Category Archives: Shows

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Markel Futurity Sales were the perfect example of how the sport of reining is continuing to grow while the equine industry remains strong as more than 220 horses passed through the ring. It looked like the high-seller came early when the fourth horse out sold for $150,000, but as the last ten horses went through the pen, a new leader topped the charts at $189,000. This helped the annual event accumulate a total ring sales of $5,765,500, which averaged $25,739.

They say never go to the grocery store hungry, but it was clear that bidders came to the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds on November 30 with empty trailers for the annual sale. After filling their plates at the sale breakfast sponsored by Q Stallions, bidders got to work supporting the next generation of reiners during the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) Stallion Breeding Auction.

The NRHyA auction, the group’s main fundraiser, brought in just over $30,000. A breeding to NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz (Spooks Gotta Gun x Prettywhizprettydoes) was the high seller with a bid of $6,900 from Alan D. Chappell of Collinsville, Texas. NRHyA appreciates the support of Spooks Gotta Whiz’s owner, Michell Kimball of Collinsville, who donated the breeding, as well as the other stallion owners who donated and the buyers who made those breeding purchases.

With fewer than ten horses left to sell for the day, the event topped out at $189,000 during the Premier Sale thanks to Hip No. 517 – Trick R Treat (Tricked Out Spook x Dontquestionthischic) – who sold to Anne Tournay of Vieux-Genappe, Belgium. Consigned by Cooper Smith of Whitesboro, Texas, the striking, dappled gray colt was the high-seller on a day when 120 head passed by the auction block in the Premier Sale. Tournay and Smith are tied together from the 2022 sale as they were both the buyer and consigner on the 2022 high seller. Numbers were strong through the last horse. The sale brought a ring total of $2,540,000 for an average of $21,167. Total sales accumulated on 105 sold totaled $2,228,500 for an average of $21,224.

It was a day for loud colors as two of the top four sellers were their own shade of palomino. The top seller in the Performance Horse Sale came early when Hip No. 104 – Dunit With An Iceman (SG Frozen Enterpize x Pale Dancer Nic) – sold for $150,000 to NRHA Million Dollar Owner Robert Santagata of Campbell Hill, New York. The 2021 colt was consigned by the Chappell-Mathison Partnership of Tioga, Texas. A total of six head sold during the Performance Horse Sale, which is less than in previous years but clearly the quality of the offering was outstanding. The six horses brought a total of $365,000 for a ring average of $60,833. Of the four horses sold, the sale grossed $315,000 for an average of $78,750, which is a 200 percent increase above 2022 even with fewer head.

Out of the 30 horses that ran through the ring during the Preferred Breeders Sale, it was a palomino weanling that turned the most heads. One of the youngest colts in the sale, Hip No. 316 brought a slow but steady stream of bidding until the gavel fell at $110,000 to Haras Bellini Inc. of Rancho Santa Fe, California. Consigned by M13 Equine of Ogden, Utah, the 2023 colt is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit and out of Electric Cha Ching by Jacs Electric Spark.

Thirty horses sold during the Preferred Breeders Sale, including NRHA Million Dollar Sire Electric Code (Jacs Electric Spark x Hot Coded Candy), who brought $69,000 for consignor Jared LeClair. The ring total in the Preferred Breeders Sale came to $735,000 for an average of $24,500. Twenty-three horses sold to accumulate $579,000 for an average of $25,196.

Jamie Walters from Laguna Beach, California, purchased back-to-back prospects during the Elite Yearling Sale. Hip No. 212 led the yearlings in the sale when the 2022 colt sold for $82,000 for consignor Cooper Smith of Whitesboro, Texas. The buckskin colt – Chex Shining – is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun and out of Snip O Chex by Nu Chex To Cash. Walters also purchased Satrdaynitecentrfold (Gunnatrashya x SDP A Lasting Step) for $75,000 from consignor Adh Mor Ranch of Alberta, Canada. The 68 elite yearlings brought in $2,125,500 in total ring sales for an average of $31,257. The sale grossed $1,807,500 on 57 sold horses for an average of $31,711.

All prices and totals reflected are unofficial. Final prices will be posted on nrha.com at a later date.

