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When the National Reining Horse Association events office posted the draw order for the 2021 Futurity on NRHAFuturity.com, reining fans quickly clicked and studied the list. While numerous new names were smattered throughout the draw, the list was full of legendary names, not only for the riders but also for the horses, in the breeding as well as in the owners and nominators.

This breakdown focuses on the Open Futurity; the next will take a hard look at the Non Pro Futurity.

The Riders:

In the Open Futurity, 20 of the 34 riders who have passed $1 million in lifetime earnings are competing this year. NRHA’s two leading riders, Shawn Flarida and Andrea Fappani, both have three horses entered. The two competitors each boast earnings well over six million.

Craig Schmersal, the only other rider to have surpassed four million in lifetime earnings is entered in the event with three horses.

Other NRHA Million and Multi-Million Dollar Riders entered in the Open Futurity are:

• $2 Million Rider Duane Latimer (2)
• $2 Million Rider Tom McCutcheon (2)
• $2 Million Rider Jordan Larson (3)
• $2 Million Rider Brian Bell (3)
• $2 Million Rider Jason Vanlandingham (2)
• $2 Million Rider Casey Deary (3)
• Cody Sapergia (1)
• Franco Bertolani (3)
• Dean Brown (1)
• Cade McCutcheon (3)
• Matt Mills (3)
• Martin Muehlstaetter (2)
• Dany Tremblay (3)

Thanks to the dedication of Futurity Challenge Sponsors, the Level 4 Open Champion will win a historic $350,000, while second and third places will take home $150,000 and $100,000, respectively. That means it’s likely there will be even more millionaires made in the Jim Norick Coliseum.

Open riders within $350,000 of their next – or first – million who are competing in Oklahoma City include:

• Jordan Larson
• Tom McCutcheon
• Nathan Piper
• Justin Mathison
• Martin Larcombe
• Casey Hinton
• Arno Honstetter
• Marco Ricotta
• Trevor Dare
• Gabe Hutchins
• Tracer Gilson
• Matt Palmer
• Jimmy van der Hoeven
• Mike Flarida
• Brian Welman
• Robin Schoeller

Former NRHA Open Futurity Champion riders competing this year are: Mike Flarida, Andrea Fappani, Shawn Flarida, Duane Latimer, Jordan Larson, Casey Deary, Jason Vanlandingham, Craig Schmersal, and Cade McCutcheon.

The Owners:

NRHA’s second leading owner with $2.1 million, Rosanne Sternberg, has one horse entered, while third-leading owner Rancho Oso Rio has two. NRHA’s newest $2 Million Owner, Smart Like Juice, also has an entry for this year’s event.

The only Million Dollar Owner to compete as an owner in this year’s Open Futurity is NRHA Million Dollar Rider Tom McCutcheon, who will exhibit a horse he owns with his wife, fellow Million Dollar Owner and $2 Million Rider Mandy McCutcheon.

Three of the four owners who surpassed one million in earnings in 2021 are represented this year. Casey Hinton has four entries, while Robert Santagata has six. Vaughn Zimmerman, who is less than $5,000 from joining the $2 Million Owner club, has two.

McCutcheon and Vazquez, a 2021 NRHA Hall of Fame inductee, pull double-duty as Million Dollar Owners. Other Million Dollar Owners competing in the Non Pro Futurity are David Silva, Sr., Tish Fappani, and Andre De Bellefeuille, and $2 Million Dollar Owner Lance Griffin. 

In the Blood

Twenty-two of NRHA’s Million and Multi-Million Dollar Stallions have offspring competing in the Open Futurity, including all three $12 Million Sires (Gunner, Topsail Whiz, and Wimpys Little Step).

Gunnatrashya, a $5 Million Sire, has the most foals competing, with 46 (34 in L3, 22 in L2, and 8 in L1). Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr is close behind with 29 (24 in L3, 19 in L2, and 9 in L1). Tied with 27 entries are Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz (20 in L3, 13 in L2, and 7 in L1) and Inferno Sixty Six (22 in L3, 15 in L2, and 6 in L1).

Million Dollar Dams Dun It For Chex (2) and Wimpys Little Chic (1) are also represented.

