Category Archives: History

When NRHA Professional Craig Schmersal pulled into Las Vegas for The Run For A Million (TRFAM), he was sitting at around $5,000 away from crossing his next NRHA milestone. When the dust settled, Schmersal had slid his way to more than three times that amount—earning the title of NRHA Five Million Dollar Rider.

In 1988, Schmersal won his first check and added $61.38 to his lifetime earnings. Since then, the NRHA Professional has built a successful reining business in Scottsdale, AZ, with his wife, Ginger, and children Chris, Nick, Brendyn, and Addisyn. Having won many of the sport’s major events, his riding experience has helped pave the way to this new milestone and maintain his status as the association’s third all-time leading rider.

No stranger to pressure, Schmersal piloted two horses to checks during TRFAM’s Open Shoot Out and surpassed the $5 million mark before the show’s final event even began. It was icing on the cake when he earned another $5,000 during the Million Dollar Competition aboard No Smoking Required (Gunner x Icing Required)—a mount the NRHA Professional has ridden to great success on his journey to this milestone.

No Smoking Required is a 2013 stallion owned by Schmersal/Thorsport Inc. and bred by Carluccio Orsi. Together, ‘Ice’ and Schmersal have earned more than $458,000 since becoming an NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider in 2018. Most notably, the pair scored an impressive 229.5 to win the inaugural 2019 TRFAM Invitational, although the $307,500 in earnings did not count toward Schmersal’s road to $5 million, making this milestone an even larger achievement.

A seasoned trainer, coach, and horse owner, Schmersal’s passion for reining and NRHA is apparent to all he meets as he continues to impact non pros, youth, and the industry as a whole.

Schmersal’s top earning performances on his way to $5 million include:

• 2021 TRFAM Million Dollar Competition 4th Place aboard No Smoking Required, owned by Schmersal/Thorsport Inc. and bred by Carluccio Orsi, earning $65,000
• 2019 NRHA L4 Open Derby 4th Place aboard No Smoking Required, owned by Schmersal/Thorsport Inc. and bred by Carluccio Orsi, earning $40,545
• 2019 NRHA L4 Open Futurity 8th Place aboard Starjac Vintage, owned by Teton Ridge and bred by Petra Zeitler, earning $29,791
• 2019 NRHA L4 Open Futurity 11th Place aboard Pale Whiz, owned by Thorsport Inc. and bred by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC, earning $20,316

When NRHA Professional Casey Hinton stepped into the arena during the Million Dollar Competition at this year’s The Run For A Million (TRFAM), more was up for grabs than the half-a-million-dollar first prize. Hinton was sitting less than $15,000 away from becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider. In the end, he and his own Magnums Custom Dream marked an impressive 225.5 and tied for eighth place—earning $20,000 and officially making Hinton NRHA’s newest million dollar rider.

“I don’t think you ever start out with targets, but I think it is really special one that I reached because my era didn’t have the kind of money you have nowadays,” said Hinton. “I get to do something I really love, and to have it work out for you in this way is really special. Having this happen at The Run For A Million, it was so special and exciting, and the crowd felt like it does on Saturday night at the [NRHA] Futurity finals. It is the most exciting thing we do. I had a very big support group and family there that doesn’t often get to see what we do, so it made it very special.”

Hinton is no stranger to the NRHA history books. In 2021, he marked his name among the extraordinary list of NRHA Million Dollar Owners. This accolade was the natural next step for the NRHA Professional, who can often be seen riding his own horses in the show pen—a testament to the strong breeding and training program Hinton has created with his wife, Kathy. Together, the duo established Cedar Ridge Stallion Station, which they saw to great success before handing the reins over to Josh and Kelsey Crawley in 2021.

Growing up in Ohio, Hinton began showing horses through the local 4-H program. His riding career further bloomed at Findlay College where he worked with NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Dale Wilkinson. Later, he worked with horsemen Doug Lilly and Al Dunning. Eventually, Hinton ventured out on his own and now owns Casey Hinton Reining Horses in Whitesboro, TX.

