The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially postponed the implementation of new Horse Protection Act (HPA) rules, which could have subjected reining competitions and other equestrian events to additional inspections intended to eliminate intentional soring. The revised effective date for these amendments is now February 1, 2026.
This decision by the USDA allows NRHA to continue its longstanding commitment to ensuring the highest standards of welfare for reining horses across its global events.
The HPA, originally enacted more than 50 years ago, was designed to protect Tennessee Walking Horses and other racking breeds from soring. However, recent proposed expansions have sparked debate within the equine community. The USDA is currently seeking public input on whether this delay should be extended further and is requesting additional information to help determine an appropriate timeline.
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has actively engaged with its board of directors, staff, committee chairs, affiliates, and show managers to address this legislation.
“This is a short-term victory for the Western horse competition community, maintaining the Horse Protection Act as originally intended—for now,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith. “NRHA remains committed to working with its partners to turn this temporary success into lasting policy.”
NRHA has collaborated with the American Horse Council and a coalition of over a dozen equine organizations and event venue stakeholders to prevent the HPA from exceeding its original scope. This coalition will be engaged in providing testimony to the USDA as they consider the future of the HPA.
Concerns About the HPA Expansion
The HPA was established to prevent intentional soring, a practice widely condemned within the equine industry. However, the Western horse community, within which NRHA is a leader, already invests substantial resources into ensuring animal welfare and preventing soring, making the proposed expansion unnecessary and misaligned with existing standards of care.
NRHA remains committed to protecting horse welfare without the unnecessary misapplication of existing animal welfare law. We will continue a dialogue with the USDA through our coalition partners, provide updates, and encourage our members to stay informed and engaged.
In recognition of outstanding dedication and excellence within our vibrant community, the National Reining Horse Association proudly presents the 2024 Professionals of the Year award recipients. Since their establishment in 2012, these honors have celebrated individuals exemplifying leadership and excellence in the sport of reining.
This award goes beyond accomplishments in the show pen—it acknowledges those who make a lasting impact through their dedication, mentorship, and unwavering support of NRHA and its members. The 2024 recipients embody integrity and passion, working tirelessly to advance and uphold the core values of reining.
Nominations for these prestigious awards—including NRHA Professional of the Year, NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, NRHA Youth Coach of the Year, NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year and NRHA Up-and-Coming Professional of the Year—come from NRHA affiliates and the NRHA Professionals Committee. From there, NRHA Professionals cast their votes to determine who will join the ranks of past honorees.
NRHA Professional of the Year: Kaci O’Rourke Collinsville, Texas NRHA LTE: $827,816
At the final NRHA Futurity held in the Jim Norick Coliseum, Kaci O’Rourke and The Firemen scored a 229 to win the prestigious NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity, a title never won by a woman. They also topped the Level 3 Open. The wins earned them $420,000 (including nominator incentive). O’Rourke and her husband, NRHA Professional Jack Daniels, bought the horse as a yearling, and Daniels started him as a 2-year-old.
O’Rourke previously earned the NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year Award, demonstrating her consistent support and commitment to NRHA. She serves on the NRHA Professionals Committee, donates her time to support the National Reining Horse Youth Association and the Reining Horse Foundation, and promotes the industry through her well-known art and writing showcased on social media.
O’Rourke is involved in every aspect of the industry: breeding and raising prospects, managing a strong 2-year-old program, showing aged event horses and helping many non pro and youth riders.
NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year: Julia Roshelli Belle Center, Ohio NRHA LTE $69,546
While attending the University of Findlay, Julia Roshelli worked as an NRHA show management intern at major events. After graduating in 2019, she began working for NRHA Professional Brandon Brant.
Through opportunities at Brant Performance Horses, she has been a finalist at the NRHA Futurity, National Reining Breeders Classic, All American Quarter Horse Congress, and has multiple Level 1 and Level 2 Congress Futurity Championships.
