In its inaugural year, the Conquistador Whiz Derby, held Sunday at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic, hosted 90+ entries. NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal, and his wife Ginger, of Overbrook, Oklahoma took home top honors in both the open and non pro derbies.

Craig rode Whizs Katrina for San Juan Ranch of Shandon, California, to an event high score of 229 – good enough for the level 4 open championship and over $4,950. This is the duo’s second derby championship this year. They also won the inaugural Seminole Hard Rock Reining Classic level 4 open derby at their first competition together in February.

Ginger rode her mare Dancer Nic to the level 4 non pro championship and level 3 non pro reserve championship with a score of 222.  The wins added over $4,450 to their NRHA lifetime earnings.

Todd Sommers and Stoney Russell’s stallion Whiz It A Chic marked a 228 to earn championship honors in the level 3 open division, reserve champion honors in the level 4 open division and over $6,500.

The level 2 open division was won with a score of 224.5, posted by Colt Cardwell and Joey Moultrie’s stallion Shining Smoke Tari.

Just a half-point behind Ginger Schmersal in the level 4 non pro derby division was Mandy McCutcheon who earned the reserve championship aboard McQuay Stables’ four-year-old mare Starstruck Girl. McCutcheon also placed third after riding her gelding, Mr Lonley 2006, to a 221.

Earning the highest score of the non pro derby, a 223.5, was Jessica Sternberg aboard her mom, Rosanne Sternberg’s stallion Pop Top Whiz. They earned the level 3 and level 2 non pro championships and over $3,400.

Flis Carey Sassella rode her gelding, Gaucho Whiz to the Prime Time non pro derby championship with a score of 220.

Stay tuned to the November NRHA Reiner magazine for more details, results and pictures from the ATRC!

World Champion Dressage Rider, Coming to Lexington After All

From Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Staff – Anky Van Grunsven, the current grand prix freestyle dressage World Champion announced earlier this year that she would not defend her title at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The decision was made in the best interest of her horses’ health. Her Olympic horse, Salinero had injured his withers and her other top mount, Painted Black, was performing inconsistently and suffered from a light injury.

As it turns out she will be competing in September after all – in reining. She was named team reserve for the Dutch reining team in August. She will be replacing Dutch team member Jurgen Pouls whose horse is injured.

About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.

The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which marks the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $167 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc., Meydan, Kentucky Ale, and the University of Kentucky. For more information on the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games please visit, www.alltechfeigames.com.

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

Three Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida and Quistador scored a 230.5 to earn the John Deere Futurity level 4 open championship and over $10,600, Saturday at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic (ATRC). Quistador is owned by Augustine (Gus) and Gaynia Revenberg of Ontario, Canada.

Andrea Fappani had a strong showing aboard his three-year-old futurity horses, as well. He tied himself for the reserve championship by scoring  a 228 aboard Custom Spook, owned by B&L Holdings,  and Time To Mark Big, owned by 23 Partnership/Arcese Quarter Horses USA.

Thiago Boechat claimed the level 3 and 2 championships after riding Shiners Voodoo Dr to a 224.5. The duo earned over $10,800 at the ATRC.  The palomino stallion is owned by Lorenzo Vargas of Purcell, Oklahoma.

In Regional Affiliate Finals action, James Michael Phillips rode Shining Shoes to a 143.5 to win the South Central Regional Affiliate Finals youth 13 & under championship. “Shoes� is owned by his parents Michael and Carolyn Sue Phillips (pictured) of Hartshorne, Oklahoma.

Competition continues today with the inaugural Conquisator Whiz Open and Non Pro Derby. For more information or to watch the action live visit www.okrha.com.