Mason McDowell took strong confidence in himself and his mare to the top of the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships in the Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 1 and 2. The event was held at the 2023 National Reining Horse Association Futurity in Oklahoma City.

McDowell scored a 220 on Xtra Fugged About It in the Adequan® Arena to also win the ancillary Novice Horse Non Pro in Levels 1, 2, and 3. For winning the five classes, McDowell earned a check for $5,626.

“The run was pattern 9, and so I ran her in really hard and stopped,” McDowell said. “She stopped big, and she got back really hard. She always turns great, and then I loped off on that small slow, and she floated so strong going slow. So I pitched a bunch of rein out there. After that, I just went for it, and she was with me every step of the way.”

Xtra Fugged About It is a 2018 mare sired by newly-minted NRHA Million Dollar Sire HF Mobster and out of Lenas Whizabelle by West Coast Whiz. She has more than $19,500 in earnings.

“She’s been a great mare for me all year long,” McDowell said. “She just keeps getting a little bit better and better, and she’s a sweetheart. She’s never thrown me a curve ball, and that’s a real confidence booster going into show pen with her.”

McDowell, 18, purchased the mare about a year ago.

“She has steadily improved the whole time that I’ve had her,” he said. “She’s always been so easy to get along with. She’s a sweetheart, and she’ll never say no. If anything, it’s just making sure that she’s confident and happy doing the maneuvers, and she just keeps getting better and better.”

McDowell and his family are hoping to get some embryos from the kind, athletic mare before gearing up for the 2024 show season.

Complete draws, results, schedules, and more can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.

Equine graduates of the National Reining Horse Association Markel Futurity Sales are making a splash at the 2023 NRHA Futurity.

NRHA Million Dollar Rider on NRHA Markel Futurity Sales graduate and 2023 CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finalist Greytest Showman. Photo courtesy of Chelsesa Schneider Media.

Six Open finalists and three Non Pro finalists are riding horses that went through the Premier Sale, the Elite Yearling Sale, the Performance Horse Sale, or the Select Breeder Sale.

Non Pro

Three sale graduates are competing in the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finals.

Greytest Showman, ridden by Gina-Marie Schumacher and owned by XCS Ranch LLC. Sired by Lil Ruf Peppy out of the mare Dun Its Enterprise. Nominated by Green Valley Ranch. Consigned through the 2021 Elite Yearling Sale by Heritage Farms, agent for Green Valley Ranch.

Got Strawberry Wine, ridden and owned by Steven M. Allen Jr. Sired by Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Red Berry Wine. Nominated by Green Valley Ranch. Consigned through the 2021 Elite Yearling Sale by Heritage Farms, agent for Green Valley Ranch. Consigned through the 2022 Performance Horse Sale by Justin Mathison

Im Chillin The Most, ridden and owned by Chalyce D. Head. Sired by Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Im Dun Chillin. Nominated by Rhodes River Ranch. Consigned through the 2020 Select Breeders Sale by Cooper Smith.

Open

Nine horses that have gone through the NRHA Markel Sales advanced to the Open Futurity Semi-Finals. Of those, six have advanced to Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Finals.

SS ET Fone Home, ridden by Trevor Elliot Dare and owned by Hotel Boulevard Gestin Inc. Sired by Epic Titan and out of Electric Cha Ching. Nominated by Silver Spurs Equine. Consigned to the 2021 Elite Yearling Sale by Siver Spurs Equine.

Hollywood Gunn, ridden by Todd Sommers and owned by John R. White. Sired by Gunnatrashya and out of Dun It Queen. Nominated by Marc Gordon. Consigned to the 2022 Performance Horse Sale by Marc and Kathy Gordon.

Loaded With Spirit, ridden and owned by Raphael Bourdeau. Sired by Gunnatrashya and out of Ima Sailors Gal. Nominated by Linda Campbell. Consigned through the 2021 Premier Sale by Randle Tune.

SS Whatcha Gun Doo, ridden by Gabriel Diano and owned by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC. Sired by Tinker With Guns and out of Xtra Black Magic. Nominated by Silver Spurs Equine. Consigned by Silver Spurs Equine through the 2021 Elite Yearling Sale.

