Marisa Julian Sweeps Four Divisions at Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity

Fallon’s Marisa Julian and Sheza Lil Chili Pep swept four Non Pro Futurity divisions at the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity, held Sept. 11-20 at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.

Julian, who owns and showed Sheza Lil Chili Pep, won the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Limited Non Pro, and Level 1 Non Pro championships with a composite score of 647. The pair also posted a score of 221 in cow work.

Julian earned $16,975 for the four championships.

The 10th annual Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity, Derby and Horse Show featured 3-year-old horses competing in the futurity. The derby competition is for 4- and 5-year-old horses.

Futurity competitors are tested in herd work, rein work, and cow work.

In herd work, a horse-and-rider team separates one cow from the herd and prevents it from returning. The horse must anticipate the cow’s movements and block its attempts to rejoin the herd. Once the cow stops trying to return, the rider releases it, selects another cow, and repeats the process.

Competitors generally work two or three cattle during the 2½-minute time limit. Judges evaluate the horse and rider’s performance during the run.

In rein work, the rider guides the horse through a predetermined pattern. Judges look for a horse that is willingly guided with little or no apparent resistance. Required maneuvers include large and small circles, lead changes, spins, sliding stops, and backing.

The third portion is cow work. A single cow is released into the arena, and the horse and rider must demonstrate control through three stages. First, they box the cow at one end of the arena. Next, they drive it down the side of the arena and turn it along the fence in both directions. Finally, they bring the cow toward the center of the arena and circle it in each direction.

The Non Pro Futurity was presented by JJ Fisher Construction Inc. The Tom Barton Family sponsored the Non Pro Futurity Championship in memory of Tracey Barton. J&S Farms and Stan and Jami Pura sponsored the championship buckle, made by Skyline-Vaquero. Darrel and Cari Norcutt and Cow Camp Quarter Horses sponsored silver buckles.

Photo below: Marisa Julian, aboard Sheza Lil Chili Pep, is surrounded by family and friends after winning four Non Pro Futurity divisions at the 2026 Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity. Photo by Rockin’ Horse Photography.