Roshelli’s 2024 accomplishments include: Levels 1 and 2 All American Quarter Horse Congress Futurity Champion and Levels 3 and 4 Finalist along with Tulsa North American Reining Stakes Level 1 Futurity Reserve Champion.
“This award isn’t just about her success in the show pen, but it is acknowledging her character and strength,” said Brant. “She was there for everybody this year, including our clients and our business, when we were going through an incredibly tough situation. She is resilient and was resilient for many people and continued to be a phenomenal coach for non pros all while making her first Level 4 Finals at [All American Quarter Horse] Congress.”
Alongside Brant, she has coached multiple non pro and youth finalists at NRHA’s major events, coached NRHA Top 10 World Title holders, and All American Quarter Horse Congress championships.
NRHA Up-and-Coming Professional of the Year: Leonardo Kellermann Purcell, Oklahoma NRHA LTE: $494, 356
Leonardo Kellerman earned an incredible $410,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings throughout 2024, topping the Levels 2 and 1 at nearly every major event.
His season came to a spectacular end when he piloted Frozen Starburst to the Levels 2 and 1 Open Futurity Championships. It all came to fruition in front of his parents, who were able to come to watch him show at the Futurity for the first time. Kellerman is a Brazilian native who now works in Purcell, Oklahoma, at NRHA Corporate Partner 7 Lakes Ranch.
The horse-and-rider team’s 222.5 score earned them a total of $151,564 (including nominator incentives) — $13,000 in Level 1 and $50,000 in Level 2, as well as $35,644 for the Level 3 Open Co-Reserve Championship and $52,919 for an eighth-place tie in Level 4.
Kellerman finished the year in seventh place within the NRHA Top 20 Professionals list.
NRHA Youth Coach of the Year: Dan Huss Scottsdale, Arizona NRHA LTE $854,881
Dan Huss had success in the show pen in 2024, including earning the Level 2 Open co-reserve championship at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. He is not only a competitor and judge but also brings 20-30 horses to shows and is known for his excellent youth coaching.
Huss’s nomination for the award came from the Arizona Reining Horse Association, which included the following:
“His incredible attention to detail, methodical approach, and high expectations gave me the confidence to strive for more,” said 2024 NRHA Level 2 and Youth Non Pro Futurity Champion Michelle Fumagali. “This newfound confidence helped lead to increasing results in the show pen, solidifying a belief in myself I didn’t have before. However, shows don’t always go as planned, but Dan always makes it a lesson to learn and grow from, which has taught me how to deal with setbacks and doubt. Overall, Dan has had an immense impact on my skills, mindset, and work ethic which has carried over beyond horses. This is why there is no one better to nominate for this award because he is not only a coach but a mentor as well.” Fumagali also was the Youth Non Pro Champion at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.
NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year: Yonathan Baruch Whitesboro, Texas NRHA LTE $576,376
Israeli NRHA Professional Yonathan Baruch managed one of the largest riding schools in Israel, with over 200 students and five instructors. He regularly took at least 30 to 35 youth and non-pro students to surrounding American Quarter Horse Association shows. During the last year of his management, Baruch won many titles along with producing 14 Israeli champions and co-champions in various disciplines, including reining.
Since moving his business to the United States, Baruch has been a Level 4 finalist at every major NRHA event. He was co-champion at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel in Level 2 Open and was reserve champion in Level 3 Open. He has also won championships at the AQHA World Championship Show and the American Paint Horse Association World Championship Show.
When he is not in the show pen, you will see him helping many non pros who have also experienced great success.
The Reining Horse Foundation and NRHA mourn the passing of Edward “Ed” Howard Minchin, Jr. on March 3, 2025.
Ed Minchin, most recently resided in Southern Pines, North Carolina. More than a horseman, Ed loved his country, was a respected patriarch, a mentor, and a friend who lived life with unbridled enthusiasm. His legacy is not just in the horses he trained or the land he cultivated, but in the many lives he touched, the memories he created, and the love he shared so generously.
