Chad Bushaw Dominates the Augusta Futurity Non Pro Events Aboard Bitterest and Cassanova
Emily CareyJan 19, 2026
Chad Bushaw and Bitterest (Once In A Blu Boon x Bittersweet) claimed the top spot in the Augusta Futurity 5/6-Year-Old Non Pro finals, earning a payout of $12,739.52. The 2021 bay roan mare scored a 222 to pull away from the field, finishing two points ahead of Austin Shepard’s Dualz (Dual Reyish x Ashado), ridden by Kamryn Shepard, who secured second place.
This marked another major win for the 5-year-old mare and Bushaw. At the 2025 Arbuckle Mountain Futurity, the pair also posted a 222 in the finals to capture the 4-Year-Old Non Pro Championship.
Bushaw added two more horses to the 5/6-Year-Old Non Pro top 10 with full siblings Bitterly Armed and Butterflies, both by PG Heavily Armed out of Bittersweet. Bitterly Armed earned sixth place with a score of 213 and $1,800, while Butterflies marked a 206 to place ninth and add another $1,800 to Bushaw’s total.
Chad Bushaw and Cassanova won the 4-Year-Old Non Pro at the 2026 Augusta Futurity. Photo by Performance Horse Central
Not finished with one championship, Bushaw also topped the 4-Year-Old Non Pro aboard Cassanova (Don’t Stopp Believin x Bittersweet). A standout score of 221 put the 2022 red roan gelding seven points ahead of the field, earning more than $21,000 in class earnings and incentives.
Bushaw continued his strong showing in the 4-Year-Old Non Pro by placing fifth on Sweet Emelia (Dual Smart Rey x Bittersweet), scoring a 210 to collect more than $5,500.
Bittersweet Greatness
Each of Bushaw’s top 10 horses shared the same dam, Bittersweet (Metallic Cat x Miss Sea Rey), underscoring the strength of the mare’s influence. Paired with elite sires, her offspring are making their mark in the Non Pro ranks.
Bittersweet was bred by Marilyn Jo Franz, and Bushaw enjoyed significant success aboard the 2014 red roan mare during her show career. He guided her to multiple major aged event Non Pro championships, and in just her second year in the show pen, she claimed the 2018 NCHA Non Pro Horse of the Year title. According to NCHA records, Bittersweet earned more than $236,000 in the cutting pen.
Bushaw’s résumé in the cutting pen is equally notable. He has captured Non Pro championships at all three NCHA Triple Crown events, amassed more than $4.7 million in NCHA career earnings, and was inducted into the NCHA Non Pro Hall of Fame in 2005.
Results
5/6-Year-Old Non Pro
Place
Horse
Rider
Owner
Score
Money Earned in Class
1
Bitterest
Chad Bushaw
Crown Ranch LP
222
$12,739.52
2
Dualz
Kamryn Clark Shepard
Austin Shepard
220
$10,379.39
3
Justa Good Old Boy
Chelsea Tatum
CT Cutting Horses LLC
217.5
$8,019.28
4
Mazel Tov
Rieta Duferrena
Shona Lyn Duferrna
217
$5,659.16
5
Testarosaa
Sasha Thompson
Craig Thompson
214
$3,729.58
4-Year-Old Non Pro
Place
Horse
Rider
Owner
Score
Money Earned in Class
1
Cassanova
Chad Bushaw
Crown Ranch LP
221
$13,406.18
2
Von Hot Revolver
Ty Moore
Kathleen Moore
214
$10,912.73
3
Boomtallic
Codie Green
Casey Green
213.5
$8,419.28
4
Hot Catty
Blakley Simoneaux
Simoneaux Livestock
211
$5,925.83
5
Sweet Emelia
Chad Bushaw
Crown Ranch LP
210
$3,862.91
This article was originally published on Horse&Rider Performance Report. View original article →