Aforementioned Not Ruf At All, Spooks Gotta Whiz, and Wimpys Little Chic are part of an elite group of four horses to have won the three NRHA “majors” in the United States. They all have foals vying for victory in the first leg of the trifecta.

Hall of Fame members with competing foals include Gunner, Topsail Whiz, Smart Chic Olena, Wimpys Little Chic, Wimpys Little Step, Smart Spook, Magnum Chic Dream, Smart Like Juice, and Dun It For Chex.

Former Open Futurity Champions with offspring entered are Wimpys Little Step, Smart Spook, Taris Designer Genes, Wimpys Little Chic, Gunnatrashya, Spooks Gotta Whiz, Lil Joe Cash, Americasnextgunmodel, Not Ruf At All, and Shine N Spook.

Other entries with notable full siblings include:

• My Special Sidekick (Gunners Special Nite x A Shining Sidekick), ridden by Josh Tishman
  • Full sibling to 2020 L4 Non Pro Champion Shining At Nite, ridden by Mandy McCutcheon
• Plain Genes (SG Frozen Enterprize x Taris Designer Genes), ridden by Joao Felipe Lacerda
  • Full sibling to 2018 L4 Non Pro Champion Icecube, ridden by Tish Fappani
• KR Dream Maker (Magnum Chic Dream x Gunner Git Ya Dun), ridden by Kole Price
  • Full sibling to 2020 L4 Open third place earner,  Thee American Dream, ridden by Andrea Fappani
• Starstruck Gunner (Gunners Special Nite x Chic Olena Starbuck), ridden by Kaci O’Rourke
  • Full sibling to 2019 L4 Open Reserve Champion Guns And Dynamite, ridden by Cade McCutcheon
• Dont Stop Believen (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Myo Starlight), ridden by Spence Bell
  • Full sibling to 2016 L4 Open Champion Spooky Whiz, ridden by Andrea Fappani

There are also five sets of full siblings in the Open draw.

• Guns R For Shootin x TC West Coast Wendi
  • West Coast Shootin ridden by Cass Fox
  • Wendis Dun Shootin ridden by Michael Davis
• Gunners Special Nite x Belle Starr Dun It
  • Gunners Lucky Starr ridden by Troy Heikes
  • Delta Nite Blues ridden by Jason Torpey
  • Gunners Nite Train ridden by Tom McCutcheon
• Not Ruf At All x Surprise Easter Kid
  • One Ruf Kid ridden by Jason Vanlandingham
  • One Ruf Surprise ridden by Gabriel Borges
• Magnum Chic Dream x Big Gold Chex
  • Chics Get The Chex ridden by Casey Hinton
  • Dreaminof Big Chex ridden by Benjamin Beckett
• Magnum Chic Dream x Lil Donna
  • Lovely Little Chic ridden by Carol Metcalf
  • Magnum Charmer ridden by Colin Fitzpatrick

Notable 2021 Futurity Horses in the Draw:

There are several noteworthy winners from this year who will surely be on everyone’s must-watch list.

Excessive Rufness, by NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Sire Not Ruf At All out of Smokin Lady Gunner, tops the leading horses list for 2021 with earnings of $110,909. Excessive Rufness, trained and shown by Jason Vandlandingham, is owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Vaughn Zimmerman.

Winding Inferno is the second highest-money earning 3-year-old this year. The colt, by Inferno Sixty Six out of Wind Her Up Chic, won the Level 4 Open Futurity at the High Roller Reining Classic this fall with Andrea Fappani at the reins. Earlier in the year, Winding Inferno, owned by Teton Ridge, took reserve honors at the Invitational, which was held at the North American Reining Stakes.

