Rising From the Ashes
One day short of six months ago, National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Professional Brandon Brant probably couldn’t imagine himself qualifying for this year’s NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity finals. A tragic barn fire had seemingly ripped away that vision.
But today, Brant will run for the roses in the Jim Norick Coliseum. He’ll do so aboard Lenas Dunnit Again (Gunner Dun It Again x SL Lenas Chick), a horse nicknamed “Titos” who managed to escape the fire. It is nothing short of a miracle, said owner Cappy Dryden of NRHA Futurity Silver Sponsor Bur Oak LLC.
“He [Brant] called me as the fire was going and said, ‘I’ve just lost everything,’” Dryden recalled. “He said, ‘Titos is dead.’”
Dryden was then shocked to receive another call soon after that her 3-year-old buckskin stallion was found grazing near Brant’s house. He had been in cross ties wearing ice boots when the fire broke out, and an assistant was able to release him when running from the building.
Brant’s 60,000-square-foot barn in Belle Center, Ohio, was a total loss on June 8. It was consumed in a fully involved fire, and the damage, which included the death of more than 40 horses, was devastating. Among the redeeming circumstances were that many customers had taken their non pro horses home to rest after a show, it was sunny so everyone was riding in the outdoor arena, and Brant’s children were away at a party.
The reining community stepped up to help where they could, donating funds and items to get everyone back on their feet. And regardless of if Titos’ survival was the result of luck or something far bigger, nobody is taking the blessing lightly.
“Brandon had a positive attitude through everything, and the reining community is unbelievable,” Dryden said. “It’s the silver lining, and Brandon has always loved this horse. He was Brandon’s favorite.”
Dryden said she and husband Vernon, the lead veterinarian at Bur Oak Sports Medicine and Lameness in Lexington, Kentucky, decided to hire an animal communicator to support Titos after the fire.
“I always wondered how he felt. He lost everything,” Dryden said. “She [the communicator] said that he said there was a lot of commotion, but he felt like he was resurrected. She said he’s very confident in himself. And then he said he’s moved a lot, but he feels like that’s helped him grow up, and that’s OK because he needed to grow up.”
Titos arrived in Oklahoma City with $10,632 on his record thanks to performances at the 100X Reining Classic and All American Quarter Horse Congress. He marked a 220 in the first go-round of the Open Futurity, then returned in the semifinals with a 221 for a 441 composite that ushered him and Brant into the Level 4 Open finals.
The duo will ride tonight as Draw 5 of 33 to the cheers of reiners from across the globe. No matter the results, Dryden said she will be thrilled to see her horse and Brant rise from the ashes together.
“They’re so close,” she said.
To watch Brant and Titos in tonight’s unforgettable NRHA Open Futurity finals, tune in to the NRHA ThorSport Livestream.
