Gavin Callahan wins First Major Open Event at Augusta Futurity on Rebelious Lil Sister

Gavin Callahan made a big move after the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity in 2024 and was hired on by C4 Cutting Horses in Hampstead, North Carolina. He and Rebelious Lil Sister made the move almost together. She was purchased by C4 owner Kevin Smith during the Futurity.

Everything came together in Perry, Georgia during the Augusta Futurity on January 13. Callahan and Rebelious Lil Sister won the coveted 4-year-old Open Championship just days before the trainer’s 21 birthday.

Colt Moore had trained the young mare and Callahan and Smith were excited to add her to the new journey they were embarking on. The mare by EquiStat Elite $11 Million Sire Metallic Rebel is out of Catscratch Sister (by WR This Cats Smart).

“She’s very business like and really takes her job seriously,” Callahan said of the mare. “She’s been a pleasure to have in the barn, so far we’ve really enjoyed her.”

Although Callahan won the NCHA Futurity Limited Open on Yung Mula (Reyzin The Cash x Money Making Rose x Metallic Cat) in 2023, this is his first big Open championship. It’s even more special to him that he was able to win his first show for C4 on the horse they purchased in Georgia.

“I’ve been coming to the show since I can remember. I’ve always dreamed of winnin this show with our little kid watching Austin Shepherd win it all the time. And and I’ve always just wanted to kind of be like that,” Callahan said.

Callahan now joins a long list of his heros that have won the Augusta Futurity and he did so with his friends by his side.

“It was pretty special to me and I had my friends that I grew up with here helping me, Cade Shepherd, my best friend. He he helps me [in the herd] and me and him used to run around playing at this show,” he explained.

Their 222 score in the finals earned them the Championship and a $30,000 check.

The young trainer wanted to thank Kevin Smith for entrusting him with such a good horse and all of his friends and fellow trainers who helped him get the win. He has plans to go to The Ike and all of the major NCHA events this year as long as she stays healthy.

Multiple Augusta Futurity Champion Austin Shepard found himself in the Reserve Champion slot this year on Pink Floydd (Metallic Cat x CR Tuff Tizzy x Woody Be Tuff). They marked a 221.5 to take home $23,427 for owner Billy Wolf of Whitesboro, Texas.