Category Archives: Shows

The final weekend of the 2021 National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships started on a high note. The inaugural Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro and Intermediate Open Showdowns were held in the Jim Norick Coliseum Friday morning, with 20 top riders from the NAAC classes competing for additional cash prizes. Those earnings are on top of what anyone might have already won in the Adequan® Arena.

“The top 10 (plus ties) in the three classes we chose has the opportunity – with no extra entry fee – to come down through the ‘Gateway of Champions.’ That in itself is nerve-wracking enough, but then we put a first-place prize of $5,000 on top of that and are paying four monies in each division. It really raises the level of competition,” Chris Weaver, Bob’s Custom Saddles Vice President, explained.

Bob’s Custom Saddles sponsored the Showdown rounds for the Intermediate Open, Intermediate Non Pro, and Rookie Level 2. Fellow NRHA Corporate Partner Toyon Ranch stepped up and added the Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Showdown to the lineup for Rookie Level 1 riders, and the two Rookie Showdowns will run concurrently on Saturday morning.

Why did Bob’s Custom Saddles decide to focus on the NAAC competition? “We appreciate all of our Level 4 riders and endorsees, but we believed we could make a huge impact for the ancillary classes and the people who show every weekend. Understand that for the divisions we picked, most of those people are ready to move up a division. We wanted them to know what it feels like to show in that arena, and to get them excited,” Weaver said.

David Hanson Wins Bob’s Custom Saddles Int. Open Showdown on Xtra Needs A Drink

With a 215.5, David Hanson and Xtra Needs A Drink won the Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Open Showdown and the championship check of $5,000. Xtra Needs A Drink, a 6-year-old gelding by Wimpyneedsacocktail out of Ruby Chic Olena, is known for his reliability in the show pen, and that paid off when it came time to compete in the Norick for the Showdown.

“This horse is really fun to show. He’s really dependable and gives me confidence to go show him repeatedly, and he’s done well. He was consistent in the Open and Novice Horse Open, so I was confident about showing him today. He showed well, and fortunately, it was enough,” Hanson explained. “It was exciting to show today, and this was an exciting idea. I thank Chris Weaver and everyone at Bob’s Custom Saddles, as well as at NRHA, for the innovative idea to bring some of the affiliate horses back over here to show.”

Hanson added, “This is a great opportunity. The Futurity is such a competitive event and what we all aspire to, but when we don’t have those 3-year-olds that enable us to be here, it’s great to have the opportunity to bring horse show horses back to the Coliseum. Not only that, it’s great for other affiliate riders to have that chance to be in the Coliseum and see it and feel how it is to show in it. I think people will talk it up and it will continue to grow.”

Xtra Needs A Drink is owned by Anne Driscoll. “Anne is super sweet. She came to us and just wanted to have a show horse she could watch at the shows and enjoy as an owner. She has been outstanding, and loves the horse and being able to watch him,” Hanson said. “Our plan now is to rest him over the winter, then go to some of our West coast affiliate shows next year so we can come back to the NAAC in 2022. He’s seven, so we will go to a couple derbies as well.”

Anne and Dave Driscoll topped Hanson’s list of people to thank, as did all the people who helps him in his barn. “I also thank Trevor Dare, who sold us this horse a year ago. Trevor has watched me and we’ve talked about him over the year, and I appreciate him and his help,” he said.

Bob’s Custom Saddles Int. Open Placings

• David Hanson & Xtra Needs A Drink – $5,000
• Benjamin Beckett & Xtra Dun Step – $2,500
• Kyle Kelmer & ARC Trashin Yer Chic – $1,500
• Jarvis Anderson & Nite Tripps – $1,000

Jade Whitmarsh Takes Bob’s Custom Saddles Int. Non Pro Showdown Championship on North Sail Solitaire

On an 11^th hour whim, Jade Whitmarsh traveled from Canada to compete in the Adequan® NAAC classes. Finishing as part of a three-way tie for eighth in the NAAC round, Whitmarsh earned a spot in the Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown.

There, she finished in a three-way tie for the top score (210.5) of the Showdown, and it was time for a run-off.
Whitmarsh, who competed as the final horse of the runoff, bested her original run by five points, and claimed the Bob’s Custom Saddles Showdown Championship and accompanying check for $5,000!

“I am so excited! We came down here just to have this experience, just on a last-minute whim,” Whitmarsh, a college freshman, explained. “So I got the lucky chance to show, and I knew I needed to come out and try my best.”

Whitmarsh noted she was proud of her horse’s performance in their original run. “I was super happy with him. I pushed him and it went well. He’s pretty tired, but he listened super well and got those big stops that helped us since we had a turn penalty,” she explained.

Then it was time to prepare for the runoff. “My coach, Austin Seelhof, said, ‘Go in there and no penalties. We need to make sure he is soft, and we need to run him the same way and make sure those stops are big because that’s his best part,’” Whitmarsh recounted. “I was last in the runoff, so I knew what I needed to be. He was right there with me and listening to me.”

