The pair’s 224 held up against a field stacked with talent, highlighting just how competitive reining has become nationwide. Fellow NRHA Million Dollar Riders Martin Muehlstaetter, Luca Fappani and Dany Tremblay all finished in the top five, with just one point separating the top two and a four-way tie for third at 221.
“It was a great week. I brought three really nice horses, so it was a relaxing week for me,” McCutcheon said. “Saturday went about as good as it could for me. It was exactly what I wanted to do.”
The Derby victory capped a strong week for McCutcheon’s entire string. Tamarack Ranch’s TR Designer Genes (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Taris Designer Genes) finished seventh, earning $3,279.88, while 6666 Ranch’s Need I Say Mor (Gunnatrashya x Shesouttayourleague) placed 10th and earned $969.06.
Varsity Blu Crosses the $300,000 Mark
For McCutcheon, the trip west came with one goal in mind for the stallion: surpassing the $300,000 career earnings mark.
Varsity Blu has steadily built toward the milestone under McCutcheon, qualifying twice for The Run for a Million while collecting multiple derby championships and proving himself among the sport’s elite.
For McCutcheon, what sets the stallion apart isn’t just his athletic ability—it’s his consistency. Whether at home or under the pressure of major competition, Varsity Blu approaches every day with the same willing attitude.
“He’s just consistent every day,” he said. “You know he’s never going to go in there and not try to be good. Even if something happens, it’s not ill-willed. He’s just a really good-minded horse.”
That same disposition is already showing promise beyond the show pen. Varsity Blu’s first foal crop arrived this year, and McCutcheon said the young horses have already exceeded his expectations.
“His first baby’s hit the ground this year, and they really look better than I could have even imagined,” McCutcheon said.
L4 Open Derby Results
The Making of a Reining Horse