Other noteworthy major event champions include:

• No Photos (Shine Chic Shine x Stop Like A Dream), Best of the West Level 4 Open Futurity Co-Champion
• Mr Farenheit (Magnum Chic Dream x Wimpy Little Girl), Best of the West Level 4 Open Futurity Co-Champion
• Starlight Flinn (In Like Flinn x Baby Red Gaylena), All American Quarter Horse Congress Level 4 Open Futurity Champion
• Malibu Riptide (Gunnatrashya x Malibu Whiz), Tulsa Reining Classic Level 4 Open Champion
• Live N On A Prayer (In Like Flinn x Americasnextgunmodel), SWRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Co-Champion
• TR Voodoo Doll (Shiners Voodooo Dr x Wallawhizagun), Low Roller Reining Classic Level 4 Open Champion

Other Notable Stats

The 2021 Open Futurity will be the largest in history, and three of the levels show a substantial increase in entries from the previous year. Current entry numbers are listed below.

• Open Level 4 – 395 (Up from 351 in 2020)
• Open Level 3 – 311 (Up from 280 in 2020)
• Open Level 2 – 236 (Up from 212 in 2020)
• Open Level 1 – 124 (Down from 131 in 2020)
• Open Prime Time – 40 (Same as 2020)

There are 32 NRHA Markel Futurity Sale graduates competing in the Open this year, with 27 in the Level 3, 23 in the Level 2, 13 in Level 1, and three in the Prime Time. The 2019 Marketplace Sale High Seller, Xtra Half N Half, is one of the 32 and will be shown by NRHA Million Dollar Rider Matt Mills.

In the battle of boys vs. girls, the stallions win. In the Open Futurity, 203 of the entries are stallions, 150 are mares, and the remaining 42 are geldings.

The majority of horses entered in this year’s Open Futurity, 370, are registered with the American Quarter Horse Association, while 21 are in the American Paint Horse Association. Four horses did not have the breed listed.

Winning the historic $350,000 Level 4 Open Championship is a three-step process. All Open entries compete in a first round, with the top 75 (plus ties) advancing to the Not Ruf At All Level 4 Open Semi-Finals round on Dec. 1. There, the top 30 (plus ties) move on to the clean-slate MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Futurity Finals on Dec. 4.

Open riders in Levels 1, 2, and 3 who are in the top 75 of their levels (but not in the top 75 of the Level 4) will compete in the Semi-Finals Round on Nov. 30. The top 30 in each of those levels (plus ties) will earn a spot in the first section of the Open Finals on Dec. 4.

The 2021 $426,264 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity Opened Today With the Non Pro Qualifier

The 2021 $426,264 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity Open Go Round

2021 $426,264 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity Open Finalists Determined: Czechowicz and CSG Wisemanfear Fly to the Top Composite Score

2021 $426,264 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Non Pro Futurity Finals: Nogue Puig and Simple The Best 66 Are The Champions

Visit irha.it for more!

Riders Ready to Show At the 2021 NRHA European Futurity

Baeck and Americasnextcovrgirl Lead the NRHA European Futurity Open Go Round

Top Score for Blessing and Smart Spook Surprise in the NRHA European Futurity Non Pro Go Round

Midili and GD Peptos Olena Blue Win the NRHA European Open Futurity; Maas Claims the L3, L2 and L1 Open titles with Arnels Spat Olena

NRHA European Futurity Non Pro Champions: Blessing and Smart Spook Surprise Leave the Best for Last

See more at nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com

2021 NRHA European Derby Non Pro Finals: De Iulio and RS Cronos Jac Soar to Top Honors

2021 NRHA European Open Derby: It’s A Win for Czechowicz and Frozen Shining Gun

NRHA European Derby Ancillary Action in Lyon

Verschueren and Smart Little Ruffle Lead the 2021 NRHA European Derby Non Pro Qualifier

Cira Baeck and Phantom Face Lead the NRHA European Open Derby Qualifier

2021 NRHA European Derby

As horses and riders prepare for the 2021 edition of the European Derby, APHA’s Chrome Cash Incentive Program makes its European debut in Lyon

Exciting opportunities are available at the 2021 National Reining Horse Association Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championships but are only available to exhibitors who first qualify through an Affiliate Regional Championship.

Exhibitors competing in select divisions at the Adequan^® NAAC can earn the chance to perform center stage in the Jim Norick Coliseum thanks to an exciting sponsorship addition from NRHA Corporate Partners Bob’s Custom Saddles and Toyon Ranch. The two Corporate Partners have expanded their sponsorship to include a bonus round for four classes.

