Lena Mass moved to the U.S. just one year ago, and this year, she looks to enter the Jim Norrick Coliseum for the first time in the Open Futurity.

“I will be showing Smoking Deja Vu (Gunner x Dun Its Deja Vu), owned by Luisenrique Gonzalez Limon I and [bred and] nominated by Toyon Ranch LLC. We call her “Butterfly” because she is really sweet.”

Maas, who rides under the guidance of NRHA Million Dollar Rider Dany Tremblay, got the royally bred mare in her program about three months ago when she joined Tremblay’s team.

“This is my first Futurity in the U.S. and first time showing in Oklahoma City, so I am really excited and so thankful to have this opportunity from Dany. My mare is really nice and has been doing really good for me. This is her first bigger show, so I am excited to show her.”

Maas, an experienced rider in European arenas, previously claiming the 2021 NRHA European Futurity L3, 2, and 1 Open Championships and many more prestigious European titles with her earnings over $100,000, was happy to show on American ground this time.

“The shows here are much bigger than in Europe; more entries, more excitement…With that, though, comes more pressure because you get to show with the world’s best riders, so I feel lucky to be able to experience all this. I also like how the sport is presented here. There is a lot more promotion and visibility, and it is fun to watch it all.”