Debbie Crafton’s Preparation For The Snaffle Bit Futurity

If you are a Reined Cow Horse enthusiast, then you have heard of Debbie Crafton, from Ordway, Colorado. Debbie isn’t the traditional Non-Professional, she and her family specialize in training and showing horses that they make. Debbie is a fierce competitor, making her one of the highest-paid Non-Pros in the nation. But it's not just a one women show, it’s a family event.

Two years ago Debby won the coveted Championship in the Non-Pro at the Snaffle Bit Futurity in Fort Worth, Texas on "Dualin Alittle Time". This year will be a little different, as she is planning on taking five horses to show at the Futurity in October. Debbie had great success at the Pre-Futurity with her horses where she took home right around $10,000 dollars in prize money after she won first on “SJR Sumkindarockstar” and second on “Bet She’s Wright”. Debbie also won the Texas Quarter Horse Association incentive on “Smooth As A Cat”.

Lori Frampton-Crafton, Debbie’s oldest daughter also showed in the Non-Pro Limited Futurity and was Reserve Champion on “One Smart N Timely” and her youngest daughter DJ Crafton Showed in the youth boxing.

But the horses these gals ride aren’t made the traditional way, “We start all of our two-year-olds in January and February, I like to let my horses come along at their own pace” says Crafton. Most of her futurity horses were purchased as “long yearlings” at the Western Bloodstock. She has had great luck in the past years with horses purchased from their sale given the fact that she enrolls them in their sale incentive.

“SJR Sumkindarockstar” was purchased this year in February from Cayley Wilson, and “Bet She’s Wright” was purchased in March from Justin Wright. 

Unlike most three-year-old programs Debbie puts her horses to use. “We work a lot of cattle outside at home. It's just Lori and me so we want them to love their jobs as much as we love it” says Crafton. Consistency is key to her program with the three-year-olds “I want my colts to be able to work and handle any situation the cow throws at us” says Crafton. More to be revealed for Debbie and Lori as they head towards the National Reined Cow Horse Futurity.