The Bob’s Custom Saddles Showdowns will be offered for the Intermediate Non Pro, Intermediate Open, and Rookie Level 2 and the Toyon Ranch Showdown will be offered for Rookie 1, also known as Rookie of the Year. The NAAC classes will be held in the Adequan^® Arena as normal with entries competing for 2021 Adequan^® NAAC titles. The top 10 for each class (plus ties) will advance to the clean-slate Showdowns in the Coliseum Arena, where they will compete for additional cash prizes.

To compete for these titles, it is critical that riders enter the respective classes at an Affiliate Regional Championship and score higher than a zero to qualify to enter Oklahoma City. NAAC hopefuls must specifically enter the ARC class, not just the ancillary version. Riders do not need to have an affiliate designation to enter, they just must be a member of an affiliate. The South Central Region ARC kicks off the qualifying season at the Tulsa Reining Classic on August 29, and the full list of ARCs can be found on the NRHA website.

A staggering $10,000 will be awarded during the Showdowns for each class. This means that, for no additional entry fee, the Bob’s Custom Saddles and Toyon Ranch Showdown Champions will win $5,000, the reserve champion will take home $2,500, third will receive $1,500, and fourth will earn $1,000. Money won in the Showdown will be considered Category 7 affiliate earnings.

“The reining industry is blessed with many generous sponsors, and Bob’s Custom Saddles and Toyon Ranch are two of the best. Their vision is to grow reining beginning with specific NAAC divisions while benefiting the industry as a whole,” noted Senior Director of Corporate Relations and Communications, Sammi Miller.

The Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro and Intermediate Open Showdowns will be held in the Jim Norick Friday, Dec. 3, and the Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie 2 Showdown and Toyon Ranch Rookie 1 Showdown will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4.

For more information about qualification for or about the Adequan^® NAAC, visit https://bit.ly/2021NAACQualification.

Adequan® NAAC Showdown Conditions

Teton Ridge Named Title Sponsor for The Run For A Million

Emerging western heritage brand invests in reining’s most prestigious event with the goal of keeping the values and traditions of western horsemanship alive

The richest event in reining has a new title sponsor, Teton Ridge. The company is determined to not only help grow the sport of reining, but to preserve, protect, and ensure the future of sports born of America’s most iconic way of life. Beyond the brand’s title sponsorship, Teton Ridge will also sponsor and present the $150,000 Invitational Fence Work Challenge for open bridle horse competitors.

Created by visionary entrepreneur Thomas Tull, Teton Ridge is an authentic western brand with a long-term vision that will focus on everything from performance horse breeding and training, to western apparel and gear, to hosting western experiences and events.

The Teton Ridge sponsorship of The Run For A Million marks the first collaborative effort for Tull and the driving force behind The Run For A Million, Hollywood’s western storyteller, Taylor Sheridan.

“Teton Ridge is uniquely positioned to bring awareness and excitement to our sport and the western performance horse world in general,” said Sheridan. “Teton Ridge’s title sponsorship of The Run For A Million speaks to that commitment, and our joint ventures in the future will continue to spread the excitement TRFAM has started.”

“Taylor and I share common vision when it comes to riding disciplines which have grown from the life and culture of the American West,” said Tull. “There’s an integrity, honesty, and purity to these sports that represent the unique heritage of our nation.”

Teton Ridge’s sponsorship of TRFAM underscores the brand’s mission to preserve the traditions and values of the West, while celebrating the athleticism and spirit of the men and women who compete in western equine sports every day.

The second annual TRFAM, which was postponed in 2020 due to COVID concerns, happens in Las Vegas from August 18th through the 21st, at the famed South Point Arena and Equestrian Center.

About Teton Ridge
Teton Ridge is a multi-platform brand devoted to the iconic American Western way of life and western equine sports. Teton Ridge will create a team of elite equine riders from multiple disciplines, invest in the breeding and training of the most sought-after pedigrees in the quarter horse industry and engage audiences to elevate and expand western equine sports through innovative technology. Additionally, Teton Ridge operates a philanthropic foundation that provides invaluable funding for land stewardship, fosters community by preserving the American West’s cultural heritage, and ensures the future of ranching and riding sports. For more information about Teton Ridge, please visit tetonridge.com or @tetonridge on Instagram @tetonridgeusa on Facebook.

