Reining Horse News

The action just finished up at Katy and it was Cromed Out Mercedes (Custom Crome x Princess In Diamonds x Shining Spark) and Andrea Fappani who took the Natonal Reining Breeders Classic Open title with a smashing 232-point performance. The horse, which is owned by Rancho El Fortin from Mexico, tied to win the preliminary round with a 228 score. Last year's champions, Wimpys Little Chic (Wimpys Little Step x Collena Chic Olena x Smart Chic Olena) and Shawn Flarida, finished Reserve this time around with a 231.5 score.

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Andrea Fappani has had much luck on Custom Crome offspring at the NRBC. In 2005 and 2006 he was the Reserve Champion on Custom Legend, and came back to earn the Championship in 2007. “They’ve been good to me. Steve Simon has really supported me, and Custom Crome offspring are great,” he said.

At the 2009 NRBC, he earned his second Open Championship on Cromed Out Mercedes,

“He felt really good. He’s smooth but powerful at the same time. That’s really hard to do in this large arena,” Fappani admitted. “I really enjoyed it tonight. There was smoothness and speed together. It was a very good combination.”

The San Marcos, California, trainer drew up midway through the competition, and while his score of 232 gave him a point and half lead over the current leader – the toughness of the competition ensured he did not rest easy.

“After my run I started loading the trailer and I wasn’t listening to the scores. That’s what I do when I have a good run – I don’t stick around. I knew I was good but there were some great horses yet to show. After my run, I was going to be happy wherever I ended up no matter what, but I’m even happier now,” he laughed.

The Championship came with a generous paycheck of $75,000, a year’s use of a four-horse Featherlite trailer from Twin Cities Featherlite, a Continental saddle from Continental Saddlery, and a multitude of other prizes from jackets, coolers, dishware, and of course, the signature crystal trophy of the NRBC.

Cromed Out Mercedes is owned by Rancho El Fortin, a three generation family ranch in Muzquiz, Mexico, owned by a father, five brothers, and two sisters. Many members of the Ramon family turned out to cheer on Fappani and Cromed Out Mercedes.

Aldo Ramon, one of the brothers, spoke for the family, saying, “This is great. Andrea saw this horse when he was two and really liked him, and called us up and said he’d found a special horse. We bought him, he went to the National Reining Horse Association Futurity, and did well there. Now he has won this, and it’s really great,” he said.

Fappani took another Rancho El Fortin entry, Custom Harley, by Custom Crome and out of Peppys Tonette, to the NRBC Open Finals, but ended in twenty-ninth place. “Custom Harley is a great horse, too. He was a little off tonight, and had some trouble, but both of these stallions are very awesome horses,” noted Claudio Ramon.

Shawn Flarida and Wimpys Little Chic, as draw twenty-nine out of the field of thirty, were expected to put on a show. Having already won the NRHA Open Futurity, the NRHA Open Derby, and last year’s NRBC Open Championship, those estimations seemed a good bet. And while the talented mare, by Wimpys Little Step and out of Collena Chic Olena, didn’t disappoint, her score of 231.5 could not budge the leaders.

But the Reserve Championship came with a check for $62,000, and their score easily topped the Open mare division, worth an additional $14,490. Add that to the $7,021 the pair won in the first go round, and Wimpys Little Chic unofficially became the NRHA’s leading earner.

In the Intermediate Open division, it was Marco Ricotta who wowed the crowd with a score of 232 in the first section of the Open finals on Hollywoodstinseltown, owned by David Silva. As he left the arena, it was an emotional celebration at the back gate. “This is great and I am very glad that I could win this for David and Bonnie,” noted Ricotta after the awards ceremony.

The assistant trainer, who currently works for NRHA $2 Million Rider, Tim McQuay, in Tioga, Texas, gave much of the credit for the win to his mount. “He was right there and really honest. It was like he was telling me he would do whatever I wanted to do. Tonight he showed me how good of a mind he has,” he said.

