Jason Schaffer’s decision to jump ride the gelding DT Hickorys Zinger paid off to the tune of the $10,850 Open, Elite Breeders and 6 and Under wins on Aug. 20 in Rapid City, South Dakota.
“I didn’t know a whole lot about the horse, Schaffer (34) said. “I jump rode him today. They did well on him in the breakaway, and he’s a great horse. I just went with it. He made it pretty easy for me and was great on all four.”
Before Schaeffer stepped aboard, NFBR qualifier Beau Peterson rode the gelding to the breakaway roping Elite Breeders Incentive title, giving Schaeffer a chance to watch the horse work. Schaeffer was the one to watch all day long at Platinum Medal, posting high scores in every round on a mixture of jump riding mounts and his personal horses.
Schaffer entered the short round at Platinum Medal with multiple horses, but it was DT Hickorys Zinger in the high callback position with a multi-point lead on the pack. He defended that position to earn the $4,000 win with an 874.26 on four runs. Schaffer’s efforts also helped the team earn the $2,350 6 and Under incentive victory, plus the Elite Breeders Incentive sidepot on two runs for an additional $4,500.
A product of Dean Tuftin’s legendary DT horses program, DT Hickorys Zinger is a 2019 gelding by Hickory Holly Time and out of Smart Shiner Zana by Smart Shiner.
Schaffer, a Badlands Circuit native sang his praises to Platinum Medal for awarding trainers like himself the opportunity to get exposure for his horses and training program.
“It’s good to get these young horses out, get them seen,” Schaffer said. “It’s hard to rodeo on them, but you can take them to something like Platinum Medal and give them the chance to get out there and seasoned. Both horses I jump rode were great, very easy. I know my horses well, so on those it’s just scoring, roping and getting them tied down smooth.”
Platinum Medal Rope Horse Futurity Tie-Down Roping Results
Open
- Jason Schaffer and DT Hickorys Zinger, 872.26 on four, worth $4,000
- Trey Young and Jessie James Oakley, 869.52, $3,000
- Jason Schaffer and Ohh Its A Boon, 862.52, $2,000
- Cason Kingsbury and Heza Cat Goldseeker, $1,300
6 and Under Sidepot
- Jason Schaffer and DT Hickorys Zinger, 872.26 on four, $2,350
- Trey Young and Jessie James Oakley, 869.52 on four, $1,750
- Jason Schaffer and Ohh Its A Boon, 862.52, $1,100
- Myles Kenzy and McFly, 859.53 on four, $680
Intermediate Sidepot
- Trey Young and Jessie James Oakley, 869.52 on four, $1,800
- Myles Kenzy and McFly, 859.53 on four, $1,400
- Clay Cerny and Gini Cat, 848.10 on four, $900
- Jason Schaffer and Detroit Style, 844.70 on four, $420
Elite Breeders Incentive
- Jason Schaffer and DT Hickorys Zinger, $2,500
*pending scores on two runs*