“I have to thank my wife, Kathy. It is a team thing,” he said. “It was me riding, but it has always been a team thing with us. I have passed the million dollar owner milestone, and there’s only a few of us that have crossed as both riders and owners. My next goal is to reach it as a breeder and to make it the trifecta. I plan to keep enjoying this as long as I am able to compete and keep doing it!”

There have been many horses over the years helping push Hinton to a million in earnings. If you look at the list, you’ll find several horses sired by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream, owned by Viola Scott. In 2004, Hinton rode Magnum Chic Dream in the 2004 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Championship Show and took home the Senior Reining title.

One of Hinton’s successful Magnum Chic Dream-sired mounts is Magnums Custom Dream (by Gunna Be Custom), who he rode to the 2022 Level 3 Open NRHA Derby Championship, 6^th in the Level 4 that same year, and who ended up giving him the final push across the million at this year’s TRFAM. He earned his highest paycheck to date on his own gelding (now owned by his wife, Kathy). Hinton rode Lil Magnum Jessie (Magnum Chic Dream x Lil Ruf Jessie) to the Level 4 Open Reserve Championship at the 2009 NRHA Futurity and added $117,478 to both his rider and owner earnings.

Hinton’s other top performances and paychecks on his road to the million include:

• 2022 Level 3 NRHA Derby Champion aboard Magnums Custom Dream earning $33,250
• 2017 Level 4 NRHA Derby 8^th Place aboard Mega Mag earning $30,546
• 2007 Level 4 Open National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) 11^th Place aboard Smarty Starlight earning $21,500
• 2017 Level 3 Open NRHA Futurity aboard Mega Mag earning $20,849
• 2021 Level 4 Open NRBC 13^th Place aboard Lil Magnum Jesse earning $20,000

Few in NRHA history have earned the right to call themselves both an NRHA Million Dollar Rider and Owner. Hinton’s addition to this prestigious list is a testament to his talent and passion for reining. His legacy is one that many admire and is certain to be built upon in the years to come.

With incredible performances at this year’s 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel and The Run For A Million (TRFAM), Jason Vanlandingham added his name to the prestigious list of NRHA Three Million Dollar Riders a mere three years after passing the $2 million mark.

Vanlandingham garnered his first earnings at the 2000 NRHA Derby with a $41 paycheck. From there, he worked his way up to become one of NRHA’s top professionals and has ridden many exemplary reining horses to notoriety along the way, including Vaughn Zimmerman’s Not Ruf At All. Together, the duo won the NRHA Futurity, the NRHA Derby, and the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC).

Heading into TRFAM’s Million Dollar Competition, Vanlandingham was less than $10,000 away from $3 million in earnings, so a good performance was all he would need to reach his next NRHA milestone. A merely good performance, however, was not in the cards for the NRHA Professional. Instead, as the penultimate rider in the competition, he piloted Robert Santagata’s Best Shine (Shine Chic Shine x Best Stop) to an incredible 231 score and half a million dollars in earnings.

In addition to his earnings at this year’s TRFAM, Vanlandingham’s top performances since crossing his last NRHA milestone include:

• 2021 Level 4 Open NRBC Champion aboard A Vintage Smoke earning $62,500
• 2021 Level 4 Open Invitational Champion aboard Excessive Rufness earning $100,000
• 2021 TRFAM Million Dollar Competition 3rd Place aboard A Vintage Smoke earning $80,000
• 2022 TRFAM Million Dollar Competition 6th Place aboard Best Shine earning $50,000
• 2023 Level 4 Open NRHA Derby Reserve Champion aboard Gunnabebigtime earning $49,710

Vanlandingham has skyrocketed across the $3 million mark and is nearly halfway to his next milestone. After reaching $1 million in 15 years, $2 million in five years, and $3 million in three years, there is little doubt his name will again grace the NRHA history books with his continued dedication to the sport.

