Author Archives: nrha

The Novice Horse Non Pro classes wrapped up today in the Adequan® Arena at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel on Thursday, June 22. After 108 entries spread across three levels, and a run-off tiebreaker in the Level 2, Sarah Grace McNally and Kary Key came home with class wins, while Alicia Rapp and Melissa Wigen took home high-point buckles.

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 & 2 High Point – Alicia Rapp & CS Just Viintage

Alicia Rapp and CS Just Viintage, a 2019 mare, won the High Point for both the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 and Level 2 at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

CS Just Viintage, or “Missy,” as she is affectionately known, is sired by Platinum Vintage and out of Snow Town and was bred by XCS Ranch, LLC.

With this only being their second time in the show pen together, Rapp is very pleased with Missy’s performance this week. “She’s proven to me here that she wants to be a show horse, so it’s been a great experience,” Rapp explained.

“I tried to step her up a little bit today just to see if she would hang with me. And she did… I felt like our circles were really strong, and our stops are getting better and better,” Rapp shared of the pair’s run in the second slate..

Rapp thanked her long-time trainer, Ted Chancey, as well as her equine chiropractor and acupuncturist, Mari Little.

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 & 3 (2) Champion – Sarah Grace McNally & Smartys Bea

Sarah McNally and Smartys Bea won the second slate of the Level 1 and Level 3 Novice Horse Non Pro. They were also reserve in the Level 2 after a tie-breaking run-off.

Smartys Bea, a 2017 mare sired by Colonels Smart Spook and out of Bea With a Twist, was bred by Monte Strusiner.

“She’s a wonderful horse, under saddle and on the ground,” McNally said. “She really likes to have a job. Under saddle, she is the most consistent and calm and loving horse. My four-year-old daughter does leadline on her at our local shows. She’s a wonderful mare, we love her so much.”

The pair scored their personal high score at this show, with a 72.5 under one of the judges and a 144.5 overall. Up next for this duo is the All Star Reining Stakes in Ocala, Florida.

McNally made a point to thank her trainers, Tricia Tillman and Austin Morris, as well as Bob LaPorta. Most of all, she thanked her mother, who has supported her since her youth career in AQHA, calling her the “best show mom you could ever imagine.”

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 (2) Champion – Kary Key & Spookadeous

Kary Key and Spookadeous won the second slate of the ancillary Level 2 Novice Horse Non Pro after a tie-breaking run-off.

Spookadeous is a 2018 stallion, sired by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Gun, out of Trash N For Chex, and bred by Key and her mother, Pat Fletcher.

“He’s five, but he’s really just coming into his own this year,” Key said. “We did stuff last year, but he’s had such a big change this year. Every day he gets better.”

Not only is Spookadeous becoming a fabulous show horse, but he also has a big personality. “He’s always looking for his cookie. This horse works for food. So, for example, if I get back in the aisleway and I don’t have cookies for him, I will probably be disowned,” Key explained, laughing.

Key has big goals for this homebred stallion. “I want to make the finals of the major events… we were Level 1 at the NRBC, but I want to be a Level 4 finalist. I think this horse can do it, but I hope I can learn how to do it as well,” she said.

Key thanked her mother, Pat Fletcher, who bred Spookadeous, as well as most of the horses that Key has had in her show string. She also thanked Naike Bell and the entire Brian Bell barn, stating that she is always “striving to be a little Brian Bell” when she shows.

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3 High Point – Melissa Wigen & Starlight Escalade

Melissa Wigen and Starlight Escalade won the Level 3 Novice Horse Non Pro High Point title.

Starlight Escalade, sired by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Starlights Wrangler out of Escalante Chic, was bred by Adair Reiners, LLC.

Wigen and her 9-year-old gelding, known around the barn as “Rascal,” had a week full of improvements and hard work leading up to this High Point win, coming off a great year in 2022. “We’ve been working on making it correct and working on finesse,” explained Wigen.

As a horse trainer’s wife, Wigen got the advice she needed to hear today, to just go in and have fun, and accomplished just that. The pair also avoided the penalty box, a goal Wigen had after her ride earlier this week.

While her future plans with Rascal are not set in stone, Wigen is excited at the prospect of showing the gelding again on Sunday, as well as in Denver, and potentially the Run For A Million in Las Vegas. This week, she is also excited to cheer on her daughter, Kendall, and her husband, Travis.

Competition continues Friday in the Adequan® Arena with the second slate of the Novice Horse Open classes. It will be followed by the first section of the Toyon Ranch Rookie Free For All. Find draws, results, news, and more at NRHADerby.com.

In the second annual $20,000-added Freestyle Reining presented by Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau held at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, 12 creative and captivating runs were performed by riders of all levels. The exciting evening started on a celebratory note when the Level 4 Non Pro Finalists were introduced, setting the tone of impressive riding and friendly competition.

From patriotic tributes to rocking choreography, the Thursday night crowd was entertained. Then, competition heated up.

For Taylor Zimmerman, every hour spent in the saddle with the horse she grew up with, Its All About Ruf, has been golden. As a tribute to their time together, they performed to JVKE’s Golden Hour.

