NRHA Million Dollar Dam: Snip O Gun

Snip O Gun became the third NRHA Million Dollar Dam shortly after being inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame.

By Kaycie Timm

It takes a trained eye and a lot of faith to gamble on an unshown mare as a producer. When Tammye Hutton took that chance and brought Snip O Gun home to Hilldale Farm, she couldn’t have guessed the payoff of trusting her gut. Now, more than 20 years later, “Snip” has joined the NRHA Hall of Fame, and, just days after being honored for that achievement at Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch, her offspring pushed her past the million-dollar mark in progeny earnings at the 2019 NRHA Futurity.

A Futurity to Remember

As the 2019 show season neared its end, Hutton and her family knew their prized mare had a chance at adding NRHA Million Dollar Dam status to her list of accomplishments. With two of Snip’s 3-year-olds vying for success at the 2019 NRHA Futurity, that possibility became reality.  Combined earnings from Snip’s progeny at the Futurity totaled more than more than $50,000, giving her more than enough to reach the coveted milestone. 

In the non pro, Hutton’s daughter Jessicah Keller rode Snips Shining Gun (by Colonels Shining Gun) to a fifth-place finish in the L4 Non Pro finals, earning third in L3 and reserve in L2, plus a check for $39,360. Then, in the Open Futurity, Smoking Trash (by Gunnatrashya) and NRHA Professional Francesco Martinotti earned more than $17,800 in combined LTE from L4–2. 

“It’s very rewarding that a mare who wasn’t shown and was only ridden a few times was able to produce this level of horses,” shared Hutton. “We’re extremely happy that she’s able to achieve all that she has.”

Though the 1993 mare never graced the show pen, her progeny’s success has more than proven her worth. Snip’s 20 money-earning offspring have made a name for their dam, setting her in an elite group alongside fellow NRHA Hall of Fame inductees Ebony Shines, who reached Million Dollar Dam status in 2018, and Dun It For Chex, who crossed the mark during the 2019 NRHA Derby. 

Star-Crossed Pairings

In the first years after Hutton purchased Snip as a 5-year-old, she crossed the mare exclusively with NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Nu Chex To Cash. Together, the pair produced 14 foals, 10 of which are NRHA money-earners. Notably, the cross resulted in NRHA Million Dollar Sire Big Chex To Cash, who has earned more than $194,260 in personal LTE and was named 2005 NRHA Futurity L4 Open reserve champion and 2007 NRHA Derby L4 Open reserve champion. Additionally, the pair’s performing offspring includes 2004 All American Quarter Horse Congress Open Futurity champion Hot Smokin Chex ($186,598 LTE) and National Reining Breeders Classic open finalist Chexmaster ($103,911 LTE). 

Snip’s highest money-earner to date, Inferno Sixty Six, resulted from another stellar combination: Snip and NRHA Two Million Sire Gunnatrashya. With personal LTE of more than $205,690 and the 2015 NRHA Futurity L4 Open reserve championship to his name, the stallion’s first foal crop will reach competition age this year. 

Continuing the Legacy

Although Snip’s final foal crop hit the ground in 2016, her legacy continues through the success of her offspring in both the reining pen and the breeding shed. In addition to the stellar performers, up-and-coming prospects, and successful sires, Hutton plans to keep Snip’s name on the bottom side of Hilldale-produced horses in the future. 

“I tried to have three of her daughters to put back into our broodmare band to continue her legacy,” Hutton revealed.

Meanwhile, Snip will continue to enjoy a life of leisure at Hilldale Farm.  

“She’s earned retirement at our place, and we’ll take care of her until she dies,” Hutton shared. “She stays outside during the day, then spends the night in the barn.”