Transformed from a well-broke cow horse to a top rope futurity contender, Nu One Time Blues shines under Joseph Harrison’s guidance.
From the third high-callback position, Joseph Harrison and Nu One Time Blues clinched the Equinety Platinum Medal Futurity Heeling Championship in the Platinum division, achieving a composite score of 1,173.63 on Saturday, September 2, 2023.
From Cow Horse to Futurity Rope Horse
When Joseph Harrison started working with Nu One Time Blues, the stallion already had a solid cow horse foundation.
“He was pretty new to roping when I first got him,” Harrison shared. “I started him like I would any other young prospect—easy in the box and easy on the ranch. I try not to push them too hard early on. We focused on slow work, roping the Smarty, and roping the lead steer a lot to keep things relaxed.”
Harrison emphasized his approach to long-term training. “I want these horses to last. There might be specific goals for each horse, but for me, it’s important that they remain solid and perform well throughout their careers. I want them to be winning horses even at the end of their competitive life.”
Harrison expressed his gratitude to Premier Rope Horses for the chance to train Nu One Time Blues. The stallion earned $9,270 for his efforts at the event. Previously, the 4-year-old stallion, ridden by the renowned $1-million rider Matt Koch, placed 10th at the 2022 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, earning over $20,000. He was later acquired by Premier Rope Horses LLC and received initial rope training from Clay Smith and Jess Morgan before Harrison took over.
“He’s a sweet horse,” Harrison noted. “He’s quiet, good-minded, and incredibly responsive. When I got him, he was already so well-broke, responsive to leg cues, and soft in the bridle, which made my job a lot easier. Even though I’ve only had him for three months, this was only the second competition I’ve taken him to.”
Nu One Time Blues proved his potential at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, advancing to the short go in the No. 3 position. The two competitors ahead of him missed their heel shots, including Harrison himself on another horse, Copperton, who was the preliminary heeling champion.