Its All About Ruf, who she calls TJ, is a 2016 stallion by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Not Ruf At All and out of Dun Pretty Nifty, with a lifetime earnings of $88,081.

With as much as TJ has already given Zimmerman, he took it to the next level with a ride that earned a score of 230.5 and the Championship of the Invitational Freestyle. This score is currently the highest score marked at the Derby this year.

This year’s freestyle reining had $20,000 of added prize money presented by the OKCVB. Zimmerman plans to donate a portion of her $6,280 in winnings to longtime friend of the reining industry, Jenifer Reynolds.

“This is such a special event, and she’s just a special person. It’s important to recognize the people in our industry going through a hard time and support them, so I just wanted to do this for her,” Zimmerman said.

The performance featured Zimmerman in a white jumpsuit with gold decorations, and TJ was decked out with gold tinsel in his mane and tail, along with meticulously placed sparkly stars along his hind end.

Although Zimmerman ending up with TJ as her show horse was a lucky accident, it resulted in several great years, leading up to tonight’s freestyle run being one of their last competitions together.

“He fell into my hands, and we’ve been a pair ever since,” Zimmerman said. “This is our last big event together, but he’ll be with me forever.”

For a schedule, results, news, and more, visit NRHADerby.com.

Photos by NRHA Media and Chelsea Schneider Media

Wednesday was a full day of competition in the Adequan® Arena at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel. The first slate of the Novice Horse Open classes was held, with the three levels run concurrently. The 133-entry class proved tough, and in the end, Peter Defreitas, Brian Bell, and Josiane Gauthier rode away with the wins.

Novice Horse Open Level 1 (1) Champion, Level 2 (1) Co-Champion – Peter DeFreitas & Keep On Th Sunnyside

Peter Defreitas and Keep On Th Sunnyside have been the model of consistency this year, but the pair had yet to compete on a run-in pattern.

That changed Wednesday at the NRHA Derby, with Pattern 9 chosen for the first slate of Novice Horse Open classes.

Defreitas and the big-stopping mare delivered, nailing the first stop and executing the rest of the pattern well to earn a 146.5. That score not only won the Novice Horse Open Level 1 but also tied for the win of the Level 2 and was good for the Reserve title in the Level 3.

“I was excited about this because she’s such a big stopper. She really hit that stop, then turned good to the right. Her left turn could have been just a little better, but she circled really well and finished up with good stops,” Defreitas recalled. “Her big lick is running and stopping. I know it doesn’t matter what’s happening because she’s going to stop big.”

Keep On Th Sunnyside is by Shine On Line and out of Conquistadors Sandy. The 6-year-old mare was bred by Double Run Farm and is now owned by Carlton and Khris Crowe.

“I’ve been showing her in the novice horse this year. She’s a very nice and quiet mare, and I’m happy I get to show her. She can get a little fresh, but when it’s time to horse show, she’s all business,” Defreitas said. “As many times as I’ve shown her this year, she seems to just keep getting better.”

Defreitas and Keep On Th Sunnyside will show again this week in the second slate of the Novice Horse Open. “If she keeps doing well, we’re going to keep showing in this division and hope we can win one of the NRHA World titles. Right now, we’re up there, so we’re just going to see what happens,” he said.

Novice Horse Open Level 2 (1) Co-Champion – Brian Bell & Spookadeous

Brian Bell and Spookadeous, a 2018 gelding, won the Novice Horse Open Level 1 (1) with a tie on a score of 146.5. Spookadeous, by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Gun out of Trash N For Chex, was bred and is owned by Kary Key.

With only a day’s notice to prepare to show Spookadeous, Bell, an NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider, focused on getting in tune with the horse, known in the barn as ‘Bruce.’ Known for his large, fast, smooth-as-butter circles, Bruce was a ride that Bell enjoyed.

“I liked having this horse in the barn before I showed him,” Bell said. “But now that I’ve shown him, I like him even more. He was honest, and he played on the team.”

Bell will not be showing Bruce again at the Derby but will be riding in the Open finals and coaching five other riders in the Non Pro finals. He thanked his wife, son, and clients for allowing any of this to be possible.

Novice Horse Open Level 3 (1) Champion – Josiane Gauthier & Xtra Step Doctor

Josiane Gauthier and Xtra Step Doctor won the Novice Horse Open Level 3 (1) with a score of 148.

Xtra Step Doctor is a 2018 stallion by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Xtra Ruby Step, bred by Ixtul Quarter Horses. Gauthier had purchased the horse as a two-year-old at the NRHA Futurity and sold him as a three-year-old. Luckily, he ended up back as the horse of one of her clients, Nancy Alford, who allowed her to show him today.

“He’s just got a big heart, big turns, and lots of try, and you just can’t teach a horse to be like that,” Gauthier said.

Gauthier won’t show Xtra Step Doctor again during this year’s Derby but is eagerly awaiting other opportunities to be in the pen with him again after previously competing on him at the National Reining Breeders Classic and The Run For The Million Shootout.

She thanked her family, her husband, those helping her care for her horses during the show, and Alford for letting her ride Xtra Step Doctor.

