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NRHA Futurity Semi-Finals Qualifying Process Adjusted

Posted on March 8, 2022 - 10:41 pm by

At the 2022 Winter Meetings, the National Reining Horse Association approved a proposal from the Aged Event Committee to modify the number of Semi-Finals qualifiers for the NRHA Futurity, which will be held Nov. 24–Dec. 3 at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

The Aged Event Committee felt that the current method of taking 75 qualifiers from each division created an imbalance in the percentage of entries advancing to the Semi-Finals. Chairman Mandy McCutcheon explained, “We did it both for the schedule, and because it was weighted so much in the Level 1.”

The 2021 NRHA Futurity numbers illustrate the disparity with 75 from each division qualifying for the Semi-Finals.

LevelNumber of EntriesNumber to Semis Percentage of entries going to SemisScore to go to Semis
43967519%217.5
33137524%214
22397531%210
11267560%200.5

It’s easy to see by looking at the chart that 60 percent of the Level 1 entries advanced to the Semi-Finals, but only 19 percent of the Level 4 qualified. After much consideration, the Committee, and subsequently the NRHA Board, agreed that setting a uniform percentage of entries in each level to come back to the Semi-Finals would make the process more evenly balanced.

The final decision was that the fairest approach would be to combine the percentage with a minimum and maximum cap on the number of qualifiers from each division. McCutcheon continued, “It was felt that this would balance the levels to bring back a more uniform percentage, with Level 1 still potentially bringing back a slightly higher percentage if it hit the minimum cap.”

The clarified condition will now read that the Semi-Finals qualifiers will be those with the top 30 percent of the first go scores in each division. However, no more than 75 entries in each division will advance. In the case where there are fewer than 50 qualifiers in the top 30 percent in a division, then 50 will advance.  

The new system will go into effect for the 2022 NRHA Futurity.

A related modification was also made for the Honorable Mention Futurity class, which will now be for open riders only. This class will be limited to the first 35 entries.

For more information regarding the 2022 NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships, visit NRHAFuturity.com.

Spooks Gotta Whiz Passes Four Million in NRHA Offspring Earnings

Posted on March 7, 2022 - 11:24 pm by

Less than four years after becoming a National Reining Horse Association Million Dollar Sire, Spooks Gotta Whiz achieved Four Million Dollar Sire status.

The stunning stallion is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Gun and out of Prettywhizprettydoes. Bred by Clint Haverty, the 2007 stallion is owned by Michell Anne Kimball, who purchased the horse from Duane Hicks in 2009 after meeting him at the High Roller Reining Classic.

One of only four horses to ever win a Level 4 Championship at the three largest NRHA-approved aged events, the bay stallion accumulated NRHA Lifetime Earnings in excess of $345,000. His prominent wins include:

  • 2010 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Champion ridden by Jordan Larson
  • 2012 NRBC L4 Open Classic Champion ridden by Shawn Flarida
  • 2012 NRHA L4 Open Derby Champion ridden by Flarida
  • Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) 2014 Normandy Individual and Team Gold Medalist ridden by Flarida

Spooks Gotta Whiz began his breeding career in 2011 and has sired numerous major event champions, including 2016 NRHA Futurity L4 Open Champion Spooky Whiz, 2017 NRHA L4 Non Pro Futurity Reserve Champion Night Time Spook, 2019 NRHA L4 Non Pro Futurity Reserve and L3 & L2 Champion Gotta Get Diamonds, 2016 L3 & L2 Non Pro Futurity Champion and 2017 NRHA Non Pro L4 Derby Co-Reserve Champion Gotta Twist It Up.

His biggest winner to date is Spooks Gotta Spark (out of Dolittle Lena), with lifetime earnings exceeding $210,000. Spooks Gotta Spark just recently finished second at the 2021 The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge with Shawn Flarida at the reins. Flarida and the stallion also teamed up to win the Senior Reining Championship at the 2021 American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show. 