Another record-breaking 6666 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby presented by Markel pushed two owners past the two million dollar milestone.

Corinna Schumacher

2023 has been an incredible year for freshly minted NRHA Million Dollar Rider Gina-Maria Schumacher, whose latest wins included not only the Level 4 Non Pro Championship at this year’s 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel but also two additional spots within the top five. This, combined with her performance in the preliminary round and stakes competition, pushed her family across another NRHA milestone. Only two years after crossing the million-dollar mark, Gina’s mother, Corinna Schumacher, owner of XCS Ranch and CS Ranch, etched her name in history once again as an NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner.

Corinna has not only had success as an NRHA owner but as a Non Pro as well. She competed in trail and pleasure classes and earned NRHA European Affiliate titles and an NRHA Intermediate Non Pro World Championship. Corinna would also ride horses for a few years before passing them on to her daughter when she was first starting in reining, which proved a great success.

CS Ranch in Givrins, Switzerland, was the original home of the Schumachers’ success. Then Corinna recognized the growth their business could have with a headquarters in the United States, and the family purchased 460 acres in Gordonville, Texas, and built a state-of-the-art facility. Named XCS Ranch and completed in 2012, it is home to NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Duane Latimer as the resident trainer.

Much of Corinna’s success as an owner has come from the success of her daughter on the backs of many of CS Ranch and XCS Ranch’s horses, including CS Sailing Gun, who Gina piloted to the Level 4 Non Pro Championship at the 2023 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel. By Gunners Enterprise and out of La Bigia Sailor, CS Sailing Gun was the perfect horse to push Corrina to the $2 million mark due to the gelding’s deep connection to the Schumachers. Gina rode the gelding’s sire in Europe, and Corinna competed aboard the dam.

With the hot streak Gina has been on this year, Corinna has a great opportunity to add to her owner earnings during the 2023 The Run For A Million. Gina qualified for the million-dollar competition earlier this year in Arizona on XCS Ranch LLC’s Gunnastepya, where she earned top honors.

Tom McCutcheon

Only a year after crossing the two million dollar mark as a rider, Tom McCutcheon joined the elite list of NRHA Two Million Dollar Owners.

The McCutcheon family is synonymous with reining, so it’s only fitting this accolade comes after amazing performances by Tom’s wife, Mandy, in the 2023 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Mandy and three of her mounts, owned in conjunction with Tom, qualified for the L4 Derby. After placing sixth on Starlights Voodoo (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whizen Starlight) and a tie for tenth between the McCutcheon’s own SPF 50 (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whiz N Low) and JLosa (Arlosa Whiz x Spook N Jessie), Mandy added more than $14,700 to Tom’s owner earnings and pushed him over two million dollars.

Tom’s first paycheck as an owner and rider in the NRHA Futurity was in 1990 on Sr Glitter, a mare by Colonel Freckles, NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Gunner’s grandsire. Since his first recorded NRHA earnings in 1984, he has earned two individual and team gold medals at the World Equestrian Games, multiple major event futurity and derby championships, and was named the USET Equestrian of the Year, to name a few. He also has been a National Reining Breeders Classic Champion, of which he was a co-founder.

Located in Aubrey, Texas, Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses features more than a premier breeding operation. The business also boasts a training program and rehabilitation business in addition to the McCutcheons’ equine media company, WorldWide Slide. All aspects of the business are truly a family endeavor, with Tom and Mandy at the head, and their son, NRHA Million Dollar Rider, Cade playing his role on the team. The McCutcheon’s daughter, Carlee, is also an accomplished athlete across reining and hunter jumper disciplines.

Adding to his long catalog of entrepreneurial endeavors, he also started the wildly popular Tom McCutcheon’s The SHOW, a round table style YouTube series where he features casual interviews with industry giants. Viewers can learn more about training, industry knowledge, and more about the lives of people past the show pen.

