Alberto Alegría of the Dominican Republic first came to the U.S. 10 years ago to represent his country at the AQHA Youth World Cup. Since then, he rode reiners but did not focus on showing until two years ago when his path crossed with NRHA Professional Gabriel Borges.

“I have been riding with Gabriel and he has been wonderful to me,” Alegría said. “He is a great mentor, and he has gotten myself and my horse ready for our first Futurity, so I feel ready. I have been working so hard for this and I will do my best.”

Alegría teamed up for his first Futurity with Stoppin Barbie, a mare by Late Night Stopper and out of Hollywood Barbie, bred and nominated by Mark Gordon.

“She is incredible; a great-minded mare,” he said. “She is a natural stopper and very gentle, so she really helped me improve my riding. I trust her, she is very calm and good-minded, so I know she will take care of me there.”

Alegría said he really enjoys the sport of reining. “It is something that keeps me going. I like the adrenaline. I love going fast and then stop big. I have never been afraid to stop.”

While not in the arena, Alegría is enrolled at Cornell University in New York, working on his MBA in Investment Research and Asset Management, focusing on finance in real estate.

“I took the advantage of being here and having the opportunity to ride good horses and decided to do the Futurity this year,” he said. “I have been to the Futurity three times before to watch it and I love the atmosphere here, so I was very excited when the opportunity came up to show a horse here. I have been looking forward to coming here for the last month!”