North Sail Solitaire, by NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Topsail Whiz out of Solitary Gunner, is special to Whitmarsh’s family. “He is the first baby we raised on our farm. He was started down here by Casey Deary, and then we brought him home after a minor injury. Then Austin, my coach up north, has been showing him and riding him through his derby years, and has done phenomenal with him,” she explained. “I just got to start riding him a couple years ago, and we are finally starting to work more as a team and our styles are starting to mend.”

Whitmarsh added her appreciation to Bob’s Custom Saddles for sponsoring the Showdowns. “Thank you so much for putting it together. It was an amazing opportunity to get to show in the Coliseum. I didn’t come down here with the thought that that is where I would be showing at the end of the week, so it’s super awesome. I am so appreciative that they decided to offer this new class. It gives people the chance for some people who may not have futurity horses to get in that big pen,” she said. “I thank my coach, Austin Seelhof. He has been amazing in supporting me along this journey. I also thank my mom and dad for helping me and supporting my dreams of coming down here. I also thank my sister for always being there, and my entire barn for helping me get ready.”

Bob’s Custom Saddles Int. Non Pro Placings

• Jade Whitmarsh & North Sail Solitaire – $5,000
• Rebecca Asmussen & The Crowd Goes Wildd – $2,000
• Abby Budd & Gunnadream – $2,000
• Paige Vernon & Magnum Starlight – $1,000

Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch, the premier charitable event in the reining community, was back on the social calendar this year after not being held in 2020.

Hosted by the Reining Horse Foundation on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at the Oklahoma State Fair Park Centennial Building in Oklahoma City, the night honored National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Hall of Fame inductees and NRHA Lifetime Achievement Award recipients from 2021 and 2020. It also offered a live auction, the proceeds of which benefitted NRHA members in a variety of ways, including the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, youth scholarships, the Hall of Fame and more.

Up for bid during the auction were a select group of items. They included a John Deere TS Gator, donated by Equine Discounts; a private clinic for eight people with NRHA Professional Mirjam Stillo, made possible by Mirjam Stillo Performance Horses, Nancy and John Tague of Toyon Ranch, and Debbie and Gary Conway of Rancho Los Vaqueros; a custom, handcrafted 18K gold pendant complete with winner’s logo from MS Diamonds TX; and a 2022 embryo out of Wind Her Up Chic, a top-producing mare with lifetime earnings exceeding $100,000, donated by RHF President Tim Anderson and Kim Niven.

When all was said and done, the auction garnered more than $285,000, making the night wildly successful for the RHF. Leslie Baker, Executive Director of the RHF, anticipated the final total of donations to increase during the weeks to come thanks to the generosity of the table donors.

“It’s a pinch-me moment,” Baker said of the amount raised during Sliders’ Night Out. “You think about two decades of history of what this foundation has been doing, and I’ve been telling people that we’re no longer a teenager — the Reining Horse Foundation is a full-blown adult and doing charitable works. Our board of directors is going to take a thoughtful approach to what we do, but we’re not going to bankroll these dollars. They have short-, middle- and long-term goals, and they’ll be doing some planning on that early in 2022 to see what the next step is as we go into our third decade.”

The night couldn’t have happened without Toyon Ranch’s John and Nancy Tague, who have been the presenting donors for three years. John said it was important to support the event because organizations like the NRHA and RHF create connectivity and foster a sense of community for the people who participate in them.

“Because of that, it was really a validation of the commitment a lot of folks have to the sport and the people that rely upon it to really turn this into a fabulous event that was going to raise funds for people in need who are in our community,” Tague said.

“We honor Toyon Ranch tonight as a catalyst,” Baker added. “There are so many people to thank for this, but they certainly took a leadership role in that three years ago to get it to this level. They felt like if they set an example, people would step up. We had over 60 tables sold tonight from people all across the world that did that. The goal is inclusiveness and diversity in this event, and the 2021 event certainly delivered.”

Baker reported that two dozen donors pledged contributions with RHF Board member Jamie Walters giving $10,000, plus another 1:1 $10,000 match. NRHA President and RHF Board member Rick Clark then matched Walters’ $20,000.

NRHA Hall of Fame Inductions

Inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame this year were Jose Vazquez and the late Doug Carpenter, who were recognized during the night’s program. Also honored was the 2021 NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Charles Vaughan.

As 2020’s inductees were unable to be honored last year, they too were included in the festivities. The 2020 class consisted of the late Sally Brown and the late Jerry Kimmel, along with Mike Carrier, the 2020 NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

Jose Vazquez

Vazquez has been reining for about 24 years and is an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, Owner and Breeder. From Markham, Illinois, he is a member of the Midwest Reining Horse Association but has also supported the Asociacion Mexicana de Caballos de Reining A.C. NRHA Affiliate. His biggest wins to date as a rider were the 2009 National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) and the 2018 NRBC, where he won the Level 4 Non Pro Championship both times.