Ancillary action continues Thursday with the second slate of the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro classes. A complete schedule, results, link to the live webcast, and more can be found at NRHADerby.com.

The wait is over, and the Non Pro finalists for the 2023 edition of the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel have been decided. Over three days, the field of 306 Non Pro entries was whittled down to the crème de le crème who get to compete in Friday’s clean slate finals.

To put it mildly, the preliminary round was the Gina Schumacher Show. The NRHA Million Dollar Rider not only qualified all three of her entries back to the Level 4 Non Pro Finals, but she also finished in the top three spots of the preliminary round.

Schumacher topped the round on CS Sailing Gun (Gunners Enterprise x La Bigia Sailor), nominated by CS Ranch Management, and took second on Legendary Whizkey (Whizkey N Diamonds x Legends Lil Squeeze), nominated by Steven Simon. Schumacher rounded out the top three with Gunin Addy Tude (Gunnatrashya x Miss Lil Addy Tude), nominated by Toyon Ranch.

Still, she didn’t stop there, also topping the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Non Pro Derby on CS Nifty Sailor (Gotta Nifty Gun x La Bigia Sailor), nominated by CS Ranch Management. The pair also finished in the Top 5 of the Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro Stakes.

Schumacher will compete again on Friday in the clean-slate Finals with the rest of the top 30 from the Non Pro Level 4. Also earning a spot in the Finals will be the top 30 in Non Pro Levels 3-1, the top 20 in the Prime Time Non Pro and Youth Non Pro, and the top 15 in the Masters Non Pro.

For the first time ever, the Level 4 Non Pro Champion will be presented with a check for $50,000 – up from $30,000 in 2022. The other division payouts are as follows:

Level 3 – $20,000

Level 2 – $15,000

Level 1 – $5,000

Prime Time – $5,000

Masters – $2,000

Youth – $2,000

According to NRHA Chief Financial Officer John Foy, the purses for Non Pro Derby Levels 1-4 are, as with the Open, record-breakers for the second year in a row. “It’s back-to-back years of record-breaking purses for those levels, which is cool to see,” he shared. “The other nugget that is great to see is that the combined total added money for both the Open and Non Pro Levels 1-4 exceeded $700,000 for the first time. This year the added money is $720,844, up from $679108 in 2022.”

Unofficially, the scores needed to advance to the Finals are:

Level 4 – 215

Level 3 – 214

Level 2 – 213.5

Level 1 – 209.5

Prime Time – 213.5 (includes handicap)

Masters – 210.5 (includes handicap)

Youth – 209

Winning each division of the Non Pro preliminary round are:

Level 4 – Gina-Maria Schumacher & CS Sailing Gun – 221
Gunners Enterprise x La Bigia Sailor
Nominated by CS Ranch Management, owned by XCS Ranch LLC

Level 3 – Samantha Kapu & Chics Get The Chex – 218Magnum Chic Dream x Big Gold Chex
Bred and Nominated by Casey Hinton, Owned by Samantha Kapu

Level 3, Level 2, & Youth – Rita Clausen & Xtra Kiss Me Again – 218
Boom Shernic x SS Kiss Me Kate
Bred and Nominated by Silver Spurs Equine, Owned by Clay Clausen

Level 1 & Prime Time – Paul Queen & Makendiamonds – 216.5 (219.5 with handicap)
Whizkey N Diamonds x Makeit In Tinseltown
Bred by CDR Farms, Nominated by Carrie Rhodes, Owned by Dorothy Queen

Masters – Jose Vazquez & Snow Guns Last Dream – 218.5
Magnum Chic Dream x Snow Gun
Bred by Andre De Bellefeuille, Nominated by Equine Plus, Owned by Smart Like Juice Inc.

While the preliminary round determined the finalists for Friday, it also determined the champions of the Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro Stakes, the Story Book Stables Amateur, the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Non Pro Derby, and the American Paint Horse Association Chrome Cash. Those awards were presented following the preliminary round. The winners of those divisions are:

Story Book Stables Amateur – Samantha Kapu & Chics Get The Chex – 218
 Magnum Chic Dream x Big Gold Chex
 Bred and Nominated by Casey Hinton, Owned by Samantha Kapu

Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Non Pro Derby – Gina Schumacher & CS Nifty Sailor – 217.5
Gotta Nifty Gun x La Bigia Sailor
Nominated by CS Ranch Management, Owned by XCS Ranch LLC

Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes – Molly Morgenstern & Aphrodites Gotvoodoo
Shiners Voodoo Dr x One Mighty Aphtodite
Bred and Nominated by Double Run Farm, Owned by Molly Morgenstern

Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes & APHA Chrome Cash –  Jose Vazquez & Snow Guns Last Dream
Magnum Chic Dream x Snow Gun
Bred by Andre De Bellefeuille, Nominated by Equine Plus, Owned by Smart Like Juice Inc.

The Non Pro Finals will be held Friday, June 23, beginning at 9 a.m. For complete results and other information, visit NRHADerby.com.

Three days of action-packed competition drew to a close Wednesday at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel. Not only were the Finalists for the Non Pro Derby determined, the champions of the Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro Stakes, the Story Book Stables Amateur, the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Non Pro Derby, and the American Paint Horse Association Chrome Cash Incentive were crowned.

Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro Stakes Co-Champion – Molly Morgenstern & Aphrodites Gotvoodoo

Molly Morgenstern and Aphrodites Gotvoodoo were Co-Champions in the Colston Paving Inc. Non-Pro Stakes with a 218.5, earning a check for $10,641.

“I kind of just wanted to press around and see what I had waiting for me,” Morgenstern explained. “Every place in the pen that I checked on her, she was right there and asking me what was next.”

Aphrodites Gotvoodoo, or “Marie,” as she’s known around the barn, was bred and nominated by Double Run Farm. The mare is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of One Mighty Aphrodite.

“She has just been a little dynamo,” Morgenstern explained. “She’s very small but has one of the biggest hearts of all the horses that I’ve ever had the chance to show.”

Morgenstern was very excited to be part of this 4-year-old stakes event. “With a four-year-old, you think you kind of know what you’re bringing into the show, but they’re certainly not as mature and as dependable as your older guys,” she said.

Morgenstern and Marie are headed into the Non Pro Finals on Friday, June 23. Morgenstern thanked Peter DeFreitas for matching her up with Marie, her friends and family for their support, and Colston Paving for sponsoring the Non Pro Stakes.

Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro Stakes Co-Champion – Jose Vazquez & Snow Guns Last Dream

When NRHA Seven Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida suggested Jose Vazquez buy a 4-year-old reiner named Snow Guns Last Dream, Vazquez didn’t hesitate.

That’s because the two NRHA Hall of Famers have teamed up successfully many times before.

“Shawn trained this horse and has trained a bunch for me in the past, including ones I won with at NRBC and here,” Vazquez shared. “He knows what I ride and what I need.”

It appears Flarida was correct, as Vazquez, an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, and Snow Guns Last Dream teamed up to mark a 218.5 in the Non Pro preliminary round of the Derby. That high score not only guaranteed them a spot in the Finals, where the Level 4 Champion will win a guaranteed $50,000, but it also secured the Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro Stakes Co-Championship, worth an impressive $10,641.

“I’m excited and happy right now,” Vazquez said. “Thank you to the Colstons. What they have done by sponsoring this class is unbelievable, and I hope it continues. Without sponsors like them, the shows wouldn’t be what they are now.”

Snow Guns Last Dream is by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Snow Gun. The 4-year-old gelding was bred by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Andre De Bellefeuille and nominated by Equine Plus.

Flarida trained and showed the flashy gelding, and Vazquez purchased the colt just before the NRBC. For those knowledgeable in the reining industry, it’s a bit of a shock seeing Vazquez compete on a horse that’s unrelated to his NRHA Four Million Dollar Smart Like Juice.

“You can count on one hand the horses I’ve ridden that aren’t related to Juice, but when Shawn talked to me about this horse, there was no way I could pass up the opportunity,” he explained.

Vazquez, who has been in the reining industry for more than 25 years, added, “I have a lot of good people who pick me up, and many who have been with me a long time. Winning is a team effort. Without the team and your family, this is not possible.”

Story Book Stables Amateur Champion – Samantha Kapu & Chics Get The Chex

Samantha Kapu and Chics Get The Chex, a 2018 stallion with lifetime earnings of $15,691, won the Story Book Stables Amateur class with a score of 218, adding to this LTE by $5,533.

After finishing up at the NRHA Derby, Kapu plans to give Chics Get The Chex some time off while she works on nurse practitioner school until she shows him at the High Roller in Las Vegas.

Chics Get The Chex is by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Big Gold Chex. He was bred and nominated by Garth Hystad.

“Thank you to my mom, my husband, all my family, and my trainer,” Kapu said, smiling proudly.

Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Non Pro Novice Horse Derby Champion – Gina Schumacher & CS Nifty Sailor

Gina Schumacher and CS Nifty Sailor won the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Non Pro Derby with a score of 217.5. The duo also finished in the top five of the Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro Stakes, bringing their total earnings from the preliminary round to $9,521.

CS Nifty Sailor is a 2019 stallion by Gotta Nifty Gun and out of La Bilgia, owned by XCS Ranch. The lines for CS Nifty Sailor have stayed in Schumacher’s family for several generations, making it even more special for her that she was able to bring this gelding to the NRHA Derby.

“I just want all of our homegrown horses to do well, and this one was even more exciting to me because of how special he is,” Schumacher said.

In addition to her win on CS Nifty Sailor, the NRHA Million Dollar Rider qualified all three of her Level 4 entries back to the Non Pro Finals and finished in the top three spots of the preliminary round.

Schumacher topped the round on CS Sailing Gun (Gunners Enterprise x La Bigia Sailor), nominated by CS Ranch Management, and took second on Legendary Whizkey (Whizkey N Diamonds x Legends Lil Squeeze), nominated by Steven Simon. Schumacher rounded out the top three with Gunin Addy Tude (Gunnatrashya x Miss Lil Addy Tude), nominated by Toyon Ranch.

Schumacher took the time to thank everyone working on the show for their work in making the derby possible.

The 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel continues through Sunday, June 25. Find draws, results, and more at NRHADerby.com.