Spooks Gotta Whiz’s Top 10 Money Earners are:

  • Spooks Gotta Spark (out of Dolittle Lena) $210,585.45
  • Spooky Whiz (out of Myo Starlight) $186,042.62
  • Gotta Twist It Up (out of Make It With A Twist) $183,837.21
  • Spooks Show Time (out of Dolittle Lena) $175,582.06
  • Spooks Grand Slam (out of Shiney Diamond Lady) $150,458.28
  • Spooks Gotta Crush (out of Megas Sugar Baby) $149,597.73
  • Sharp Dressed Spook (out of Dolittle Lena) $120,523.22
  • Thebettertohearuwith (out of Chex Out The Cowgirl) $104,822.11
  • Seven On Seven (out of Anne Get Your Gunner) $97,455.46
  • Gotta Get Diamonds (out of Tinker With Diamonds) $81,744.47

Spooks Gotta Whiz currently stands at Cinder Lakes Ranch, an NRHA Corporate Partner, in Valley View, Texas. For more information, visit CinderLakesRanch.com.

News from the 2022 NRHA Winter Meeting

Posted on March 1, 2022 - 5:56 pm by


The National Reining Horse Association Winter Meetings held February 13-16 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Denton, Texas, provided a venue for NRHA Board, staff, committee members and the membership to meet and discuss issues and to guide the Association’s direction going forward. Over the days of the meetings, the Board, Executive Committee and the Reining Horse Foundation Board, along with Aged Events, Eligibility, Professional’s, Judges, Non Pro, Stewards and Youth Committees all met in separate sessions as well as in the Annual General Membership Meeting.

In his comments at the February 15 Annual Meeting, NRHA President Rick Clark spoke about the growth of the NRHA and its events and shared his optimism about the future of the Association. He noted, “The Board, the Executive Committee, and NRHA Committees are all committed to making the NRHA the best it can be and I’m proud of the work they have done and how our industry has such a bright future ahead. Horses are selling well, the events are thriving, and this is a great time to be in the reining business!”

NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter agreed, and added, “The NRHA Board held a successful first meeting of the year. There was a lot of discussion, and some thoughtful and forward-thinking decisions were made. Our committees also convened, and I look forward to seeing the results of our hard-working and dedicated members who volunteer their time to the Association.”

A highlight of the meeting was the announcement of new Affiliates approved by the NRHA. The board and staff were glad to welcome the Sicily Reining Horse Association and the Western Canada Reining Horse Association along with recognizing the Israel Reining Horse Association as an NRHA National Association Affiliate.

In response to feedback from the membership, the Board created a working group to guide the process of planning a function to recognize the 2021 Top Ten achievers during the 2022 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel in Oklahoma City. Details will be announced as soon as they are available.

The following items were also discussed and amended:

Nomination Deadlines for Elections

Election procedures were simplified so that now there is one nomination deadline for both write-in and affiliate candidates, and that deadline will be 90 days prior to the start of the elections. For the 2023 elections, that will be a June 1 deadline. Additionally, write-in candidates for regional director positions must now obtain 25 endorsement signatures from members in good standing who are eligible to vote.

Show Results Correction Deadline

In the past, the length of time required for possible show results corrections has often made it very difficult to get eligibility information compiled in a timely manner. The deadline for show results corrections by members has been December 31. However, the large number of NRHA events that now take place in January mean members need their eligibility quicker, so it was necessary to push the deadline back to allow this. The new guidelines stipulate that members must contact NRHA with any possible show results corrections within eight weeks of the show results being published online, and no later than December 1 for events held after October 1.

Amateur Division Clarification and Extension of Trial Period

With two rule change proposals submitted for consideration in 2023, the trial period for the Amateur classification was extended from April 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023. NRHA events may apply to host an Amateur division during this time frame. There will continue to be only one level of Amateur and added money in the Amateur division cannot exceed half of the Level(L) 4 added money and also cannot exceed

the L1 added money.