It was a true example of the circle of life that embodies the NRBC, as Hollywoodstinseltown comes from a family with roots deep in program’s history. The 5-year-old stallion is by the legendary Hollywood Dun It, owned by Tim and Colleen McQuay. Along with his long list of other accomplishments, Hollywood Dun It also sired two NRBC Open Champions. Hollywoodstinseltown’s dam is Miss Tinseltown, who is owned by the Silvas and won the NRBC Open Championship in 1999 with McQuay at the reins.

The Silva’s collected $28,853 for the Intermediate division title, along with a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, and the signature crystal trophy. Numerous other prizes filled the win photo – a testament to the great sponsorship the program enjoys.

Although there was one Limited Open entry in evening performance of the Open finals, the Limited Open and the Level 1 Open Championships were won during the first section of Open Finals competition, and ended in a tie for the Championship. Riders Sebastian Petroll and Deon Locke opted to settle for a Co-Championship instead of a run off.

Petroll, who currently works for Tom McCutcheon in Aubrey, Texas, rode Miss Brim Peppy to a score of 222 early in the competition. “She was very good this horse show. She was even a notch better than she was in the preliminaries,” he said.

Petroll noted that Miss Brim Peppy, a 5-year-old by Lil Ruf Peppy and out of Bay Brim Hat, has “matured over the last year. She’s really changed.” Miss Brim Peppy is owned by Roxanne Koepsell.

Deon Locke knew Little Lenas Solano was going to do well. Having ridden the gelding since he was a 2-year-old, he spoke truthfully when he said, “When I was warming him up it was the best he has ever felt. He stopped huge and turned as good as he can.” Little Lenas Solano, by Smart Like Juice and out of Get Down Sassy Sue, is owned by Reggie Dowell.

Both riders earned $1,425 each for the Open Level 1 Co-Championship, and $9,122 for the Limited Open title. The Limited Open Championship also came with a saddle generously sponsored by Eagle Mountain Saddlery.

Brent Wright, who earned NRHA Million Dollar Rider status at last year’s NRBC, won the Open Prime Time on Miss Rey O Shine, a mare by Shining Spark and out of Miss Rey O Lena. Wright rode the mare to a score of 230, to win $2,400 and a custom saddle from Kyle Tack.

But that was only a small part of the money that the pair won on Saturday evening – they placed fifth in the Open finals, good for $32,000.

The NRBC is held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. The week-long event began April 13, and finishes up on April 19

 www.nrbc.com

Amidst whistles and cheers, Gabriel Diano piloted Whiz Shady MA to the National Reining Breeders Classic’s $25K National Reining Horse Association Open class Championship. The textbook-worthy run was rewarded with a score of 230.5 from the judges – topping the class by three points!

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Amidst whistles and cheers, Gabriel Diano piloted Whiz Shady MA to the National Reining Breeders Classic’s $25K National Reining Horse Association Open class Championship. The textbook-worthy run was rewarded with a score of 230.5 from the judges – topping the class by three points!

Diano might also receive the award for the exhibitor that has traveled the furthest – he lives in Brazil and only flew up last week to show Whiz Shady MA. “This is a dream come true. I am so excited and it means so much to come here and win,” noted Diano after the awards ceremony. “I really want to thank Roberto Ribas for believing in me and allowing me to show this horse.”

Diano trained the 7-year-old, by Gizmo Whiz and out of Miss Shady Pepsan, in Brazil. The stallion then was shipped to the United States in 2008 in order to compete at the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City. Although a penalty kept the pair out of the Open finals, they capitalized on the opportunity, and took the Limited Open Derby title.

Whiz Shady MA, under Diano’s guidance, also won the Limited Open and Intermediate Open ancillary classes throughout the week at the NRBC. For the $25K Open title, owner Ribas pocketed a cool $6,657, and took home a custom saddle and an NRHA Lawson trophy.

Craig Schmersal earned top honors in the USEF Open and the CRI2, which was held concurrently with the $25K Open. He competed on Mr Dual Rey for owner Holly Casey, earning a check for $2,400. The reigning USEF Gold Medalists showed their championship skill with a 227.

