Amarillo, Texas – A remarkable display of talent and composure by two 4-year-old mares initially captivated audiences at the Old West World Championships in Amarillo, Texas, holding the top two spots after two grueling rounds of the 6-&-Under Futurity Heading. As the competition intensified through three rounds, one of these rising stars, Fendiii, has solidified her leading position, heading into the critical short round with an impressive aggregate score.
Fendiii, a striking black mare sired by the esteemed Valiant Hero and co-owned by Zito Equine and Cracklin J, is currently leading the average with a commanding 683.11 points on three head. Guided by the skillful hands of Miles Baker, a prominent Decatur, Texas-based horseman, Fendiii has consistently delivered stellar performances. Her journey to the top began with a strong 229.15 in Round 1, securing second place and a $1,000 check. She followed this with a 225.51 in Round 2 and capped it off with another second-place finish in Round 3, marking 228.45 and earning an additional $1,000. Her consistent high scores underscore her exceptional aptitude for the demanding discipline of heading, especially noteworthy given her youth.
Understanding the Futurity Challenge
The Old West World Championships represents a pinnacle event in the Western performance horse world, attracting top riders and some of the most promising equine athletes. Within this prestigious setting, the Futurity Heading classes are designed to showcase the potential of young horses, specifically those aged six and under. These competitions are crucial proving grounds for future champions, evaluating a horse’s natural ability, training, and mental fortitude under competitive pressure. The "6-&-Under" designation means these young horses are competing against a field that can include animals up to two years their senior, making Fendiii’s and Crosby Ray Von’s early dominance as 4-year-olds particularly remarkable. It speaks volumes about their inherent talent and advanced training, highlighting their ability to perform at a level typically expected of more seasoned competitors.
The format of these futurities involves multiple rounds, where consistency is paramount. Each run is scored, and horses are judged on their ability to work with the steer, their speed, agility, and the precision with which they execute the heading maneuvers. The cumulative score over several rounds determines the finalists who advance to the short round, where the stakes are highest, and a single error can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
The Resilience of a Young Star
Miles Baker, who trains for the renowned Relentless Remuda alongside the legendary 26-time PRCA world champion Trevor Brazile, shared insights into Fendiii’s extraordinary temperament. "She’s so cold, like, she’s stone cold in the box," Baker stated, emphasizing a trait highly prized in competitive roping. He elaborated on how, unlike many young horses whose emotions and heart rates might rise in the later rounds, Fendiii maintains remarkable composure. "For her to be a four-year-old going against six-year-old, and to be, like, that cold-blooded, her heart rate don’t even get up, it’s just a testament to the kind of mare she is. She’s just really good. If I mess up, if I’m not high call on her, it’s because I messed up. You know, she’s just that good of a mare.” This assessment from a top horseman like Baker speaks volumes about Fendiii’s potential, suggesting she possesses not just physical prowess but also the mental toughness required to excel at the highest levels of the sport.
Beyond Fendiii’s innate talent, Baker also credited the quality of the cattle provided at the Old West World Championships for allowing horses to truly demonstrate their abilities. He noted that the consistent nature of the cattle and the precise start allowed headers ample opportunity to "read the cattle" through the lane, a critical element for a successful run. "Honestly, the cattle they brought were so good. I mean, they were perfect to show horses, the horses that actually scored good, ’cause nothing really split the gates and run," Baker explained. "The start was enough that you could actually read the cattle. There’s a lot of setups that it’s horn around, and you don’t have to see enough to have time to read what the cow’s doing. And so today, having a horse that you could set there and score and let you read the cow through the lane – I think that’s why the black mare was so good.” This meticulous attention to event setup highlights the collaborative effort between organizers and competitors to ensure a fair and optimal environment for showcasing equine talent.
Crosby Ray Von’s Journey and the Barrier’s Impact
Fendiii’s early lead was not without challenge, particularly from another exceptional 4-year-old mare, Crosby Ray Von, affectionately known as Bella. This blue roan mare, by Stevie Rey Von out of Ma Crosby (by Valiant Hero), also owned by Cracklin J, initially led the average after two rounds with Trevor Brazile in the saddle, holding a narrow one-point lead over Fendiii (455.66 to 454.66). However, the unpredictable nature of team roping proved impactful in Round 3 when Brazile incurred a barrier penalty, marking 217.86, which caused Bella to slide down to sixth place in the average at 673.52.
