Category Archives: History

Less than 18 months after signing his professional card, Luca Fappani has flown to the top of the ranks and is now an NRHA Million Dollar Rider.

Possessing a surname synonymous with reining excellence, Fappani grew up with a front row seat to the journeys of two reining greats. His mother, Tish, is consistently at the top of non pro competition at major events and is an NRHA Million Dollar Owner, and his father, Andrea, is an NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee and the association’s All Time Leading Rider with nearly $9 million in lifetime earnings (LTE). Their tutelage fostered a love of reining that grew within their son over the years.

“This accomplishment means a lot to me. It is what most every reining fan dreams of as they grow in the sport,” said Luca. “I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by the men in the [NRHA] Million Dollar Rider club, so to now join them in that is a huge accomplishment and symbolic moment for me. I am thankful that this success was in God’s plan for me, and I am beyond thankful for the great horses, owners, family, teammates, and mentors that got me here.”

Luca began his reining career in 2015 at the DRHA Summer Spectacular and earned his first paycheck the following year at the Wild Card Reining Challenge in the Youth 13 & Under class. From there, he continued to show in youth and non pro competition through 2021, earning top finishes in shows across North America.

His show career continued to flourish once Luca began his professional reining endeavor. He officially signed his NRHA Professional Card in 2023 and made the move to Texas to begin working under NRHA $4 Million Rider Casey Deary. Since then, he has garnered more than $600,000 in NRHA LTE.

Luca’s push over the million-dollar mark came during the Million Dollar Competition at the 2024 The Run For A Million. He and the Misty Valley Performance Horses LLC-bred stallion Mr Abracadabra (Gunnatrashya x Nu Magic Cash) ran in the pen as the 14th draw and came out with a 228.5, capturing the reserve championship. The duo earned $100,000 for owner Justine Leedom and etched Luca’s name in the NRHA history books with the outstanding performance.

Other top-earning finishes include:

• 2024 100X Cowtown Classic L4 Open 3rd place aboard Playing With Da Boys, earning $50,000 in NRHA LTE
• 2023 National Reining Breeders Classic L3 Open Champion aboard Dream On Whiz, earning $40,000 in NRHA LTE
• 2023 NRHA L2 Open Futurity Co-Champion/3rd place L3 Open/9th place L4 Open aboard Playing With Da Boys earning $99,052 in NRHA LTE
• 2023 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel L3 Open Derby Champion aboard Dream On Whiz earning $33,250 in NRHA LTE
• 100X Reining Classic L2 Open Stakes Champion aboard Gunna Chic Dream, earning $32,000 in NRHA LTE

Read the November issue of NRHA Reiner for more on Luca’s journey to becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider.

Success in the show pen at the 2024 The Run For A Million (TRFAM) created additional National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) million-dollar milestones to celebrate.

Jason Vanlandingham made history as the first rider to win TRFAM’s Million Dollar Competition in back-to-back years, earning a place on the prestigious list of NRHA $4 Million Riders exactly one year after crossing the $3 million mark at the same event. Vandlandingham is now the fifth NRHA Professional to reach this milestone.

He earned the 2024 Championship on Gunnabebigtime (Gunnatrashya x Big Time Jazzy), which also propelled the stallion’s sire to $13 million in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE). NRHA Hall of Famer Gunnatrashya is now the third NRHA $13 Million Sire, achieving it within the same year as his previous million-dollar milestone. The 2006 stallion was bred by Katarina Dorminy and is owned by NRHA $3 Million Owner Arcese Quarter Horses USA.

Vanlandingham’s top wins pushing him over the NRHA $4 Million Dollar Rider mark:

• 2024 TRFAM Million Dollar Competition Champion earning $500,000 aboard Gunnabeabigtime, bred and owned by Tami Nelson
• 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level (L) 4 Open 4th place, Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes Champion and Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Open Derby Champions earning $61,584 aboard Plus Me Im Shiny, bred by Upstream Inc., nominated by Layla Choat, owned by 2Star Investments LLC
• 2023 NRHA L4 Open Futurity 5th place earning $72,252 aboard Slide Me Sum Shine, bred and nominated by Daniel Beale, owned by Michael Garnett
• 2023 Southwest Reining Horse Association L4 Open Futurity Champion earning $20,500 aboard Slide Me Sum Shine, bred and nominated by Daniel Beale, owned by Michael Garnett

Gunnatrashya’s top earning offspring include:

• Gunnabebigtime (out of Big Time Jazzy), bred, nominated, and owned by Tami Nelson, $862,903 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

Reining is experiencing significant growth in both added money and participation, as evidenced by how quickly these two athletes have reached major milestones. The increasing prize pools and rising number of competitors are pushing the sport to new levels, allowing top riders to achieve career-defining earnings faster than ever before. This surge reflects the growing popularity and support for reining, creating more opportunities for athletes to excel and reach new heights in their careers.

