Article by Kelsey Pecsek Hruska & Molly Montag
According to American singers Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston, “It takes two.” Most reiners would argue it takes more than that to find success in the Open ranks. These owners believed their horses could best the competition at the 2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, and their intuition was right on the money.
Great horses are a must; so are great riders. But, teams also need great owners. They are the foundation of the business, and their support is essential to the equation.
These owners’ dreams became a reality during the 2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel when their horses made it to the coveted winner’s circle.
Level 4 Open: A Vintage Smoke owned by Diane Mesmer
Level 3 Open: Gunna Stop owned by Amber Gokey
Level 2 Open: Special Made Whiskey owned by Gordon Robinson
Level 1 Open: Codalicious owned by Loren Booth
To read about the owners of each Derby Open Champion, click here or flip to page 34 in your August 2020 Reiner magazine.