Vazquez breeds and raises most of his horses, many of which are related to his stallion, NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire and 2017 NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Smart Like Juice. He gives back to the association and exemplifies great sportsmanship in and out of the show pen, supporting others, including his daughter, Mariana, who also competes.

At Sliders’ Night Out, Vazquez had a difficult time putting into words what it meant to be inducted into the HOF.

“It’s hard to explain how I feel. There’s a lot of emotion, and I’m so happy,” said Vazquez, whose entire family, including his wife, six children, nine grandchildren and brother Francisco, of Mexico, was in attendance. “I never thought I would come to this point. [When Tim McQuay was inducted into the Hall of Fame], I was joking around and I told them, ‘One day I’ll be where he is right now.’ At the time, I was a Limited Non Pro. My earnings were about $1,400. To be here 23 years later is just amazing.

“I always say I was very fortunate to have two families — I have the Family Vazquez, and the Family NRHA,” Vazquez added. “I’m very happy and very pleased to enjoy it.”

Doug Carpenter

Vazquez’ fellow inductee, Carpenter, passed away shortly before the 2020 NRHA Futurity. He is remembered as a mentor, a representative for the reining and the quintessential horseman. He sold and bought many horses that went on to have impressive careers thanks to his unmatched eye for horseflesh.

Carpenter was a Gold level donor to the RHF and helped reining become recognized on a global level. He also supported the NRHA Markel Futurity Sales and was one of the visionaries behind the NRHA Futurity Challenge, which has substantially increased the purse at the event. His numerous contributions to the sport will continue to impact the industry for years to come.

Charles Vaughan

Vaughan, a lawyer who won a landmark case in Indiana back in the 80s that resulted in laws preventing discrimination in the workplace against people with AIDS, has been involved with reining horses for years. He was instrumental in moving the NRHA Futurity from its home in Ohio to Oklahoma City. He has also owned and bred great horses over the years, including NRHA Hall of Fame mare Miss Tinseltown and Wimpys Show Stopper, an earner of more than $60,000.

Now 92, Vaughan still competes, even winning a bronze trophy at the age of 90. His character, generosity and enthusiasm for the sport helped make him the right choice for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

For more information on the Reining Horse Foundation, visit ReiningFoundation.com

In 2020, the National Reining Horse Association Markel Futurity Sales changed up the format of the sales by offering them all in a single day, rather than spreading them out throughout the week. That idea was so well-received that it was repeated again this year.

Held Thursday, Dec. 2, the sales took place in the Barn 3 area. The day started off with a breakfast sponsored by QStallions, followed by four sales back-to-back. New to the event this year was a phone app, a feature that greatly assisted potential buyers by providing information about each consignment and helping them follow along as each horse sold.

The sale saw record-breaking numbers this year with (unofficially) $5,520,900 garnered through the ring on 168 horses at an average of $32,683. The sold total of $5,142,900 (also unofficial) is a record over the highest year, 2007, as well.

NRHyA Stallion Auction

Breedings to 12 stallions were donated to the NRHyA Stallion Auction, the proceeds of which benefit NRHA’s youth. After the first 11 sold, the NRHyA had collected $25,000. Then, a surprise addition — a breeding to Spooks Gotta Whiz — was added, which sold for another $7,500. Overall, the youth raised $32,500.

Futurity Prospect Sale

Eight horses walked through the Futurity Prospect Sale, previously called the Prospect/Broodmare Sale. It was the final horse, hip no. 18, MMB Voodoo Gun, who came out the highest-seller when he sold for $101,000.

Consigned by St-Onge Reining Horses/Hostetler Performance Horses, MMB Voodoo Gun (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr x Silk Guns), a 2019 sorrel colt, was purchased by Breana Carsey and her family, including her parents, Deborah and Brian. The Carseys were excited to purchase the colt and couldn’t wait to get him back home to their trainer, Shawn Flarida.

“We liked his conformation, his size, his mind and his attitude,” Brian said. “Shawn liked him too, and we trust him. He’ll got to Springfield and start training for Shawn to ride.”

MM Voodoo Gun was in training with St-Onge Reining Horses at the time of his sale. His dam, Silk Guns, is an NRHA money-earner and American Quarter Horse Association point-earner. He is enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program and the National Reining Breeders Classic.

The second-highest seller, hip 7, brought $75,000. Nice Guy (Dun It For Whizkey x PS Katie Likes Cash) was consigned by G Reining Horses and sold to James Pirtle. The 2019 grey colt had been in training with Giada Camparsi and is enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program and the NRBC.