Rock It Whiz, ridden by Gabriel Diano and owned by St-Onge Reining Horses LLC. Sired by Topsail Whiz and out of A Bueno Poco Dunit. Nominated by Roxanne Koepsell. Consigned by agent Roger Daly through the 2021 Elite Yearling Sale.

Spookatrashya, ridden by Nate Burchell and owned by Jamie Walters. Sired by Gunnatrashya and out of Ebony Spook. Nominated by Rosanne Sternberg. Consigned by Rosanne Sternberg through the 2021 Elite Yearling Sale.

The 2023 NRHA Markel Futurity Sales wrapped up Wednesday, Nov. 30, and was the second-highest gross Sale in the last decade. The high seller, Trick R Treat, sold in the Premier Sale for $189,000.

Complete results from the NRHA Markel Futurity Sales can be found here.

Held in conjunction with the National Reining Horse Association Futurity, the Adequan ® North American Affiliate Championships at the OKC Fairgrounds are an opportunity for horses who have aged out of the futurities and derbies to compete, while also offering competitors of all ages and capabilities take a spin through the pen. While the NAAC classes are the main focus, the show offers ancillary classes as well for those who did not qualify.

Adequan® NAAC 13 & Under Champions – Isabella Sobral & Frame Draggin

Isabella Sobral and Frame Draggin claimed the Adequan® NAAC 13 & Under Championship with an impressive score of 217.5.

“I’m really excited. This is my first time to show at the Futurity,” Sobral said excitedly.

Frame Draggin is an 11-year-old gelding by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Einsteins Revolution and out of Coronas Major. Sobral owns the gelding herself, and he was bred by Jackspar Enterprises.

When she grows up, Sobral wants to be an equine lameness veterinarian, so the opportunity to show and learn more about horses is something she thinks is great.

“My goal wasn’t to win the class; it was just to do good for our own sake,” said Sobral. “So my next goal is just to make it back to this point of showing and winning.”

Sobral thanked her parents, who run Sobral Performance Horses.

Ancillary Youth 13 & Under Champions – Heidi Flint & Bulletproof Shiner

It was just the third time in the showpen when Heidi Flint and Bulletproof Shiner walked into Arena 6. Since the pair had only been together a short time, they hadn’t qualified for the NAAC classes but were able to enter the concurrently-run ancillary classes.

The duo shined, putting together an impressive run that garnered a score of 218 from the judges.

“I just got him, so he’s pretty new. This is very exciting that I got such a good score,” she shared following the awards ceremony.

Bulletproof Shiner is an 8-year-old gelding by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr out of Smart N Bulletproof.

Flint has big plans for her new mount. “I hope to win a bunch, like everybody does, but I also want to learn a bunch on him so I can get better and keep progressing,” she said. “Hopefully, I’ll get to bring him back to the Derby and win something there.”

Flint thanked her mother, Josianne Gauthier, for allowing her to show her new horse in Oklahoma City. “I begged to bring him, and she agreed. We’re from North Carolina, so it takes a lot to get her,” Flint said.

While she’s contemplating a career in cosmetology, making a big decision like that is still a ways off. “Mostly, what I think about is being exactly like my mom – a trainer and NRHA Professional,” she said.

Short Stirrup Champions – Bryndle Sveen & Revvin My Motor

In the class that is consistently the most difficult to score, as the judges must focus only on the execution of the maneuvers and not how charming the horse and rider may be, Bryndle Sveen claimed the championship.

But not before having to complete Pattern A twice.

The competition in the Short Stirrup class was so fierce that there had to be a run-off to determine the winner. Sveen and Harlyn Heule tied for first with a score of 213 and had to run it off in order to see who could come out on top. Heule was a fierce competitor, scoring a 212, but Sveen managed to earn just one more point, making her the champion with another 213.

“It was my last time in the short stirrups, so I’m really excited,” Sveen said.

The win was claimed aboard Revvin My Motor, an 8-year-old gelding by Wimpys Littlecolonel out of Miss Daisy Solano.

Sveen had plans to head back to the stalls and let Revvin My Motor enjoy some apple slices and special treats but first thanked her parents, her step-dad, Brandon Freiheit, and the gelding’s owner, Jennifer L Beyl-Lee.

