Month: June 2018

For Immediate Release – June 28, 2018 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – During the last week of June each year, Oklahoma State Fair Park is filled with the world’s most talented 4-, 5- and 6-year-old reining horses and competitors vying for a prestigious National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby championship. This year, however, a new crowd was seen walking through the barns—taking the Derby to a whole new level.

Youth from Toby Keith’s OK Kids Korral, a place for families to stay while their child is undergoing treatment for cancer, came to the event for the inaugural Hay Day at the NRHA Derby hosted by the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA). The event was an opportunity to showcase our sport and give back to the youth of Oklahoma City.

The day started off with a trip to the NRHA office, where each honorary guest teamed up with a member of the NRHyA officer team to make pool noodle ponies and change into their new cowboy and cowgirl shirts, courtesy of NRHA Corporate Partner, CINCH. They then sat down and enjoyed a pizza party and watched videos about what the association is all about.

The real excitement began when the group headed over to State Fair Park where they got to meet our great event vendors and sponsors, took a behind-the-scenes look at how reining is judged and watched a horse get a brand new pair of shoes. To end the day, each kid had the opportunity to sit in the saddle atop a reining horse!

Lerin Thomas, NRHA Youth Programs Advisor was thrilled with the success of the event. “The kids who came from the OK Kids Korral to hang out with us during Hay Day were fantastic. The number of smiles I saw on their faces and our NRHyA officer team was enough to light up a room for days! These kids go through things that no one should ever have to go through, and it was our pleasure hosting and teaching them all the great things about the reining industry!”

Hay Day at the NRHA Derby would not have been possible without the help and support of the generous sponsors and volunteers who gave up their time and energy to make this event the best it could be.

During the NRHA Derby, the world’s best 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old reining horses and competitors come to Oklahoma City to compete for an estimated total purse and cash prizes of more than $1 million. For more information on schedules, live video coverage, hotel accommodations, sponsors and more visit nrhaderby.com.

For Immediate Release – June 27, 2018 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Day three of action in the Jim Norick Arena featured the start of open competition at the 2018 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby. With 126 professional riders slated to compete in day one of open action, the arena was filled with anticipation as each rider entered the arena.

The emotion was evident in Abby Lengel’s face as she heard a score of 226 ½ called after finishing her last stop. Aboard Jody Puno’s ARC Gunna Mark Ya, Lengel took the high score of the day, placing the duo atop the leaderboard of both the Level (L)3 and 4 Open Derby go round. Bred and nominated by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, ARC Gunna Mark Ya is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya and out of Shiney Miss Marker and has achieved much success with Lengel on board. In 2017, the pair took home their highest paycheck at the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC), taking home the L2 Open Championship and reserve in the L3. In all, the 6-year-old mare has nearly $88,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE).

Other notable runs of the day included:

• A 226 for Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC’s Dun It For Whizkey (2013 stallion with $180,300 NRHA LTE) ridden by NRHA Million Dollar Rider Franco Bertolani
• A 226 for Jason Dobrinski’s Luckie Moonstone (2013 stallion with $44,100 NRHA LTE) ridden by NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida
• A 224 ½ for Cuoghi Reining Horses USA Inc’s All American Vintage (2014 stallion with $164,200 NRHA LTE) ridden by NRHA Five Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani

Scoring a 220 ½ and taking the top spot in the L1 and 2 were Gabriel Bittar Borges and Checksworthy (Big Chex To Cash x Banjoes Shining Star). Nominated, bred and owned by Terry Leffew, the 4-year-old mare has already earned $14,650.55 while piloted by Borges in NRHA approved competition. At the 2018 NRBC, the dynamic duo took home a championship in the L1 Open and reserve in the L2 Open. The pair also finished in the top 20 in the L3 Open. Checkworthy’s NRHA LTE exceed $52,000.

Shauna Larcome and Rosanne Sternberg’s Hey Joe scored a 219.5 for the day, earning them the top score in the Prime Time division (222 ½ handicapped score). Hey Joe, who is an NRHA Markel Futurity Sales Graduate, bred and nominated by Wagman Ranch Inc, is no stranger to the spotlight within NRHA Derby competition. In 2017, the stallion took a third place finish in the L4 Open Division with rider Jason Vanlandingham.

During the NRHA Derby, the world’s best 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old reining horses and competitors come to Oklahoma City to compete for an estimated total purse and cash prizes of more than $1 million. The weekend features the NRHA Non Pro Derby finals starting at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, June 29 and the NRHA Open Derby finals at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 30. For more information on schedules, live video coverage, hotel accommodations, sponsors and more visit nrhaderby.com.

FAIRFIELD, Conn, – June 27, 2018 – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby is an annual one-week event held in Oklahoma City, June 23-July 1. The competition showcases the world’s best reining horses and riders and attracts thousands of spectators each year. One of the highlights of the Derby is the Collegiate Reining Championship scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, June 29, at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, featuring the top college riders from North America.