The hammer fell at $31,000 for third-highest seller Legend Shine, a 2019 palomino colt consigned by Steve Simon. By Custom Legend, the colt, who was hip 4, is out of Spinderella Whiz. Alicia Rapp purchased Legend Shine, who had 300 days of training by sale time. He is enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program and the NRBC.

Elite Yearling Sale

Previously called the Select Yearling Sale, this year’s Elite Yearling Sale had 72 consignments pass through the ring, an unofficial record. Averages were up drastically over the previous year, with an unofficial through the ring average of $43,861 and sold average of $46,841.

The top seller, who was also the highest-seller of the day, was hip no. 57, Deja Vue. Consigned by Toyon Ranch, LLC, the 2020 buckskin filly was purchased for $170,000 by Janice Laney.

Deja Vue’s dam, Dun Its Deja Vu, has produced earners of $254,000, including Gunner Dun It Again and NRHA Futurity Non Pro Reserve Champion Starbucks Finale. Her sire, Gunnatrashya, is an NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire. Deja Vue is enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program, the NRHA Euro Nomination Program and the NRBC.

Toyon Ranch also consigned the second-highest earner, hip 62. Stargunz, who is by NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Gunner and out of Miss Brim Star, brought a $160,000 bid from Bob Santagata. The 2020 sorrel colt is enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program, the NRHA Euro Nomination Program and the NRBC.

Toyon Ranch’s John and Nancy Tague were thrilled to have brought the two highest-sellers to the NRHA Futurity Sales.

“We appreciate the quality of the horses and buyers at the NRHA Sale, and we are pleased to be able to offer such a nice filly and nice colt,” John said. “You never know who is going to be high seller, and we’re just awfully pleased people supported the program.”

“We’re thankful to the customers that are always here being so supportive,” Nancy added. “It means everything to us. It’s incredible, and we know they’re always going to go to good homes when people buy from here. We’re really thrilled.”

Two horses, both consigned by Silver Spurs Equine, LLC, tied for the third-highest bids, each bringing $150,000. The first, hip 60, SS ET Fone Home, a 2020 sorrel colt (Epic Titan x Electric Cha Ching), was purchased by Hotel Boulevard Gestion/ Daniel Bouchard. He is enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program and the NRBC.

The second horse bringing a $150,000 sale price was SS Walk Tall, hip 68. The 2020 palomino colt, who is by NRHA Twelve Million Sire Wimpys Little Step and out of Cremes Chic Olena, was purchased by 100X Equine. He is also enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program and the NRBC.

Preferred Breeders Sale

In its second year, the Preferred Breeders Sale, formerly called the Select Breeders Sale, saw a new record for through the ring and sold. Twenty-nine horses walked through the ring, and 27 sold.

Hip no. 114, Magic Gunna Happen, brought a bid of $75,000 to top the sale. The 2015 chestnut overo stallion, who is double-registered, was consigned by Baruch Reining Horses, Agent for Misty Valley Performance Horses, LLC. The earner of $26,633 placed eighth in the NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open in 2018 and was the 2021 American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Senior Reining World Champion. He earned his APHA ROM in reining and had 15 points.

Four Star Quarter Horses purchased Magic Gunna Happen, and new owner Emily Patton couldn’t wait to try him out.

“We’ve had our eye on him for a little bit, and he finally came up for sale. Shawn [Flarida] was like, you guys have to get him,” Patton said. “My mare has come to the end of her time in the pen, so it was perfect timing. I’m so excited to start with him.

“I love the way he stops, and I watched him at the Paint World,” Patton continued. “He has this presence about him when he goes in, and it’s so fun to watch and show.”

Patton said they planned to collect the horse, who is by Gunnatrashya and out of Nu Magic Cash, and then geld him so she could show him in the 2022 derbies in the Youth.

Another Toyon Ranch consignment, Fresh Squeezed Juice, brought $66,000 as the second-highest seller in the Preferred Breeders Sale. Hip 115, a 2011 buckskin mare, sold bred to Spooks Gotta Whiz.

By Four Million Dollar Sire Smart Like Juice, Fresh Squeezed Juice is out of Princess In Diamonds, an NRHA Million Dollar Dam. She was purchased by Eric Feder. Her 2021 filly, who is by Gunnatrashya, was also purchased by Feder for $15,500.

Hip 109, Gunnersspecialsister (Gunner x Mifs Doll), was the third-highest seller when she brought a bid of $60,000 from Tom McCutcheon. The 2013 sorrel mare, who is a full sister to NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Gunners Special Nite, was consigned by The Ranch Equine, Agent for BMW Quarter Horses. She is an NRHA earner of $31,274.

Gunnersspecialsister sold open but sound to carry her own foals. She is enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program, NRHA Euro Nomination Program and NRBC.

Premier Sale

Previously called the Marketplace Sale, the Premier Sale finished out the day at the NRHA Futurity with its second-best sale since 2007. Hip 181, Boon Lite Whiz, sold for the highest amount during the sale, bringing a bid of $74,000 from Jamie Walters for consignor Cooper Smith, Agent.