Ed is survived by his loving wife Parker Haynes Minchin. His full obituary and service arrangements can be found here.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Reining Horse Foundation Crisis Fund.
Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on July 19, 2025 to Host Western Sports Spectacle
Returning champions Adan Banuelos & Casey Deary set to defend titles as event grows to eight competitors per discipline; Tickets on sale beginning Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
(Fort Worth, Texas), February 24, 2025— Teton Ridge, the premier brand in Western sports and entertainment, has announced the official lineup of cutting, reined cow horse, and reining athletes set to compete at the highly anticipated 2025 American Performance Horseman. This groundbreaking team-formatted event is making history once again—this time as a standalone spectacle—set to take over Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
Created in 2023, The American Performance Horseman has quickly become the highest-attended single-day Western performance horse event in the world, drawing top-tier talent and passionate fans from around the globe. The 2025 edition marks a significant evolution, expanding the competition field from five to eight elite athletes per discipline, further amplifying the stakes and the excitement.
Among those returning to defend their titles are 2024 champions Adan Banuelos (NCHA), and Casey Deary (NRHA), each of whom took home over $100,000 in prize money last year. They will be joined by a star-studded lineup of riders who have dominated their respective disciplines, promising an electrifying night of Western sports like never before.
Full lineup below. Tickets on sale beginning Tuesday, March 18 at 10AM/ET.
“This year’s expansion to eight competitors per discipline and moving to its own night at Dickies Arena is a monumental step forward for The American Performance Horseman and the future of equine sports,” said Josh Valdez, Director of The American Performance Horseman. “By broadening the field, Teton Ridge is providing more elite athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level while delivering an unforgettable experience for fans in a world-class setting. The American Performance Horseman remains the only event that brings these three disciplines together in one arena on one night, and we cannot wait to make history in Fort Worth.”
Tickets on sale beginning March 18. Entertainment lineup, and VIP experiences will be revealed soon. Fans eager to be part of this electrifying night are encouraged to check www.theamericanperformancehorseman.com for the latest updates. Don’t miss your chance to witness Western sports history in the making.
The 2025 American Performance Horseman Official Roster
Representing the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA):
Kenneth Platt – 2024 NCHA Futurity Open Champion, LTE $4,250,424.97
Austin Shepard – 2017 NCHA Futurity Open Champion & NCHA Open World Champion, LTE $11,013,335.38
Adan Banuelos – 2023 & 2024 The American Performance Horseman Champion, LTE $7,171,647.31
James Payne – 2024 NCHA Summer Spectacular 4 Yo Open Champion, LTE $5,973,484.98
Michael Cooper – 2025 Ike Derby and Classic 4 Yo Open Champion, LTE $5,361,931.12
Morgan Cromer – 2024 NCHA Futurity Open Finalist, LTE $5,632,943.40
Wes Galyean – 2023 NCHA Futurity Open Champion, LTE $6,599,615.00
Tosten Peterson – 2024 NCHA Futurity Open Finalist, LTE $6,599,615.00
Representing the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA):
Chris Dawson – 2024 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champion, LTE $2,517,260
Justin Wright – 2024 The American Performance Horseman Reined Cow Horse Reserve Champion, LTE $3,050,058
Sarah Dawson – 2023 The American Performance Horseman Champion, LTE $2,342,272
Clayton Edsall – 2024 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Finalist, LTE $1,747,804
Manuel Cortesi – 2024 European Classic Derby Champion, LTE $1,053,105
Fernando Salgado – 2024 Reining Classic Derby Champion, LTE $1,739,670
Jason Vanlandingham – 2024 The Run for a Million Champion, LTE $4,610,903
About The American Performance Horseman
The American Performance Horseman is a premier event in Western equine sports, bringing together the best athletes from the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and horses from the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and the American Paint Horse Association (APHA). Founded in 2023, The American Performance Horseman highlights the artistry, athleticism, and heritage of Western performance horse disciplines through cutting-edge competition and entertainment. For more information, visitwww.theamericanperformancehorseman.com
Teton Ridge/ The American Performance Horseman Media Contact:
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) celebrates as three exceptional 2007 stallions have achieved significant milestones, underscoring their enduring impact on the reining industry. Colonels Shining Gun, Shine Chic Shine, and Shiners Voodoo Dr have each reached new heights, cementing their legacies as NRHA Multi-Million Dollar Sires.