New conditions were approved for Amateur eligibility as well. They were amended so that anyone who has NRHA lifetime earnings in excess of $100,000 in Categories 2, 6, 8 and 11 as of the previous year, or is currently eligible for L4 Non Pro only, or L4 and L3 only, will be excluded from competing in the Amateur division. Other eligibility and criteria were unchanged.

Bluetooth Headset or Electronic Communication Device Use

The use of Bluetooth headsets or electronic communication devices was previously allowed only in Para-Reining classes. Now, they can be used in any class other than category 2 and 6 aged events. Use in those events will result in a no score.

European Event Approval Deadlines

Responding to a request from the NRHA European Executive Board, the European Event Approval Deadlines for AA and A event have been changed to 180 days prior to the first day of the event. Additionally, one AA event will be allowed every three weeks, and A events will require two weeks in between or at least a distance of 1000km. The European Council felt this would allow them to organize the year’s events so the overall health of each event is maintained. This submission of major events well in advance will help provide to time adjust schedules for other events to allow exhibitors to plan their year accordingly.

Judging Unapproved Events

The definition of unapproved Events that NRHA Judges are allowed to judge was clarified by the Board to amend the following exceptions where NRHA judges may judge unapproved reining classes. Judges may now officiate unapproved classes with $1,000 added or less. Total added money for unapproved classes may not exceed $2,500 for the entire event. Changes were also made to the ratio of added money in affiliate level classes and National Federation classes when compared to the concurrent NRHA approved class. These unapproved classes can now offer up to 50% of the added money in the NRHA class.

Judges may still officiate unapproved beginner or green classes as well as Junior, Senior, Amateur and Youth breed association classes.

For a full summary of all NRHA rules and policies visit nrha.com.

Foals-R-Us Joins NRHA Corporate Partner Lineup

Posted on February 25, 2022 - 12:34 pm by

Raised in Italy, Lorenzo Lotti has always had a passion for horses, and over the years, he has transitioned that love into thriving businesses that are all equine-centered. Lotti, under the name of Foals-R-Us Reproduction Center and Stallion Station, recently joined the National Reining Horse Association Corporate Partner lineup.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Lorenzo Lotti and Foals R Us as an NRHA Corporate Partner, and we look forward to a successful partnership,” Rick Clark, NRHA President, noted. “Corporate Partners support our association and our industry in a way that is wonderful for the riders, owners, breeders, and everyone else who has committed their lives to this sport.”

A spontaneous trail ride when Lotti was just 10 years old in Italy sparked his drive to be around horses. “I haven’t been away from horses since then,” he shared. “From the age of 10 to 16, I helped every day after school in a barn close to home. From 16 to 18, I helped at Latorre Quarter Horses, and then at the end of 1998, I went to Texas to work for 50 days with (NRHA Million Dollar Rider) Craig Johnson.”

Two years later, Lotti went back to work for Johnson for three months, then began to train two-year-olds before starting work as a horseshoer assistant.

During that time, he met renowned reproductive veterinarian, Dr. David Hartman. “I got to be at the Hartman clinic pretty much daily, and I was always trying to stay longer than I needed and help if they were short-handed,” he recalled. “One day, Dr. Hartman told me, ‘If you ever need a job, just drive in and start.’”

When his boss decided to downsize his business, Lotti knew it was time to take Dr. Hartman up on that invitation. Fourteen years later, Dr. Hartman decided to retire. “He gave me the opportunity to purchase the Hartman Equine Reproduction Center, and I am excited that it is now the home of Foals-R-Us Reproduction Center & Stallion Station, the home of Pro Fit Equine and EQ Promo. I am finally able to run all my businesses under one roof.”

Lotti’s services include breeding, foaling, stallion management, semen freezing for domestic and export, on-site full-service embryo transfer, oocytes aspirations, ICSI transfers, sale fitting, sales, and more.

“I would never be where I am today if it weren’t for David. He helped me and did more for me than I can ever thank him enough for. I feel it is only right for me to take on and continue with the business,” Lotti said. “Thank you to all my past, current, and future clients for keeping me going forward.”