The 2020 bay roan overo colt, who is double-registered, is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Peptos Little Dancer, a daughter of Peptoboonsmal.

“I’m very proud to bring a little cow horse to the reining world, and I think that’s what we’ve done here,” Walters said. “This horse was highly recommended, and we’ve been watching him for a while. Wade McDonald will be starting and training him. Wade was very fond of him, and I wanted to help Wade, so I got the horse.”

Hip 168, Shooting In The Rein (Guns R For Shootin x Singing In The Rein), brought the second-highest bid when the hammer fell at $52,000. Lynn Krekeler bought the 2020 red dun filly, who was consigned by Humphrey Quarter Horses, Inc.

Shooting In The Rein’s registration was pending with the APHA. She is enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program, the NRBC and The Invitational.

Rounding out the top three in the Premier Sale was hip 178, Frozen Melody, who brought a bid of $40,000. Consigned by Cinder Lakes Ranch, Agent for TBR Ranch, LLC, the 2020 dun filly was purchased by La Coma Ranch. By SG Frozen Enterprize and out of Wimpys Lil Melody, she is enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program, NRHA Euro Nomination Program and the NRBC.

Pictures by Jennifer Horton

Riders not advancing to the finals had the option of entering the $1,000 Added Honorable Mention Futurity, and Ruffinol and Nicole Renick were victorious. The pair marked a 217.5 to top the class and get a bit of redemption.

“We struggled this week in our left turnaround, but today he was on fire for it. We might have a little bit of an overturn, but I would rather have that than him not turn well,” Renick said. “He felt really good today. He was locked in everywhere and circled really good for me. He always stops really big and strong, and he was just with me all the way.”

Ruffinol is by NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Sire Not Ruf At All and out of One Eye Chiccy. With Renick at the reins, the stallion has won more than $7,000. The Honorable Mention Futurity win added almost $500 to that total. Owned by Steven Sandvig, Ruffinol was bred and nominated by Myron Gomulak

“Today I just wanted to have a good, clean run. I know he can go and mark like we did today, so I just wanted that smooth run, and that’s exactly what we did,” Renick said. “We’re going to just take him home and get him ready for the derbies. Our next stop is the Cactus Classic in March.”

Taking second in the Honorable Mention Futurity was Tristan Bagby and Xtra Voodoo Me with a 211. Xtra Voodoo Me, by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr out of Call Me Miss Hickory, has won more than $10,000 in competition. The stallion, owned by Ky Lake Trailer Sales Inc., was nominated by Silver Spurs Equine.  

Complete results from the NRHA Futurity can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.

The field has been narrowed, and the scene is set for the 2021 National Reining Horse Association Futurity Open finals, to be held Saturday, Dec. 4. More than 396 entries have been whittled down to the cream of the crop, and it’s almost time to see who will come out on top.

The Open first go took place Nov. 25-27, and the top horses from each level advanced to the semi-finals. Levels 3, 2 and 1 went through the pen on Tuesday, Nov. 30, and on Wednesday, the L4 Open semi-finals, presented by Not Ruf At All, featured the top 75 horses, plus ties. From there, the top 30 competitors (plus ties) with the highest composite scores in L4-1, plus the top 10 in the Prime Time, advanced to the clean-slate Finals.

This year, the Level 4 Open exhibitors will be competing for a record-breaking $350,000 during the MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Futurity Finals — the largest limited-age event championship check in the Western performance horse industry. The Reserve Champion will still win a guaranteed $150,000, and third place will bank $100,000. Those places make up a large chunk of the NRHA Futurity’s $2,000,000 purse, made available thanks in large part to NRHA Futurity Challenge sponsors and the NRHA nomination program.

Topping the L4 semi-finals and securing their spot in the finals with a composite 445.5 were NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida and Shiner On My Eye. The duo marked a 223.5 in the first round and a 222 in the semi-finals. Shiner On My Eye, by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Flashy Lil Step, is owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Robert Santagata. The colt was bred and nominated by Empire Ranch. Flarida and Shiner On My Eye also top the Prime Time Open.

Flarida, a five-time NRHA Futurity Champion, also took second in the L4 semi-finals on Alpha Jac Sparrow (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Chexanicki) with a 445. Alpha Jac Sparrow, owned by Fritz Leeman, was bred and nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC.

In the L3 Open, Matt McDowell rode Xtra Whiz On Ice, owned by Elisha Irwin, to the highest composite, a 442. Xtra Whiz On Ice, by SG Frozen Enterprise and out of Lil Ruf Whiz Qhiz, scored a 221 in the first go and a 221 in the semi-finals. Silver Spurs Equine bred and nominated Xtra Whiz On Ice.

