One year ago we sat down with four trainers and talked about their MVP offspring they were preparing for the 2024 NCHA Futurity. We called it, Next in Line…
Last fall, we launched a behind-the-scenes look at four promising Metallics MVP offspring as they prepared for their show career debut at the NCHA Futurity in the Open Division. From the start, each one showed the signature traits that define their sire- strength, eye appeal, and an incredible mind. Those qualities stood out a year ago, and they’ve carried each of these young horses through successful derby careers since.
Fast forward one year, and it’s amazing to see how each of these horses has lived up to the potential their trainers talked about back then. Every single one has gone on to have a successful derby year – a remarkable testament to consistency, ability, and the kind of presence that makes Metallics MVP’s offspring stand out.
Here’s a look at where they are now, one year later…
MVP Time
Originally owned by Cows and Horses Etc, and shown by Grant Setnicka, MVP Time was sold early on in his derby year to Lauren Salon and is now shown by Matt Miller. He’s one of those horses that seems to get better with every run, a near mirror image of his sire Metallics MVP. Since his Futurity debut, he’s earned close to $170,000 with major Open Derby Finals appearances at the PCCHA Futurity, PCCHA Derby, and NCHA Summer Spectacular, as well as being an NCHA Open Semi-Finalist.
More Veuve Please
The red roan mare owned by John Kratzer of Cows & Horses Etc, and shown by Russ Westfall and Brandon Westfall has quietly built an impressive résumé in her first year of showing. With nearly $32,000 earned at major aged events, she’s been a consistent finalist in the Open Derby at shows like the Cascades Futurity and Idaho Futurity, and was an NCHA Open Futurity Semi Finalist shortly after her Next in Line feature aired.
Country Money
Owned by Slate River Ranch and shown by John Mitchell, this mare has proven to be something special. With almost $50,000 in lifetime earnings so far, she’s checked all the boxes of a standout derby horse- Open Derby Finalist at the Breeders Invitational, Super Stakes Semi-Finalist, and NCHA Summer Spectacular Open Finalist with a top 5 finish, among other strong finishes all year! She is so dynamic to watch, we can’t wait to see more MVP offspring with her level of athleticism.
Pump the Breaks
Owned by Cows and Horses Etc. and shown by the GS Cutting Horses team, this mare has been every bit as steady and rock-solid as Grant Setnicka described her a year ago before he ever showed her. She’s earned over $30,000 so far, proving herself as both an Intermediate Open Finalist and Open Derby Finalist at multiple aged events all year – and even more impressively, she’s become a reliable and competitive mount for her owner in the Amateur and Non Pro divisions as well.
It’s pretty remarkable that all four horses featured in Next in Line have gone on to have successful derby seasons, and they’re all still going strong as the year winds down. We can’t wait to see them make the step up into the Open Classic Challenge next year.
And as for Metallics MVP himself… we’re counting down the days until the NCHA Futurity, now less than four weeks away, to see the next wave of MVP offspring hit the big stage!
Watch the whole Next In Line series on our Youtube page here.
