Lacey Harmon's Win at BFA SuperStakes Was a Family Affair
Lacey Harmon's Win at BFA SuperStakes Was a Family Affair
Lacey Harmon added another BFA world title to her resume after winning the coveted SuperStakes Race this past week in Oklahoma City.
Lacey Harmon can add another BFA world title to her resume after winning the coveted SuperStakes Race this past week in Oklahoma City.
Harmon, who captured the BFA Futurity World Championship in 2009, jockeyed home-raised Flashin Flitter to the victory in the SuperStakes after posting a blistering-fast time of 15.465 and outrunning the rest of the talented field of horses and trainers by two-10ths of a second. Flashin Flitter "Lucky" is the stunningly beautiful 3-year-old daughter of First Moonflash and out of Miss Firewater Ryon, who is by Firewater Flit. Miss Firewater Ryon is out of Mamies Leaving (by This Jets Leavin) who Harmon won a Josey World Championship on several years ago.
"Lucky is a very personable horse but also a little quirky," Harmon said. "She is pretty funny really. She demands attention but then ignores you if you get too close. She's kind of crazy and gets it from her mother I assume. She is dramatic but in a hilarious way."
The process and preparation of bringing "Lucky" into the world was a family affair. It all started five years ago when Harmon's mother's best friend of 40 years raised First Moonflash and kept telling her that they would make great barrel horses.
"We took her advice and bred Miss Firewater Ryon to him and my mom told everyone, and I mean everyone, about her 'dream horse!'" Harmon said. "Norma Alvarez, mom's best friend, and Debra Laney were there when 'Lucky' won the SuperStakes, and we were there in Ruidoso when they won the All American with Handsome Jackflash. So for all of us to be together for each of our dreams to become a reality was just unbelievable and truly special."
If that wasn't enough to make this a fairytale story, there is more to it. Harmon's father helped to save "Lucky's" life when she was born, and her brother, Ben broke "Lucky," which was the first horse he started with the help from Phil Haugen. Harmon husband, Casey, shoes all of her horses, and she credits his support and positivity in aiding her success.
"My dad rarely comes to watch me, because he gets so nervous, but he was there that night which was really special to me," Harmon said. "Several of my family members were there to witness our win, along with my 90-year-old grandma Ruby. I can't put into words how amazing it was to have my whole family come together for this night and for 'Lucky' and I to win! It is such a blessing."
Preparing the young superstar for her first run at the BFA was similar to how Harmon prepared her other horses.
"I worked her like any other horse and kept her confident and sharp," Harmon said. "I had been taking my 3 year olds to exhibition about twice a week up until the last two weeks. Then I just concentrated on making sure she was feeling 100 percent."
Prior to the SuperStakes, Harmon focused on trusting her training and her horse.
"I got behind her at the first barrel, but she is so fast that she makes up for a lot," Harmon said. "I knew it was a good run, but I didn't really think it was that good until I glanced up at the clock as I was running back up the alley. After I had noticed what our time was, I did give a good ol' fist pump, because I was so excited and thrilled!"
Harmon admitted that it took a minute for her run to sink in, and it wasn't until good friend Hallie Hanssen came running up to her telling her she had won the slot race that it all became crystal clear.
"Once Hallie told me that I had won, I got a little emotional, and when I saw my family and got to share in the excitement with all of them, it really sank in," Harmon said. "It was and still is very exciting. It is definitely a run that I will never forget!"