Winning big in Las Vegas took on a new meaning for the National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) newest Million Dollar Owner, Tami Nelson.

When the dust settled at the 2024 The Run For A Million, Nelson’s stallion, Gunnabebigtime, and NRHA $4 Million Rider Jason Vanlandingham took home the championship worth $500,000. This propelled Vanlandingham past the $4 million milestone, Gunnnatrashya past the $13 million milestone, and ushered Nelson into the NRHA Million Dollar Owner ranks.

Gunnabebigtime is by NRHA Hall of Famer Gunnatrashya and out of Big Time Jazzy, a mare that Nelson owns. The 7-year-old stallion now has over $862,903 in NRHA LTE, including this year’s The Run For A Million Championship, the 2023 The Run For A Million $100K Shootout Reserve Championship, the 2023 NRHA Level (L) 4 Open Derby Reserve Championship, and the 2020 NRHA L4 Open Futurity Reserve Championship.

Nelson and Big Time Jazzy had their own success in the show pen, including the 2015 NRHA Futurity L2 Non Pro Reserve Championship and Top 5 in the L3 and L4. Out of the mare’s $51,617 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE), $48,519 came with Nelson at the reins.

“I feel like this has not even soaked in, really,” said Nelson. “We have been breeding horses for over 20 years, so we think they are all special. We raised Gunnabebigtime’s mother and her [Big Time Jazzy’s] mother. It has been an amazing line, and he is so special.”

Nelson’s dream after earning a Master of Science in Equine Reproduction was to work on a big breeding farm. She ended up in the Texas Panhandle, where she and her husband raised their family with no large horse breeding operations in sight.

“When I met my husband, I raised cutters, and he raised cattle,” she said. “We had friends who brought us to the NRHA Futurity for the Open finals, and I watched it and thought, ‘That looks easy!’ Everyone knows the feeling, and it is so much harder than they make it look. Once I started reining, I didn’t want to do anything else.”

After Nelson had success on her first non pro mare, the family decided to start raising horses instead of trying to purchase additional mounts.

“The horses are amazing athletes and give us so much. I just love them – they are the ones who get all the credit for this accomplishment.”

Significant performers owned by Nelson:

• Gunnabebigtime (Gunnatrashya x Big Time Jazzy), bred, owned, and nominated by Tami Nelson, $862,903 NRHA LTE
• Big Time Jazzy (Shine Big Time x Skippin Whiz), bred, owned, and nominated by Tami Nelson, $51,617 NRHA LTE
• Plus Me Big Time (Shine Big Time x Skip The Hick O Lea), owned and bred by Tami Nelson and Jan Fleet, $50,800 NRHA LTE
• Mr Masota Star (Wimpys Little Step x Cee Another Masota), bred and nominated by Carol and Geroge Bell, now owned by Andrea Weekley, $99,384 NRHA LTE
• Crackerjac Sailor (Cee Blair Sailor x Crome Plated Jackie), bred by David Connor, now owned by Wagman Ranch Inc., $13,027 NRHA LTE

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) recognizes the youngest dam to reach the NRHA Million Dollar Dam milestone, Shesouttayourleague, who reached this accomplishment three years faster than any previous dam and with only five NRHA money earners.

Shesouttayourleague is a 12-year-old mare by NRHA $4 Million Sire Walla Walla Whiz and out of NRHA Hall of Famer Wimpys Little Chic. She was bred and nominated by NRHA’s only $3 Million Owner, Arcese Quarter Horses USA. The Arceses also bred and owned Wimpys Little Chic, who passed earlier this year, and called her “Lexi.” Shesouttayourleague was lovingly called “Little Lexi” by their family.