Colonels Shining Gun: NRHA $3 Million Sire
Known affectionately as “Jojo,” Colonels Shining Gun has captured the hearts of many in the reining community. Sired by NRHA Hall of Famer Gunner and out of Shining Little Peach, the 2007 stallion boasts NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) of nearly $113,000. Owned by Katarzyna Roleska and bred by Trend Horses LLC, Jojo crossed the $2 million mark in the summer of 2024 and achieved his latest milestone after the 2024 Italian Reining Horse Futurity (IRHA) where he was the event’s highest money-earning sire.
Jojo’s offspring have consistently made their mark in the reining arena. Among them is CSG Berlin, ridden by NRHA Professional Lukasz Czechowics. This talented duo earned Level 4 Open Reserve Champion honors at the IRHA Futurity with a score of 225, adding $42,185 to Jojo’s record. Bred by Katarzyna Roleska and owned by Dor Cohen, CSG Berlin exemplifies the excellence that defines Colonels Shining Gun’s lineage.
Jojo’s top-earning offspring include:
Plus Me Im Shiny (out of Plus One Chex), bred by Upstream Inc., nominated by Layla Choate, and owned by 2Star Investments LLC, $171,387 NRHA LTE
Hosss (out of Brennas Dream), bred and nominated by Loren Booth, owned by Nancy Wheeler and Jimmy Nichols, $169,114 NRHA LTE
Wish I Was Yours (out of Whizzen For Chex), bred by NRHA Corporate Partner Tamarack Ranch, nominated by Tish Fappani, owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owners Tish and Andrea Fappani, $147,877 NRHA LTE
HS Marshal (out of Dun Its Dirty Secret), bred and nominated by Gerardo Arturo Fernandez Sanchez, owned by Hacienda Sonador LLC, $116,178 NRHA LTE
CSG Wisemanfear (out of Tejana Chic), bred by Brent Loseke, nominated by Katarzyna Roleska, owned by Dor Cohen, NRHA LTE $101,592
Shine Chic Shine: NRHA $3 Million Sire
The NRHA Markel Futurity Sales Graduate “Shine” has risen to prominence as one of reining’s elite sires. By NRHA Hall of Famer Smart Chic Olena and out of NRHA Hall of Famer Ebony Shines, Shine Chic Shine combines pedigree and performance with NRHA LTE of $148,714. Owned by Amabile & Strusiner and bred by Manntana LLC, the stallion crossed the $3 million milestone thanks to outstanding contributions from his 257 money-earning offspring.
Among these is Best Shine, Shine Chic Shine’s highest earner whose 2024 successes included adding $53,861 to Shine’s record. Ridden by NRHA $4 Million Rider Jason Vanlandingham, Best Shine excelled at the National Reining Breeders Classic, earning over $31,000 in the Level 4 Open. Bred by Wagman Ranch Inc. and owned by NRHA $2 Million Owner Robert Santagata, Best Shine’s achievements reflect the enduring legacy of Shine Chic Shine.