Learn more about Foals-R-Us, Pro Fit Equine by Lotti, and EQ Promo, visit foals-r-us.com. 

NRHA Year-end Statistics Reflect Impressive Growth

Posted on February 24, 2022 - 10:18 pm by

In recent years, the planet has been in a state of upheaval and change. COVID-19 had a staggering impact. Some marginal businesses thrived and grew. Other long successful companies couldn’t survive and people lost jobs as well as lifelong enterprises.

For the equine industry, facing a pandemic was especially challenging. In early 2020, the National Reining Horse Association Board and Executive Committee scrambled along with the rest of the horse world to make correct decisions – to plan, predict, and survive. Now, with two years of history, the state of the reining industry shows very positive statistics according to the data released during the NRHA Winter Meetings, held Feb. 13-16 in Denton, Texas.

Thankfully, along with the pandemic, the reining industry and the entire western performance industry has enjoyed the unprecedented publicity created by Taylor Sheridan.  “The impact on the reining world, through Yellowstone and The Last Cowboy, along with The Run For The Million, can’t be calculated. It’s been incredible for our industry,” said NRHA President Rick Clark. He continued, “These are exciting times and overall, the Association is thriving.”

Money won at NRHA events worldwide hit an all-time high in 2021 at $19,157,953, as did added money at $12,621,353. Total annual entries, at 112,929, were also the highest ever.

The number of shows recovered last year, as well, after a drop of more than 50 percent in the number of events in 2020 at the peak of the COVID restraints. 

As far as entries, both ends of the spectrum, from entry level Ride & Slide classes to aged events, set records in 2021. With the all-time high of 10,465 entries in entry level classes to the record-breaking 28,959 entries in Aged Events – Categories 2 and 6, the growth was overwhelmingly positive. The number of unique horses shown, 10,211, was also the highest in the past five years.

Membership numbers tend to correlate to the amount of people showing, so it was not surprising that NRHA membership numbers fell off in 2020 when there were fewer events to attend. But the indomitable spirit of reiners showed in the 10+ percent upwards recovery in 2021. The number of NRHA professionals was at the highest in ever, at 1,833, and Non Pro numbers were the highest in the last three years, with 8,841 Non Pro members.

At the NRHA produced shows, the news was overwhelmingly positive in 2021. The 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel was a record-breaker in number of entries, number of stalls, added money, and payout. The Four Sixes Ranch was joined by Yellowstone and Bosque Ranch in naming the event and along with Markel, the Story Book Stables Amateur Derby, the Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes, the GlycoGuard Novice Horse Derby, and the Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro 4-Year-Old Stakes headlined the variety of opportunities for reiners.

The 2021 NRHA Futurity paid a record $350,000 to L4 Champion Casey Deary on Ten Thirty, thanks to the efforts of the Futurity Challenge Sponsors and increased commitment from the Association. The show also boasted a 16 percent increase in total entries and paid out a record $2,668,910 – more than $400,000 above the previous year

The NRHA Markel Futurity Sales were once again held on Thursday of Futurity week for an all-in-one-day sale spectacular. The event boasted the second-highest net income in history with $4.9 million in horses sold.

Another key function that takes place during the Futurity, the Reining Horse Foundation Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch, set attendance and fundraising records. The charitable arm of the NRHA announced major scholarship expansion through 2024. In addition, it was announced that 2021 show entry donations totaled $26,000 and Professionals’ donations increased 22 percent over the program’s first year.

Support for NRHA continued to grow as the year went on and over the past four months eight new Corporate Partners have come on board: Foals R Us, Enjoy LLC, Cinder Lakes Stallion Station, Oswood Stallion Station, Tenda, White River Ag Products, Teton Ridge and Priefert.

Another set of statistics indicates that people are planning ahead for the horse business of the future. NRHA Foal Nominations reflect upward growth with North American nominations, at 2,675, the highest in three years, and European nominations at 1,339, the second-highest in five years.

Competition licenses surged to a new 5-year high, with 4,656 new horses licensed.