Contacts:
Katie Harvey
KGBTexas Communications
katie@kgbtexas.com
(210) 410-1139 (mobile)

Cody Shown
KGBTexas Communications
codys@kgbtexas.com
(210) 913-2639 (mobile)

The National Reining Horse Association is not responsible for the information contained in this press release. Please contact the author or submitting organization for further information, requests, or questions.

The final day of competition at the Four Sixes National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel saw full classes in both the Jim Norick Coliseum and Adequan® Arena. In addition to the class titles, high point Montana Silversmiths buckles were also presented to the high point exhibitors who competed in both slates of classes.

Natalie Vargo and Surpized Sweep Green Reiner 1 & 2

Natalie Vargo and Surpized (Hang Ten Surprize x Snow White Dun It) swept the Green Reiner Levels 1&2 with a 144. The 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel marks Vargo and Surprized’s first show together, and they’ve been exceeding expectations. They kicked off the show with a win during Friday’s Green Reiner topping the field in the 1&2. They continued that streak on Sunday to ultimately pick up the high point championship as well.

“He was really good again today,” Vargo said. “I was a lot more comfortable, just because this was the second time showing him, so I was a little bit less nervous than the other day. It started off with the right circles, he was really good there, then stopped in the center and turned really good for me… he was just really today.”

Vargo’s family has owned the now 5-year-old since he was 2, and throughout his open career. Vargo and Surprized’s partnership is proving worthwhile and beckons to a promising future for the pair.

“The win feels really good, just because I didn’t really expect anything, because I didn’t really know him that much and I still really don’t, but it feels good,” she said. “I think [our partnership] is getting pretty good. I’m excited to show him more in some of the bigger non pro stuff and see how it goes.”

Chloe Elizabeth Cannon and Mr Hollywood Cee (Hollywoodstinseltown x Miss Hollywood Cee) finished second in the Green Reiner 2 with a score of 141.5. Linsey Lester and Dreamin About Sailin (Magnum Chic Dream x Pennys For Sail) finished second in the Green Reiner 2 with a 140. 

Gracie Weeks Tops Youth 13 & Under with One Last Starbuck

Gracie Weeks and One Last Starbuck (Smart Starbuck x Justa Spring Freckle) marked a 139 to top the field in the Youth 13 & Under.

“I’ve been riding him for a little over a year. He’s a really good horse for me, he’s just been the greatest,” Weeks said of One Last Starbuck, who she calls “Latte.”

Weeks admits Saturday’s showing didn’t go as planned, but the duo redeemed themselves in Sunday’s performance to take the win.

“He improved a lot today,” she said. “I will say I might have to work on some things, but he did a lot better.”

Weeks has been riding reining horses since she was 7, and she’s learned a few valuable lessons over the last couple of years. “The most important thing I’ve learned would probably be is always been a good horseman, or horsewoman, have good horsemanship and stay humble,” she said. “Also, stay in control of your horse and don’t go crazy or anything.”

Becca Schaffhauser Wins Youth 13&Under High Point

Becca Schaffhauser and Dun Got My Rest (Hollywood Dun It x Got My Rest) won the Youth 13 & Under High Point title.

“We had a really good run yesterday and I was very happy with it. We had a couple of bobbles today, but I was happy with it, too,” Schaffhauser said.

Schaffhauser has been riding the 13-year-old for two years and working to get together as a team. One of the maneuvers, which Schaffhauser enjoys focusing on is the turns.

“I’ve had him for two years and he’s such a good boy,” she said, adding that when she first started riding “Cruz,” the hardest part to get used to was his fast turning style. “I’d been used to a slow turning horse. My favorite maneuver is probably the turns and [I’ll be working mostly] on getting faster in my turns.” 

Raeanna Thayn Wins Youth 14-18 on Coded N Karma

Raeanna Thayn and Coded N Karma (Electric Code x Whiz N Snap) marked a 145 to take the win in the Youth 14-18. Raeanna and Coded N Karma have had a lot of success over the years, and they’ve continued that in Oklahoma City.