Update from the Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro

The Adequan® Arena hosted the first section of the Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro classes, which featured 119 entries, including those in the ancillary divisions. Awards for all classes will be presented Friday at the conclusion of Section 2, but Mason McDowell currently leads all divisions. He piloted Xtra Fugged About It to a 220 to take the lead, securing the Adequan® NAAC Championships for the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 and Level 2.

Xtra Fugged About It, owned by McDowell, is a five-year-old mare by NRHA Million Dollar Sire HF Mobster out of Lenas Whizabelle.

Mathieu Buton celebrated sweet redemption Nov. 30 as he piloted Quinns A Tricky Chic to a 219.5 and the win in the Honorable Mention Futurity class at the 2023 National Reining Horse Association Futurity at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City.

“I started her as a 2-year-old,” Buton said. “I’ve had her the whole time in my program, and I loved that mare from the get-go. She’s owned by my very dear friend and customer, Jeremy Zangl. They’ve been with me pretty much since I went on my own, and she’s probably the best horse they ever got to raise at this point.”

At the Futurity, Buton had bad luck with her and wasn’t able to show her to her full ability.

“We talked about it – we all know the potential of that mare,” Buton said. “So we decided to put her in there for one more run and go at medium speed. That way, she could have a nice, clean run and then build up for next year.”

That second chance was the Honorable Mention Futurity class, and Buton had his plan to stay safe and give the mare a soft, clean run.

“She’s such a great mare, and she just gave me everything, and we had no bobbles that time until the last rundown and stop,” Buton said. “Everything stayed right. We’re at 19 and a half, and she can do that all day long every time if I do my job.”

Quinns A Tricky Chic is a 2020 mare sired by Tricked Out Spook and out of BT Smartest Tivito by Smartest Chic Olena. Jeremy Zangl is the owner and breeder.

The mare has $3,095 in earnings from the 100X Reining Classic Invitational.

“I think it’s just the beginning,” Buton said. “Great things I hope will happen for her down the road. So I want to thank Jeremy so much for all the support and never giving up, and always being there for me, my wife, my whole team, all my customers. I’m just very blessed to have all those great people around me.”

Generous sponsorships from Bob’s Custom Saddles and Toyon Ranch gave some reiners an opportunity to showcase their horses in the Jim Norick Coliseum during the 2023 National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Ok.

On Nov. 30, Rookie Level 1, Rookie Level 2, Intermediate Non Pro, and Intermediate Open riders who placed in the top 10 of their Adequan® NAAC classes rode into the bright lights of the coliseum in hopes of taking home a championship in the Bob’s Custom Saddles and/or Toyon Ranch Showdowns.

Winners in each of the Showdown classes received a check for $5,000. Thanks to the sponsorships from Toyon Ranch and Bob’s Custom Saddles, competitors didn’t have any additional entry fees to the showdown.

Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Open Showdown Champions – Justin Mathison & Alpha Taris Chic

Justin Mathison was ready for Pattern 7 in the Bob’s Custom Saddles NAAC Intermediate Open Showdown in the Norick Coliseum at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds.

The NRHA Million Dollar Rider rode Alpha Taris Chic to the Showdown win – and a check for $5,000 – with a score of 218.5. He also finished reserve on Shes Reddy On Line.

“Pattern 7 is a pattern we don’t run very often,” Mathison said. “I’m seasoned in the show pen so I know how not to rush through it, so I felt like I had an advantage there, and I’m riding two good horses. It was fun.”

Alpha Taris Chic is by Wimpy Chic and out of Taris Attraction by Mr Boomerjac. Jordan Wright Du Plessis owns the 5-year-old gelding with more than $18,975 in lifetime earnings.

“Alpha Taris Chic was very physical running and stopping, and I took my time,” Mathison said. “I loped off on my right set of circles, and he was a little bit nervous, so I stayed at plus-quarter on the throttle. I didn’t try to gas it. About a half-circle into my fast circle, I had him talked back into being with me, and then I could go as fast as I wanted.

“He slowed down great, stayed in frame, and changed leads right in the middle. Both circles were in frame, very pretty, and the part I’m most proud of is he turned his last corner and ran to his last stop as if he had never been shown before.”

That’s hard for a horse that has been shown a lot, Mathison said, adding that the horse isn’t typically nervous but could feel the excitement of the Norick Coliseum.