Recently, Tom has continued to add to his rider and owner lifetime earnings on two mounts—Gunners Nite Train and Gold Star Gunner, full siblings by Gunners Special Nite out of Belle Starr Dun It.

Later this month, Tom could skyrocket his way closer to another milestone. He will compete at The Run For A Million $100,000 Shoot Out on NRHA Futurity Champion Super Marioo (Gunnatrashya x HA Chic A Tune), owned by Tom and Mandy. He is looking to build on the success he had with this mount at the 2023 NRBC to qualify him for the 2024 Million Dollar Competition. Regardless of the outcome, however, one thing is certain—the McCutcheons will work together to continue achieving success and reaching new milestones in the equestrian industry.

Jordan Larson brought two horses back to the level 4 finals at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby presented by Markel to finish the week as an NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider.

Larson, who reached million-dollar status at age 30, finished ninth in Level 4 Open on I Shine At Nite (Gunners Special Nite x Shiney Enterprise), owned by Nicole McDevitt, to earn $11,507. Larson also finished 21st in the Level 4 on KR Trashya Lena (Gunnatrashya x Smart Shiney Lena), owned by Nicole and Kathy Driscoll, which earned $4,283. Both paychecks helped Larson reach the next goal of his successful NRHA career.

“I’m very thankful to have crossed the three million dollar mark at the derby this year!” said Jordan Larson. “The last few years had been a little rough. Things just weren’t going my way in the show pen. I’ve learned a lot through this and am very thankful for all the people who have supported us and the great horses I have had the opportunity to show.”

Jordan grew up in Cottonwood, California, where his father shod horses and his mother exhibited halter horses. At only three years old, he was riding and dreaming of being a horse trainer.

Since then, he has continued to build on this dream, leading him to many major event finals, competing on World Equestrian Games teams, and NRHA Futurity and Derby Championships.

“My wife is my biggest supporter, and I could not have done it without her!” said Larson. “I’m so thankful God has blessed me with the opportunity to do what I love for a living and share it with my family.”

Larson is one of 17 competitors vying for a top spot in The Run for a Million (TRFAM). He qualified last year through the $100,000 Open Shoot Out at TRFAM, earning sixth on I Shine At Nite. If you can’t make it to Las Vegas to cheer on competitors in person, you can access a live feed online for the first time in the event’s history. Be sure to only use the link on trfam.com, as this is the only official live stream. 

As champions were crowned at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, two sires also reached a new milestone, with their offspring demonstrating extraordinary talent – continuing their legacies among NRHA’s leading sires.

Gunner – NRHA $14 Million Sire

As Down Right Amazing earned yet another major title as the 6666 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open Champion, the stallion also pushed Gunner over the $14 million milestone. This not only solidifies him as NRHA’s leading sire but also makes him the only sire with more than $12 million in offspring earnings.

In addition to siring the open champion, there were two offspring of Gunner in the non pro finals, earning a total of $102,494. The versatility of Gunner’s offspring and their constant success in the show pen continues the legacy of this Hall of Fame stallion.

“Gunner was a special individual who had a unique way of using his shoulders. He was able to pass that onto so many of his offspring, and I believe that is what has made them exceptional individuals,” said NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary. “Congratulations on a milestone well deserved!”

The son of Colonelfourfreckle, out of Katie Gun, has $173,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings, but that was only the beginning of the mark he would leave on the reining industry.

Beyond his show ring success, Gunner’s legacy also includes the genuine affection and admiration he garnered from people within the reining industry. While owned by Pam and Paul Rohus, he was immortalized as a Breyer Horse special edition model while also earning a world championship, an APHA World Show Reining Futurity Open Championship, and became an NRHA Futurity Open reserve champion under Clint Haverty.

Gunner was later owned by Debra and Kim Sloan. During their ownership, Gunner continued to add to his list of accomplishments. He earned an APHA Junior Reining world title, a National Reining Breeders Classic Co-Reserve Championship in the National Reining Breeders Classic, and the United States Equestrian Team Open Reining Championship with the late Bryant Pace in the saddle in 2001.

