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Mastering a Million

A reining stallion with European roots is a National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Million Dollar Sire.

Master Snapper was bred by M. Fausto and A. Adani of Italy and is owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi. The 2001 stallion by Snapper Cal Bar and out of Colonel Mistress found his own success in the show pen in Europe and the United States before entering the breeding shed.

In 2006, Master Snapper flew to Oklahoma City to compete in the NRHA Derby under NRHA Professional Kelly Zweifel. After scoring a 232, the duo earned the Open, Intermediate and Limited Championships now known as Open Levels 4, 3 and 2. These championships made Master Snapper the first horse born, bred and trained in Europe to win the NRHA Open Derby. He went on to earn $69,050 NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE).

With just over 100 offspring with NRHA LTE, there is one stallion that makes up nearly one-fourth of Master Snapper’s million: July Joe Snap (out of San July Jo Magnetic).

After scoring a 232, July Joe Snap and Italian NRHA Professional Manuel Cortesi became the 2023 NRHA European Futurity Champions. Co-owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi and Eleuterio Arcese, the stallion earned the title on a special day.

“With a horse like this anyone can achieve great goals. I had seen him in action as a 3-year-old with his breeder, my friend [NRHA Professional] Giacomo [Ronchi], who trained him,” said Cortesi after winning the championship. “Unfortunately, Giacomo passed away prematurely a month before the IRHA [Italian Reining Horse Association] Futurity. I knew he could have won the Futurity with this one. The reins passed on to me, and we claimed the Open Futurity title. The win was even more special as [that day] would have been Giacomo’s birthday, and all I can say is that I felt he was riding with me both times.”

July Joe Snap and Cortesti have went on to earn $236,158 in NRHA LTE together in the show pen including wins at the IRHA/NRHA 4-year-old Open Futurity, NRHA Germany Breeders 4-year-old Futurity Championships and the 100X Open Derby in Paris.

Master Snapper’s Top Earners:

  • July Joe Snap (out of San July Jo Magnetic), bred by Giacomo Ronchi, nominated by Roberto Cuoghi, owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi and Eleuterio Arcese, $236,158 NRHA LTE
  • Snap Dun The Bases (out of Shes Dun The Bases), bred, nominated and owned by Lewisville Development LP, $125,816 NRHA LTE
  • Letters To Juliet (out of San July Jo Magnetic), bred by Giacomo Ronchi, nominated by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi, owned by Maria Fiorucci, $63,067 NRHA LTE
  • Dunnit Like A Master (out of Justanother Dun It), bred, nominated and owned by Lewisville Development LP, $61,824 NRHA LTE
  • Plus One Master (out of Ima Mistress), bred and nominated by Green Valley Ranch, owned by Carrie Berkenbosch, $32,844 NRHA LTE

Read more about Master Snapper’s million-dollar accomplishment in an upcoming issue of the NRHA Reiner Magazine.

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NRHA Launches Inaugural $100,000 Futurity Slide

There will be $100,000 up for grabs as the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) will introduce a new event during the 2024 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships.

The inaugural Futurity and Military Slides will take centerstage in the Jim Norick on December 4. This special event will highlight a section dedicated solely to military veterans and will also feature traditional Charreada riders.

NRHA is teaming up with Two Ravens Foundation, whose mission is to provide our nation’s heroes a transformative experience that fosters personal growth, enables reflection, and empowers our combat veterans and first responders by using coaching, horsemanship and community support while leveraging the power of horses and the western way of life.

“As our owned events continue to grow, we are always looking ahead for new opportunities to engage our members and excite our fans, and this was a no-brainer,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith.

Smith, whose son is a combat war veteran, made it a point to have a special military section for the Slide.

“NRHA and our reining community are incredibly grateful for the sacrifices our veterans have made and we wanted to make sure to recognize and honor them during the Futurity,” Smith continued.

“Thank you to our executive committee, board of directors, staff, and the Two Ravens Foundation for helping make this possible. This is just the first year and I know the event will continue to grow in the future,” Smith added.

The Futurity Slide will be open to any individual or horse with no restrictions on membership or licensing. Earnings will not count toward NRHA Lifetime Earnings (NRHA LTE) as it is an unapproved class, with judges using a 3-point system with a base start score of 70. Maneuvers for evaluation will include the approach, stop, and hesitation. 