This year, four standout Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) riders are slated to compete in the Collegiate Reining Championship. The riders include Morgan Knerr, Danielle Paulson, Kendall Woellmer and Travis Fortune. The draw takes place Thursday at 1 p.m. The warm-up starts Friday at 1 p.m. with the class kicking off at 1:30 p.m.

WATCH THE LIVE STREAM OF THE NRHA DERBY

Morgan Knerr is the IHSA 2018 NRHA Individual Open Reining champion and is a freshman at the University of Findlay studying pharmacy. From Plain City, Ohio, her parents are actively involved in reining and she has grown up in the sport. Before joining the University of Findlay, Knerr rode at Autumn Rose with Ollie and Debbie Griffiths. She has held multiple positions as an NRHyA officer, including president in 2017, vice president in 2016 and secretary in 2015.

“Showing in the Collegiate catch ride is a great opportunity,” Knerr said. “I’m really excited because it will be a completely different experience. I’m really looking forward to it!”

Danielle Paulson is from Rochester, Minnesota, and is a junior at the University of Wisconsin River Falls. She qualified for IHSA Nationals for the first time this year and earned the 2018 IHSA Nationals AQHA Team Reining Open Reining championship and was third in 2018 NRHA Individual Open Reining. Paulson has shown American Quarter Horses for 10 years, this is her first year competing in reining. She credits her coach, Janie Huot for giving her a leg up in the sport.

“I am so excited, it’s such a blessing to compete at this huge event,” Paulson said. “(Competing in) IHSA is the only time I’ve reined in my life. I hope to ride my best on some amazing horses that they’re providing for us.”

Travis Fortune is from Booneville, Indiana, and studies at Murray State University. Fortune finished second in the NRHA Open Reining at Western Semi-Finals and fourth the 2018 IHSA Nationals.

“I am really excited about competing at the Derby,” said Fortune. “For me, it’s the fact that I made it there. The first horse show that I reined at was in October for IHSA. To go to Nationals and be fourth and qualify for the Derby for the Collegiate Championship is just really awesome.”

Kendall Woellmer is a sophomore from Sedona, Arizona, and attends West Texas A&M University where she is majoring in agriculture communications and minoring in English. The talented rider competes in both Western and hunter seat. Woellmer earned the 2018 IHSA Sportsmanship Award and the 2018 IHSA Versatility Rider Award at the IHSA Nationals. Along with top placings in the hunter seat divisions, Woellmer finished third in the AQHA High Point Western Rider fifth in NRHA Individual Open Reining.

“I am very honored to compete against some of the best collegiate riders in the nation,” Woellmer said.

For more information about the NRHA Derby, visit www.nrhaderby.com.

ABOUT THE IHSA

The IHSA was founded in 1967 by Robert Cacchione while he attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. He established the organization so that any full-time college student could participate in equestrian competition regardless of economic status, gender or riding level. The IHSA offers hunter seat and Western competition at eight levels from beginner through advanced and open divisions for both male and female college athletes. The IHSA experience emphasizes learning and sportsmanship and fosters teamwork. IHSA has grown to include over 400 member teams and 10,000 members encompassing 39 Regions, 8 Zones and 45 states and Canada. College or university teams, individuals, alumni and coaches may become members.

For more information go to IHSAinc.com or contact media@IHSAinc.com

Photos available upon request.

For Immediate Release – June 27, 2018 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – At the 2018 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby, ancillary classes continue to slide on. During the third day of classes, the competition in the Adequan® Championship Arena was intense, with several of the classes ending in ties for the championship titles.

The $2,000-added Intermediate Open kicked off the day with Adam Johnson and Sean Pulley tying with the top score. Choosing to run-off, the two riders battled it out for the title. However, the re-runs resulted in another tie, after they each received a score of 141 – making Johnson and Pulley Co-Champions of the class. Johnson of Whitesboro, Texas, piloted Sparklin Magnum, a stallion by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire and Hall of Fame inductee Magnum Chic Dream and out of Still Sparklin. The 4-year-old sorrel is owned by Viola Scott. Pulley, who is from Aubrey, Texas, rode his own horse, Spooks Shiner (NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire and Hall of Fame inductee Smart Spook x of Hall of Fame inductee Ebony Shines).

Taking home two championships, Sydney Nesky of Weatherford, Texas rode Commanded A Dance. Owned by Rails, Bales & Tales, LLC, Commanded A Dance is by Commanders Nic and out of Dancer Nic. The duo slid out of the arena winning the $500-added Limited Open and the $500-added Rookie Professional classes, with a score of 142.