Bit: Old Loomis Gag with smooth mouthpiece
Saddle: Jordon Briggs Finalist by Shiloh Saddlery
Saddle pad: 5 Star
Leg gear: Classic Equine polo wraps all around
Hay: Free choice organic alfalfa from Lazy A Farms
Grain: Bluebonnet Intensify Textured
Supplements: Cetyl M, Cetyl M Complete, Mega Oil, Supersport, Gastro Guard
Alternative therapies: FlexiNeb, Sport Innovations Blanket, Magna Wave, Cold Spa
Sponsors: Cetyl M, Oxygen and Behind The Alley
By Hope Sickler
Harmon, who captured the BFA Futurity World Championship in 2009, jockeyed home-raised Flashin Flitter to the victory in the SuperStakes after posting a blistering-fast time of 15.465 and outrunning the rest of the talented field of horses and trainers by two-10ths of a second. Flashin Flitter "Lucky" is the stunningly beautiful 3-year-old daughter of First Moonflash and out of Miss Firewater Ryon, who is by Firewater Flit. Miss Firewater Ryon is out of Mamies Leaving (by This Jets Leavin) who Harmon won a Josey World Championship on several years ago.
"Lucky is a very personable horse but also a little quirky," Harmon said. "She is pretty funny really. She demands attention but then ignores you if you get too close. She's kind of crazy and gets it from her mother I assume. She is dramatic but in a hilarious way."
The process and preparation of bringing "Lucky" into the world was a family affair. It all started five years ago when Harmon's mother's best friend of 40 years raised First Moonflash and kept telling her that they would make great barrel horses.
"We took her advice and bred Miss Firewater Ryon to him and my mom told everyone, and I mean everyone, about her 'dream horse!'" Harmon said. "Norma Alvarez, mom's best friend, and Debra Laney were there when 'Lucky' won the SuperStakes, and we were there in Ruidoso when they won the All American with Handsome Jackflash. So for all of us to be together for each of our dreams to become a reality was just unbelievable and truly special."
If that wasn't enough to make this a fairytale story, there is more to it. Harmon's father helped to save "Lucky's" life when she was born, and her brother, Ben broke "Lucky," which was the first horse he started with the help from Phil Haugen. Harmon husband, Casey, shoes all of her horses, and she credits his support and positivity in aiding her success.
"My dad rarely comes to watch me, because he gets so nervous, but he was there that night which was really special to me," Harmon said. "Several of my family members were there to witness our win, along with my 90-year-old grandma Ruby. I can't put into words how amazing it was to have my whole family come together for this night and for 'Lucky' and I to win! It is such a blessing."
Preparing the young superstar for her first run at the BFA was similar to how Harmon prepared her other horses.
"I worked her like any other horse and kept her confident and sharp," Harmon said. "I had been taking my 3 year olds to exhibition about twice a week up until the last two weeks. Then I just concentrated on making sure she was feeling 100 percent."
Prior to the SuperStakes, Harmon focused on trusting her training and her horse.
"I got behind her at the first barrel, but she is so fast that she makes up for a lot," Harmon said. "I knew it was a good run, but I didn't really think it was that good until I glanced up at the clock as I was running back up the alley. After I had noticed what our time was, I did give a good ol' fist pump, because I was so excited and thrilled!"
Harmon admitted that it took a minute for her run to sink in, and it wasn't until good friend Hallie Hanssen came running up to her telling her she had won the slot race that it all became crystal clear.
"Once Hallie told me that I had won, I got a little emotional, and when I saw my family and got to share in the excitement with all of them, it really sank in," Harmon said. "It was and still is very exciting. It is definitely a run that I will never forget!"
The Rundown
Horse: Flashin Flitter; 15.2 hands 1,100 lbsBit: Old Loomis Gag with smooth mouthpiece
Saddle: Jordon Briggs Finalist by Shiloh Saddlery
Saddle pad: 5 Star
Leg gear: Classic Equine polo wraps all around
Hay: Free choice organic alfalfa from Lazy A Farms
Grain: Bluebonnet Intensify Textured
Supplements: Cetyl M, Cetyl M Complete, Mega Oil, Supersport, Gastro Guard
Alternative therapies: FlexiNeb, Sport Innovations Blanket, Magna Wave, Cold Spa
Sponsors: Cetyl M, Oxygen and Behind The Alley
By Hope Sickler