“This horse never ceases to amaze me. He showed as good today as ever. He was a little nervous in the middle, but it was one of the most fun runs we’ve had. He’s been great,” noted Schmersal, an NRHA Million Dollar Rider.  www.nrbc.com

When Jose Vazquez exited the Great Southwest Equestrian Center Coliseum Arena on Friday afternoon at the National Reining Breeders Classic Non Pro Finals, he was all smiles. The charismatic rider was sure he had won the Championship – and when his score, a 225, was announced, the celebrating began.

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Vazquez qualified three horses for the Non Pro finals, but it was Wound By Juice, a 5-year-old mare by Smart Like Juice and out of Wind Her Up Shiner, on whom he won the title. “I really like this horse. Shawn Flarida has been helping me – he’s a great teacher. It’s obvious he did a great job today,” Vazquez noted.

The Markham, Illinois, competitor became emotional when acknowledging his help. “It’s always a lot of fun to show, but it’s really fun to win. I try to do good because I have such good supporters – I don’t like to let them down,” he admitted.

Along with the check for $37,783, the Non Pro title came with a hoard of prizes, highlighted by a year’s use of a 2-horse Featherlite trailer from Twin Cities Featherlite, a custom saddle from Equisport and Cleburne Saddlery, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, and the signature crystal championship trophy.

Former NRBC Champion Josh Hattig earned the Reserve title on Dudes Whippersnapper, owned by Bradford Hattig. The talented palomino gelding, by Steadys Dude and out of Miss San Snap, marked a 222.5 in the finals competition, earning $22,999.

Before George Lawrence won the Limited Non Pro title at the 2008 NRBC on ThisChicsdundreamin, he had only a few hundred dollars in earnings to his name. While he admitted he is always very nervous before he shows, the crowd couldn’t tell it as he piloted the 5-year-old mare by Magnum Chic Dream and out of Hermosa Dun It to a score of 221.5.

“I had gotten a penalty on my spins in the prelims, so my goal was to stay out of the penalty box,” he admitted after the awards ceremony. “I’m just happy overall because she had been injured for over a month. We were breeding her and she banged up her knee.”

The college senior, who will graduate in May from Texas Christian University, had to balance school and horse show obligations throughout the week. “I wound up making three trips back and forth to Ft. Worth, so that was a little stressful. I had a test and a presentation,” he explained.

Lawrence’s score not only earned the Intermediate Non Pro Championship check for $11,676 and a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Fappani Performance Horses, it was also good for a piece of the 7-way tie for third place in the Non Pro, for an additional $11,616. The winning didn’t stop there, as ThisChicsdundreamin also earned $2,328 in the Non Pro Mare Bonus.

Christy McElreath won the Intermediate Non Pro Reserve Championship on Gimme Major Bucks after opting out of a run-off for the title. The 19-year-old also won two other Non Pro titles – the Limited Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro – with her score of 221.5. That means a saddle sponsored by Pard’s Western Store and another saddle sponsored by Broken Horn Saddlery.

“I’m so excited. Money (Gimme Major Bucks) was such a good boy tonight. Winning the preliminaries was a once in a life-time experience, and this just made it even better,” she said. McElreath, of Prosper, Texas, has been riding with Pete Kyle, of Whitesboro, Texas, and has secured a spot on the Oklahoma State University Equestrian Team.

Gimme Major Bucks, by Smart Starbuck and out of Majors Serendipity, has over $35,000 in lifetime earnings, and was purchased by McElreath five months ago through Tom McCutcheon.