“He’s a solid citizen,” Mathison said. “These horses aren’t dumb. They know the bright lights are on in there.”

Shes Reddy On Line is a 2016 mare sired by Shine On Line and out of the Nic It In The Bud mare Guns R Reddy. She has lifetime earnings of more than $101,000. Mary A. Jansma bred and still owns the mare.

“I thank my help for helping me get both horses ready,” Mathison said. “This is an amazing event. I really thank Bob’s Custom Saddles for it, because when I showed in the Intermediate Open in the Adequan® arena, I had no idea I’d be able to run (in the Jim Norick Coliseum). I didn’t know until after the fact. It was a pleasant surprise. Thanks to Bob’s and all the sponsors. Everybody gives so much, and it makes our industry so much better.”

Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown Champion – Jennifer Neudorf & Shining In Town

Jennifer Neudorf and Shining In Town continued their winning ways Nov. 30 as they took the champion title and the $5,000 check in the Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown.

Neudorf and the 10-year-old stallion scored 218.5 in the Showdown after winning the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Non Pro with a 223 to qualify for the bonus round.

“He felt really good,” Neudorf said. “It was a bit more of a complicated pattern, but he just listened and tried his best and made it fun as always. It was really cool to be back in the Norick.”

“Chubs” was sired by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown and is out of the Shining Spark mare Shine Ann. Carol Rose bred the horse that has more than $200,000 in earnings.

“It was for sure so fun and exciting to show in the Norick,” Neudorf said. “I thank Bob’s Custom Saddle for sponsoring such a cool class.”

Shining In Town had been retired before Neudorf legged him up and brought him to the NRHA Futurity. He has felt good all week, Neudorf said.

“He just tries,” she said. “He doesn’t ever want to be in trouble. He always wants to be a good boy, and it makes it fun. I want to keep showing him, for sure.

“I thank the Schmersal team, Craig and Ginger. They’re always such a big help. I also thank my parents for how they always support me.”

Toyon Ranch Rookie Level 1 Showdown Champion & Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie Level 2 Showdown Champion – Rayne Anderson & Pale Face Gunslinger

Rayne Anderson and Pale Face Gunslinger continued their winning streak, claiming championships in the Toyon Ranch Rookie Level 1 Showdown Champion & Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie Level 2 Showdown at the National Reining Horse Association Futurity & Adequan ® NAAC Championships.

“Going through the Gateway of Champions was very nerve-wracking,” Anderson said. “But once we ran in and started our pattern, we both kind of settled down.”

Pale Face Gunslinger is a 2014 gelding by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit and out of Lost In Tinseltown. He is owned by Anderson’s grandfather, Tim Anderson, and has been previously shown by Kim Niven.

The pair won the Adequan® NAAC Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year title earlier in the show, with Anderson proudly wearing the award buckle for that win as she entered the pen again to secure these championships.

Each Showdown featured a prize of $5,000 and claiming both wins will push the gelding over the $150,000 in lifetime earnings mark.

“I’m just thankful and proud. He still shows like a rockstar,” said Anderson of Pale Face Gunslinger, who she calls Simba. Unsure of where they’ll show next, the plan seems to be to take it a day at a time.

“I love John and Nancy (Tague) at Toyon Ranch. They are honestly the sweetest, best, kindest people to me and my grandparents, and I just appreciate them as a whole, and I appreciate their sponsorship of this class,” Anderson said as she thanked them. “I appreciate Bob’s Custom Saddles a whole lot too, for making this a possibility.”

Reiners brought the heat in their last chance to make it to the National Reining Horse Association Futurity finals. More entries and higher payouts brought the best out of 3-year-old reiners and their riders.

More than $2.9 million will be paid out, breaking the 2022 record for riders in Non Pro and Open divisions in the Jim Norick Coliseum. 

Once again, the Level 4 Open exhibitors will be competing for an impressive $350,000 first-place prize during the MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Futurity Finals. The reserve champion will win a guaranteed $150,000, and third place will bank $100,000.

The CINCH Non Pro Level 4 is also lucrative, with the Champion leaving the Sooner State with $75,000, the Reserve winner earning $45,000, and third taking a cool $35,000.