Entries for the Futurity Slide are limited and completed forms will be accepted on a first-come basis. Complete event conditions and additional information can be found here.

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Two Cross NRHA $3 Million Milestones

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces two new milestones crossings—Corinna Schumacher as an NRHA $3 Million Owner and SG Frozen Enterprize as an NRHA $3 Million Sire. Both have joined an elite group of NRHA’s most accomplished contributors to the sport of reining. These achievements further highlight the global reach and continued growth of NRHA competition and breeding programs.

Corinna Schumacher – NRHA $3 Million Owner

Corinna Schumacher has become only the second in NRHA history to reach the $3 million owner milestone. The Swiss native, who owns and operates XCS Ranch LLC and CS Ranch, surpassed the $2 million mark in August 2023. Since then, her daughter, Gina Schumacher, has continued to lead the charge, earning significant victories aboard their horses.

A former NRHA non pro competitor with over $55,000 in lifetime earnings (LTE), Corinna has a strong personal connection to the sport. However, it has been her daughter, Gina, who played a key role in helping her mother reach this remarkable milestone. Gina’s exceptional performances on Corinna’s horses have been instrumental in Corinna’s ascent to the $3 million owner mark.

In addition to her competitive accomplishments, Corinna has established herself as a remarkable breeder of elite reining horses. Her dedication to developing top-quality equine athletes has yielded numerous champions, with her horses consistently excelling at major NRHA events. In 2024 alone, Gina and XCS Ranch and CS Ranch horses have teamed up to contribute nearly $400,000 to Corinna’s owner record with standout performances at the 100X Cowtown Classic Stakes, National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC), 100X Reining Classic Derby, and the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel continue to build on the Schumacher family’s legacy in the sport of reining.

Significant performers owned by Corinna Schumacher include:

  • Gunna Stepya (Gunnatrashya x SDP A Lasting Step), bred and nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch, owned by XCS Ranch LLC, $254,141 NRHA LTE
  • CS Especially Moody (Gunners Special Nite x Judys a Little Moody), bred and nominated by XCS Ranch LLC, $229,059 NRHA LTE
  • CS Nifty Sailor (Gotta Nifty Gun x La Bigia Sailor), bred and nominated by CS Ranch Management SA, owned by XCS Ranch LLC, NRHA LTE $145,424
  • Snip O Lution (Einsteins Revolution x Snip O Chex), bred and nominated by Cinder Lakes Ranch, owned by XCS Ranch LLC, $108,563 NRHA LTE
  • Gotta Nifty Gun (Dun It Gotta Gun x Custom Nifty Nic), bred and nominated (N.A.) by Carl Lambert, nominated (Europe) by Luga Quarter Horses, owned by XCS Ranch LLC, $97,923 NRHA LTE

SG Frozen Enterprize – NRHA $3 Million Sire

SG Frozen Enterprize has officially joined the ranks of NRHA $3 Million Sires, thanks to the remarkable performance of his offspring. Bred by Marco Franchini and owned by Silver Spurs Equine, the 2009 stallion (Frozen Sailor x RS Rose SJ) has been a standout under multiple NRHA Professionals. With $274,083 in NRHA LTE and notable victories like the 2015 NRBC Level 4 Open Championship with NRHA Hall of Famer Andrea Fappani and the 2012 IRHA Level 4 Open Futurity title under NRHA Professional Mirko Midili, SG Frozen Enterprize has left an impact worldwide.

A sire of over 250 NRHA money-earning offspring, five of which have surpassed $100,000 in NRHA LTE, SG Frozen Enterprize became a $2 million sire following the 2023 NRHA Futurity. His rise to the $3 million mark has been driven by a few of his top-earning offspring. Ice Face, who secured the reserve championship at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Trevor Dare, added nearly $55,000 to the sire’s earnings. Another key contributor is Frozen Sven, who, with NRHA Professional Manuel Cortesi at the reins, claimed the NRHA European Level 4 Open Futurity Reserve Championship and other top finishes, earning nearly $100,000 in 2024. Together, these standout performances have propelled SG Frozen Enterprize into the elite ranks of $3 million sires.