John Deere Futurity Level 4 Open

1. Quistador/Shawn Flarida/Augustine (Gus) and Gaynia Revenberg/$10,629

2.T. Custom Spook/Andrea Fappani/B&L Holdings/$5,661

2.T. Time To Mark Big/Andrea Fappani/23 Partnership and Arcese Quarter Horses, USA

John Deere Futurity Level 3 Open

1. Shiners Voodoo Dr/Thiago Boechat/Lorenzo Vargas/$5,316

2.T. Spooks Pearl/Corey Hendrickson/Sparrow Hawk Farms LTD/$2,831

2.T. Dunit N Reminic/Pierre-Luc Phaneuf/Karen E Burgoon/$2,831

John Deere Futurity Level 2 Open

1. Shiners Voodoo Dr/Thiago Boechat/Lorenzo Vargas/$2,025

2. Topsail Chrome/Greg Hall/Greg Hall/$1,232

Labor Day weekend in Tulsa means the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic and South Central Regional Affiliate Finals, which began this Thursday and continues through Sunday. Friday’s competition was highlighted by the John Deere Non Pro Futurity and the crowd-pleasing Slide Zone which featured a ceremony to honor Alltech World Equestrian Games (WEG) competitors, a Celebrity Slide-Off and Freestyle competition.

NRHA Million Dollar Rider Mandy McCutcheon rode McQuay Stables’ mare Always Gotyer Gunsup, aka “Polly,� to win the level 4 non pro John Deere Futurity. The duo scored a 219.5 to win the championship and a check for $4,955.

Greg Gottschalk, Robert Gattuso, and Charles Wiederholt tied for the level 4 non pro reserve championship by scoring a 215.5. The trio cleaned up the remaining division championships, as well.

Click  below for more results and photos from Friday’s ATRC.

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On August 31, the NRHA closed voting for NRHA Vice President, NRHA Executive Committee and Bylaw Change Amendments.

Beth Himes of Millersport, Ohio was elected to the Vice President seat. She will begin her term in 2011.

In Executive Committee elections, Rick Clark of Catlettsburg, Ky., Kit Cosper of Wilmington, N.C. and Rick Ramsey of Rush, Ky. were elected to start their terms in 2011.

Seven Bylaw Amendment Proposals were passed with the required number of votes. Proposal 21-01-11 did not receive 66% majority vote and did not pass.

Details on the voting and Bylaw Amendment Proposals can be found at nrha.com in the Member’s Only area.

During the Alltech® FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), many will notice Reining as the only equestrian discipline to feature hand-tooled western saddles, distinctive cowboy hats and gorgeous, long flowing manes and tails of its horses. However, at this installment of the Games, the NRHA will provide a unique experience for spectators and reining fans – NRHA “Ride a Reiner.�

“Ride a Reiner� will give WEG attendees the chance to be selected to ride a reining horse at the Kentucky Horse Park September 25 – October 10. In addition, NRHA will provide opportunities for credentialed WEG media to experience the thrill of riding a reining horse.

RIDE A REINER
In an area just inside the main entrance, NRHA will offer these “test rides� to WEG spectators in the John Deere Reining Arena located next to the Kentucky Experience. For those who have some riding experience, “Ride a Reiner,� will give them the opportunity to enjoy a dizzying spin or even a sliding stop on a well-trained reining horse. NRHA alliance partner and WEG reining breed sponsor, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), will offer breed test rides, as well.

Thanks to NRHA Corporate Partners, MD Barns, Kiser Arena Specialists and John Deere; the rides will be conducted inside an MD Barns open-sided arena. The arena will be constructed on what is now a parking lot at the Kentucky Horse Park. The arena base and special reining surface will be brought in by Kiser Arena Specialists and maintained by John Deere. In addition, the event is supported by Games’ sponsor Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment.

Applications to ride will be accepted in the NRHA/AQHA Booth in the Games Tradeshow. For information on “Ride a Reiner,� e-mail cmorris@nrha.com. More details will be available online at nrha.com just prior to the Games.

Ride a Reiner Invitation

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Media contacts also will be given the prospect of experiencing the adrenaline rush of Reining. A limited number of spots are available for WEG credentialed media to sit astride a Reining horse and learn more about the sport first-hand. To express interest, e-mail Christa Morris at cmorris@nrha.com or submit this Ride a Reiner Media Application.