Andrea Fappani Leads Field of Open Finalists on Inferno Thirty Five

A competitive field of 3-year-old horses and their riders tested their skills Nov. 29 in the Jim Norick Coliseum for the Level 4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All, hoping to put together a second solid run that would earn them a trip to the MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Finals on Dec. 2. All day, scores kept going up and up, as riders added the semifinal scores to their first-round scores for composites that indicate consistency as well as fiery talent.

The NRHA’s only Eight Million Dollar Rider, Andrea Fappani, rode Stephen Archer’s Inferno Thirty Five to the highest composite score of the Level 4 Open Semi-Finals, presented by Not Ruf At All, with a 443.5.

Inferno Thirty Five is a 2020 stallion sired by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six and out of Madeof Pure Spangled by Star Spangled Whiz. Mary A. Jansma nominated the horse bred by Cardinal Hill Training Center. The horse already has $100,000 in lifetime earnings thanks to a win at The Invitational at the 100X Reining Classic.

Luca Fappani took the top spot in Levels 2 and 3 on Playing With Da Boys, a 2020 mare sired by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of the Gunner mare My Berry Best Gun. Neiberger-Camp Partnership owns Playing With Da Boys, who already has earnings of more than $3,800 through the 100X Reining Classic. The composite score was 442, and Fappani will advance in Level 4 also.

In Level 1, Maxime Morin set the pace on his own horse Magnum Wimpys Dream, with a 437 composite. The 2020 stallion is sired by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Wimpys Little Lassie by Wimpys Little Step. He was bred and nominated by Henry Knox. The horse has $4,776 in earnings through the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity and the Warm Up 3 Futurity sponsored by Snipers Smoking Gun.

NRHA Seven Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida received the top composite score of 442.5  in Prime Time on Spooks Gotta Homerun, a 2020 stallion sired by Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of A Ruf Mistress by Lil Ruf Peppy. The horse was nominated by Tracy Cole and bred by Larry Weihing. He has lifetime earnings of more than $15,000 through the North American Reining Stakes Futurity and the High Roller Reining Classic Futurity.

Bubbles for Advancing to the Open Futurity Finals:

MS Diamonds TX Level 4 – 437

Level 3 – 433

Level 2 – 428

Level 1 – 419

Prime Time – 434.5 (with handicap)

Riders Advance from CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation

Although the NRHA CINCH Non Pro Futurity preliminary round concluded Monday, Nov. 27, riders who barely missed qualifying for the finals still had a chance to advance.

That’s because the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation round gives entries that last chance needed to secure a spot in the Finals. In the consolation, the top five from each of the four Levels move on to Friday’s competition.

Topping the Level 4 were NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Mandy McCutcheon and Stephanie Porath, tying with an impressive 218.5. McCutcheon rode Arylosa, a mare she owns with NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider and Owner Tom McCutcheon, nominated by Euro-Vets Inc., by Arlosa Whiz and out of Spooky Lil Chex, while Porath was aboard Gunna Prosper, a stallion she owns and nominated with her husband, Jackson Porath. The stallion is by NRHA Ten Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya and out of Whizen Starlight. 

In the Level 3, it was Robert Peterson and TR Ice On Fire who claimed the lead with a 214. TR Ice On Fire is a gelding owned by Goose Creek Ranch LLC and nominated by Tamarack Ranch, by NRHA Million Dollar Sire SG Frozen Enterprize and out of Wallawhizagun.

The Level 2 lead was secured by Kristen Avila, riding A Spook In Hollywood, a horse she owns and nominated herself. The stallion is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown and out of Lucky Lil Spook, for a score of 211.

Taking the Level 1 was Delacy Hubbard, aboard HF Freeze Brand, for a 214. HF Freeze Brand is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire SG Frozen Enterprize and out of HF Mobscar, nominated by Heritage Farms. 

Bubbles to Advance out of CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation:

Level 4 – 215

Level 3 – 211

Level 2 – 209

Level 1 – 209

Draw positions for the finals will be decided during the Platinum Performance Draw Party at 8 a.m. Thursday in the Sale Arena.

Complete results, draws, schedules, and more can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.