The Non Pro preliminary round of the 2023 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel continued today, with 104 exhibitors competing for their spot in the finals.

The top 30 in the Non Pro Levels 4-1, the top 20 in the Prime Time Non Pro and Youth Non Pro, and the top 15 in the Masters Non Pro will advance to the clean-slate finals on Friday, June 23, in the Jim Norick Arena.

The draw for the finals will take place during the Platinum Performance Non Pro Draw and Welcome Party on Wednesday, June 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Centennial Building. This welcome party also features Reiners Rope, a fundraiser that benefits the Reining Horse Foundation Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund.

The preliminary round determines who will compete in the clean-slate finals on Friday, June 23, and decides the champions of the $15,000-added Story Book Stables Amateur, the $10,000-added Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Non Pro Novice Horse Derby, the $50,000-added Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes, and the American Paint Horse Association Non Pro Chrome Cash.

Beginning in 2023, the added money in already-lucrative Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro Stakes is added to by NRHA, increasing from $20,000 to an incredible $50,000!

The current high scores across the many divisions of the Non Pro preliminaries are:

Level 4 – Gina-Maria Schumacher & CS Sailing Gun – 221
Gunners Enterprise x La Bigia Sailor
Nominated by CS Ranch Management, owned by XCS Ranch LLC

Level 3 – Samantha Kapu & Chics Get The Chex – 218
Magnum Chic Dream x Big Gold Chex
Bred and Nominated by Casey Hinton, Owned by Samantha Kapu

Level 3, Level 2, & Youth – Rita Clausen & Xtra Kiss Me Again – 218
Boom Shernic x SS Kiss Me Kate
Bred and Nominated by Silver Spurs Equine, Owned by Clay Clausen

Level 1 – Lindsay Baar & Light Me Up Joe – 216
Lil Joe Cash x Light Attack
Bred and Nominated by Devin Warren, Owned by Lorri Petersen

Level 1 – Allana Vernon & Moonshiine – 216
Shine Chic Shine x Lena Dun It
Bred and Nominated by Stacey Huska, Owned by White River Ag Products Inc

Level 1 & Prime Time – Dana Pastorino & Hesa Rockin Whiz – 216 (219 with handicap)
Topsail Whiz x A Bueno Poco Dunit
Bred & Nominated by Roxanne Koepsell, Owned by Pastorino Hay & Ranch Supply, Inc

Masters – Jose Vazquez & Snow Guns Last Dream – 218.5
Magnum Chic Dream x Snow Gun
Bred by Andre De Bellefeuille, Nominated by Equine Plus, Owned by Smart Like Juice Inc.

Currently leading the Story Book Stables Amateur, the Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes, and the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Non Pro Derby, which will be awarded following the second section of the preliminary round on Wednesday, are:

Story Book Stables Amateur – Samantha Kapu & Chics Get The Chex – 218
Magnum Chic Dream x Big Gold Chex
Bred and Nominated by Casey Hinton, Owned by Samantha Kapu

Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Non Pro Derby – Gina Schumacher & CS Nifty Sailor – 217.5
Gotta Nifty Gun x La Bigia Sailor
Nominated by CS Ranch Management, Owned by XCS Ranch LLC

Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes – Molly Morgenstern & Aphrodites Gotvoodoo

Shiners Voodoo Dr x One Mighty Aphtodite
Bred and Nominated by Double Run Farm, Owned by Molly Morgenstern

Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes & APHA Chrome Cash –  Jose Vazquez & Snow Guns Last Dream
Magnum Chic Dream x Snow Gun
Bred by Andre De Bellefeuille, Nominated by Equine Plus, Owned by Smart Like Juice Inc.

The Non Pro preliminary competition continues Tuesday. For complete results and other information, visit NRHADerby.com.

Photo courtesy of Chelsea Schneider Media.

The horse show action continued in the Adequan® Arena at the National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel. There were 64 entries in the Novice Horse Non Pro classes spread across three levels. In the end, Alicia Rapp and Brogan Hill took home the wins.

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 & Level 2 (1) Champion – Alicia Rapp & CS Just Viintage

Alicia Rapp and CS Just Viintage, a 2019 mare, won the first slate of the Level 1 and Level 2 Novice Horse Non Pro at the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

CS Just Viintage, or “Missy” as she’s known around the barn, was bred by XCS Ranch and is by Platinum Vintage and out of Snow Town. Rapp and Missy are a relatively new team- the mare joined Rapp’s family shortly before the 2022 NRHA Futurity.

“She has, so far, been the funnest show horse I have,” Rapp explained. “She really is happy about her job. She goes around with her ears forward and is very princess-like.”

Up next for Rapp and Missy is the second slate of the Novice Horse Non Pro, followed by the All Star Reining Stakes at WEC Ocala in July.

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3 (1) Champion – Brogan Hill & Quik Draw McGraw

Brogan Hill and Quik Draw McGraw, a 2016 gelding, won the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3 (1) with a score of 143.5.

Quik Draw McGraw is by HF Mobster and out of Nestle Quik Chic and has over $35,000 in lifetime earnings. Hill has been riding him for several years, earning accolades in the NRHA and a spot on the Fresno University Equestrian Team.