Shine’s top-earning offspring include:
Best Shine (out of Best Stop), bred and nominated by Wagman Ranch Inc., owned by Robert Santagata, $739.897 NRHA LTE
PS Mega Shine Chic (out of Megas Sugar Baby), bred and nominated by Patsy Schutz, owned by Adh-Mor Ranch, $239,655 NRHA LTE
Shine Colt Shine (out of Gunners Miss Oak), bred by Amabile & Strusiner, nominated by Sally Amabile, owned by Brian and Debra Carsey, $136,948 NRHA LTE
Shineoncrazydiamond (out of Cashing In Diamonds), bred and nominated by Stefano Calcagnini, owned by Kristen Cantacuzene, $112,336 NRHA LTE
Slide Me Sum Shine (out of Wimpys Woman), bred and nominated by Daniel Beale, owned by Michael Garnett, $97,744 NRHA LTE
Shiners Voodoo Dr: NRHA $5 Million Sire
“Voodoo,” a 2007 stallion owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Silver Spurs Equine and bred by Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch, has reached an extraordinary milestone as an NRHA $5 Million Sire. By NRHA Hall of Famer Shining Spark and out of Voodoo Chic, Voodoo’s NRHA LTE of $85,910 is overshadowed only by his breeding career through the collective accomplishments of his 394 money-earning offspring.
Gunna B A Doctor, ridden by NRHA Million Dollar Rider Ann Fonck, played a pivotal role in securing Voodoo’s latest milestone. Their third-place finish in the Level 4 Open at the 2024 IRHA Futurity earned $31,639, contributing significantly to Voodoo’s total and helping push him over this historic milestone. This achievement further underscores Shiners Voodoo Dr’s influence as a sire whose legacy is defined by excellence and consistency.
Voodoo’s top-earning offspring include:
Shiner On My Eye (out of Flashy Lil Step), bred and nominated by Empire Ranch, owned by Robert Santagata, NRHA LTE $197,068
Warlocks Last Step (out of SDP A Lasting Step), bred and nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch, owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses LLC
Xtra Voodoo Dr (out of Wound Up Wimp), bred and nominated by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Silver Spurs Equine, owned by Mona Bodaness, $104,923 NRHA LTE
Doctor Voodoo (out of Dunit A Lil Ruf), bred and nominated by Ann Salmon Anderman, owned by Mike McFarlin, $97,510 NRHA LTE
Xtra Doo Little (out of Wimpy Little Sinbar), bred by NRHA Corporate Partner Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC, nominated by Silver Spurs Equine (USA) and owner Katharina Schwarz (EU), $91,069 NRHA LTE
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces two exceptional sires, A Sparkling Vintage and Inferno Sixty Six, have crossed the monumental $4 million mark in NRHA offspring earnings. This significant milestone reflects their remarkable influence in the reining industry and the exceptional performances of their progeny on a global stage.
A Sparkling Vintage
Born in 1997, A Sparkling Vintage is a standout sire bred by Jeff Cornelius and NRHA Hall of Famer Carol Rose. Sired by the legendary NRHA Hall of Fame inductee Shining Spark and out of Vintage Badger, this exceptional stallion is owned by Petra Zeitler. Known for his impeccable bloodlines and proven performance, A Sparkling Vintage last reached a major milestone in 2022. His contributions to the reining world have been cemented with his offspring’s success at premier events.
A Sparkling Vintage’s 183 NRHA money-earning offspring have propelled him to the $4 million milestone. A pivotal contribution came from SS Pretty Nifty, ridden by Anna-Maria Zehetbauer to claim the Italian Reining Horse Association Level 4 Non Pro 4-Year-Old Futurity Championship in 2024. The duo added over $100,000 to the sire’s progeny earnings, showcasing the enduring impact of A Sparkling Vintage on the reining industry.