Lindy Longfellow earned the Prime Time Non Pro title and accompanying check for $1,725 on SLJ Sweet N Juicy with a score of 222. SLJ Sweet N Juicy is by Smart Like Juice and out of Jacks My Sugar Daddy. She also won the custom trophy saddle from Continental Saddlery. www.nrbc.com

Oklahoma City, OK – April 9, 2009 – The world’s top FEI dressage and jumping riders will try their equestrian prowess in the sport of Reining during the Rolex FEI World CupTM in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 18 at the Thomas & Mack Arena. Teams from around the globe will take a four-day crash course in the trademark sliding stops, mind-blurring spins and classical power-steering of the Reining horse before they hit the arena for a thrilling head-to-head competition. Dressage and Jumping riders Anky Van Grunsvan, Charlotte Bredahl-Baker, Rodrigo Pessoa and Will Simpson will be paired with National Reining Horse Association Professionals Rick Weaver and Ann Fonck in the first-ever International Reining Celebrity Challenge.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) are co-sponsors of the International Reining Celebrity Challenge and are supplying an abundance of Reining expertise in the form of coaches, riders and, of course, horses. Each team will consist of the following riders with one dressage, one jumping and one reining competitor assigned to each team.

Dressage Competitors: Anky Van Grunsvan - Nine-time FEI World Cup Dressage Champion and multiple Dressage Olympic Gold medalist; and Charlotte Bredahl - Baker Dressage Team Bronze Olympic Bronze medalist, USEF “S” judge and FEI “C” judge

Jumping Competitors: Rodrigo Pessoa - Jumping Olympic Gold medalist, three-time FEI World Cup Show Jumping Champion and the youngest FEI World Equestrian Games World Champion; and Will Simpson – Jumping Olympic Team Gold medalist

Reining Coaches and Competitors: Rick Weaver - NRHA President, NRHA Professional, NRHA Futurity Open Division Champion and multiple NRHA World Champion; and Ann Fonck - NRHA Professional, NRHA Open World Champion and accomplished dressage competitor

A special thanks goes out to Tom and Kirstin Foran; David and Becky Hanson; Mike Boyle and a group of generous owners who will be supplying an experienced field of Reining horses for this event. More details will be released soon on the equine athletes featured in the International Reining Celebrity Challenge.

The Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals will once again take place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, April 15-19. The World Cup Finals feature the two Olympic disciplines of show jumping and dressage in an international showdown of the best jumping and dressage horses and riders. Van Grunsven heads the list of 15 riders from eight countries set to compete in this year’s Dressage World Cup Final.

Incorporated in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is the governing body of the sport of Reining. NRHA, with their International Headquarters in Oklahoma City, is responsible for promoting the sport of Reining and working to ensure the highest standards of competition. The American Quarter Horse Association, founded in 1940, is the largest-single breed equine registry in the world with more than 330,000 members worldwide. Pending AQHA Executive Committee approval later this month, Dressage will become the newest event in AQHA competition. Learn more about these two associations at www.nrha.com  and www.aqha.com .

Leading the pack were Tim McQuay on Smart And Shiney, Andrea Fappani riding Cromed Out Mercedes, and Cody Sapergia with The Great Tag. All three riders piloted their horses to equal scores of 228.

Tim McQuay rode Smart And Shiney, which he co-owns with Lyle Lovett, into the arena as draw 157. The National Reining Horse Association $2 Million Rider and the flashy palomino stallion, by Smart Shiner and out of Tronas Pearl, wowed the crowds and judges with a flawless run. The resulting score seemed tough to beat, and it eventually topped the Open Prime Time, worth $800.

Coming in as the second-to-last horse in the second-to-last set was Cody Sapergia, riding The Great Tag, by Whiz N Tag Chex and out of Pines BH, for Lance Griffin. After another textbook run, Sapergia and McQuay were tied for the lead.

The very next rider into the pen was former NRBC Champion, Andrea Fappani, on Cromed Out Mercedes, by Custom Crome and out of Princess In Diamonds. Amidst whistles and cheers, Fappani took Cromed Out Mercedes, owned by Rancho El Fortin, through his paces, and marked another 228.

The three-way tie equaled a big payout – each received a check for $12,352.