As the National Reining Horse Association Futurity continued through the open semi-finals at the OKC Fairgrounds, competitive teams of horse and rider fought for Adequan ® NAAC Champion titles.

Adequan ® NAAC Novice Horse Open Levels 1 & 2 Champion and Ancillary Novice Horse Open Champion – Marco Ricotta & Black Chex Cash

On their path to hopefully claiming a world championship, Marco Ricotta and Black Chex Cash have collected quite the list of championship accolades, and on Tuesday, Nov. 28, they added Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Open Levels 1 & 2 Champions to the list. The pair also claimed the ancillary titles for the Novice Horse Open in Levels 1, 2 and 3.

This impressive list of new titles earned the pair $4,290 to add to Black Chex Cash’s lifetime earnings of just over $25,000.

“We ended up at a show earlier in the year, and she [Kim Niven] said ‘Marco, why don’t you try him? Go do what you got to do and have some fun,” Ricotta said.

Black Chex Cash, a 2016 stallion by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Big Chex To Cash and out of Blazing In Black, suffered an injury in his 2-year-old year that prevented him from making a name for himself in his futurity and derby years, but he is commanding the attention of anyone watching the ancillary pen now.

Black Chex Cash is owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Tim Anderson and has been shown in non pro divisions by Kim Niven.

To prepare for the run today, Ricotta said, “I tried to get him in the mindset the night before, so today, I went outside and rode him in the big pen to finish getting him mentally ready.”

Ricotta thanked Anderson and Niven for the chance to ride the stallion this year.

Competition continues in the Adequan® Arena with the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation Round.

Competition in the Adequan® Arena at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City continued Monday with the Rookie Professional and Limited Open classes of the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships, which is held in conjunction with the National Reining Horse Association Futurity.

Adequan® NAAC Limited Open Co-Champion – Tyrell Smith & Major Durango

Coming from The Land of Maple, Tyrell Smith brought the best of his string of horses all the way down to the National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships at the OKC Fairgrounds to claim the title of the Adequan® NAAC Limited Open Co-Champion with a score of 219.

“I’ve had him his whole career. We did the futurities back home,” Smith said. “This is his last derby year, so we thought we would try to qualify for the affiliate finals. And we did, so we came down here, and he’s been pretty good. I’m very happy.”

Smith rode Major Durango, a 7-year-old stallion with lifetime earnings of $6,400, owned by Gail Gatto. Major Durango is by Durable Shine and out of Holly Majors.

Going into the pen, Smith was not confident they’d be leaving with a title or with a high score at all.

“It was a little nerve-wracking at first,” Smith said. “When I was getting on him, the guy hauling some shavings dumped a pallet just before I was supposed to go in. We both got a little nervous, and I had to get his focus again.”

Smith thanked Major Durango’s owners, Bob and Gail, his fiancé, Amanda, and his parents for their belief in him and for their support.

Adequan® NAAC Limited Open Co-Champion & Rookie Professional Champion – Allison Yeager & Shiners Voodoo Juice

Allison Yeager had few expectations coming into the NRHA Adequan® Limited Open.

“I was hopeful that we could do well,” Yeager said. “ I was not by any means thinking we were going to mark a 219 and be co-champions.”

But that’s what she did on the 2012 gelding Shiners Voodoo Juice, winning the Adequan® NAAC Rooke Professional title and tying for the win in the Adequan® NAAC Limited Open.

“He’s been in my program for a couple of years,” Yeager said. “We bought him from Kyle Kellmer Performance Horses, who I used to work for, and he had (the horse) in his program for a couple of years. He’s super consistent and really fun to show.”

Shiners Voodoo Juice was sired by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and is out of SLJ This Is My Juice (by Smart Like Juice). Chelsea Howell is his owner, and Kendall Norcross leases the horse.

“We were Draw 1 this morning, and I was pretty nervous about showing in that pen,” Yeager said. “This is my first time being here. And, he turned really good and went out and circled like I know he can circle, and we went through, and he came down in his rundowns. Stopping is where he really shines, and he stopped really great for me all three times.”

Shiners Voodoo Juice has $38,000 in lifetime earnings. In addition to their NAAC titles, Yeager and Shiners Voodoo Juice tied for second in the ancillary Limited Open and were second in Rookie Professional. All told, the wins added $1,253 to the gelding’s earnings.