A Sparkling Vintage’s top-earning offspring include:
A Vintage Smoke (out of Lady Smoke Peppy), bred and nominated by Karl Hapcic and owned by Diane Mesmer, $540,650 NRHA LTE
Not Ruf At All (out of All Ruffed Up), bred and nominated by Petra Zeitler, owned by NRHA Hall of Famer Vaughn Zimmerman, $456,437 NRHA LTE
Platinum Vintage (out of Starjac Miss), bred and nominated by Petra Zeitler, owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Silver Spurs Equine, $314,909 NRHA LTE
Starjac Vintage (out of Starjac Miss); bred by Petra Zeitler, nominated by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Tim Anderson, and owned by Clover Oak Ranch; $228,312 NRHA LTE
All American Vintage (out of All Ruffed Up), bred by Petra Zeitler, nominated by Harper Conner (USA) and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Gennaro Lendi (EU), owned by Eyal Carmon, $171,263 NRHA LTE
Inferno Sixty Six
Inferno Sixty Six, a 2012-born stallion, continues to blaze trails in the reining world. Bred by Hilldale Farm and nominated by Domenico Lomuto, this exceptional sire is the result of a legendary pairing between two NRHA Hall of Famers: Gunnatrashya and Snip O Gun. Owned by Slide or Die LLC, Inferno Sixty Six has consistently proven his worth, crossing his last milestone in the summer of 2024.
Inferno Sixty Six’s 378 NRHA money-earning offspring have solidified his place among reining’s elite sires. His rise to the $4 million milestone was highlighted by the stellar performance of NRHA Professional Kaci O’Rourke and The Firemen (Redhot Walla) at the 2024 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships. Together, they captured the MS Diamonds Level 4 Open Futurity Championship and the Level 3 Open Futurity Championship, earning over $425,000 in 2024 and cementing Inferno Sixty Six’s legacy.
The Firemen (out of Redhot Walla), bred and nominated by NRHA Corporate Partner Tamarack Ranch LLC, owned by Peter and Courtney Morgan, $425,078 NRHA LTE
Inferno Thirty Five (out of Madeof Pure Spangled), bred by NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, nominated by Mary Jansma, owned by Stephen Archer, $284,529 NRHA LTE
Winding Inferno (out of Wind Her Up Chic), bred and nominated by Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, owned by NRHA Corporate Partner Teton Ridge Ranch, $218,038 NRHA LTE
Surprizing Sixty Six (out of Dun With Surprizes), bred and nominated by Valentin Rascon; owned by Janiene Borror, $169,534 NRHA LTE
Gangsta Sixtysix (out of Rush N Cat), bred by Lorenzo Lottie, nominated by Slide or Die LLC, owned by Julio Mora Hernandez, $168,344 NRHA LTE
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces three of the industry’s leading sires have reached significant milestones, further solidifying their legacies in reining history. Gunners Special Nite, Spooks Gotta Whiz, and Gunnatrashya have each achieved new benchmarks through the extraordinary performances of their offspring.
Gunners Special Nite: NRHA $8 Million Sire
Gunners Special Nite, known as “Bailey” to those who love him, continues to shine in the reining world as an NRHA $8 Million Sire. The 2004 stallion, bred by Kim and Debra Sloan and owned by Turnabout Farm Inc., crossed the $7 million mark in April of 2024 and reached $8 million during the 2024 NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC). By NRHA Hall of Famer Gunner and out of Mifs Doll, Bailey himself boasts NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) of nearly $220,000.
The milestone was achieved through the efforts of his 530 NRHA money-earning offspring, highlighted by stellar performances at the NRHA Futurity and Adequan® NAAC. NRHA Hall of Famer Mandy McCutcheon rode two of Bailey’s progeny to success: Spookin At Nite (out of Spooks Little Princess) and Golden Nite Survivor (out of Golden Survivor), securing third and fourth places in the Level 4 Non Pro Finals and earning over $67,000 collectively.
