in front of a packed house in the Jim Norick Arena. "She was remarkable every single piece of the pattern," Fappani said. "She ran into the bright lights, the loud crowd, the vibrations – nothing changed. She stopped incredible, turned incredible both ways, circled great both directions. I was pushing her the whole time. She never left me." Their 221, which also placed them third in the Level 3 Open, was particularly impressive considering the mare had a bobble on one of her large fast circles. Fappani shouldered the blame, holding his horse faultless. "She was trying her hardest; it was just slippery," he said. "You can't be mad at her for it. She was doing absolutely everything that she could to be her best." Bred and nominated by Sergio Elia, Playing With Da Boys is by NRHA $7 Million Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of My Berry Best Gun. In addition to her Level 2 Co-Championship, she and Fappani also earned $27,568 for a third-place tie in Level 3 and $39,197 for sharing ninth in Level 4 (including nominator incentives). The mare's career total now stands at $112,000-plus, while Fappani's NRHA lifetime earnings are approaching the $800,000 mark. Fappani, no stranger to elite reining horses, was competing for the first time as an open rider at the 2023 Futurity. Currently working for NRHA $4 Million Rider Casey Deary, Fappani previously had a distinguished career as a non pro on horses owned by his parents: Andrea, an NRHA $8 Million Rider, and Tish, who boasts her own non pro record in excess of $800,000 - both of whom are NRHA Million Dollar Owners. Fappani thanked the Neiberger and Camp families for allowing him to ride Playing With Da Boys at the Futurity and Deary for his support, along with girlfriend Payton Neiberger for the work she does to help him find success. "I just want to thank God first for putting me on this path, giving me this horse and putting the heart in her that he did," Fappani added, noting that he is already looking forward to the future with the mare. "She is such an incredible animal."

The Reiner

By Molly Montag