Her illustrious show career made her original mark on NRHA history with $252,470 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE). Shesouttayourleague earned both the 2015 NRHA Level (L) 4 Open Futurity Championship and the 2017 NRHA L4 Open Derby Championship with NRHA $4 Million Rider Casey Deary at the reins.

Her owner, DAG Ventures LLC, also owns her top-earning offspring, Down Right Amazing (by Gunner). After finishing third in the L4 Open Finals at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, the stallion became NRHA’s No. 1 leading horse of all time with more than $949,000 NRHA LTE, including 2024 The Run for a Million earnings.

“This has not been a planned journey, and all of my greatest gifts were those I didn’t dare to dream,” said Debbie Good of DAG Ventures LLC. “She was part of that. Part of it is having the opportunity to say yes when an opportunity crosses your path. Both Shesouttayourleague and Down Right Amazing were those opportunities, and I am lucky Rob [Curtis, former owner of both horses] gave me that opportunity.”

“Amazing” boasts a third-place finish in the NRHA L4 Open Futurity, two L4 Open wins at the National Reining Breeders Classic, an Open Shootout Championship at The Run For A Million, and back-to-back wins at The American Performance Horseman.

“It was really important to me to keep him and keep her,” said Good of Down Right Amazing and Shesouttayourleague. “She has more foals to come—four beautiful foals this year—and is still producing.

“They are a family of champions and heart,” said Good.

Shesouttayourleague’s Top Earning Offspring:

• Down Right Amazing (by Gunner), bred and nominated by Curtis Performance Horses LLC, owned by DAG Ventures LLC, $874,134 NRHA LTE
• Need I Say Mor (by Gunnatrashya), bred by Curtis Performance Horses LLC, nominated by Brooke Wharton, owned by Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC, $87,451 NRHA LTE
• All Eyes Adore Her (by Gunnatrashya), bred, nominated and owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, $22,311 NRHA LTE
• Shesnaleagueofherown (by Inferno Sixty Six), bred and nominated by Curtis Performance Horses LLC, owned by Jen Pamer, $11,328 NRHA LTE
• Hesouttayourleague (by Gunnatrashya), bred and nominated by Curtis Performance Horses LLC, owned by DAG Ventures LLC, $5,003 NRHA LTE

Read more about Shesouttayourleague’s journey to a million in the October issue of the NRHA Reiner magazine.

The list of National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Million Dollar Sires nears 60 as Yellow Jersey adds his name to the roster.

Yellow Jersey was bred by the late Peter Phinny. Known for his exceptional decisions when looking at crosses, he chose to breed NRHA Hall of Famer Wimpys Little Step, the second all-time leading sire in NRHA, to Ms Clara Melody. In 2019, Yellow Jersey was purchased by now-owner Maria Fiorucci of NRHA Corporate Partner Elementa.

Throughout his years in the show pen, the stallion garnered $137,617 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) with multiple NRHA Hall of Famers at the reins. After competing in the NRHA Futurity with Brent Wright, the stallion went to Europe. Owned by NRHA Corporate Partner Arcese Quarter Horses USA at the time, Yellow Jersey was piloted by NRHA Professional Stefano Massignan to an Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) Derby Co-Championship, an IRHA Maturity Co-Reserve Championship and was in the Top 10 of the NRHA World Standings.

Yellow Jersey then returned to the United States, where he and NRHA Hall of Famer Andrea Fappani won the $100,000-added NRHA World Champion Shootout.

The stallion then competed in the 2013 Kentucky Cup with NRHA Hall of Famer Tim McQuay, then his daughter, NRHA Hall of Famer Mandy McCutcheon, took the reins in 2014. She and the stallion competed in the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. The duo finished the event with a gold medal with Team USA and a bronze in the individual, pushing Mandy over the NRHA $2 Million Rider milestone and adding to the owner earnings for McQuay Stables.

“I feel very proud to have owned him and to have been a part of his life,” said McQuay. “He was just very easy to be around and ride. He was always the same, and whatever level you wanted to be at, he said, ‘OK.’

“We are very proud and happy to be competitive on any horse, but to do what we were doing with him, and to make him a top sire to breed to, winning those events really helped him solidify that career. When we are part of a horse like that, you hope and pray that everything goes like it did.”