Gunners Special Nite’s top-earning offspring include:
Modern Gun (out of Taris Modern Design), bred and nominated by Turnabout Farm Inc. and owned by MS Stables, $362,126 NRHA LTE
Guns And Dynamite (out of Chic Olena Starbuck), bred and nominated by Turnabout Farm Inc., owned by Tim and MaryBeth Ruckman, $297,851 NRHA LTE
All Nite Partier (out of Topsail Survivor), bred and nominated by Deana Nell, owned by Sotol Investments LLC, $281,183 NRHA LTE
CS Especially Moody (out of Judys A Little Moody); bred, nominated, and owned by NRHA $3 Million Owner Corrina Schumacher of XCS Ranch LLC; $229,059 NRHA LTE
Gunna Be Painted (out of Darlins Not Painted), bred and nominated by NRHA $2 Million Owner Tom McCutcheon, owned by Kevin Colston, $212,631 NRHA LTE
Spooks Gotta Whiz: NRHA $10 Million Sire
NRHA Hall of Famer Spooks Gotta Whiz, known as “Baby,” has achieved the $10 million sire milestone. The 2007 stallion, bred by NRHA Hall of Famer Clint Haverty and owned by Michell Anne Kimball, crossed the $9 million mark in August 2024. With NRHA LTE of $345,138, Baby is by NRHA $3 Million Sire Spooks Gotta Gun and out of Prettywhizprettydoes.
The 531 NRHA money-earning offspring of Spooks Gotta Whiz have consistently excelled, including Picture Perrfect (out of Isnt She Perfect), who played a significant role in this accomplishment. The talented horse and its NRHA Million Dollar Rider were crowned MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Futurity Reserve Champions at the 2024 NRHA Futurity, earning $150,000.
Baby’s top-earning offspring include:
Mic Dropp (out of Dun Dry Whiz), bred and nominated by Clark Reining Horses LLC, owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owners Tim Anderson and Clark Reining Horses LLC, $352,224 NRHA LTE
Alpha Jac Sparrow (out of Chexanicki), bred and nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, owned by Fritz Leeman, $298,564 NRHA LTE
Spooks Gotta Spark (out of Dolittle Lena), bred and nominated by Bobby Lewis, owned by Kevin Truax, $215,585 NRHA LTE
Outta Yur League (out of Shesouttayourleague); bred and nominated by Curtis Performance Horses LLC; owned by Frank Costantini Jr., Tim Anderson, Clark Reining Horses LLC, and Richard Vernon; $204,880 NRHA LTE
Spooky Whiz (out of Myo Starlight), bred and nominated by Spence Bell, owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses LLC, $186,043 NRHA LTE
Gunnatrashya: NRHA $14 Million Sire
Gunnatrashya (Gunner x Natrasha), an NRHA Hall of Fame inductee, has reached the monumental milestone of $14 million in sire earnings. Bred by Katarina Dorminy and owned by NRHA $3 Million Owner Arcese Quarter Horses USA, Gunnatrashya crossed the $13 million mark in August 2024. With NRHA LTE exceeding $218,000, the stallion’s success in the show morphed into an even more prestigious career as a sire.
His 812 NRHA money-earning offspring have achieved exceptional results worldwide. Notable among them is Shift N Gears (out of Snip O Gun), bred and owned by Hilldale Farm. Under the guidance of NRHA Million Dollar Rider Jessicah Keller, Shift N Gears claimed the 2024 All American Quarter Horse Congress Non Pro Freestyle Reining Championship and the Open Freestyle Reserve Championship, contributing significantly to Gunnatrashya’s milestone achievement.