NRHA Chief Executive Officer John Foy summarized, “In March of 2020 the NRHA Finance Committee, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors reacted swiftly and decisively to implement a pandemic response plan. This was successfully executed by NRHA Staff and with the help of NRHA independent contractors and service providers. Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. has been a loyal partner throughout, as have NRHA’s Partners and Sponsors who supported the association during this time. As a result, the NRHA and the reining industry have thrived together, leveraging NRHA’s most strategic assets and strengthening NRHA events and programs. The NRHA today has no debt and is stronger than it was prior to the pandemic. We are excited to see what the future holds.”

NRHA Announces Patti Carter as New Director of Education and Officials

Posted on February 19, 2022 - 8:03 am by

The National Reining Horse Association began its search for a Director of Education and Officials in late 2021. The purpose of the new position was to serve in an educator role while continuing to advance the NRHA Judges & Stewards programs, ensuring they remain the best in the western performance horse industry.

NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter announced in mid-February that the perfect candidate had been found, adding that Patti Carter will take the reins of the new position on March 7. “Patti will provide additional horsepower, insight, and experience to augment our judges’ program,” Carpenter said.

According to NRHA President Rick Clark, the leadership of the Association created the new position because of the incredible growth of the reining industry. “With all the wonderful developments in the sport of reining that are happening right in front of our eyes, the NRHA Executive Committee felt this was an opportune time to invest more resources into our judges’ program,” Clark explained. “We get tremendous reviews from those who attend our schools and seminars, but want our judging program to continually evolve and improve.”

Carter brings decades of experience to the position, both as a competitor and a judge. The former American Quarter Horse Association Professional Horsewoman of the Year has spent the last several years as AQHA’s Senior Director of Judges and Stewards, and prior to that served as AQHA’s Sr. Director of Shows and Professional Horsemen.

“I am over-the-top excited to be joining the NRHA team. I have so much respect for the NRHA and its leadership. The Association is on fire, and I’m looking forward to expanding the educational footprint for the judges and stewards at NRHA,” Carter said.

Education of judges and exhibitors is of utmost importance to Carter, which is why, during her tenure at AQHA, she helped create and implement AQH University. This platform was developed for AQHA Judges to continue their judge education and to give potential judges insight into what it takes to be an AQHA All Around Judge. Patti and her team recently launched “Behind the Clipboard.” This program offers competitors an in-depth look at how judges prepare and evaluate classes. “In addition, the program helps competitors understand not just the rules, but how judges evaluate runs during a show so they can improve their performances,” Carter explained. “I am blessed to have had the opportunity to serve AQHA, its membership, and the horses. AQHA is a part of my life and always will be. It’s great that NRHA and AQHA are Alliance Partners, and that these two incredible associations work so closely together.”

As an NRHA-accredited judge, she officiated numerous NRHA events worldwide, including the NRHA Futurity twice, the NRHA Derby, and twice for the World Equestrian Games. She has judged at every major show and multiple world championship shows for AQHA, the American Paint Horse Association, and the National Snaffle Bit Association, and held AAA status as a judge for the National Reined Cow Horse Association.

Carter currently lives in Amarillo, Texas, but plans to relocate to Oklahoma City near the NRHA headquarters. “I believe it’s important to be close to the office, and I look forward to working alongside the amazing staff in the day-to-day operations of serving NRHA members,” she said. “I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

Carter will officially start work on March 7 and will be in Oklahoma City for the Judge Applicant School on March 9–10 and the Judges School March 11–13. “I want to expand on the already excellent education process NRHA has for judges and stewards, and I look forward to continuing the education of members and exhibitors,” she explained. “I’m humbled and honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with NRHA’s Commissioner, the NRHA Executive Committee and the NRHA Judges and Steward Committees and will strive to maintain the high standards for NRHA and its membership.”

For more information about NRHA’s Judges Program, visit nrha.com/judges

Teton Ridge Continues to Bring Momentum to Reining with NRHA Corporate Partnership

Posted on February 16, 2022 - 8:32 pm by

The National Reining Horse Association continues to thrive, and a major contributor to the association’s success is the support from Corporate Partners. Most recently, Teton Ridge, a wholly American-owned multi-platform brand dedicated to the American Western way of life, pledged its support to reining when it joined the NRHA Corporate Partner line up.