“This horse is just my best friend,” Hill said affectionately.

Hill thanked her parents for making wins like this possible and NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary for matching her with this horse.

Ancillary action continues Wednesday with the first slate of the NRHA Novice Horse Open classes. A complete schedule, results, link to the live webcast, and more can be found at NRHADerby.com.

The Non Pro preliminary round of the 2023 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel kicked off on Monday, June 19. Over three days of competition, the 306-entry class will be whittled down. The Top 30 in the Non Pro Levels 4-1, the top 20 in the Prime Time Non Pro and Youth Non Pro, and the top 15 in the Masters Non Pro will advance to the clean-slate finals on Friday.

The draw for the finals will be decided during the Platinum Performance Non Pro Draw and Welcome Party on Wednesday evening, now held at the Centennial Building to accommodate the expected crowd. This welcome party also features Reiners Rope, a fundraiser that benefits the Reining Horse Foundation Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund.

The preliminary round not only determines who will compete in the clean-slate finals on Friday, June 23, it also decides the champions of the $15,000-added Story Book Stables Amateur, the $10,000-added Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Non Pro Novice Horse Derby, the $50,000-added Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes, and the American Paint Horse Association Non Pro Chrome Cash. 

As with the Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes, the Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro Stakes was quickly embraced, and in 2023, the NRHA supplemented the added money for the event, elevating from an already impressive $20,000 to $50,000!

The current high scores across the many divisions of the Non Pro preliminaries are:

Level 4, Prime Time, Masters – Jose Vazquez & Snow Guns Last Dream – 218.5
Magnum Chic Dream x Snow Gun
Bred by Andre De Bellefeuille, Nominated by Equine Plus, Owned by Smart Like Juice Inc.

Level 3 – Samantha Kapu & Chics Get The Chex – 218
Magnum Chic Dream x Big Gold Chex
Bred and Nominated by Casey Hinton, Owned by Samantha Kapu

Level 2 – Don Bell & Makin A Little Trash – 217
Gunnatrashya x Xtra Voodoo Dora
Bred and Nominated by Kathy Loudamy, Owned by Joetta Bell

Level 1 – Lindsay Baar & Light Me Up Joe – 216
Lil Joe Cash x Light Attack
Bred and Nominated by Devin Warren, Owned by Lorri Petersen

Youth – Mason McDowell & Xtra Fugged About It – 212.5
HF Mobster x Lenas Whizabelle
Bred and Nominated by Silver Spurs Equine, Owned by Mason McDowell

Currently leading the Story Book Stables Amateur, the Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes, and the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Non Pro Derby, which will be awarded following the second section of the preliminary round on Wednesday, are:

Story Book Stables Amateur – Samantha Kapu & Chics Get The Chex – 218
Magnum Chic Dream x Big Gold Chex
Bred and Nominated by Casey Hinton, Owned by Samantha Kapu

Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Non Pro Derby – Gina Schumacher & CS Nifty Sailor – 217.5
Gotta Nifty Gun x La Bigia Sailor
Nominated by CS Ranch Management, Owned by XCS Ranch LLC

Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes & APHA Chrome Cash –  Jose Vazquez & Snow Guns Last Dream
Magnum Chic Dream x Snow Gun
Bred by Andre De Bellefeuille, Nominated by Equine Plus, Owned by Smart Like Juice Inc.

The Non Pro preliminary competition continues Tuesday. For complete results and other information, visit NRHADerby.com.

The horse show action continued in the Adequan® Arena at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel. Monday started with the second slate of the Intermediate Open, Limited Open, and Rookie Professional, then wrapped up with the second slate of the Limited Non Pro.

High point titles were also awarded, with the winners presented with buckles from NRHA Platinum Event Sponsor Montana Silversmiths.

Intermediate Open (2) Champion – Markus Gebert & MAQ Voodoo Doll

Markus Gebert of Germany won the second slate of the Intermediate Open aboard MAQ Voodoo Doll, a 2019 mare owned by Iris Austin.

MAQ Voodoo Doll, or “Frenchie,” as she’s known around the barn, is sired by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Gunners Doll. She was bred by La Maqueline and was shipped to the United States as a yearling.

Markus and Frenchie are a new team- in fact, Markus just started riding the mare two weeks ago. He and his family came to the United States so his son, Emanuel, could compete at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel and qualify for the Run For The Million. That plan left Markus without a horse to show. However, the mare’s owner, Iris, has known the Gebert family for over a decade and was happy to have Markus show Frenchie.

Iris explained, “She was supposed to be my Derby horse. I’m an open rider also, but I’m swamped with ranch riders, and since Markus had nothing to show, I told him to just take her so she has something today.”

Markus made a point to thank Iris, his family, and everybody at home in Germany for their support.

Limited Open (2) Co-Champion – Yali Avraham & Alpha Taris Chic

Yali Avraham and Alpha Taris Chic won the Limited Open (2) in a three-way tie with a score of 140.5. Alpha Taris Chic, a 2018 gelding owned by Jordan Wright Du Plessis, is by Wimpy Chic and out of Taris Attraction.

