Ardmore, Oklahoma was the place to be as Chance Thiessen and Tom Cats R Popular, by Metallic Cattack, captured the 4-&-Under Tie-Down Champion title at the Gold Buckle Futurity. The duo earned $6,062 for their average, plus an impressive $13,500 from the Elite Stallion Incentive—bringing their total payday to $19,562.
Photos by Gold Buckle Futurities - Chance Thiessen and Tom Cats R Popular
This win marks the second Metallic Cattack foal to bring home a check in the past month, signaling a strong and promising debut in the roping pen. With just two foals having hit the arena so far, progeny have already amassed $24,262 in earnings—and this is just the beginning.
"We always knew his foals were going to perform," says owner Melanie Smith. "From the beginning, they’ve been natural athletes—impressing us in the round pen as yearlings with their movement, and then standing out because of their class, minds, and even their color. We’ve been captivated from day one. To see them now, stepping into the arena and competing like it’s second nature, it’s unreal. That’s the dream every stallion owner chases."
Purchased in 2019, Metallic Cattack, fondly known as “TicTac”, was one of the first major stallion acquisitions made by Melanie Smith as Solo Select Horses began to take shape. What started as a bold vision quickly evolved into one of the most influential breeding programs in the western performance horse industry. Today, he stands at the heart of a 16-stall, state-of-the-art stallion barn... one he helped inspire.
"Every time I walk past him," says Dustin Price, Stallion Manager at Solo Select, "I think, 'I don’t think he has any idea that this was built because of him—and for him.'"
With more foals stepping into the spotlight at each rope horse futurity, the buzz surrounding Metallic Cattack’s first crop is steadily growing—and so are the expectations. From tie-down to heading in the roping pen and everything in between, these young horses are already proving they’ve inherited more than just eye-appeal. They bring a rare combination of class and trainability that sets them apart in the arena.
And they’re just getting started.
This fall, more Metallic Cattack offspring are expected to debut in the reined cow horse and cutting arenas, showcasing a level of versatility that’s quickly setting them apart. Early feedback from trainers across disciplines is consistent: they’re balanced, confident, and incredibly willing—able to handle pressure in the show pen with the same poise they showed in the round pen as yearlings.
Whether it’s in the roping pen, cow horse events, or the cutting pen, Metallic Cattack’s foals are proving they have the minds, the moves, and the maturity to thrive. Tthey’re contenders in multiple arenas.
If you are still looking to breed your mare, books for Metallic Cattack is currently open. Click below to book.
$6,062$6,062.00.00