MORE INFORMATION ON NRHA’S INVOLVEMENT
BIG REINING PURSES – NRHA is a long-time proponent of the Games and the global expansion of Reining, even prior to Reining’s debut at the 2002 Games. NRHA provided support and input needed to create and enhance the Games’ Reining competition format. Due primarily to NRHA, the newly improved format offers an augmented purse, deeper payouts for team and individuals, as well as increased days of competition.

REINING FREESTYLE – The Reining Freestyle Exhibition will take place on September 30, 2010, after the final round of the Games’ world championship reining competition is complete. With its sponsorship, NRHA makes possible, for the first time in Games history, the addition of an exhibition Reining Freestyle event to the overall event schedule.

TELEVISION COVERAGE – The Reining Horse Sports Foundation is proud to partner with AQHA to enhance television coverage of Reining during the Games. Millions of fans will have the opportunity to watch on NBC Sports as the network provides an unprecedented six and a half hours of coverage over three Sundays. Watch NBC September 26 at 12 p.m. Eastern, October 3 at 1 p.m. Eastern (immediately following live coverage of the Ryder Cup golf tournament) and October 10 at 4 p.m. Eastern.
Photo credit: Dawn Baxstrom

From Tami Wagman – You may have seen her on the “Ellen DeGeneres Showâ€� or in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she first wowed the crowd, competing without saddle or bridle on the beautiful black American Quarter Horse “Whizards Baby Dollâ€� – Stacy Westfall went on to win the prestigious competition for equine clinicians called “Road to the Horseâ€� and to compete, teach, and train around the world.

Her videos went viral on YouTube and have been viewed by millions. But you can see Stacy – and the extraordinary mare she calls “Roxyâ€�- ride in person once again in the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic Slide Zone, Friday September 3^rd at Expo Square.

Spectators will also get the chance to meet the entire USEF Reining Team that will represent America at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky at the end of September. And as always, the first 100 kids through the door will get a free, full-size Breyer model horse!

Another “Slide Zoneâ€� favorite will be back this year – the Charity Slide Off, highlighting the hallmark maneuver of reining, the sliding stop.  Riders will compete to see who can slide the farthest to benefit Tulsa area charities, but this year there is a celebrity twist:  the three riders are all on local or national television: Kristin Dickerson of KTUL’s “Good Day Tulsa,â€� Christi Proctor from the TLC network hit “Trading Spaces,â€� and Jenifer Reynolds host of “NRHA Inside Reiningâ€� on In Country TV and “Discover Oklahoma.â€�

The “Slide Zone� will also continue the tradition of world-class “Freestyle� competition – reining maneuvers done to music and often with horse and rider in costume – and finally first class open competition for professional reiners.

Plus somebody in the audience will go home with a brand new John Deere Gator!

The Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic – now in it’s 7^th year – will once again offer classes in two climate controlled competition arenas, allowing two full slates of classes to run simultaneously with plenty of room for everyone.

Tickets can be purchased at any Drysdales location in Tulsa, by phone at 1-800-444-6481, or on line at www.okrha.com. They are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under.

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

Two top NRHA Professionals will kick-off the 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Regional Clinic Series in La Mesa, N.M.  The weekend of January 29 and 30 trainers Josh Armstrong and Jordan Larson will hold a clinic to benefit reiners of all ages and experience levels at Armstrong Equine Services.

Larson, an NRHA Top 20 Professional with over $632,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings is a consistent finalist at major NRHA events. He was the 2001 NRHA Limited Open World Champion and Intermediate Open Reserve World Champion, and the Individual Gold Medalist at the 2008 FEI World Reining Masters. At the 2010 National Reining Breeders Classic, he was a co-reserve champion in the Level 4 Open division riding Stop Like A Dream.

Hosting the clinic will be Armstrong, a Top Ten finalist at the NRHA Futurity and the All American Quarter Horse Congress Reining Futurity.  Perhaps best known for his memorable Freestyle performances, Armstrong has over $43,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings.