Matt Mills and The Sargeant Dunnit, by Reminic N Dunit and out of Ms Sargeant Freckles, led the Intermediate Open preliminaries. Their score of 224.5 earned owner C&J Investment Partnership a check for $4,311.
John Slack rode Tivios Lil Dun It to top the Limited Open division preliminaries for Cozzo Giovanni. The preliminary finish added $1,695 to the 4-year-old stallion’s lifetime earnings. Tivios Lil Dun It is by Hollywood Dun It and out of Tivios Little Queen.

Reid Fady rode Chexarkana to win $575 for the first place finish in the Open Level 1 preliminaries. Chexarkana, by Nu Chex To Cash and out of CR Kim, is owned by Kirk’s Rockin K Ranch.

A 222.5 was the magical number in the Open for finals hopefuls, and Intermediate Open riders were shooting for a 219.5. It took a 215 to make it back for the Limited Open finals, and the bubble score in the Open Level 1 was a 213.5. All Open Prime Time riders with clean runs made it back in the Prime Time.

The 2009 NRBC Open Division Finals begin Saturday, April 18, at 11am, with the thirty Open finalists competing at 5pm for a chance at the $75,000 paycheck.   www.nrbc.com

Lyle Lovett did not have firm plans to show Smart Shinetta in the National Reining Horse Association ancillary classes at the National Reining Breeders Classic when his friend and trainer, Todd Crawford, brought the talented mare to Katy, Texas, for Lovett to ride. He decided to go ahead and enter the Limited Non Pro just a short time before the entries closed for the ancillary classes that are held in the East Arena. Go to the NRBC Web site here.

That decision resulted in a win for the Spring, Texas, competitor – making Lyle and Smart Shinetta the very first Champion named at the 2009 NRBC. Todd Crawford has shown Smart Shinetta, by Shining Spark and out of Smart Hickory, to major earnings in National Reined Cow Horse Association competition, and Lovett has occasionally shown the mare in the Non Pro Limited at NRCHA events. “Todd has done a great job with this mare. I appreciate everything he has done,” noted Lovett.

There are prizes aplenty at the NRBC, and the country singer collected an NRHA pewter trophy and home accessory items from Home Branded. The first win puts him in an advantageous position for a shot at one of the beautiful Gist Championship Buckles that will be awarded to the high point winner of each ancillary class.

Another one of Lovett’s horses, Shiners Nu Lena, by Shining Spark and out of Annies Nu Lena, also won the Rookie Professional class under the guidance of Nicolas Howard. That win was also good for an NRHA pewter trophy and two home accessory items from Home Branded.

Gabriel Diano rode Whiz Shady MA, by Gizmo Whiz and out of Miss Shady Pepsan, to win the Limited Open and the Intermediate Open ancillary classes for owner Robert Ribas. Along with the two NRHA trophies and home accessory items from Home Branded, Ribas also collected more than $1,000 in earnings.  www.nrbc.com

In only her second time to compete at the National Reining Breeders Classic, 19-year-old Christy McElreath did something many competitors only dream of – she earned a spot in the Non Pro finals by marking the high score of the preliminary competition. But McElreath, who rode Gimme Major Bucks, was also entered in the Intermediate Non Pro, the Limited Non Pro, and the Non Pro Level 1. Go to the NRBC Web site here.

“I’m so excited. I am so pleased with Money (Gimme Major Bucks) and can’t wait to show in the finals,” she noted after the scores were finalized. The young rider was quick to thank her trainer of five years, Pete Kyle, for his help, and gave credit to her horse, a son of Smart Starbuck. “He’s just cool. He always performs so well.”

The first place in the four divisions amounted to a total of $10,887 earned in the first go, which she will collect during the Platinum Performance Non Pro Draw Party, held at 7pm on Wednesday upstairs at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center.

Lori Getzwiller’s score of 220.5 in the Non Pro Prime Time led the division, and she and her horse, Smartest, by Smartest Chic Olena, made all five Non Pro division finals.