Two years after being inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame, the Sloans sold Gunner to Tim and Colleen McQuay, where he lived out the rest of his days in Tioga, Texas.

Although the stallion passed away in 2013, his legacy continues to live on as limited breedings still occur through ICSI.

Gunner’s Top Earning Offspring with 983 competing:

Down Right Amazing (Shesouttayourleague) – DAG Ventures LLC, owner; Curtis Performance Horses LLC, breeder: $532,584.29

All Bettss Are Off (Wimpys Little Chic) – Rancho Oso Rio LLC, owner; Arcese Quarter Horses USA breeder: $393,924.19

Tinker With Guns (Tinker Nic) – Silver Spurs Equine owner, Rancho Oso Rio LLC breeder: $344,117.65

Gunners Tinseltown (Miss Tinseltown) – David Silva, Sr owner/breeder – $305,307.49

Americasnextgunmodel (Cee Dun It Do It) – Arcese Quarter Horses USA, David Silva Sr., breeder: $289,486.18

No Smoking Required (Icing Required) – Schmersal/ThorSport Inc., Carluccio Orsi breeder: $252,058.43

Gunners Special Nite: NRHA $6 Million Dollar Sire

Fourteen finalists sired by Gunners Special Nite entered the Jim Norick Arena during the Non Pro and Open Finals of the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. These offspring earned $75,798, catapulting the stallion to being an NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire.

By NRHA $14 Million Sire Gunner and out of Mifs Doll, the stallion earned $219,000 in the show pen with NRHA Professional Marcy Starr and NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider and Million Dollar Owner Tom McCutcheon. The remarkable athlete was bred by Kim and Debra Sloan and raised by Tim and Colleen McQuay. In 2010, the stallion was purchased by the current owner, Turnabout Farm Inc.

Gunners Special Nite’s achievements include an NRHA Futurity Open Reserve Championship and top finishes at other major events. In 2010, McCutcheon piloted the 2004 stallion to Individual and Team gold medals for Team USA at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.

Gunner Special Nite’s Top Earning Offspring with 515 competing:

Modern Gun (Taris Modern Design) – Ms Stables, owner; Turnabout Farm Inc., breeder: $362,126.05

Guns And Dynamite (Chic Olena Starbuck) – Tim & MaryBeth Ruckman, owner; Turnabout Farm Inc., breeder: $294,621.88

Baileys Not Painted (Darlins Not Painted) – Kristen Cantacuzene, owner; Turnabout Farm Inc., breeder: $143,233.62

Lenas Shining Gun (SL Lenas Chick) – Jackie Redish, owner; Roxanne Koepsell, breeder: $133,365.32

Into The Nite (Chexy Dun It) Heidi Battier, owner; Turnabout Farm Inc., breeder: $104,432.21

Special Made Whiskey (Starlight Acres) – Gordon Robinson, owner; John Stiver, breeder: $101,372.14

On Friday, May 26, Grischa Ludwig walked to the center of the arena to receive his awards at the 2023 NRHA European Futurity. Not only did he earn the NRHA Open class championship and American Paint Horse Association Chrome Cash, but these checks also pushed him past the threshold to become NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Rider.

“[The realization of the accomplishment] didn’t do anything to me when I came out of the arena,” he said. “I wasn’t yelling ‘Hooray!’ I thought, ‘cool.’ But when I went in for the awards, and they announced me as the newest NRHA Million Dollar Rider, emotion overwhelmed me!”

Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Ludwig grew up around horses his whole life as his father ran an equine therapy program at a facility for those with mental and physical disabilities. Their family lived with the 2,000 people and their Quarter Horse Program at the facility.

