Elite Nutrition Meets Elite Competition at the Solo Select Futurity with ADM's GROSTRONG Feed & Mineral
- Taylor Zimmerman
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 19
The difference is visible before a horse ever walks into the arena. Muscles round out, coats shimmer like polished copper, and there’s a sharpness in the way they carry themselves. For years, ADM's GROSTRONG Feed & Mineral has been the quiet force behind that transformation at Solo Select, and this fall, their role steps into the spotlight as they take on title sponsorship of the GROSTRONG Tie-Down Futurity.
It started quietly, with a single suggestion from the legendary Doug Carpenter: try ADM’s GROSTRONG® vitamin and mineral program. At first, it was just a simple mineral program added to Solo Select’s existing feeding plan. But the changes were undeniable, and one adjustment led to another. Soon came the Pro-Vita-Min tubs, and before long, the full GROSTRONG Professional program became the backbone of Solo’s nutrition strategy.
For ADM, the alignment with Solo Select was natural.
“A lot of folks can see what happens when you take elite genetics and combine it with elite nutrition,” said Dr. James Lattimer, ADM Lead Nutritionist sponsoring the GROSTRONG Tie Down Futurity. “You simply can’t feed today’s top-end horses like you did fifty years ago and expect to maximize their potential. Oats and alfalfa alone won’t get you there anymore.”
Dr. Lattimer points out that while the GROSTRONG program was designed to meet the demands of large-scale breeding and sales operations like Solo Select, the benefits extend to any performance horse—whether you own one or one hundred.
“We can have the same impact for a smaller operation as we can for a facility like Solo. It’s about understanding the horse’s genetic potential and feeding to reach it, not just to keep the horse alive.”
The results speak for themselves. Horses arriving at Solo for rehab or sales prep often see dramatic transformations within two to four weeks on the program—coats bloom, muscle fills out, and overall health visibly improves.
For ADM, sponsoring the GROSTRONG Tie-Down Futurity is about more than brand exposure. It’s about demonstrating, in real time, the power of precision nutrition.
“When you watch these horses compete, you’re seeing the product of both elite breeding and elite feeding,” James says. “That’s exactly what the ADM Tie-Down Futurity represents.”
In an event offering $400,000 in payouts, only the most prepared four-year-old rope horses will rise to the top. That is where ADM steps in. As title sponsor of the GROSTRONG Tie-Down Futurity, the company showcases the role of targeted, science-driven nutrition in giving horses the strength, stamina, and focus they need to deliver when it matters most.
ADM Feed also offers direct access to a PhD Equine Nutritionist who is just a phone call away. You can schedule your custom, free consultation by contacting Dr. James Lattimer at James.Lattimer@adm.com.
The Solo Select Futurity is a premier event for 4-year-old rope horses, offering big payouts, minimal restrictions, and a straightforward entry process designed to grow the rope horse industry. Owners who have purchased a 2025 Solo Select breeding can enter their horse at the regular $1,000 rate, while those without a breeding can still compete through a $5,000 buy-in per horse, per class. Pre-entries are accepted through September 21, with late entries allowed September 22–28 for an additional $500 per horse. Riders may enter up to five horses per class, and every entry directly contributes to the futurity purse, making the event bigger and more rewarding for everyone. To secure your spot and submit your entries, click here.