“He was just a good horse to show,” Avraham said. “It was very fun.”

Avraham thanked Jordan Wright Du Plessis for letting her ride Alpha Taris Chic and Gunny Matheson for his coaching.

Limited Open (2) Co-Champion – Janina Gauthier & Smart N Up

Janina Gauthier and Smart N Up won the Limited Open (2) in a three-way tie with a score of 140.5

“I’m super excited,” Gauthier said. “I have not been in the show pen for almost eight years now, so to be back at it and be here is definitely amazing.”

Smart N Up is a 2018 mare by NRHA Eight Million Sire Smart Spook and out of Ruffle Me Up. She was bred by Rosanne Sternberg and owned by Eileen Crane. Gauthier will show her two more times throughout the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

Gauthier thanked her husband and his team at Jonathan Gauthier Performance Horses for supporting her in this opportunity to be in the show pen.

Limited Open (2) Co-Champion – Luca Cozzo & Pretty With A Twist

Luca Cozzo and Pretty With A Twist won the Limited Open (2) in a three-way tie with a score of 140.5.

Pretty With A Twist is a 2019 mare by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Make It With A Twist, owned by Brianne Forrest.

“I just put my hand down, said whoa, and let her do the rest,” Cozzo said regarding his high-scoring stops.

Cozzo will show Pretty With A Twist again throughout the duration of the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel and is excited to continue watching this mare mature in the show pen. He graciously thanked Kole Price for his help and support throughout both at the show and at home.

Intermediate & Limited Open High Point – Fabricio Suris Da Silveira & Spooks Gotta Juice

Fabricio Suris Da Silviera and 2019 stallion Spooks Gotta Juice won the high point for the Intermediate and Limited Open Classes.

Spooks Gotta Juice is by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Shiner Like Juice. He was bred and is owned by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Smart Like Juice Inc.

Rookie Professional High Point and (2) Champion – Lucas Gayoto Ocanha & Xtra Magic Doctor

Lucas Gayoto Ocanha won the Rookie Pro’s second slate and the Rookie Pro High Point aboard Xtra Magic Doctor.

This 2014 stallion, known around the barn as “Magic Mike,” is owned by Eric Mendrysa and has lifetime earnings of over $60,000. Bred by Cache Performance Horses, LLC, Magic Mike is by Three Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Aleena Starlight.

This was only Lucas’s third time to show Magic Mike, an opportunity he is very thankful for, “I have to say thank you to Eric and Trevor for the opportunity to show this horse. He’s a fun horse… a big stopper, big turn, big circle…and he improved a lot from the first round.”

Today’s wins are just adding to this horse’s success so far at the Derby – he won the Rookie Level 2 yesterday with his owner, Eric.

Limited Non Pro High Point – Adele Cunningham & KB Bucks N Guns

Adele Cunningham and KB Bucks N Guns won the Limited Non Pro High Point, placing first in the Limited Non Pro (1) and reserve in the Limited Non Pro (2).

KB Bucks N Guns, a 2014 gelding owned by Kaylene Cunningham and bred by Koen Brutsaert, is sired by NRHA 13 Million Dollar Sire Gunner and out of Smart Whizzin Jenny.

“He was a little more fired up today,” Cunningham said regarding KB Bucks N Guns. “He was just ready to go out there and do his job.”

Cunningham gave a special thanks to the Tishman barn, her parents, and her sister for allowing her the opportunity to ride KB Bucks N Guns.

Limited Non Pro (2) Champion – Jenna Ratke & Rio One Step Closer

Jenna Ratke won the second slate of the Limited Non Pro today on her 2012 gelding, Rio One Step Closer.

The 11-year-old gelding, sired by NRHA 12 Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step out of Miss Remi Chic, has over $17,000 in lifetime earnings. “Rio” and Jenna have had quite a bit of success since becoming a team in 2019, including winning the 2022 14-18 Youth World Championship. However, this was their first win at the Derby, but they’ve been in the Top 5 and Top 10 in the past.

“He’s really surprised me, like he’s 11 this year. I was not expecting this at all from him,” explained Jenna. “I’m very happy that he’s still with me here.”

This talented duo still has a couple more runs this week, then they are on to the Central Ohio Reining Horse Association show in Findlay, Ohio, in a couple of weeks. Jenna made a point to thank her mom, as well as Jesse and Stephanie Gentile, for their support & guidance.

Ancillary action continues Tuesday with the first slate of the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro classes. A complete schedule, results, link to the live webcast, and more can be found at NRHADerby.com.

As the weekend came to a close at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel,  the Adequan® Arena saw more than 110 runs in the ancillary Classic Equine Green Reiner and Toyon Rookie Free-For-All classes. NRHA Corporate Partner Toyon Ranch has long been a supporter of the Rookie program and, at the NRHA Derby, has generously paid the entry fees for all Rookie contestants.

In addition to the great prizes presented in the Adequan® Arena, exhibitors have a chance to win high-point buckles made by NRHA Platinum Derby Sponsor Montana Silversmiths. The first High Point championships were awarded Sunday morning.

