Chexanicki Becomes NRHA Million Dollar Dam

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) proudly announces Chexanicki is the unprecedented fifth horse to achieve Million Dollar Dam status in 2024. With only 13 Million Dollar Dams in NRHA history, Chexanicki is one of the most influential and consistent producers in the sport, contributing to the advancement and popularity of reining on an international scale.

The 24-year-old mare by Bueno Chexinic and out of Ds Fancy Footwork was bred by Seneca Way Inc. and is owned by NRHA Corporate Partner Toyon Ranch LLC. With $86,292 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) garnered with the late Kelle Smith and Rick Ford at the reins, the mare showed great consistency earning titles such as the 2004 NRHA Level (L) 4 Non Pro Derby Champion and National Reining Breeders Classic L4 Non Pro (NRBC) Reserve Champion, both with Smith at the reins.

Chexanicki’s highest-earning offspring, Alpha Jac Sparrow, has earned $298,564 with Katsy Leeman Flarida, NRHA Professional Sam Flarida, and NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida at the reins. The 6-year-old stallion won the 2024 All Star Reining Stakes L4 Open Derby with Shawn at the reins and also took reserve in the L4 Non Pro with Katsy. Additionally, the stallion won the 2022 High Roller Reining Classic L4 Open 4-year-old Stakes and the 2023 NRBC L4 Open and has many additional titles to his name in addition to participating at the 2023 The American Performance Horseman under Shawn.

Known for passing on both talent and a distinctive athleticism, her progeny have displayed a unique blend of skill, style, and durability that continues to excel in the show pen with NRHA Professionals and non pros alike.

Chexanicki’s top-earning offspring:

  • Alpha Jac Sparrow (by Spooks Gotta Whiz), bred and nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, owned by Fritz Leeman, $298,564 NRHA LTE
  • Chexi Chic (by Wimpy Chic), bred and nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, owned by Lauren Love, $159,088 NRHA LTE
  • Rufanicki (by Lil Ruf Peppy), bred by Sam Smith, owned by Shaunda Blinzler, $144,656 NRHA LTE
  • Alpha Black (by Wimpy Chic), bred and nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, owned by Circle Y Ranch, $96,066 NRHA LTE
  • Smokin Something (by Gunner), bred and nominated by Cinder Lakes Ranch, owned by Amy Potts, $58,654 NRHA LTE

Read more about Chexanicki’s journey to becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Dam in the January issue of NRHA Reiner.

2024 Euro Derby: October 30–November 3 / Lyon, France

Visit nrhaeuropeanderby.com to follow the show!

10.30.24: NRHA European Derby: It’s Show Time at Equita Lyon

10.30.24: The NRHA European Derby Kicks Off at Equita Lyon With De Iulilio Leading the Non Pro Qualifier NRHA European Derby: It’s Show Time at Equita Lyon

10.31.24: Girinon and Flexing Guns N Town Dominate NRHA European Derby Open Qualifier

11.1.24: Giarratano and The Electric Bandit Claim the ELEMENTA NRHA European Derby Non Pro Level 4 Championship on Home Turf

11.2.24: Girinon Triumphs at NRHA European Derby Open and Qualifies for The Run For A Million 2025 Million Dollar Competition

11.3.24: European Non-Pro and Youth Qualifiers Set for 2025 The Run For A Million Competition in Las Vegas as Nico Sicuro and Colonels Dancing Gun Race Closer to Top 10 Open World Championship Finish Line

NRHA Introduces Pilot Program for Slide Contests

With the popularity of reining growing both domestically and internationally, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Board of Directors has approved a pilot program to encourage reining events to offer Slide Contests classes in 2025.

The recent resurgence of classes solely featuring the signature sliding stop is a way for NRHA to increase opportunities and participation for horses, riders, and owners, as well as to pursue wider recognition and value of NRHA events.

Recently, NRHA announced an inaugural Futurity and Military Slides to take centerstage at the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships. Starting in 2025, NRHA-approved events also may host these pilot classes using the following guidelines:

  • Results and earnings will not be recorded during the pilot phase.
    • Any individual or horse may compete without membership or licensing restrictions.
  • Can be offered as an Open, Non Pro, or Youth classes as determined by show management.
  • Can be jackpotted or have added money. The added money is not capped.
  • Entry fees cannot exceed 10% of added money.
  • Judge’s fees cannot exceed entry fee.
  • Entry fee retainage (0% to 100%) to be decided by show management.
  • Payback schedule to be decided by show management (e.g., Sched. A, Sched. B, or custom).
  • Standard NRHA rules apply to the class (ex., the number of horses that can be shown by one rider in one class, the number of judges to judge, the 5-judge system to drop the low and high scores, etc.)
  • NRHA Judges may judge the class if it is run according to these guidelines.
  • NRHA Judges will use the following for Maneuver Evaluation & Scoring:
    • Starting with a score of 70.
    • A -3 to +3 scale for each maneuver score (Approach, Stop, Hesitate).
    • Penalties: No marker penalty. All other penalties apply.

“This is an exciting option for NRHA events to engage members with new opportunities and to gain the interest of fans,” said NRHA Assistant Commissioner Christa Morris-Stone. “We are thrilled to see how it takes flight and look forward to it potentially being an NRHA-approved class.” Events hosting these classes are encouraged to send questions and feedback to cmorris@nrha.com.

RHF Doubles Merit Scholarships and Announces Winners

The Reining Horse Foundation (RHF) is announcing additional Merit Scholarship winners.

Established in 2024, the RHF Merit Scholarships reward NRHA members who have not previously won an RHF scholarship and are actively pursuing a college or trade school education. The first round of scholarships was awarded in April when two winners were announced, and then the application period was reopened to attract additional participation. After a strong applicant response, the Reining Horse Foundation Board of Directors voted to double the number of $1,500 awards from five to 10 for 2024.