Jesse Beckley held the top spot in the L2 Open on Trashinyurdreams, owned by Norma Siebert. Trashinyurdreams, who was nominated by Rhodes River Ranch, was sired by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya and is out of This Chicsdundreamin. The pair scored a 220 in the first go, which combined with their 220 in the semi-finals for a composite 440.

Shining Like Flinn, owned by Pastorino Hay & Ranch Supply and nominated by Mary Jansma, carried Wade McDonald to the No. 1 placing in the L1 with a 432.5 after marking a 216.5 in the first go and a 216 in the semi-finals. Shining Like Flinn is by In Like Flinn and out of Lil Shining Suzana.

The bubble needed to earn a berth in the L4 Open Finals was a 437.5. In the L3, it took a 433.5 to advance. L2 riders had to mark at least a 425.5, while in the L1, it took a 415 or more. To make the Top 10 in the Prime Time Open, riders needed to earn at least a 435.

Although the preliminary round of the National Reining Horse Association CINCH Non Pro Futurity concluded Monday evening, 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.

Ruben Pacheco Cuevas and Shiners Catrey topped the CINCH Level 4 and Level 3 Non Pro Consolation with a 216.5. Shiners Catrey is by Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Ellie Rey Cat.

Finishing with the high score in the Level 2 Non Pro was Megan Jo Gunther and GT Dun Good (Gunners Tinseltown x Rio Dun Good) with a 212.5.

Marking the high score of the Level 1 was Calla Thomas and her horse Lilymay Cash (Lil Joe Cash x Great Red Juice) with a 210.5.

Bubble scores to advance to the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finals on Friday, Dec. 3 from the Consolation were a 213 for the Level 4, 209.5 for the Level 3, 207 for the Level 2, and 208 for the Level 1.

Draw positions for the finals will be decided during the Platinum Performance Draw Party on Thursday at 9 a.m. in the Platinum Zone.

Section two of the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Prime Time Non Pro ancillary classes wrapped up Wednesday morning, and the leaders from the previous night held for the win. Sarah Armenta and Morris Kulmer each added more titles to an already successful showing.
 
Armenta, who topped the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro on Hangin On The Line (Shine On Line x Spooks Hangten), won the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro titles with her score of 222. She collected $1,864 from the Non Pro and another $1,270 from the Intermediate Non Pro with her Mary Jansma-bred mare.
 
After winning the NAAC Prime Time Non Pro title with NVR What A Lucky Joe (Lil Joe Cash x What A Lucky Hit), who was bred by Gary Vickrey, Kulmer’s score of 218.5 also took the Prime Time Non Pro title. He banked a check worth $232.
 
Section one of the Adequan® NAAC Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year, which includes the prelims for the Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Showdown; Adequan® NAAC Rookie L2, including the prelims for the Bob’s Custom Saddles Showdown; Adequan® NAAC Rookie Prime Time; and the ancillary Rookie Level 1, Rookie Level 2 and Prime Time Rookie will take place Thursday, Dec. 2 starting at 7 a.m.
 
Complete results can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.

The sixth day of the National Reining Horse Association Futurity wrapped up on Tuesday, Nov. 30, with the first section of the Open Semi-Finals for Levels 3, 2 and 1. The finalists for all levels of the Open will be determined during Wednesday’s Level 4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All. The top 30 composite scores from the go-round and semi-finals, including ties, will advance to the clean-slate finals on Saturday, Dec. 4.
 
There, the Open Champion, who will be decided during the MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Finals, will be awarded a check for $350,000 – the largest in the Association’s history.
 
Holding the No. 1 spot in the L3 Open are Flinn Got Sandy and Peter DeFreitas, who had a 435 composite after marking a 216.5 in the first go and a 218.5 in the second. Flinn Got Sandy (In Like Flinn x Ritas Sandy Jo) is owned by Molly Morgenstern and was nominated by Double Run Farm.
 
Leading the L2 Open are Lil Voodoo, who is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Little Gun, and Tanner Boyes. The duo scored a 214.5 in the first go and a 219 in the second for a 433.5 composite. Lil Voodoo was nominated by Equine Plus and is owned by White River Ag Products.
 
The high score in the L1 so far belongs to Shining Like Flinn and Wade McDonald. The horse (In Like Flinn x Lil Shining Suzana), who is owned by Pastorino Hay and Ranch Supply and was nominated by Mary Jansma, marked a 216.5 in go one and a 216 in go two for a 432.5 composite.
 
The high score of today’s Prime Time Open was a 217 (with handicap), which was posted by Patrice St-Onge riding Mabnum Shining Gun (Colonel Shining Gun x Miss Magnum Pine). The pair also leads the composite with a 436.5 after scoring a 213.5 in the first go. The gelding is owned by St-Onge Reining Horses and was nominated by Marc Andre Bourbeau.
 