The palomino stallion went on to have a successful career in the breeding shed, producing 137 NRHA money-earning progeny to date. Topping the list of his offspring is Jerseys Baby Driver, who has over $250,000 in NRHA LTE. With NRHA Million Dollar Rider Trevor Dare at the reins, the duo won the NRHA Level 4 Open Derby in 2021 and the National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open the subsequent year.

Yellow Jersey’s top earning offspring include:

• Jerseys Baby Driver (out of Wind Her Up Chic), owned by Janice Laney of NRHA Corporate Partner 7 Lakes Ranch, bred and nominated by NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, $250,253 NRHA LTE
• Stopping In Jersey (out of Stop Little Sister), owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses LLC, bred and nominated by NRHA Corporate Partner Toyon Ranch LLC, $136,753 NRHA LTE
• Mello Yello Jersey (out of Smart Okie Lena), owned by Kay Schroeder, bred and nominated by Lucie Houde), $85,775 NRHA LTE
• The Star Jersey (out of Nicastar Lite), owned by Ashley Wilson-Hammer, bred and nominated by Jerry Kimmel, $61,052 NRHA LTE
• Bamn Bam (out of Fabulous Guns), owned by Sarah McMahon, bred and nominated by David Silva Sr., $54,301 NRHA LTE

Read more about NRHA Million Dollar Sire Yellow Jersey and this remarkable achievement in the October issue of the NRHA Reiner.

Two stallions combine for over $6 million in offspring earnings as they surpass National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) historic milestones.

Lil Joe Cash

The impressive progeny of Lil Joe Cash helped the stallion cross the NRHA $3 Million Sire mark. The 2008 stallion bred and nominated by Curt and Angie Harris is owned by Lil Jo Cash Inc. His impressive parentage (Nu Chex To Cash x RS Lilly Starlight) passed down characteristics leading to a successful career in the show pen totaling nearly $280,000 in NRHA LTE.

NRHA’s newest Hall of Fame Inductee, Andrea Fappani, led the stallion to his top finishes, which include the 2011 NRHA Level (L) 4 Open Futurity Championship and the 2012 National Reining Breeders Classic L4 Open Championship.

With over 300 money-producing offspring, Lil Joe Cash’s top earners include:

• Joes Genes (out of Electric Genes), owned and nominated by Andrea and Tish Fappani, bred by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, $180,797 NRHA LTE
• NVR What A Lucky Joe (out of What A Lucky Hit), owned by Morris Kulmer, bred and nominated by Gary Vickrey, $176,593 NRHA LTE
• Whoz Joe Daddy (out of Miss Sunshine Annie), owned by Chandler Winard, bred and nominated by Bahn Quarter Horses LLC, $150,283 NRHA LTE
• This Joe Got A Gun (out of This Girls Got A Gun), owned by Jamie Walters, bred and nominated by Joseph and Sandra Paul, $85,638 NRHA LTE
• Gunna Cash Ya (out of Gunners Blonde Chic), owned by Story Book Stables, bred and nominated by Allison Sutton, $84,405 NRHA LTE

Inferno Sixty Six

Less than a year after crossing his last historic milestone, Inferno Sixty Six has surpassed the NRHA $3 Million Sire mark. By NRHA Hall of Famer Gunnatrashya (out of Snip O Gun), Inferno Sixty Six was bred by Hilldale Farm and is owned by Slide or Die LLC.

The 12-year-old stallion rode to over $205,690 in NRHA LTE with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Franco Bertolani at the reins. The duo earned their top finish during the 2015 NRHA Futurity, where they took the L4 Open Reserve Championship.

Inferno Sixty Six has 212 progeny with earnings on their NRHA records; the top earners are:

• Inferno Thirty Five (out of Madeof Pure Spangled), owned by Stephen Archer, bred by NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, nominated by Mary Jansma, $284,529 NRHA LTE
• Winding Inferno (out of Wind Her Up Chic), owned by NRHA Corporate Partner Teton Ridge Ranch, bred and nominated by Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, $218,038 NRHA LTE
• Surprizing Sixty Six (out of Dun With Surprizes), owned by Janiene Borror, bred and nominated by Valentin Rascon, $154,868 NRHA LTE
• FS Inferno (FS Smart Doc Chic), owned and nominated by Gilberto Leal, bred by Raul Leal, $142,026 NRHA LTE
• Gangsta Sixtysix (Rush N Cat), owned by Julio Hernandez, bred by Lorenzo Lotti, nominated by Slide or Die LLC, $136,356 NRHA LTE

To learn more about these impressive milestones and see a full list of NRHA Million Dollar Sires, Owners, and Riders, visit nrha.com/milliondollar.

