Cody McCartney wrapped up a clean sweep of a weekend at the Gold Buckle Futurities in Ardmore, Oklahoma by winning the 6 & Under Tie-Down aboard Icingonthedeal, banking $11,500 for their 889.11 on four head.

The 5-year-old gelding—a 2021 son of Dealnwithacoolcat out of Shes Sanjos Playgirl, owned by Treston Brazile—came to McCartney’s program green broke last July. The win came on the heels of the gelding, in McCartney’s words, kind of turning it on, as he just started hauling him two months ago.

“That horse is bigger, runs a lot, still has a good stop,” McCartney said. “But my first two calves were a little softer. Something you’d love to have at a rodeo, but I don’t think they really let him show off. He didn’t get to really showcase his ability until the third round and short round. The calves were stronger and he kind of shines at stuff like that.”

McCartney backed in the box at high call, allowing him to do what he does best.

“Not that there isn’t any pressure, but it’s a little easier when you’re winning something no matter what,” McCartney said. “That calf was stronger, and my game plan was just to miss the barrier just a little bit to show his speed and go make another good run.”

Judged-event mindset

McCartney’s approach to a judged event reads less like a horse-show strategy and more like a rodeo mantra, and it’s a big part of why his horses keep cashing checks.

“I think it’s easy to get to a judged event or a futurity and think you need to show your horse,” McCartney said. “Well, to me, the hard work’s done at home. When you get here to these events, you just rope. And the better you rope, the better your horses are going to be. They’re trained. And if I do my job, they’re going to do theirs and we’re going to win money.”

What’s next for Icingonthedeal

The road ahead for the gelding looks like the road a lot of McCartney’s program horses travel: a futurity year that builds the name, then a transition into the rodeo arena.

“I think he’s going to be something for Treston to college rodeo on,” McCartney said. “He’s great in the box, good on the rope, can run, can stop. You don’t have to ride perfect. He’s going to do his deal and not keep you from winning. He’s the kind you want to rodeo on.”