This incident served as a stark reminder of the fine margins in competitive roping. Baker acknowledged the lesson, emphasizing the importance of precise timing. “There’s really no reason for me to ever break a barrier on that black mare,” Baker said, referring to Fendiii. “It’s so easy for her. You can’t set back there and play it safe every time. Like, you’ve got to run at the barrier, you’ve got to do your job, but it’s comforting to know that I can sit there and score as long as I need to, and when I see the start go by the end of the gates, I can drop knowing that I’m out.” This nuanced approach to the barrier – being aggressive yet controlled – is a hallmark of elite ropers and demonstrates the strategic depth of the sport.
Both Fendiii and Crosby Ray Von also showcased their versatility in the 4-&-Under Pre-Futurity Heading earlier in the week. Fendiii secured second place in Round 1 with a 227.72, earning another $1,000, although a leg penalty in Round 3 dropped her to 14th overall in that specific class. Crosby Ray Von, eligible for Old West sale graduate money, performed admirably, placing third at 677.65 with Brazile, who also leads that class on Kiri.
The Chase for the Title
As Fendiii and Miles Baker prepare for the short round on Saturday, Oct. 17, they face formidable competition from seasoned horse-and-rider combinations. Trevor Brazile, still a strong contender, sits just 2.35 points behind Fendiii on RR Gunners Affair, with an average of 680.76. Rhen Richard is also hot on their heels, placed third on Kynis Brookstone at 678.97. These two challenging 6-year-olds boast impressive QData earnings, combining for nearly $295,000, highlighting the caliber of competition Fendiii is outperforming. The short round promises to be a thrilling conclusion, with every run critical to determining the champion of the 6-&-Under Futurity Heading.
A Shared Pedigree of Excellence: The Story of Two Mares
One of the most compelling narratives emerging from the Old West World Championships is the shared origin and parallel success of Fendiii and Crosby Ray Von. Miles Baker revealed that both mares came from the same initial group of colts he was training. "I just always liked her. I can’t even recall what class it was, but I think I had a class of cowier head horses, and I had to just live on the barrier all the time, and I was just dreaming of a class of horses that I could make sure I got out every time," Baker recounted, describing his initial impression of Fendiii. He identified both Fendiii and Bella as standouts in that group.
The decision of which mare to send to the prestigious Utah sale was a strategic one. Baker explained, "Bella was farther along than Fendiii. And I thought a Stevie at that sale would be more appealing to the public than a Valiant Hero. Our industry is not necessarily educated enough in the racehorse world to know what a Valiant Hero is." This decision proved momentous, as Crosby Ray Von (Bella) achieved an unprecedented $1.7 million at the June 2025 Old West Sale, setting a new record as the most expensive Western performance prospect ever sold at public auction. Alan Jones of Cracklin J Ranch purchased Bella from the Relentless Remuda and Solo Select partnership. Following the sale, Bella continued her winning ways, securing the Pre-Futurity Heading title at Old West’s Guthrie, Oklahoma, stop, along with a $40,000 sale graduate bonus.
Despite the initial separation, fate brought Fendiii back into a shared ownership structure with Bella. While Bella is wholly owned by Alan and Meleesa Jones of Cracklin J, Fendiii, initially owned by David Zito, saw Zito sell half interest to Alan and Meleesa of Cracklin J. This unique situation means both extraordinary mares are now under the same ownership banner, a fact not lost on Baker. "I don’t want to say once in a lifetime, because there’s a lot of good horses coming along, too, but for two mares of that caliber to be owned by the same people is pretty special," he reflected, highlighting the rare confluence of talent and strategic investment.
The Relentless Pursuit of Excellence
The success of Fendiii and Crosby Ray Von is not an isolated incident but a reflection of the rigorous training philosophy upheld by Miles Baker, Trevor Brazile, and the entire Relentless Remuda team. Their dedication to preparation is evident in their dominance at the Old West World Championships, with horses ridden by Baker and Brazile holding five of the top 10 spots in the average. Beyond Fendiii’s first place, Baker also has Relentless Kat in tenth. Brazile rides RR Gunners Affair in second, A Relentless Buzz in fourth, and Crosby Ray Von in sixth.