“He is one of those horses that has a lot of personality and nickers at you when he thinks he has been tied up too long,” Yeager said. “He nickers at you if he thinks he’s hungry, which is all the time. He’s super fun to have in the barn.”

Ancillary Limited Open and Rookie Professional Champion – Flavio Tarquini & Blue Inferno

With a score of 219, Flavio Tarquini and Blue Inferno tied for the high score of the day in the Adequan® Arena. When his fellow competitors elected not to run off for the ancillary title, Tarquini was crowned the Champion of both the Limited Open and Rookie Professional ancillary classes.

“He was good today,” Tarquini, originally of Italy, shared. “His owner, Shelley Rosenberger, has shown him and done really good. I thank her for letting me show him.”

Blue Inferno, bred by Jeffrey Palmer, is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six and out of Showtimes Lil Step. The six-year-old gelding has lifetime earnings of more than $57,000, and the wins in the Adequan® Arena added an additional $715 to that total.

With just a few riders left to ride in the first section of the National Reining Horse Association CINCH Non Pro Futurity at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Ok., it was assumed that the long-standing leads would hold– until Kelsey Price entered the pen. Although the judges elected to review the run, Price took a decisive lead in the round with a 220 score in the end.

Price rode Let Err Rip, a 2020 gelding by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Gunner Be Custom, who she had previously ridden for high placing scores at the 100X Reining Classic Futurity, the High Roller Reining Classic Futurity, and the All American Quarter Horse Congress Futurity. While this may only have been the first round, Price left the arena almost $3,000 richer.

In the NRHA CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finals, riders in Levels 4 through 1 will be competing for a purse of approximately $760,000, a $30,000 increase from 2022. The lion’s share of that monstrous payout will be awarded on Friday, Dec. 1, during the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finals.

An additional opportunity for riders piloting American Paint Horses to increase their horse’s lifetime earnings is the APHA Chrome Cash incentive. In the NRHA Cinch Non Pro Futurity, there was an added $6,500 up for grabs. Gina-Maria Schumacher, aboard Reining Royalty, claimed the purse with a score of 219.5.

The riders who did not secure a spot to try and earn their portion of that purse will still have a chance to advance through the Consolation Round, which will be Nov. 29. A specific number of horses who just missed that top-25 mark will compete in the Consolation Round, with the top five of each level then advancing to the clean-slate Finals.

CINCH Non Pro First Round High Scores:

Level 4, 3, & 2 High Score – Kelsey Price & Let Err Rip (Magnum Chic Dream x Gunner Be Custom)

Owned by Kelsey & Kole Price | Nominated by Rodion Cantacuzene Jr. | score of 220

APHA Chrome Cash Winner – Gina-Maria Schumacher & Reining Royalty (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Bella Della) – 219.5
Owned by XCS Ranch LLC | Nominated by Michell Anne Kimball | score of 219.5

Level 1 Co-High Score- Rylee Butler & SS Rock My World (Ruf Lil Magnum x Xtra Ruby Step) – 217.5

Owned by Rylee Butler | Nominated by Silver Spurs Equine | score of 217.5

Level 1 Co-High Score- Dani Latimer & Snap My Crush (PS Mega Shine Chic x Snapbacks) – 217.5

Owned and nominated by Dean Latimer | score of 217.5

Youth High Score – Addisyn Schmersal & Vintage Attitude (A Sparkling Vintage x Face The Attitude)

Owned by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC | Nominated by Ginger Schmersal | score of 219

Prime Time High Score – Adam Donahue & SS Play With Guns (Tinker With Guns x Play For Chic)

Owned by Adam and Darla Donahue | Nominated by Silver Spurs Equine | score of 219.5 (includes handicap)

CINCH Non Pro Finals Bubbles

Level 4 – 215

Level 3 – 213

Level 2 – 212

Level 1 – 208.5

Prime Time – 210.5 (includes handicap)

Youth – All Entered

Scores Needed to Advance to CINCH Non Pro Consolation

Level 4 – 212

Level 3 – 211.5

Level 2 – 209.5

Level 1 – 205.5

Complete results, draws, schedules, and more can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.