A three-way tie for first with a score of 142 ½ was the result of fierce competition in the $500-added Limited Non Pro. McKinnon Larcombe of Whitesboro, Texas rode her leased horse, Taris Dreamer (Magnum Chic Dream x Taris San Cutter).

Also tying for first was Madison Rafacz riding Better Not Rest owned by Mark Rafacz. Better Not Rest is by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire and Hall of Fame inductee Custom Crome and out of Rest Stop.

Rounding out the tie in the $500-added Limited Non Pro was Madison Gustin and Guns R Spooky, an eight-year-old gelding by Smart Spook and out of Berry Yer Guns.

During the fourth day of competition, open classes continued and another American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) approved class took place. In the $1,000-added Novice Horse Open Level (L)1, Sean Pulley took home another title, again riding Spooks Shiner. Another Texas native, Martin Larcombe from Whitesboro, took the championship in the $2,000-added Novice Horse Open L2. Larcombe rode Lance Griffin’s Whoze That Girl, a mare by NRHA Ten Million Dollar Sire and NRHA Hall of Fame inductee Gunner and out of Shiney Enterprise.

The last class of the day was the AQHA Amateur class. Charley Thiel, from Dublin, Ohio and Saddled On Saturday (Chicoutmyblingbling x Einsteins Invention) slid into first place.

During the NRHA Derby, the world’s best 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old reining horses and competitors come to Oklahoma City to compete for an estimated total purse and cash prizes of more than $1 million. The weekend features the NRHA Non Pro Derby finals starting at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, June 29 and the NRHA Open Derby finals at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 30. For more information on schedules, live video coverage, hotel accommodations, sponsors and more visit nrhaderby.com.

For Immediate Release – June 26, 2018 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The arena lights dimmed as the second day of non pro competition ended at the 2018 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby. With 663 entries across Levels (L)1-4, the non pro competition featured many talented horse and rider combinations. This year’s Non Pro Derby entries are the largest in history – nearly 13% percent larger than the previous record-setting edition in 2017.

Scoring a 218 ½ in the first day of competition was enough for Cade McCutcheon and Dual Reality (Mister Nicadual x Snip O Chex) to stay on top of the leaderboard in both the L4 and Youth divisions. Owned by Tom and Mandy McCutcheon, the 5-year-old gelding was bred and nominated by Cinder Lakes Ranch. McCutcheon was surprised his score held throughout day two but credited the judges for remaining consistent across both days. “I feel pretty good about how I rode, so I am sticking to the same plan during the finals,” said McCutcheon.

McCutcheon also posted the day’s third highest score on Customized Dually (Mister Nicadual x Customized Gunner), a 4-year-old stallion bred, owned and nominated by McQuay Stables. Together, the pair earned a 217 and a spot in the L4 and Youth Non Pro Derby finals.

Only a half point behind was McCutcheon’s mom, Mandy, and her mount, Hollywood Starburst. By NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire and Hall of Fame inductee Hollywood Dun It and out of Chic Olena Starbuck, the dun mare was bred and nominated by Turnabout Farm Inc and is no stranger to the spotlight. With Mandy aboard, the duo was crowned the 2017 NRHA Non Pro Derby Champions and are looking for a repeat win this year.

Also scoring a 218 was Smart Like Juice Inc’s Wimpy Little Tejano and Mariana Vazquez. Bred by Brent Loseke and nominated by Gilberto Leal, Wimpy Little Tejano is by NRHA Eleven Million Dollar Sire Topsail Whiz and out of Tejana Chic. Together, she and Vazquez have had much success this year – placing second behind her dad, Jose, in the Carolina Classic L4 Non Pro Final. The father/daughter duo will have their chance to duke it out in the L4 Non Pro final once again on Friday night as Jose qualified on his mount, Like Shiner (NRHA Hall of Fame inductee Smart Like Juice x Wind Er Up Shiner).

With the preliminary non pro go round completed, the following scores were needed to advance to the nearly $200,000-added finals:

Level 4 Non Pro Top 30 horses (plus ties):  Bubble 213 1/2
Level 3 Non Pro Top 25 horses (plus ties):  Bubble 212 1/2
Level 2 Non Pro Top 20 horses (plus ties):  Bubble 212
Level 1 Non Pro Top 20 horses (plus ties):  Bubble 212
Prime Time Non Pro Top 15 horses (plus ties):  Bubble 214
Masters Non Pro Top 15 horses (plus ties):  Bubble 195 1/2
Youth Non Pro Top 15 horses (plus ties):  Bubble 212 1/2

During the NRHA Derby, the world’s best 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old reining horses and competitors come to Oklahoma City to compete for an estimated total purse and cash prizes of more than $1 million. The weekend features the NRHA Non Pro Derby finals starting at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, June 29 and the NRHA Open Derby finals at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 30. For more information on schedules, live video coverage, hotel accommodations, sponsors and more visit nrhaderby.com.