The top thirty Non Pros, including ties, earned Final’s berths, with the bubble score landing at 215, and in the Intermediate Non Pro, 214.5 was the magic number. It took a 212.5 to make the Limited Non Pro finals, and a score of 212 was good for the Non Pro Level 1. Non Pro Prime Time riders needed to mark a 211 to make it back to Friday’s competition.  www.nrbc.com

Dooley is a former NRBC Non Pro Co-Champion and the seventh money earning Non Pro in NRBC history. Dooley purchased the Wimpys Little Step gelding, out of All That’s Dun by Hollywood Dun It, from Mark Schols after the talented 5-year-old had already been shown by Andrea Fappani.

Wimpys Little Buddy has amassed earnings in excess of $130,000, and was a 2008 NRBC Open finalist.

Kelle Smith rode her 2007 National Reining Horse Association Futurity Non Pro Reserve Champion, Taka Ticket, to the second high score of the day with a 220. Smith, who resides in Marietta, Oklahoma, also rode the Gallo Del Cielo gelding, out of Significant Shine, to the 2007 Congress Non Pro and Tulsa Ariat Futurity Non Pro Championships.

Lori Getzwiller and Smartest, by Smartest Chic Olena and out of Lil Ruf Barbie, currently lead the Intermediate Non Pro, the Limited Non Pro, the Non Pro Level 1, with a score of 217.5 and the Non Pro Prime Time with a 220.5.

Women were dominating at the NRBC before it even began, as Mandy McCutcheon had the hot hands at the Jimmy Pierce Reining Horses Texas Hold’Em Tournament. The reigning NRBC Non Pro Champion bested nearly forty other reiners as they all practiced their game faces during the staple event prior to the start of the show.  www.nrbc.com

The stage is finally set for the first-ever NRHA European Futurity Finals in all Open divisions. Nearly a dozen countries will have representatives in either the Open or Non Pro finals on Friday and Saturday. The NRHA European Futurity is “Open to the World” and showcases 4-year-old reining horses and riders competing for close to $300,000 in prize money. See scores and live Web cast

Thursday’s action featured the Level 4 Open Consolation for riders who did not finish in the top 20, plus ties, in the Go. The top five placers in today’s round now qualify for Saturday’s 6 p.m. final in Kreuth-Rieden, Germany. The home country of Germany is represented with two additional riders, Italy also earned two more positions and the U.S.A. added one qualifier to the field of finalists. Riders from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States competed at Osterbayernhalle in the hope of making it to the finals at this milestone event.

Admission is free everyday at the NRHA European Futurity. The Level 1 and Level 2 Limited Non Pro finals start at 3:30 p.m. on Friday with the finals of the Level 1 and Level 2 Limited Open division starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday’s schedule includes the finals of the Level 3 Intermediate and Level 4 Non Pro division finals at 2 p.m., as well as the Level 3 Intermediate and Level 4 Open division finals at 5:30 p.m.

Shiner Olena (Smart Chic Olena x Miss Shiner Dear x Shining Spark) and Andrea Fappani bested the field in the Open Futurity division of the 2009 NRHA European Futurity at Osterbayernhalle in Kreuth-Rieden, Germany. The mare and Fappani marked a 219.5 to take the lead going into the clean-slate finals. Poland’s Katarzyna Roleska owns Shiner Olena, ... Read More At www.quarterhorsenews.com

Visit www.nrha-european-futurity.com for a complete set of results, or visit the Online Reiner Blog at www.reiner.nrha.com for other exciting news and reports from the NRHA European Futurity.
 

“He went to two shows last year ... Read More At www.quarterhorsenews.com

Electric Code (Jacs Electric Spark x Hot Coded Candy x The Hot Express), ridden by Jared Leclair for L & D Partnership, Pilot Point, Texas, was the No. 1 horse in the $25,000-added Open division of the Gordyville Breeders Cup Derby. With a score of 225.5, Electric Code earned the Championship and $7,714.

The 21st Gordyville Breeders Cup, with $61,500 in added money, was held March 19-22 at Gordyville USA, Gifford, Ill. The class is open to horses sired by enrolled... Read More At www.quarterhorsenews.com