Gunnatrashya’s top-earning offspring include:
Gunnabebigtime (out of Big Time Jazzy); bred, nominated and owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Tami Nelson; $864,903 NRHA LTE
Gunna Stop (out of Stop Little Sister), bred and nominated by NRHA Corporate Partner Toyon Ranch LLC, owned by Amber Gokey, $672,762 NRHA LTE
Andiamoe (out of Wimpys Little Chic); bred, nominated and owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA; $438,139 NRHA LTE
Ten Thirty (out of Dainty Little Step), bred and nominated by Brooke Wharton, owned by Rancho El Fortin, $418,788 NRHA LTE
Super Marioo (out of HA Chic A Tune), bred and nominated by Hillis Akin Family Partnership, owned by Tom and Mandy McCutcheon, $338,891 NRHA LTE
Joe Wolfe of Catlettsburg, Kentucky, died February 3, 2025. He had a deep passion for horses and the reining community. He was elected to the Reining Horse Foundation Board of Directors in 2022. At the time of his passing, Joe was chairing the RHF Crisis Fund Review Committee and serving on the Scholarship Committee. He previously served on various committees for the National Reining Horse Association.
Joe was a reining breeder, owner and competitor. As an NRHA non pro, he amassed nearly $137,000 in lifetime earnings.
Joe is survived by his wife of 53 years, Emmy Wolfe. His full obituary and service arrangements can be found here.
The Reining Horse Foundation and NRHA mourn the passing of Martin F. “Marty” Roth in January 2025.
Martin F. Roth, most recently resided in Grant Park, Illinois. He was known to friends and family as “Marty.” Martin was an avid enthusiast of hunting, target shooting and vintage cars. He had a special love for NRHA reining shows, where he enjoyed spending time watching his wife, Becky Roth, showcase her horses.
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces Quarter Dream SRL, based in Puglia, Italy, has joined the elite ranks of NRHA Million Dollar Owners. This prestigious milestone celebrates the tremendous success and dedication of owner Pietro Marseglia, whose family’s equestrian legacy dates back to the 1930s.
Quarter Dream SRL’s remarkable journey to becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Owner culminated after the 2024 NRHA Season. Significant contributions to this achievement include standout performances by three of their horses Hollys Hijackers, Sugar Little Step, and Colonels Dancing Gun. Quarter Dream also acknowledges the broodmares Dance Little Spook, Gunna Be Majestic, and Sugar Little Step, which helped them reach this milestone.
“NRHA Professional Nico Sicuro, current Quarter Dream Trainer, [NRHA Million Dollar Rider] Franco Bertolani, Marcus Gebert, the Italian [NRHA Million Dollar Rider] Gennaro Lendi, [NRHA Million Dollar Rider] Ann Fonck and Rudi Kronsteiner are the ones who piloted Quarter Dream Horses to build what Quarter Dream is today.”
Additionally, Colonels Dancing Gun, a 10-year-old stallion bred, owned, and nominated by Quarter Dream SRL, earned $1,270 with NRHA Professional Nico Sicuro in the Run for a Million Qualifier, contributing to his impressive lifetime earnings of $240,230. Colonels Dancing Gun’s illustrious career includes victories such as the 2018 NRHA European Level 4 Open Futurity Championship, the 2020 NRHA European Level 4 Open Derby Championship, and the 2023 World Reining Championships Open Senior Individual Championship. Colonels Dancing Gun and Sicuro also earned the 2024 NRHA Open World Championship.
Quarter Dream SRL’s partnership with NRHA extends beyond the arena as an NRHA Corporate Partner since 2020, underscoring their commitment to advancing the sport of reining worldwide. With over 120 horses contributing to their NRHA records, the team’s dedication to excellence is unmatched.
For Pietro Marseglia, Quarter Dream SRL’s success is rooted in a singular vision. “We build in the years an excellent breeding program and we are proud of that.”
The family’s equestrian tradition began during a time of war in the 1930s, when Pietro’s grandfather served as the chief of the royal horse soldiers, and before during 1830 Giovanni aka “La Fata” was in the beer transport of course using horses.
Today, Quarter Dream SRL carries on this legacy, blending heritage with a commitment to innovation in the reining industry. The NRHA congratulates Quarter Dream SRL and Pietro and his wife Helena on this remarkable accomplishment and looks forward to their continued contributions to the sport. Read more about Quarter Dream SRL’s journey to the million in the April issue of the NRHA Reiner.