Classic Equine Green Reiner Level 1 (2) and High Point – Cody Bell & Smart Chicago Spook

Cody Bell and Smart Chicago Spook, a 2014 gelding owned by Thomas Tucker, won the Classic Equine Green Reiner Level 1 (2) and High Point with a score of 140.5.

Smart Chicago Spook, bred by Bob Loomis, is by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Smart Chicago Lena.

In talking about the gelding, Bell shared, “He’s just the best ever. Really a team player of a horse, every time we get out of the stall, he’s just like- let’s do this.”

Bell has been riding Smart Chicago Spook for less than a year and has shown him twice throughout the Derby. During today’s run, Bell focused on his speed during circles and keeping himself calm.

At the end of his winning run, Bell took the time to thank his family and Thomas Tucker.

Classic Equine Green Reiner Level 2 High Point – Morgan Bagnell & My Foolish Dream     

Morgan Bagnell and My Foolish Dream, a 2017 mare owned by Morgan’s grandmother, Kathy Bagnell, won the Green Reiner Level 2 High Point.

This win was very special for 17-year-old Morgan, a Rockwall, Texas native, as “Lilly” was bred and raised by her family- she is sired by Nine Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Dun Up Sensational.

When asked about her mare, Morgan explained, “She’s very special to us; we bred and raised her. It’s definitely a very special moment to have her here and share this with our family. I know they’re very excited about this. She’s a very sweet horse. And she’s definitely very deserving of this one. It’s a family affair.”

Morgan added, “Coming into my run today, I just wanted to focus on being smooth and being relaxed and comfortable for her because I know it does help her a lot. I just wanted to make sure that she was having fun…and we did; we had a bunch of fun!”

Classic Equine Green Reiner L2 (2) Champion – Heather Dawn Ronek & Gotta Magic Gun

Heather Ronek and Gotta Magic Gun, a 2016 gelding bred by Misty Valley Performance Horses, won the second slate of the Classic Equine Green Reiner Level 2.

“Steamboat,” as he’s affectionately known around the barn, is sired by Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Gun and out of Nu Magic Cash.

Today’s win was exciting for Heather- it was her first class win in the reining events with the gelding and her very first Derby. “This is our first year showing,” remarked Heather, who recently switched to reining from the All Around events. “We’re consistently getting a little better and a little better. This is really exciting because we haven’t won anything yet as far as classes go, but we were Reserve High Point for Rookie and Green at the Cactus and then High Point Green at the NRBC.”

The next stop after the Derby for this talented duo will be the APHA World Show, where Heather and Steamboat will compete in the Solid Paint Bred Reining events under the guidance of Bud Lyon Performance Horses.

Toyon Ranch Rookie Free-For-All Level 1 & Prime Time Rookie (1) Champion – Kent Ray Taylor & Xtra Wimpys Catalyst

Kent Ray Taylor and Xtra Wimpys Catalyst, a 2015 stallion bred by Milholland Training Inc, won the first slate of both the Toyon Ranch Rookie Level 1 & Prime Time Rookie with a 140.5.

The eye-catching black stallion, known around the barn as “Zorro,” is sired by NRHA 12 Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step and out of Im Not Blonde, and has over $61,000 in lifetime earnings.

Kent describes Zorro as his “heart horse,” stating, “I love him; he does whatever you want him to do, he’s super easy, and he’s beautiful. He’s always ready for me. So if there’s a good run in there, it’s because he’s ready, and I’m ready. When there’s a bad run, it’s because he’s ready and I’m not.”

Kent made a point to thank the whole Schmersal team… especially Mandy, who always makes sure Zorro is ready for him. He also thanked Toyon Ranch for sponsoring the class.

“I absolutely thank Toyon Ranch for all they do. They also sponsored classes for us at the NRBC,” he said. “It takes a lot to do that, and sometimes the sponsors don’t get thanked for that (support).”

Toyon Ranch Rookie Free-For-All Level 2 (1) Champion – Eric Mendrysa & Xtra Magic Doctor

Eric Mendrysa and Xtra Magic Doctor, a 2014 stallion bred by Cache Performance Horses LLC, won the first slate of the Toyon Ranch Level 2 Rookie with a 141.

The talented stallion, known around the barn as “Magic Mike,” is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Aleena Starlight. He had lifetime earnings of over $60,000 before Eric purchased him just one month ago. “I just bought him from Janice Laney,” Eric explained. “I’ve been hounding her for a while trying to get him bought. She finally agreed to it.”

In their short time together, the duo has already had quite a bit of success. “I took him to the Redbud and got him qualified for the AQHA World Show and showed him in some ranch riding,” he said. “This is only our second time showing. He’s a really good confidence booster and really, really fun for us to show.”

Eric plans to utilize his new teammate to gain confidence for his derby horse and to continue to show at AQHA shows in Reining and Ranch Riding events. He made a point to thank Trevor Dare, Laura Dare, and the whole Dare team for cheering him on, Janice Laney for selling him “Magic Mike,” and Toyon Ranch for sponsoring the rookie classes at the NRHA Derby.           

Ancillary action continues Monday with the second slate of the NRHA Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Rookie Professional, and Limited Non Pro classes. A complete schedule, results, link to the live webcast, and more can be found at NRHADerby.com.