“It took a while [to reach this milestone],” said Ludwig. “You can do it faster for sure, but it was never my highest goal to be an NRHA Million Dollar Rider. I always saw myself as a horseman and a horse trainer. But the closer I got, the more I wanted it. Last year I got close, and people were talking so much, and I really wanted to have it.”

His wins on this momentous day were on Spooks Genius (Spooks Gotta Whiz x A Spark Of Genius) owned by Margot Van Doorne. This pair is no stranger to the winner’s circle as they were the 2022 Open European Affiliate Champions and have placed in multiple aged event finals throughout Europe.

To make the timing of the milestone even more meaningful, the European Futurity was only his second horse show since the passing of his father.

“My father shaped me to the way that I am,” he said. “He was the best daddy I could have. He was as proud as someone could be when I won, and he was also proud if I was second, and he would tell me there was still one place to be better.”

Read more about Ludwig and this accomplishment in the September issue of the NRHA Reiner Magazine.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) honors a new member of the elite NRHA $9 Million Dollar Sire list, Gunnatrashya. After reaching the $7 Million milestone 14 months ago, this stallion’s offspring continue to propel him to new achievements rapidly, securing his place in history books.

Bred by Katarina Dorminy, Gunnatrashya is by NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee and $13 Million Dollar Sire Gunner and out of Natrasha. Along with his success in the breeding barn, the stallion started his career with impressive wins, including the 2009 NRHA Open Futurity Championship, 2009 All American Quarter Horse Congress Open Futurity Championship, and 2010 NRHA Open Derby Championship, with NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida. These wins pushed his NRHA lifetime earnings to over $218,000.

The stallion became an NRHA Million Dollar Sire in 2017, less than three years after his first group of foals set foot in the show pen, and has already produced several NRHA Futurity and NRHA Derby Champions. Gunnatrashya stands at NRHA Corporate Partner Oswood Stallion Station in Weatherford, Texas, for owner Arcese Quarter Horses.

Gunnatrashya sired the 2022, 2021, and 2019 NRHA Open Futurity Champions and the reserve champion in 2020. It is no surprise that Gunnatrashya was the recipient of the inaugural Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award in 2021 and earned it again in 2022. This pattern continued as he was also the leading sire at the 2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

Gunnatrashya continues to pass at least one milestone annually, creating global recognition and continuing to put his stamp on his offspring.

Gunnatrashya’s top performers are:

Gunna Stop (out of Stop Little Sister) $672,762

Andiamoe (out of Wimpys Little Chic) $389,083

Ten Thirty (out of Dainty Little Step) $369,059

Super Marioo (out of HA Chic A Tune) $336,562

ARC Gunnabeabigstar (out of Wimpys Little Chic) $298,999

In 2012, the National Reining Horse Association created the Professionals of the Year awards to recognize and honor individuals who exemplify excellence in the NRHA community. This distinction recognizes the elite individuals who, in all aspects of their career, consistently excel in perpetuating the growth of the NRHA not solely by their success in the show pen but, more importantly, by how they choose to give back to the association and its members. The 2022 recipients are an example of integrity and sincerity within the industry while working to promote and maintain the ideals of the reining horse.

NRHA affiliates may nominate NRHA Professionals, and the NRHA Professionals Committee may write in candidates 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. NRHA Professionals then vote on the nominees.

“It is an honor to be voted by your peers for such a prestigious award,” said Patti Carter, NRHA Senior Director of Education & Officials. “NRHA appreciates the Professionals who support the sport of reining and exemplify the characteristics of these awards.”

The 2022 NRHA Professionals of the Year will be honored with custom spurs from Montana Silversmiths and featured in the May issue of the NRHA Reiner Magazine.

Horseman of the Year: Nathan Piper
Whitesboro, Texas
NRHA LTE: $1,571,992

Nathan Piper had a banner year in 2022, becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider and The Run For A Million Champion—all while supporting his local affiliate and NRHA programs such as the Reining Horse Foundation.