“The impact and promise of Teton Ridge’s influence can hardly be overstated. I believe it is an honor for NRHA to be part of this brand’s vision and future,” Gary Carpenter, NRHA Commissioner, said. “This is a paradigm-shifting development for all western horse sports, and we at NRHA look forward to years of partnership and prosperity.”

Teton Ridge has made a splash in the industry, not only through partnerships and acquisitions, but also in the show pen. At the 2021 NRHA Futurity, NRHA All Time Leading 7 Million Dollar Rider, Andrea Fappani, piloted Teton Ridge’s Winding Inferno (Inferno Sixty Six x Wind Her Up Chic) to the Level 4 Open Futurity Co-Reserve Championship.

In fact, Fappani is one of an elite group of riders who now represent Teton Ridge in the western performance horse industry as part of TEAM:TR. Joining Fappani is NRHA and National Reined Cow Horse Association Two Million Dollar Rider Todd Bergen, and NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Corey Cushing.

TEAM:TR also includes dynamic barrel racing champions Sherry Cervi, Lisa Lockhart, Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi and Hailey Kinsel. The brand has also formed a Professional Bull Riders (PBR) team, the Arizona Ridge Riders. The new elite league features some of the world’s top bull riders and will begin games in June 2022. In addition to competing in the PBR Team Series, the Arizona Ridge Riders will host an annual bull riding event and western lifestyle festival in Glendale, Arizona to continue building on the excitement and enthusiasm for the sport.

In 2021, Teton Ridge acquired The American Rodeo, the iconic event of the rodeo circuit, to continue to expand the audiences for rodeo sports and make it the world’s premiere western culture event. The American is a beloved event in the world of rodeo, a true showcase for our nation’s most treasured way of life and the sports that grew out of western culture.

Over the course of qualifier events across the country, competitors vie for the biggest single-day paycheck of their careers. A true open competition in format, the iconic event brings together top professional rodeo athletes and honest, hardworking cowboys and cowgirls in a winner-take-all showdown, meant to crown the finest talent the world has to offer. The American Rodeo will be held on Sunday, March 6 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and will also feature a live concert by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Leading up to The American, INSP is broadcasting the world television premiere of Teton Ridge’s all-new action-packed, unscripted original series, “Guts and Glory.” The five-episode series will air on INSP every Sunday at 5 p.m. ET through Feb. 27. “Guts and Glory” chronicles twelve rodeo athletes hailing from the Midwest and beyond, as they arrive at TR9 Ranch in Weatherford, Texas to compete for the life-changing opportunity to compete for millions at The American alongside storied icons of the sport.

In addition to supporting the equine industry, the Teton Ridge Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Teton Ridge, has partnered with the NRHA’s Reining Horse Foundation, Sherry Cervi Youth Championships, Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, Western Sports Foundation, and the Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

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The National Reining Horse Association is not responsible for the information contained in this press release. Please contact the author or submitting organization for further information, requests, or questions.

Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award to Debut at NRHA Derby

Posted on February 4, 2022 - 7:54 pm by

The late Peter Phinny will be honored by the National Reining Horse Association with the establishment of the Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award. This honor will remain a fitting representation of the legacy of this longtime NRHA member and supporter’s contributions to the association and the sport.

The perpetual award will be presented each year, beginning in 2022 at the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel in June. The Mehl Lawson Bronze which represents the award will remain in the NRHA office in Oklahoma City.

A member of the NRHA since 1966, Phinny was raised in Fremont, Michigan, and lived most of his life in the Glen Arbor area. He will be remembered as a solid citizen, devoted to family, and always kind and generous with friends, associates, and worthy causes.

But to the reining horse world, he was simply part of the universal family drawn together by their love of the industry.

