Vance Vahl and Come On Man Take
Three Year Old Futurity Open Championship

By Josephine Cozean Styron

It was the last class of the 2014 Three Year Old Futurity. People in the stands watched in deep appreciation as a group of talented young Fox Trotters competed in a class so close, it was hard to pick the winner. When the name Come On Man was announced as the champion, spectators burst into heartfelt applause.

“I thought he had a good chance to win,” said owner Adam Jokisch, of Freeburg, Illinois, “but I was not expecting it. There were some good horses in that class. Vance Vahl did a great job riding him.”

Jokisch had bought Come On Man from Ben and Nancy Israel, who bred and raised him. The pretty sorrel was sired by Spitfire’s Bojangles and is out of Princess Jester’s Charm. Tom Williams broke him as a two-year-old. “He had so much talent, but he wasn’t mature enough at two, so we held him back from showing until he was three,” said Jokisch. It paid off; Come On Man gave a solid performance in the Three Year Old Futurity Open Championship class.

“I love my horse. I wish they were all that easy. He has a wonderful disposition, and he’s a pretty natural horse. He has good head carriage, and he looks bigger in the arena. Tom Williams rode another horse in this class, so we gave Come On Man to Vance to ride.

“I enjoyed watching him in the class,” said Jokisch. “It was a nice feeling when he won. This is my first Three Year Old Futurity win.”

Come On Man is being offered up for sale. “He will make someone a nice gelding,” said Jokisch.