Kim Muehlstaetter has had a summer of success competing as a non professional in the show pen. Now, she adds National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Million Dollar Owner to her list of accomplishments.

Muehlstaetter first became an NRHA member in 1991 and competed in youth classes. Since then, she has climbed the ranks of competition and has won two NRHA Derby Championships, including the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Non Pro Co-Championship on Smoky Mountain Rein.

Muehlstaetter said she and husband Martin, an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, found Smoky Mountain Rein as a yearling. Martin trained the Texas Horse Power Ranch LLC-bred horse, who they purchased from Sleipner LLC in 2023 so his wife could take over the reins to prepare for the NRHA Futurity.

“It is special when we get to raise them, and we try to buy a few, too,” she said. “It has been a journey for our family, and now our 13-year-old daughter, Sydney, is also part of it. It has become a passion for our whole family. It is fun that we can all share in it and enjoy doing every part of it.”

She has co-owned many horses that she and her husband have earned top honors on, including the Bobby Lewis-bred and -nominated Spooks Grand Slam (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Shiney Diamond Lady).

“We keep a handful of broodmares—a lot of them have been mares Martin and I show,” she said. “We breed, train them, and take them through the whole program. The really special ones are ones where we also rode their mom. Spooks Grand Slam would show for me and step up and be a 230 [score] for Martin in the open. His babies will be started at the end of the year.”

The first horse that hooked Muehlstatter on reining was Remedys Magic Potion (Remedys Reply x Remedys Magica.

“This was before there was a lot of money added. She got me hooked in reining,” she said. “Her son, Chics Magic Potion, was the highest-earning National Reined Cow Horse Association horse for years and won the NRCHA Futurity with Bob Avila. She was special and would still be special today.”

Muehlstaetter has had consistent success in the show pen and is $56,587 shy of becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider herself, with the goal of achieving that milestone by the end of the year.

Significant performers owned by Kim Muehlstaetter:

• Spooks Grand Slam (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Shiney Diamond Lady), owned by Kim and Martin Muehlstaetter, bred and nominated by Bobby Lewis, $150,458 NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE)
• Smoky Mountain Rein (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Sprats Electricspark), owned by Kim and Martin Muehlstaetter, bred and nominated by Texas Horse Power Ranch LLC, $63,479 NRHA LTE
• Wimpys Little Buddy (Wimpys Little Step x All Thats Dun), currently owned by Madalyn Roberts, bred by Jenny Bertolini, earner of $285,358 NRHA LTE
• TR Baby Blues (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Spooks N Sparks), currently owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, bred and nominated by Tamarack Ranch LLC, $107,461 NRHA LTE
• Smokin Dually (Gunner x Diddy Boppin Dually), bred and currently owned by Allison Oseid, $68,567 NRHA LTE
• Daddy Day Care (Nic It In The Bud x Shiners Pretty Woman), currently owned by Copus Performance Horses Inc., bred and nominated by Carol Rose, $101,081 NRHA LTE

The remarkable offspring of Colonels Shining Gun and Not Ruf At All have solidified their latest accomplishments as National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) $2 Million Sires.

Colonels Shining Gun, known as Jojo, is by NRHA Hall of Famer Gunner and out of Shining Little Peach. In 2010, Katarzyna Roleska watched NRHA Hall of Famer Andrea Fappani show the stallion to a Top 10 finish in the NRHA Level 4 (L4) Open Futurity and knew she wanted to own Jojo. Within a year, she purchased the stallion who went on to win major titles in Europe with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Cira Baeck at the reins, including the NRHA L4 Open European Derby and the silver medal for team Belgium at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. In total, Jojo has more than $112,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE).

Bred by Trend Horses LLC, Colonels Shining Gun became an NRHA Million Dollar Sire in 2022. With over 270 NRHA money-earning offspring, Jojo has solidified his place in the NRHA history books.