Piper was born in Bryan, Texas, where he grew up showing reining horses as a youth. During his junior year at Texas A&M University, he decided to forgo his Non Pro status to become an NRHA Professional. Nathan graduated from Texas A&M University in 1999 and married his wife, Jean, in 2000.

After college, Nathan moved to Whitesboro, Texas, to work as an assistant trainer for two-time NRHA Futurity Champion Todd Sommers. In 2004, Nathan and his wife Jean purchased a training facility in Madisonville, Texas, where they successfully built Nathan Piper Reining Horses.

Piper Reining Horses now operates in Whitesboro, Texas. Nathan and Jean have two daughters, Millie and Etta.

Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year: Jordan McBurney
Arlington, Washington
NRHA LTE: $375,055

Jordan McBurney found her start in the reining industry after working a job exercising and grooming reining horses. McBurney came from a barrel racing background and showed her first reiner in 2009. She now competes at the highest level and has many accolades.

Not only did she earn 8th place in the million-dollar competition at The Run for a Million in 2022, but she also remains humble and rarely seeks the spotlight, despite often deserving it. She dedicates her time to non professionals in the industry and has coached many, including Non Pro Futurity Champions.

McBurney and her husband, NRHA Professional Sean McBurney, train out of Rhodes River Ranch, located in the foothills of the Cascades. This powerful couple develops award-winning performance horses, such as the offspring of the ranch’s leading sire, Whizkey And Diamonds.

Up-And-Coming Professional of the Year: Jack Daniels
Aubrey, Texas
NRHA LTE: $79,005

Originally from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, Jack grew up training rope horses and cow horses. After making a name for himself training 2-year-olds and showing in Australia, he came to the United States to further his career. 

Daniels not only had a successful year in the show pen earning the 2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 1 Championship and over $74,000, but he is also active in giving back. He serves on the Affiliate Committee and is eager to assist with international affairs. 

He prides himself on his two-year-old program and the solid foundation they receive in his program. Horses he started went on to be incredibly successful in 2022, winning major events nationwide. 

Daniels and his wife, Kaci O’Rourke, operate Pond Hill Performance Horses out of Aubrey, Texas. 

Non Pro Coach of the Year: Dan Huss
Scottsdale, Arizona
NRHA LTE: $740,761

Starting his professional career in the university sector, teaching at Findlay for almost 20 years, it is no surprise that coaching Non Pro riders has become a passion of Dan Huss’. He specializes in not only preparing his riders and their horses but in helping them become a team.

Huss implemented the training processes at home as he had taught at the college, making his program well known to non pro riders at all levels who want to take the next step in the show pen. Along with riders, Huss is also known for his training program, including starting NRHA Hall of Famer Wimpy’s Little Step.

Huss has NRHA lifetime earnings of more than $740,700 and has well-known accolades, including the 2022 AQHA Senior Reining World Championship, 2021 Prime Time Open Futurity Championship, All American Quarter Horse Congress Championships, along with many finalist and other titles to his name across all major events.

Along with his own accomplishments, Huss’s clients are frequently seen in the winner’s circle from the grassroots level to the NRHA Futurity. Between lessons, clinics, assisting all levels of non professional riders, and consistent coaching and training throughout his career, Huss is incredibly deserving of the recognition. 

Youth Coach of the Year: Shane Kelley
Lampasas, Texas
NRHA LTE: $58,469

Shane Kelley’s positive and encouraging demeanor lends him to have successful youth riders in his program and riders who continue on in the industry and make a difference.

From the grassroots level within the Texas Reining horse Association, FFA, and 4-H programs to competing at the highest caliber of NRHA shows, Kelly directly supports and impacts all levels of reining to youth members.

Kelley’s program has had Division 1 scholarship recipients for three years in a row, and they are known for having incredible sportsmanship. His students have also won year-end accolades, The Run for a Million qualifications, and more.