“He was really good, he’s had a couple of months off, and he really came out today. He’s 10 years old this year, so we’re just kind of taking it easy,” she said.

The duo admittedly had a little trouble in Saturday’s showing, but they put it all together on Sunday for a winning run.

“He was a lot more connected,” Thayn said. “He kind of missed his stop the other day and I just schooled him. He was really good today and connected.”

Lydia Bell Wins Youth 14-18 High Point on Chics Want My Number

Lydia Bell and Chics Want My Number (Wimpys Little Step x Dixie Chic Olena) put together two money-winning runs in Oklahoma City to ultimately win the Youth 14-18 High Point title.

“It’s exciting. It’s my last year (in the Youth) so it’s a good feeling to go out with a bang,” Bell said.

In slate one of the Youth Bell and Chics Want My Number turned in a 144.5 to share the win in Saturday’s Youth 14-18. On Sunday the duo followed that with another winning run with a score of 144.5.

“He’s just a really cool horse and I love riding him,” she said. “He was relaxed and just really good today.” 

Abigail Dooley Clinches Short Stirrup High Point with Top Haida

On Saturday, 10-year-old Abigail Dooley finished second in the Short Stirrup class. She and her mount, Top Haida, returned to the show pen on Sunday to make a 146, not only winning the class but also the high point buckle.

“The run on Saturday wasn’t my favorite. I got our stops wrong, but got it adjusted here today,” Dooley said. “It was very fun to be here and show. It’s nice to have this win. This is my second buckle, but my first this year.”

Dooley has been riding Top Haida, by NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Topsail Whiz out of Haida Million, for a few years. “We call him Vegas. Lon and Sherry Kraft own him, and they have let me ride him two or three years now in the short stirrup,” she said. “It’s been very fun to ride him. He has always been good to me.”

Eduardo Ramirez Sweeps Rookie Levels 1 & 2 for High Point Championships

It was a great weekend for Eduardo Ramirez and Jeweled Out. The duo won the Rookie Levels 1 and 2 on Saturday, and then returned to the Adequan® on the final day of competition. There, they clinched the high point championship for both levels with a score of 144.

“It’s awesome. I am glad to finally have a buckle,” he said. “This is my first one, and I am very excited.”

Ramirez gave credit to Jeweled Out, by Cromed Out Mercedes out of Whiz Jewels. “He was really good,” Ramirez said. “My run today he was great. Our last stop was just ok, but he was really good.”

The next stop for the duo? The Rookie at the Run for a Million in Las Vegas.

Molly Cherry and Guaranteed A Magnum Win Rookie Prime Time

Molly Cherry and Guaranteed A Magnum won the second slate of the Rookie Prime Time with a score of 142.5 Guaranteed A Magnum is by Magnum With A Dream and out of Guaranteed By Amos.

“He’s a lot of fun,” Cherry said. “I just have to learn how to ride him. I just started riding him this year. He had a great Derby career (back-to-back Level 4 Open Derby Champion with Jimmy Van Der Hoeven). Now, I am trying to figure him out through the Rookie and Non Pro stuff, so that’s been fun.”

Second in the Rookie Prime Time was Deborah Good riding Chics Love Me Wimpy (Wimpys Little Step x Dream About Magic) with a score of 139.

Terry Saxton and MJG Hollywood Jersey Win Rookie Prime Time High Point

Terry Saxton and MJG Hollywood Jersey (Yellow Jersey x MJG Hollywood Dry) took home the Rookie Prime Time High Point title from their efforts in Oklahoma City. On Friday the duo took home the title and while a little tough luck on Sunday landed them seventh in the Prime Time, but it was good enough to earn them the Prime Time title.

“I’m very excited about this win,” Saxton said. “Today wasn’t as good as Friday, but that’s OK. I had a nice score on Friday to make up for it. We’re still learning each other. She’s super calm in the ring and does exactly what I ask. That’s exactly what I need because she’s just steady. It’s great to end on a high point, and I love the buckle!”