The L4 Open qualifiers will compete on Wednesday, Dec. 2, during the Semi-Finals, sponsored by Not Ruf At All. The top 30, plus ties, will earn a place in the MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Futurity Finals, to be held Dec. 4. There the L4 Open Champion will win $350,000 – the largest Championship payout in NRHA history.
 
For complete results, visit NRHAFuturity.com.

The 2021 National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship continued on Tuesday, Nov. 30, with the first section of the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Prime Time Non Pro finals. Two champions were crowned in the NAAC, while section two, consisting of the remainder of the ancillary riders, is scheduled to continue on Wednesday.

Sarah Armenta Lands NAAC Non Pro and NAAC Intermediate Non Pro Titles on Hangin On The Line

Sixty-six horses and riders ran for the NAAC Non Pro title on Tuesday, but it was Sarah Armenta on board Hangin On The Line (Shine On Line x Spooks Hangten) who bested the crowd when they scored a 222. The pair also won the NAAC Intermediate Non Pro, garnering a total check worth $8,671.

While those were impressive feats in their own rights, what made the duo’s success even sweeter was the fact that the mare is a roping horse belonging to Armenta’s family. It was only by accident that Armenta discovered “Gunny’s” talent in the reining pen.

Gunny was started by Robbie Berti as a 2-year-old, and she had a little reining training then. Unfortunately, an injury, which kept her from changing leads to the right, quickly dashed any show pen dreams. The Armentas purchased her and used her as a rope horse ever since, until one fateful day.

“One day I was bored and I didn’t want to ride my stud, so I got on her and I started turning her,” Armenta said. “She turned very fast with not even practicing at all, and I called my dad and I said, ‘Can you come up to the arena?’

“He watched me turn her each way, and I said, ‘Can I show her?’” Armenta continued. “We put her in training with Robbie Berti, and I went to my first show at Lazy E in May.”

Since then, the duo has excelled, garnering nearly $9,000. Armenta said the mare, who recovered from her original injury and has no problems changing leads, is great at all the maneuvers. The pair competed the day prior in the Novice Horse Non Pro, placing third in the NAAC and ancillary Levels 2 and 1, and taking Reserve in the Level 3.

Thanks to their win in the NAAC Intermediate Non Pro, the duo will compete again on Friday, Dec. 3, in the Bob’s Custom Saddles NAAC Intermediate Non Pro Showdown. For Armenta, qualifying for that event was the icing on the cake of a great event for the mare.

“Obviously you want to win every class you go in, but to win it on a horse like this, when no one expects a roper to go be a reiner, it’s a big deal,” Armenta said. “I cried. It was a big deal to me to win on such a cool mare.

“After we show again on Friday, we plan on sending her down the road for the NFR [National Finals Rodeo],” she added, thanking her parents, Kathleen and Lorenzo; Berti; and everybody in the barn. “We don’t know who we want to ride her yet, but that’s our goal. Then, after one year of the NFR, she’ll be turned out and have babies.”

The top 10 finishers of the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Non Pro earn a spot in the clean-slate Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown, which will be held Friday, Dec. 3. All qualifiers must check in and confirm their spot in the Showdown no later than noon on Dec. 2.
Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown Qualifiers:

• Hangin On The Line & Sarah Armenta
• The Crowd Goes Wildd & Rebecca Asmussen           
• Roseswhiz & Raeanna Thayn
• Neverthoughtiwould & Tiffany Peterson
• Magnum Starlight & Paige Vernon
• Lil Gunin Whiz & Brooke Leneatha Whitmarsh
• Tinker With Pistols & Abby Mills
• Gunnadream & Abby Budd
• North Sail Solitaire & Jade Whitmarsh
• Lil Red Dreamer & Faith Horner

Morris Kulmer and NVR What A Lucky Joe Clinch NAAC Prime Time Non Pro

Two years ago, Morris Kulmer rode NVR What A Lucky Joe to the 2019 NAAC Prime Time Non Pro Championship with a 215. This year, he upped the ante even more with a 218.5, winning the title yet again and $1,956. While he gave a nod to his horse for being so good in the show pen, he said a lot of the credit went to his granddaughter, Alexandra, who he calls “Rosie.”

“One of my mental training coaches is my 16-year-old granddaughter,” Kulmer said. “She’s a competitive tennis player, and she tells me a lot. I generally run off a 50-amp fuse, so I’m kind of amped up, so she tells me to breathe and slow down. She asked me, ‘You expect to win, don’t you?’ I said, ‘Should I?’ She said, ‘Absolutely. If you just hope you’re going to win, that’s not going to work. You have to expect it.’ So, I take lessons from her.”

Rosie’s advice helped, as Kulmer was able to put together what he called an “OK” run — not his best, but certainly not his worst. Some parts were exceptionally good, he said, and some could have been better.