In 1972, Phinny graduated with a degree in literature from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. Writing was one of his regular pursuits, and books he wrote over the years, one with NRHA Hall of Fame member Jack Brainard, combined his passion for writing with his love of reining.

Phinny’s horse breeding and training properties were located in Maple City, Michigan, and Patagonia, Arizona. He met Tom Pierson, who was working for Jack Brainard during the writing of the book, and Pierson ultimately went to work for Phinny.

Pierson said, “I worked for Peter at his Cold Spring Farm for 10 years, and I can say that this award is a real fit for him. He always studied pedigrees and what was working and wasn’t so that would tie into this. He spent time poring over pedigrees looking for nicks and crosses. It was a big part of him and our conversations – what mares to buy – what stallion to breed to.

 “As soon as AQHA let you ship semen, Peter brought all his mares home, and it was so enjoyable for both of us. I’ve always been a broodmare guy, too, and it was like a winter wonderland full of foals. We’d keep them inside in the heated barn then let the mares and babies out in the heated arena every morning until spring when the weather changed, and they’d get to go outside. We both enjoyed that!”

NRHA Professional Matt Lantz was business partners with Phinny. “We were partners for over 30 years and I stood his stallions the majority of the time. Both Mr Melody Jac and Brennas Kid had won the NRHA Futurity. He loved the breeding business,” Lantz recalled.

NRHA Three Million Rider Tim McQuay had ridden Mr Melody Jac to the Futurity title and had some horses for Peter over the years. “He was just a very good guy and a dedicated promoter of our industry,” McQuay recalled.

Lantz added, “He was good to everyone. His kindness was very real – not a façade.”

Phinny’s cousin, Frank Merrill, who partnered with him as breeder partners on Gallo Del Cielo (Rooster), agreed.  “He was the kindest person. He loved the reining futurity and looked forward to it every year,” Merrill said. “He never missed it as long as he was able. He and his wife, Molly, gave a trophy every year to the Futurity champion in the name of Cold Spring Farm.”

That involvement has come full-circle and Peter Phinny’s legacy will live on with the annual sire recognition beginning in 2022 when it will be presented to Gunnatrashya owner Arcese Quarter Horses USA.  

2021 NRHA Professionals of the Year Announced

Posted on February 3, 2022 - 10:56 pm by

In 2012, the National Reining Horse Association created the Professionals of the Year awards to recognize those members who go above and beyond to advocate for the sport, fellow members, and of course, the horses.

NRHA affiliates may nominate NRHA Professionals for the awards, which include the NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, the NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, the NRHA Youth Coach of the Year, the NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year, and the NRHA Up-and-Coming Trainer of the Year.

“These are really special awards. Not only is it great to be nominated by the affiliate, but it’s unique in that they are voted on by their peers,” noted Nick Valentine, Chairman of the NRHA Professionals Committee. “It’s been great to be able to recognize the people who are committed to NRHA and are dedicating their lives to it.”

According to Valentine, the class of 2022 is truly impressive. “I think each year we have a lot of really deserving nominees, and it’s always a hard thing when it’s time to vote because it is so hard to pick. This year, I think the winners truly are ambassadors of the NRHA. It’s not just about success in the show pen, which they all have, but about giving their time. They also all demonstrate that taking care of the horse is one of their top priorities,” he said.

Valentine added that notifying the recipients is one of his favorite tasks as Professionals Committee Chairman. “It’s really fun for me to call and congratulate them. Most of these people I know quite well, and I consider it a privilege and honor to be the one to surprise them with the news,” Valentine said.

The 2021 NRHA Professionals of the Year will be honored with custom spurs from NRHA Corporate Partner Montana Silversmiths and will be featured in the NRHA Reiner Magazine.

Professional Horseman: Trevor Dare

Trevor Dare banked the most prestigious win of his career in 2021 when he piloted Jerseys Baby Driver (Yellow Jersey x Wind Her Up Chic) to the Open Level 4 Championship of the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

Dare comes from a family that has been involved with raising horses for decades, and his uncle, Rocky Dare, is a member of the NRHA Hall of Fame. Originally from Ohio, Dare began showing horses when he was just four years old and transitioned to reining at eight. He made the move to Oklahoma more than 15 years ago, and now operates Trevor Dare Reining Horses out of Silver Spurs Equine in Purcell, Oklahoma. Trevor, his wife Laura, and their son live in Lexington, Oklahoma.