SG Frozen Enterprize’s top earners include:

  • Ice Face (out of Dun Painting My Face), bred by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC, nominated by Ginger Schmersal, owned by Haras Bellini Inc., earning $198,030
  • Icecube (out of Taris Designer Genes), bred by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, nominated by Andrea Fappani, owned by Teton Ridge Ranch, earning $176,759
  • Whizsicle (out of Miss Whizzletown), bred and nominated by Jenny Ricotta, owned by Diane Yoder, earning $163,684
  • Frozen Sven (out of Ladymaster), bred and nominated by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi, owned by 7 Heaven Reining Horses, earning $140,126
  • Savage Love (out of Miss Whizzletown), bred, nominated, and owned by Jenny and Marco Ricotta, earning $121,0258

NRHA celebrates these remarkable achievements and the continued impact of both Corinna Schumacher and SG Frozen Enterprize on the sport of reining. Their contributions reflect the excellence, dedication, and passion that define the global NRHA community.

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Judging Contest Returns to NRHA Futurity

The National Horse Judging Team Coaches’ Association, National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) collaborated to bring the Collegiate and Youth Reining Judging Contest back to the 2024 NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC).

The contest will be held December 3–4 in Oklahoma City. Collegiate and youth competitors will judge live runs and complete a written test and penalty clip test, similar to how NRHA judges are tested.

Student competitors and coaches are also granted entry to the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finals on Friday, December 6th, at no additional cost as part of their registration fees. Students will compete as youth teams, junior college teams, university teams, or individuals.

“Participating in the judging contest is essential for shaping the future of our sport,” said Patti Carter, NRHA Sr. Director of Education & Officials. “It not only helps develop the next generation of NRHA judges but also fosters leadership qualities and hones decision-making skills that are crucial both in the reining arena and in life. These contests offer invaluable hands-on experience, emphasizing the importance of accuracy, fairness, and consistency in judging—the very foundation of the discipline’s integrity.”

This will be the first time since 2019 that the contest will be held in conjunction with the NRHA Futurity and Adequan® NAAC. The contest will provide collegiate and youth competitors an opportunity to gain education, judge reining horses, and create networking and training opportunities that support careers and interests in the equine community.

More information on the contest and entry forms can be found here.

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Fappani Lauded as NRHA’s First $9 Million Rider

Just one year after becoming the National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) first-ever $8 Million Rider, Andrea Fappani has etched his name in the history books once again as the first rider to surpass $9 million in earnings. This remarkable accomplishment coincides with his induction into the NRHA Hall of Fame, marking 2024 as another defining year in the career of NRHA’s all-time leading rider.

An NRHA Million Dollar Owner, Fappani has remained at the pinnacle of the reining industry for over two decades, continually enhancing his already remarkable legacy. Raised on a dairy farm in Bergamo, Italy, Fappani’s love for horses began as a shared passion with his father, quickly igniting a lifelong dedication. He moved to the United States to further pursue his reining career and went out on his own in 2003. By 2006, Fappani had made history as the youngest NRHA Million Dollar Rider at that time.

When Fappani entered the arena during the 2024 High Roller Reining Classic Level 4 Open Stakes and Derby, he had $8,996,771 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE). Earlier in the week, he took home the Level 4 Open Futurity on Its Wishful Thinking (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Black Custom Chex), owned by Mary Cachat, and took home fourth and 11th place on two additional mounts. He crossed the $9 million milestone on Vintage Chex (A Sparkling Vintage x Chex Out The Cowgirl) after scoring a 226.5 to take the Open Derby and 4-Year-Old Stakes Championships, adding $30,219 to their record. The stallion is bred, nominated, and owned by Bill Coburn, who has been part of Fappani’s program for 20 years.

Since becoming the first NRHA $8 Million Dollar Rider, Fappani’s highest earning performances on his way to $9 million include:

  • 2024 The Run For A Million’s Million Dollar Competition third place aboard Mic Dropp (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Dun Dry Whiz), owned by Tim Anderson/Clark Reining Horses LLC and bred and nominated by Clark Reining Horses LLC, earning $90,000
  • 2024 The American Performance Horseman Individual Reining Reserve Champion aboard All Bettss Are Off (Gunner x Wimpys Little Chic), bred and nominated by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, earning $75,000
  • 2023 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion aboard Inferno Thirty Five (Inferno Sixty Six x Madeof Pure Spangled), bred by Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, nominated by Mary Jansma, owned by Stephen Archer, earning $142,500

Fappani’s latest milestone as NRHA’s first $9 Million Rider is a testament to his unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and profound impact on the reining industry. His achievements continue to inspire the next generation of riders while setting new benchmarks in the sport.