“Shane’s insistence on sustainability for both the horse and the rider and his continual compassion towards both cultivates some of the most passionate kids and happy horses I’ve ever experienced,” said the Texas Reining Horse Association. “He doesn’t look for his youth to sit back and count on others to work through problems, fix issues in training, or even do work around the barn. Instead, he makes a point to work with them through trials, whether on a horse or in life, helping however he can while also casting light on their own capabilities and responsibilities as a horseman. This creates confidence and lends to youth that are not only successful in riding, but willing to put forth the hours and work it takes to be successful in life.”

This past month, the warm Florida sunshine served as icing on the cake during the Florida Reining Classic for Fernando Salgado, National Reining Horse Association’s latest Million Dollar Rider. Salgado laid down fantastic runs aboard Vinny Gun, owned by Guillermo De Anda Martinez, and Bob Reiner, owned by Kristen and Rodion Cantacuzene; both pushed Fernando Salgado over the million dollar total in NRHA lifetime earnings.

“I started joking around with my friends and people that work at the barn; last year, I was Level 3 and 4, and I said this year I am going to win a million,” said Salgado. “At the beginning, I was even kind of joking about it, but every horse show went to worked well, and towards the middle of the year, I was like, I can do it. I kept going, and it really happened that fast from then on, so that was something that made me really proud.”

Salgado is a Brazilian native who grew up at the forefront of the performance horse world, with his close family members also being professional trainers. He began training horses professionally in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he became a well-known reiner. He worked with his uncle Jango Salgado, who previously worked under NRHA Hall of Famer Doug Milholland, and his late brother, NRHA Professional Eduardo Salgado. He rode in Eduardo’s memory at the 2022 NRHA South Central Affiliate Regional Championship & Tulsa Reining Classic aboard FS Inferno (Inferno Sixty Six x FS Smart Doc Chic). The ride added more than $125,000 to Salgado’s earnings and FS Inferno’s earnings for owner Gilberto Leal.

With the experience and expertise gained while competing in Brazil, he decided to make his way to the United States to broaden his education and opportunity in the training profession. In 2010, Salgado moved to work with NRHA Professional Thiago Boechat as an assistant trainer. After working at the Xtra Quarter Horses facility, Salgado pushed his horizons further by working for NRHA Seven Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani.

Salgado is sure to thank those who helped him along the way to this success.

“The list is very big, but for sure, my family,” he said. “I think that the way I was raised with my uncle Jango as a horse trainer and my older brother Eduardo as a horse trainer as well, I got to live that lifestyle from the beginning. My whole team that allowed me to go to many shows and especially my wife, Sabrina, who keeps up with my craziness. I would not be able to do it without her. A big thank you to all my customers who believed in me and continue supporting me. We have big goals we are going after, for sure.”

Salgado mentioned in his recent social media post to share the coveted news, “There are not enough words to express my gratitude to all the owners of the horses that got me here. I came to this country with a dream, and because of all of you, I get to live it every day. Here’s to One Million and many more to come!” He also shared a list of the many great horses and owners who took part in this success, such as his first horse, Sting Melodys, owned by Jefferson Abbud, and his most recent horse, Swoon, owned by Coma Ranch.

Now located at his own facility in Gainesville, Texas, alongside his wife Sabrina, Salgado’s career has taken ablaze with championships, top professional recognition, event qualifications such as Teton Ridge’s The American Performance Horseman, and so much more.

Career Highlights:

2023 Teton Ridge The American Performance Horseman: Team Championship and 3rd place in reining

2022 NRHA South Central Affiliate Regional Championship & Tulsa Reining Classic – The Invitational Level 4 Open Champion

2022 National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Level 3 Open Champion

2022 Oklahoma Ride & Slide Derby and Novice Horse Derby Level 4 Open Champion

2022 6666 NRHA Derby Level 3 Open 3rd

Ranked 3rd in 2022 Top 20 NRHA Professionals

Major event finalist, including the All American Quarter Horse Congress Reining Futurity, NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby, NRBC, and The Run For A Million – Million Dollar Competition