Baker emphasized the "no detail too small" approach, which extends to activities like hauling futurity horses to "preworks"—practice shows designed to give rope horses valuable "exhibitions" even if they don’t seem to need it. "My horses didn’t even need it," Baker candidly admitted about a recent prework where he entered seven of nine horses. "I got there, they worked great. I scored a couple, run a couple, and left, and I can honestly say it probably did them no good. But, like, good, bad and different, no matter what, I can look my owners in the eye and say, ‘Hey, I tried my ass off. I did everything I could to make sure that these horses were ready, and it just didn’t go our way, or it did go our way.’"
This philosophy underscores a commitment to thoroughness and accountability. Baker continued, "And, like, our horses today, they were great. We have five in the top 10, and if you take barriers and legs out of it, I think we’re five of the top six. And that’s just having horses prepared, and you don’t just get them prepared in the practice pen. Going the extra mile and hauling them around and doing the little stuff, right? There’s just no detail that’s too small in this game. Everything matters.” This comprehensive approach to training and preparation is clearly yielding exceptional results, setting a high standard in the competitive roping world.
Fendiii’s Illustrious Record and Pedigree
Prior to her stellar performance in Amarillo, Fendiii had already amassed a significant record, boasting $59,622 in QData earnings as of October 11, 2026, all achieved within the current year. Her $3,000 in round checks from the Old West World Championships are yet to be added to this impressive tally. This places her just shy of Crosby Ray Von’s $59,720 in QData earnings.
Her career highlights include winning the 4-&-Under Heading Futurity at the Royal Crown in Rapid City, earning $10,409. She also secured second place at the Royal Crown in Oklahoma City and in the Pre-Futurity Heading at the ARHFA Redbud Spectacular, along with a third-place finish at the Royal Crown in Buckeye. At Old West’s Heber City stop in June, she placed fourth in the Pre-Futurity Heading and fifth in the Futurity Heading.
Fendiii’s exceptional abilities are deeply rooted in her pedigree, which reads like a who’s who of Quarter Horse racing legends. Her sire, Valiant Hero, is a son of the legendary First Down Dash out of the iconic Corona Chick. Her dam, First Prize Shaunda, is by PYC Paint Your Wagon, a son of Corona Cartel. Significantly, Corona Cartel is also out of Corona Chick, meaning Corona Chick appears on both sides of Fendiii’s pedigree, a potent double-cross of an elite mare.
The influence of speed and athleticism is further solidified on her dam’s side. Fendiii’s second dam, First Prize Leesa, is by Mr Jess Perry out of First Prize Dash, a full sister to First Down Dash, making her by Dash For Cash out of First Prize Rose. This intricate web of genetics effectively doubles up on the most influential speed lines in Quarter Horse history. These bloodlines, celebrated for their explosive speed, powerful stops, and mental fortitude on the racetrack, translate seamlessly into the demands of heading, providing the raw athleticism and quick thinking necessary for success.
Fendiii was bred by Weetona Stanley, who also bred her dam (with W.E. Smith) and second dam, First Prize Leesa. Weetona Stanley is a highly respected name in the Quarter Horse breeding community, known for producing top-tier athletes across various disciplines. Baker’s earlier comment about the industry not being "educated enough in the racehorse world to know what a Valiant Hero is" highlights a fascinating intersection between racing and performance disciplines, where the genetic advantages of proven speed horses are increasingly recognized and sought after in roping and other Western events.
As the Old West 6-&-Under Futurity Heading approaches its climax, Fendiii stands as a testament to strategic breeding, meticulous training, and the innate talent of a truly special mare. Her performance not only positions her for a significant win but also underscores the growing trend of young, impeccably bred horses dominating the futurity circuit, signaling a bright future for the sport of team roping. The short round will undoubtedly be a showcase of elite horsemanship and equine athleticism, with all eyes on Miles Baker and Fendiii as they aim to clinch the coveted title.