“The run-in today was really good,” Kulmer said. “The one thing about this horse, all year long, in every show he’s been in, there has not been one set of circles left or right that he didn’t get a plus from every judge he’s shown in front of. He circles as good as any horse on the grounds here.”

“Joey,” (Lil Joe Cash x What A Lucky Hit) who will be 8 in 2022, has officially aged out of the derbies, but he went out on a good note, winning the Level 4 Non Pro at the California Reining Horse Association Challenge Derby and Stakes prior to heading to the NAAC. Kulmer hopes to show him in some of the maturities in the future, while his wife, Merrily, plans to use him as her new trail horse at the couple’s ranch in Utah. Whichever path the horse takes, Kulmer is grateful to have had the chance to ride him the last few years.

“It was bittersweet because I know he won’t be able to derby again,” Kulmer said. “I’d like to put him in one of those time capsules so I can back him up to be a 3-year-old again.

“It’s pretty special to win a title in the NAAC,” Kulmer added. “Everybody from all the affiliates around the country is trying to get in there. It means a whole lot. I think that’s the area of the industry that will continue to grow because the numbers are amazing. They’re going to keep on coming, and that’s a really good thing.”

Complete results can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.

With Monday’s classes in the books, the 2021 National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship has passed the halfway point. The Adequan® NAAC titles have grown over the years to be one of the most prestigious awards a reiner can win, with competitors traveling hundreds of miles to compete at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

Jose Vazquez Wins NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 & 2 Co-Championship on Rock It Sassy Girl

Jose Vazquez and Rock It Sassy Girl laid down an impressive run in the Adequan® Arena, marking a 220 to tie for the win of the NAAC Novice Horse Levels 1 and 2. They also tied for the win of the ancillary Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 1 and 2, and won Level 3 outright, bringing the day’s earnings to $5,064.

Vazquez also won a saddle from Continental Saddlery, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, product from Dr. Joe Carter, Platinum Performance and Classic Equine, and a gift certificate for Bluebonnet Feed.

“It means a lot to me to win here. I don’t have a lot of opportunities to come here and show. This is probably the second or third time for me to show in the NAAC because I usually just bring Futurity horses,” Vazquez, who will be inducted to NRHA’s Hall of Fame on Wednesday night, explained. “So to come out here and win is great. The competition is people from everywhere, and I knew it wouldn’t be easy.”

Rock It Sassy Girl, a 4-year-old mare, has a pedigree most any reining enthusiast would be proud to have. She’s by NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire and former NRHA Futurity Champion Wimpys Little Step, and out of another former Futurity Champion Shining N Sassy.

“I felt bad because I missed the Futurity finals last year on her by just a little bit. I felt bad I didn’t because she is good enough to be there, and it’s one of those things I wish I could have a second chance with,” Vazquez admitted. “We showed today and she was very good. To come to a show like this and win with 100-something horses is awesome. I am really happy with myself and for my family to be here with me.”

Vazquez made sure to mention the people who have helped him. “I thank all of my family, my trainer who has been excellent with all my horses, and my NRHA family,” he said. “I am very happy my whole family is here and I have a trophy to show the kids that grandpa can be ok sometimes.”

Kyla Thurlow and Double Guns Tonite Claim NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 & 2 Co-Championship

Kyla Thurlow and Double Guns Tonite won the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 title in 2020. The duo returned to the Adequan® Arena to defend their title, marked a 220, and ended as co-champions of the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 1 and 2!

The pair also finished as co-champions of the ancillary Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 1 and 2, for earnings totaling $4,373. They won prizes including a saddle from Continental Saddlery, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, product from Dr. Joe Carter, Platinum Performance and Classic Equine, and a gift certificate for Bluebonnet Feed. In addition, Thurlow had signed up for the Adequan® 500, so she took home the $500 for both NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro classes!

“This is probably the best she’s shown for me in a long time,” Thurlow shared. “She was super quiet. She turned good and was with me in the circles, and she stopped great. It seems like the NAAC classes here are getting bigger every year, which is great. It means there are a lot more people, and makes you feel even better when you do well.”

Double Guns Tonite is a 5-year-old mare by Top Gun Tonite out of Gunners Dazey. “My favorite thing about her is she’s just like a gelding. She’s big and pretty. She’s sweet and a little sensitive like a mare but doesn’t hold a grudge and she’s just the same every day. She always tries.”

Thurlow also piloted her other entry, Kachina Olena Tag, to a top five finish in the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2.

Thurlow rides with NRHA Professionals Mark and Shannon Rafacz. “I thank Mark and Shannon for sure. I Live in Massachusetts and I do a lot of catch riding, and I never have to worry about my horses because they’re always prepped when I get here. That says a lot about their program that someone can just show up, ride, and have the success that I have had,” she said. “Of course, I thank my barn family. We have a big group here and everyone was cheering. Then of course I thank my mom and dad who were cheering from afar.”

Complete results can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.