The Colorado Classic is one of the premiere futurity events of the entire year and the 2025 event was top-notch from start to finish. Kayla Jones and crew put countless hours into the production and their efforts are truly appreciated. Many of the best trainers and jockeys in the business rank the event as one of their favorites each year.
The Futurity win in 2025 was extra sweet for Wyoming native, Lora Nichols. Riding Blissful Version, a five-year-old gelding by Winners Version and out of Blissful Bay by Brookstone Bay, Nichols has had a solid year. Finishing in the top 10 at every futurity she has taken him to, the gelding clearly had what it took to win at the highest level. “Buddy” has earned multiple round wins from Arizona to Washington and steadily added to his LTE throughout the spring, but the Colorado Classic marked their biggest win to date — taking home nearly $40,000.
Finishing third in Round 1 and winning Round 2, the duo made one of the fastest runs of the entire two weeks in Montrose, at 15.060 seconds. Jones, who trained the colt, set a goal to win $50,000 on him in his futurity year and is within $100 of that mark after the win.
Reserve Champions in the Futurity Average, KG Just Money and Kathy Grimes also had an outstanding weekend. Winning Round 1 with a 15.020, they clocked the fastest time of the event. They also topped the Stallion Incentive 4D, Saturday Open, and The Money Barrel High Stakes.
In an incredibly tough Maturity, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Sir Epic (JL Sirocco x So Very Epic x Epic Leader) finished on top, winning over $32,000 at the event. The duo have been hot at the pro rodeos throughout winter and spring and carried that success right into the race. Placing second in Round 1 and winning Round 2, Tonozzi added another major title to the seven-year-old gelding’s impressive resume.