Colonels Shining Gun’s Top Earning Offspring:

• HS Marshal (out of Dun Its Dirty Secret), owned by Hacienda Sonador LLC, bred and nominated by Gerardo Arturo Fernandez Sanchez, $108,344 NRHA LTE
• CSG Wisemanfear (out of Tejana Chic), owned and nominated by Katarzyna Roleska, bred by Brent Loseke, $101,593 NRHA LTE
• NF Shining Whiz (out of Whowhizthispeppychic), owned by Tamarack Ranch LLC, bred by David Perneel, European nomination by Kim Windey, North American nomination by Tamarack Ranch, $97,937 NRHA LTE
• Snips Shining Gun (out of Snip O Gun), owned-bred-nominated by Hilldale Farm, $94,695 NRHA LTE
• CSG Kenzo (out of Shiner Brimolena), owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, nominated and bred by Katarzyna Roleska, $82,137 NRHA LTE

Not Ruf At All (A Sparkling Vintage x All Ruffed Up) is one of a few horses in NRHA history to consecutively win the NRHA Futurity, the NRHA Derby and the National Reining Breeders Classic. He accomplished this feat for his owner, NRHA Hall of Famer Vaughn Zimmerman, with NRHA $3 Million Rider Jason Vanlandingham.

Bred and nominated by Petra Zeitler, the stallion went on to earn more than $456,000 NRHA LTE. Not Ruf At All reached NRHA Million Dollar Sire status in 2021 and his offspring continue to climb the ranks of NRHA competition at the highest level.

Not Ruf At All’s Top Earning Offspring:

• Rufalicious (out of Magnalicious), owned by Kristen and Ian Cantacuzene Jr., bred and nominated by Vaughn Zimmerman, NRHA LTE $150,162
• Excessive Rufness (out of Smokin Lady Gunner), owned by Robin Mazzocca, bred and nominated by Karl Hapcic, $146,769 NRHA LTE
• Its All About Ruf (out of Dun Pretty Nifty), owned by Taylor Zimmerman, bred and nominated by Vaughn Zimmerman, $118,285 NRHA LTE
• Shining On Ruf (out of Boom Shine Sally), owned by Susannah Rose, bred and nominated by Kristen Avila, $92,659 NRHA LTE
• Ruf Style Of Play (out of UB Stylin With Me), owned by Axel Bouchner, bred by Lorezno Lotti, nominated by Vaughn Zimmerman, $92,180 NRHA LTE

These accomplishments reflect the dedication and vision of their owners, breeders and riders who have nurtured and showcased their extraordinary talents. The legacies of Colonels Shining Gun and Not Ruf At All will undoubtedly inspire future generations in the NRHA community.

Two prominent sires in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) crossed multi-million dollar sire milestones. NRHA Hall of Famer Gunnatrashya is the fourth $12 Million Sire in NRHA history, and Spooks Gotta Whiz is an $8 Million Sire.

Gunnatrashya

Bred by Katarina Dorminy, the 2006 stallion by NRHA Hall of Famer Gunner and out of Natrasha boasts an impeccable pedigree and outstanding athleticism. The stallion is owned by NRHA’s only $3 Million Owner, Arcese Quarter Horses USA.

Throughout his career in the show pen under the guidance of NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida, Gunnatrashya amassed nearly $220,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE). The pair secured championship titles at the 2009 All American Quarter Horse Congress Level (L) 4 Open Futurity, the 2009 NRHA L4 Open Futurity and the 2010 NRHA L4 Open Derby, solidifying Gunnatrashya’s legacy as a remarkable competitor.

Gunnatrashya’s top earning offspring include:

• Gunna Stop (out of Stop Little Sister), owned by Amber Gokey, bred and nominated by NRHA Corporate Partner Toyon Ranch LLC, $672,762 NRHA LTE
• Andiamoe (out of Wimpys Little Chic), owned, bred and nominated by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, $438,139 NRHA LTE
• Ten Thirty (out of Dainty Little Step), owned by Rancho El Fortin, bred and nominated by Brooke Wharton, $418,788 NRHA LTE
• Gunnabebigtime (out of Big Time Jazzy), owned, bred and nominated by Tami Nelson, $362,903 NRHA LTE
• Super Marioo (HA Chic A Tune), owned by Tom and Mandy McCutcheon, bred and nominated by Hillis Akin Family Partnership, $338,891 NRHA LTE

Spooks Gotta Whiz

After crossing the NRHA $7 Million Sire milestone earlier this year, Spooks Gotta Whiz’s offspring have already pushed him past the $8 million mark.