With more than $811,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings, Dare finished as the No. 7 money earner for NRHA Professionals in 2021. In addition to his Derby championship, Dare piloted Old Time Roknroll to a Top 10 finish at the 2021 NRHA Futurity.

Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year: Kaci O’Rourke

Talented might be an understatement when describing Kaci O’Rourke. The 2021 Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year is not only great with a horse; she’s also a gifted artist.

O’Rourke was born and raised in Castleton, Vermont, on her family’s Pond Hill Ranch, which, at any time has hundreds of horses. That upbringing now doubt helped O’Rourke grow as a horsewoman. She began reining at just 13 years old and became an NRHA Professional at 18. She worked with NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary for five years and then continued with NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal.

Since beginning her professional career, O’Rourke has made the Open Finals at the NRBC, NRHA Derby, and NRHA Futurity – along with multiple Derby and Futurity wins and placings. Her lifetime earnings now exceed $138,000.

O’Rourke and her husband, fellow NRHA Professional Jack Daniels, own and operate Pond Hill Performance Horses out of Pilot Point, Texas.

Youth Coach of the Year: Bud Lyon

Spend a few minutes with Bud Lyon, and it’s quickly apparent why the charismatic NRHA Professional was voted as the Youth Coach of the Year. As a youth, he competed in all-around events, and become a well-rounded horseman by riding with and learning from legendary trainers including Todd Crawford, Don Murphy, and Randy Paul.

Now, Lyon and his wife, Kim, live in Whitesboro, Texas, where they focus on reining and ranch riding horses.

Lyon has won more than $183,000 in NRHA earnings, including top finishes at major events including the National Reining Breeders Classic and NRHA Derby. He’s also been successful in other associations. He won the 2018 AQHA World Championship in Senior Ranch Riding and took the 2019 NSBA Breeders Championship Senior Ranch Riding and Junior Ranch Riding Championships. In 2019, he also won the APHA Junior Reining World Championship.

Up-and-Coming Professional of the Year: Josh Tishman

Raised in Maine, Josh Tishman began riding horses as just three years old. The only horseman in his family, Tishman tried a variety of disciplines, ranging from team roping to jumping. He eventually moved to Billings, Montana, where he competed on the Rocky Mountain College IHSA Equestrian Team.

He began riding reining horses, and in 2014, his first year to enter the NRHA Futurity, he made the Level 1 Open finals.

Now Tishman is one of NRHA’s Top Professionals, finishing 2021 as No. 9 in the list of money-earning riders. It was a big year for Tishman. At the NRHA Derby, Tishman and Gunnarickashay won the Level 3 Open and took reserve in the Level 4 at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Just months later, the pair won The Run For A Million Shoot Out, earning a spot in the 2022 The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge Million Dollar Competition.

Tishman, his wife Layton, and their daughter live in Weatherford, Texas, where he works for NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary.

Non Pro Coach of the Year: Martin Larcombe

Martin Larcombe’s steady demeanor not only helps him win in the show pen; it also has helped him become a great coach for non pro riders.

Growing up in Australia, Larcombe began his career competing in rodeos and quarter horse shows. He eventually began to focus on reining and has trained and competed on great reining horses in Australia, Europe, and the United States.

Larcombe, alongside his sister, Shauna Larcombe, was part of the first Australian reining team to compete at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.

Larcombe has lifetime earnings of more than $937,000. He’s a two-time NRHA Open World Champion, an NRHA Level 4 Open Derby reserve champion, and is a multiple finalist at all major NRHA events.

He and his wife Sam now live in Whitesboro, Texas.

For more information about the NRHA Professionals program or to find a professional in your area, visit nrha.com/professionals.

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