This will be the sixth year the NRHA has organized the clinics to help raise funds for the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA). The clinics are designed to help anyone who is interested in learning more about reining horses, the reining business and the NRHA. The one-on-one training that attendees receive is tailored to each individual’s needs. Every clinic consists of two one-day clinics giving participants the opportunity to attend either or both days as they prefer.

Participants from all disciplines learn by doing and by watching other reiners during the hands-on sessions. “The clinic was phenomenal!� said Deann Soults, a 2010 clinic participant.  “The information was broken down in a very understandable way.�  Another participant, Chase McBurney, commented, “I really liked the format of the clinic.  I enjoyed all the different points that were covered.  We had a lot of one on one time and I was able to ask a lot of questions.  I really liked how my questions were answered and then the maneuver was demonstrated.�

Space is limited so sign up as soon as possible. All the proceeds go to support NRHyA scholarships, programs and youth activities.  The cost is $250 for youth riders participating both days or $150 per day.  Adults are encouraged to participate with an entry of $450 for both days or $250 per day. Auditors are welcome to attend for $25 per day.  For more information or to register for a clinic, please contact NRHA at (405) 946-7400 or email bbendele@nrha.com or smegel@nrha.com.

If you would like more information about the NRHyA, go to nrhya.com or contact Manager of RHSF and NRHA Youth Programs, Brian Bendele at bbendele@nrha.com (405) 946-7400, ext. 130.

 After four years in planning, over two years in construction, and a year in selection trials (for some countries), the 2010 Alltech®  FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) is set to take place September 25- October 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The Reining portion is scheduled for September 25–30.

At this time, 112 riders from 29 countries are expected to compete in Reining with Medals being awarded in both team and individual competition. Not all countries will field full teams of four riders plus an alternate. Several countries will have anywhere from one to three riders representing them in individual competition.

Click here for a breakdown of the various teams and individual riders and horses expected to show up in Kentucky as featured in the September NRHA Reiner magazine.

The High Roller Reining Classic, Inc., RBB, Inc. and Brumley Management Group are pleased to announce that Silver Spurs Equine owned by Michael and Michelle Miola of Cave Creek, Arizona has been named the Presenting Sponsor of the 2010 High Roller Reining Classic held at the South Point Equestrian Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 12^th-18^th.

“It is not often that individuals step up to the plate with this level of philanthropic support, particularly in these challenging economic times.  Michael and Michelle have an explosive enthusiasm for the sport of Reining and the horses that dazzle us in the show pen. Silver Spurs has purchased industry leading stallions, dropped their fees, and established breeder’s incentives, all with one goal in mind, to become a leading breeder in the Reining industry. 

Michael and Michelle have personally elevated the level of competition by supporting events like the High Roller Reining Classic. I cannot say enough about how extremely valuable the support of people like the Miolas, the Warrens and everyone who contributes on any level is to the success of Reining events. Reining competitions are very costly to produce. It is because of all of our sponsors and loyal exhibitors that these events continue each year,” said Mandi Brumley of the Silver Spurs and High Roller Reining Classic Partnership.

As a Presenting Sponsor, Silver Spurs Equine will headline in Las Vegas in the aged event divisions with the High Roller Reining Classic $60,000 added Spooks Gotta Gun Futurity Shoot Out and the High Roller Reining Classic $55,000 added Conquistador Whiz Derby.  The Silver Spurs Stallions Spooks Gotta Gun, Conquistador Whiz and Finest China Rose will not only participate in the Stallion Service Auction beginning on September 12th, but will also be attending the High Roller Reining Classic.

“I have some big news about Boomernic as well as other announcements that I will be making at the High Roller Reining Classic, and we’re going to have some fun.  I want to create an elite line of Quarter Horses, and if I can give that back to the world, then I’ve accomplished something. We’re seeking perfection in our breeding program, and we want people to be able to have these horses,” says Miola.

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