The 2007 stallion owned Michell Anne Kimball earned the 2010 NRHA L4 Open Futurity Championship with NRHA $3 Million Rider Jordan Larson. Bred by Clint Haverty, his illustrious career continued with NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida when the team won the L4 Open Championship at the 2012 NRHA Derby and the National Reining Breeders Classic that same year. The team wrapped up their career with an individual gold medal at the 2014 World Equestrian Games held in Normandy, France.

Spooks Gotta Whiz’s top earning offspring include:

• Alpha Jac Sparrow (out of Chexanicki), owned by Fritz Leeman, bred and nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, $273,097 NRHA LTE
• Mic Dropp (out of Dun Dry Whiz), owned by Tim Anderson and Clark Reining Horses LLC, bred and nominated by Clark Reining Horses LLC, $257,390 NRHA LTE
• Spooks Gotta Spark (out of Dolittle Lena), owned by Kevin Truax, bred and nominated by Bobby Lewis, $215,585 NRHA LTE
• Spooky Whiz (out of Myo Starlight), owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses LLC, bred and nominated by Spence Bell, $186,043 NRHA LTE
• Gotta Twist It Up (out of Make It With A Twist), owned, bred and nominated by Sandra Bentien, $183,837 NRHA LTE

As of July 2024, Gunnatrashya is the year’s NRHA Leading Sire by a margin of $60,000. There are 370 competing offspring, with total earnings of $1,272,207. Spooks Gotta Whiz is shortly behind, sitting in second place with $1,217,623 in NRHA LTE.

Congratulations to Arcese Quarter Horses USA, Michell Anne Kimball and all who have had a role in these stallion’s careers.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces new Million Dollar Owner: Clark Reining Horses LLC. Owned by NRHA Past President and current executive committee member Rick Clark, the accolade adds to Clark’s significant contributions to the reining horse industry.

“It is a tremendous milestone for me,” said Clark. “A lot of effort has gone into this, and it has been fun. I think back to when I was a non pro and showing, and then I got hurt. The pros then took over, and I have owned and still own some really great horses. It is all due to my trainers. They work so hard, and I am so appreciative of them.”

Clark has invested more than 25 years in NRHA as a competitor, owner, and now Corporate Partner through Clark’s Pump-N-Shop. He has also served two separate terms as NRHA President and over a decade of leadership positions within NRHA.

Clark owned the 2014 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Co-Champion Shine N Spook (Smart Spook x Ebony Shines), who was ridden by NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida and bred by nominator Rosanne Sternberg. Since that accomplishment, he still has the goal of winning every major event.

“To be one of the million dollar owners is truly an accomplishment, and I am really proud of it,” he said. “I got there quicker because of the purses and what we have accomplished as an industry. If you are competing, you set goals, and this was one of my milestones. I am so happy to be able to accomplish it. It has been a tremendous run, and I hope we are just getting started.”

Clark thanks NRHA Hall of Famers Shawn Flarida and Andrea Fappani, NRHA $2 Million Rider Cade McCutcheon, and NRHA Professional Kaci O’Rourke for their talents in helping him reach this milestone. He also highlighted a key gelding in the beginning of his career, Wimps Chocolate Chip, a gelding which he and Flarida both showed to $64,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings.

Clark’s success is a testament to his keen eye for top-tier talent, his investment in the development of exceptional horses, and his partnership with some of the industry’s most skilled trainers and riders.

Clark Reining Horses LLC’s top earners:

• Mic Dropp (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Dun Dry Whiz), owned in partnership with Tim Anderson, bred by Clark Reining Horses LLC, earner of $257,390
• Shine N Spook (Smart Spook x Ebony Shines), bred by Rosanne Sternberg, earner of $219,827
• Varsity Blu (Wimpy Chic x Flo N Blu Boon), bred by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, earner of $160,942
• Wimps Chocolate Chip (Wimpys Little Step x Tejana Chic), bred by Brent Loseke, earner of $65,323

Read more about Clark Reining Horses LLC’s journey to the million in the September issue of the Reiner Magazine.