“The Reining Horse Foundation has been working over two decades to grow its support and make a greater positive contribution to the reining community,” said Terri Mainey, RHF Scholarship chairperson. “The addition of 10 new scholarships in 2024 is another demonstration of program expansion. We are honored to be able to help more reiners who are pursuing higher education.”

The second section of 2024 merit scholarship winners includes Kylie Baker, Abby Budd, Amy Farley, Jacob Harris, Anna Landing, Miranda Ritter, Lilly Stewart, and Ellie Veres. The two recipients previously recognized were Ryan Jensen and Alexander Loftin.

Baker of Dripping Springs, Texas, attends Texas Christian University and is pursuing a degree in business. Her goal is to go into media and promotions within the reining industry. She is a member of the Dean’s List and has appeared on the Academic Honor Roll for multiple semesters. She also competes on the TCU NCEA Equestrian team and is a member of the NCEA All-American honor roll.


Budd of Pueblo, Colorado, is a student at Oklahoma State University. She is pursuing a degree in pre-med psychology and a minor in neuroscience. Budd looks to go into a career in psychology after graduation. Budd has appeared on the Oklahoma State University President’s List, Dean’s List, and the NCAA Academic Big 12 All Conference list. Along with her studies, Budd is a member of the Oklahoma State University Equestrian team, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.


Farley of Bend, Oregon, is a student at Oregon State University-Cascades, where she studies physical therapy. Farley intends on becoming a physical therapist. In 2023, Farley graduated from the College of Idaho cum laude with a bachelor’s in health and human performance and minors in health and psychology. Farley is a competitive alpine skier and competed on the College of Idaho Women’s Alpine Ski Team.


Harris of Mounds, Oklahoma, attends Oklahoma State University where he studies pre-medicine and intends to become a physician. Harris is a member of the honor board and the rush committee of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, the Pre-Med Club and the Baptist student union. Harris also received an academic scholarship from Delta Tau Delta and is a member of the Dean’s List.


Landing of Michigan City, Indiana, is a student at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She is pursuing a degree in animal science, and her goal is to become a veterinarian. Landing has received academic honors and has been on the Dean’s List for two semesters. Outside of academics, Landing is a member of the Purdue Western Equestrian team, the Purdue Collegiate Cattleman’s Club, the Purdue Pre-Vet Medicine Association, and the Meredith Hall RX Club.


Ritter of Park City, Utah, attends Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah where she is pursuing a degree in psychology. She aims to become a PhD-level health psychologist and currently holds office at the Westminster Disability Justice Club as the Disability Justice Coordinator.


Stewart of Elbert, Colorado, is a student at the University of Wyoming. She is pursuing a degree in agribusiness and intends to pursue a career in environmental law. Budd is a member of the Dean’s List and works for the University of Wyoming’s Veterans Services Center.


Veres of Leander, Texas, attends Texas Tech University. She is studying finance with the goal of becoming a financial analyst. For four semesters, Veres appeared on the President’s Honor List and is a recipient of the TTU Presidential Merit Scholarship. She is a member of the Scovell Business Leadership Program and is the Women in Business club vice president of operations.

For nearly 25 years, members of the equine community have been doing good things through the Reining Horse Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Reining Horse Association. With its mission of caring for and honoring the reining community, the RHF has supporters from around the world. Core programs include the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund providing financial relief to reiners enduring major hardships; youth scholarship and leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association; and perpetuation of the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame. For more information or to give, visit reiningfoundation.com.

Brian Bell Becomes NRHA $3 Million Rider

NRHA Professional Brian Bell has crossed the $3 million mark in National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Lifetime Earnings. Bell achieved this milestone following his performances at the 2024 All American Quarter Horse Congress & All Star Reining Stakes.

Bell and Cooper Smith’s Dunitthemodernway took sixth place in the Level (L) 4 Open Futurity of both events, while Bell and I Dream Of Stopping, co-owned by Bell and Wallace Wood, secured seventh place finishes. These placements solidified Bell’s status as an NRHA $3 Million Rider, just three years after he crossed the $2 million mark at the same show.

A native of Valley View, Texas, Bell owns and operates Brian Bell Performance Horses and has been a fixture in the reining world since he began competing as a youth with NRHA in 1991. He became an NRHA Professional in 2006, steadily building a reputation as one of the sport’s top talents. Bell was named the 2023 NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, an accolade he earned after winning the 2023 NRHA Futurity. In a memorable runoff, Bell and Wallace Wood’s Crystalized Whizkey—affectionately known as “Disco”—claimed the L4 Open championship. The duo has accumulated nearly $600,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings.

Bell’s top-earning finishes since crossing his last milestone include:

  • 2023 NRHA L4 Open Futurity Champion aboard Crystalized Whizkey (Whizkey N Diamonds x Lonely At The Top), bred by Curtis Performance Horses LLC, nominated by Rhodes River Ranch, owned by Wallace Wood, earning $332,500
  • 2024 100X Cowtown Classic L4 Open Stakes Champion aboard Crystalized Whizkey earning $150,000
  • 2023 All Star Reining Stakes L4 Open Futurity Champion aboard Crystalized Whizkey earning $38,000
  • 2023 All American Quarter Horse Congress L4 Open Futurity Champion aboard Crystalized Whizkey earning $32,294
  • 2024 North American Reining Stakes L4 Open Derby Champion aboard Vintage Couture (Platinum Vintage x Couture Tag), bred, nominated, and owned by George & Carol Bell, earning $30,000

Crossing the $3 million threshold marks yet another highlight in Bell’s impressive career, which continues to inspire and elevate the sport of reining.