Canadian horseman John Swales rode Bowie Nights to an unforgettable victory in the 2025 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Championship, marking both a career highlight and a deeply personal win. The mare, owned by Bar One Land & Cattle LLP, was trained and prepared by John’s sister, Veronica Swales, who was unable to compete this year due to a serious accident that sidelined her earlier in the fall.
Photo By Lillian Kent
A Family Effort Across Borders
Based in Alberta, Canada, John stepped in to show the horses after Veronica, who is now based in Millsap, Texas, asked him to take the reins on her futurity string. Despite living more than 1,500 miles apart, the siblings’ shared training philosophies made the handoff seamless.
“Because Ronnie [Veronica] and I grew up riding together, our styles are really similar,” John said. “Honestly, I think she’s a better horse trainer than I am. It felt easy to just get on her horses and go. My goal was simple—don’t screw it up, and show them as good as I can.”
The Run That Stole the Show
John Swales and Bowie Nights earned a 217.5 in the herd work, 220 in the rein work, and a show-stopping 225 in the cow work for a final composite of 662.5—clinching the 2025 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Championship by five full points.
“When they turned that black cow in, I said, ‘Let’s roll with it and see what happens,’” John said with a grin. “Everyone loves the cow work. I didn’t even know what she marked—I had to ask someone later—but I figured she was pretty good.”
As Bowie Nights made her way down the fence, the mare stayed locked on her cow and never missed a beat. The run was gritty and precise. For John, the title was about more than a paycheck; it was the perfect reflection of his sister’s work and the foundation she’d built.
“I had to do some organizing to get down here, but I wouldn’t miss it,” he said. “It’s unreal. It hasn’t really set in yet that I’m a Snaffle Bit champion.”
Veronica, who is still recovering from her injury, let the audience know during a post-run interview that she has plans to return to the show pen in 2026.
2025 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Finals — Top 10 Results
Total Purse: $1,048,500
| Rank | Score | Payout | Horse | Bloodlines | Owner / Breeder | Rider | Herd | Rein | Cow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 662.5 | $200,000 | Bowie Nights | Metallic Cat × Lil Bit Reckless | O: Bar One Land & Cattle LLP B: Russ & Janet Westfall | John C. Swales | 217.5 | 220.0 | 225.0 |
| 2nd | 657.5 | $125,000 | Von Jovii | Stevie Rey Von × She Wood In Time | O: Bar One Land & Cattle LLP B: Drs. M. J. & Sue Christensen | Corey D. Cushing | 218.0 | 218.0 | 221.5 |
| 3rd | 654.5 | $100,000 | RAB Shiney Scooter | Scooter Kat × This Shiney Miss | O: Danny B. Turner B: R.A. Brown Ranch | Russell A. Probert | 219.0 | 217.0 | 218.5 |
| 4th | 654.0 | $81,500 | Gibberissh | Smooth Talkin Style × Hiss N Vinegar | O/B: Jeffrey W. & Jennifer Foland | Abbie Phillips | 219.0 | 219.0 | 216.0 |
| 5th | 653.5 | $63,500 | Mink Seville | Metallic Cat × Dual Rey Mink | O: Austin & Stacy Shepard B: Los Jaboncilos Ranch Inc. | Boyd J. Rice | 217.5 | 218.5 | 217.5 |
| 6th | 652.0 | $55,000 | High Brow Casual | High Brow Cat × Dressed In Oak | O: South Cove Ranch LLC B: Casey & Nichole Branquinho | Shane L. Steffen | 216.5 | 219.0 | 216.5 |
| 7th (T) | 650.5 | $36,000 | Reyal Blaque | Badboonarising × Reyal Money | O: A Bar A Ranch B: Plantation Farms LLC | Corey D. Cushing | 214.0 | 215.0 | 221.5 |
| 7th (T) | 650.5 | $36,000 | Bet Hez Gunnatrashya | Bet Hesa Cat × Shez Not Trashy | O: Stanton Ranches Inc. B: Terry R. Morgan | Abigayle A. Mixon | 217.0 | 217.0 | 216.5 |
| 7th (T) | 650.5 | $36,000 | Shining Stevie | Stevie Rey Von × Just A Spark N Shine | O: Russ Mothershead B: Donald J. Murphy | Sarah L. Dawson | 218.5 | 218.0 | 214.0 |
| 10th | 650.0 | $27,000 | Steve Mc Queen | Stevie Rey Von × Just Ask Me Nice | O: Deah M. Hessian-Ruple B: Charmain J. Weiser | Jake R. Barry | 213.5 | 215.0 | 221.5 |