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The 2020 All American Quarter Horse Congress Has Been Cancelled

The Ohio Quarter Horse Association regretfully announces the cancellation of the 2020 All American Quarter Horse Congress, scheduled for September 29 – October 25. The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic simply prevents safely moving forward in Columbus Ohio. The well-being of our workers, exhibitors and attendees is our highest priority and based on the information we have today, the risk is simply too great. Thank you for understanding this difficult decision.

“It is a sad day with the cancellation of the 2020 All American Quarter Horse Congress. Hearing all the concerns from the local and state health departments, and the CDC, it was the right decision to make to keep people safe and healthy,” said Dr. Scott Myers, CEO of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association. “It is disappointing to all who worked tirelessly in preparation for this year’s Congress, and I want to personally thank you for your continued support. I look forward to the biggest and best Congress ever in 2021.”

Sincere thanks to the many loyal Congress sponsors, exhibitors and supporters. We are in this together, our industry is strong and rest assured, the Congress will be here in 2021. Details on moving forward and further updates will be available on quarterhorsecongress.com.

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

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NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown Laid to Rest

For Immediate Release – July 23, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Two Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown (Hollywood Dun It x Miss Tinseltown) passed away on July 5, 2020. Hollywoodstinseltown will be sincerely missed by NRHA and the reining industry.

Hollywoodstinseltown was laid to rest early in the morning on July 5 on a hilltop at Silva Reining Horses in Pilot Point, Texas. The 16-year-old palomino stallion was owned by Dave and Bonnie Silva and has long been the senior star of their reining endeavors.

Hollywoodstinseltown boasts both an NRHA Hall of Fame sire and dam. This son of NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Hollywood Dun It out of Miss Tinseltown, Hollywoodstinseltown was a product of the McQuay Stables training program. He earned Level (L)4 Open finalist slots at both the NRHA Futurity and Derby with Tim McQuay at the reins, who is an NRHA Hall of Famer, NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider, and NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner.

With that auspicious start, Hollywoodstinseltown went on to gather a list of titles and laurels with McQuay’s assistant trainer Marco Ricotta that included the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) L3 Championship and an NRHA Derby L4 Reserve Championship and L3 Championship. His lifetime record would ultimately include earnings over $185,000 plus a World Equestrian Games gold medal with McQuay.

As his competitive career was winding down it was already evident that Hollywoodstinseltown would leave as dramatic a mark on the breeding world as he had in the arena. His foals showed promise early, catapulting him past the NRHA Million Dollar Sire mark in 2017, then crossing the $2 million milestone in 2019. His offspring currently have earnings over $2.5 million.

Tinseltown Fly Guy, out of Fly Flashy Jac, is Hollywoodstinseltown’s highest money earning offspring with over $250,000 in NRHA earnings. He is followed by Shining In Town, out of Shine Ann, with almost $200,000 earned.

For the Silvas, Hollywoodstinseltown, or “Dave” as he was affectionately known, was much more than just an accomplished athlete and successful sire. He was part of the family and his humane euthanization due to the complications of a bacterial infection was heartbreaking. Their consolation will come from watching his legacy continue to grow and live on through his many foals – and those yet to be born.

Press release courtesy of McQuay Stables

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Three NRHA Two Million Dollar Milestones Reached

The 2020 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby presented by Markel set many records, including three new NRHA Two Million Dollar milestones being reached: Rancho Oso Rio LLC became the newest NRHA Two Million Dollar owners, Jason Vanlandingham crossed the NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider mark, and A Sparkling Vintage became an NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire.

Rancho Oso Rio: NRHA Two Million Dollar Owners

Rancho Oso Rio LLC, owned by Jim and Pat Warren, is the third owner to reach this historic milestone, joining Arcese Quarter Horses, USA, and Rosanne Sternberg. The Scottsdale, Arizona, ranch reached the one-million-dollar mark in 2012.

Rancho Oso Rio came into the 2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel just $1,000 short of the achievement. Ranch manager and NRHA Five Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani piloted Rancho Oso Rio-owned Shine Plum Shine (Shine Chic Shine x Plum Reyning) to tie to win the $6,000-added ancillary open class on Day Two of the marquee event, which paid $1,846—just enough to push Rancho Oso Rio onto the short list of NRHA Two Million Dollar Owners.

“This recognition is really all about Pat and Jim Warren,” said Fappani, head trainer at Rancho Oso Rio for 10 years. “They’ve been part of the sport for a long time. When they started, these major events didn’t pay as much as they do now. They stuck with it and hired some of the most influential trainers in the business, including Dell Hendricks, Randy Paul, and now myself. It’s special because they’ve been part of the entire circle, from breeding and raising foals to Pat showing in the non pro to having very successful open-caliber horses.”

The outstanding stock that represents Rancho Oso Rio could fill a book of its own, but a few standout horses have helped the ranch make headlines and win big checks. Here are just a handful of those horses and their most notable accomplishments.

  • Spooky Whiz (currently owned by Kristie Banks)—2013 gelding by Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Myo Starlight by Paddys Irish Whiskey; NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) $184,715. Spooky Whiz won the 2016 NRHA Futurity Open Level 4 and now shows in the non pro.
  • Electric Genes (currently owned by Tamarack Ranch LLC)—2010 mare by Jacs Electric Spark and out of Taris Designer Genes by Mr Boomerjac; LTE $89,913. Electric Genes’ years in the show pen found her in the top five it the 2013 NRHA Futurity Open and reserve champion in other large open events. Her star continues to rise thanks to her offspring.
  • Custom Spook (currently owned by Rancho Oso Rio)—2007 gelding by Smart Spook and out of Custom Spinderella by Custom Crome; LTE $235,749. Most recently, Andrea Fappani showed this treasured gelding to win the $50,000 Freestyle Invitational at the 2019 Run for a Million.
  • Tinker With Guns (currently owned by Silver Spurs Equine)—2006 sorrel stallion by Gunner and out of Tinker Nic by Reminic; LTE $344,117. Tinker With Guns placed in the top five at the 2009 NRHA Futurity, was the 2011 NRHA Derby Open champion, and came back in 2012 to tie for reserve in the NRHA Derby Open.
  • Taris Designer Genes (currently owned by Tamarack Ranch)—2003 buckskin mare by Mr Boomerjac and out of Taris Little Vintage by Peppy San Badger; LTE $253,065. This standout mare won the 2006 NRHA Futurity Open. She’s the dam of earners of $423,529.
  • Mr Boomerjac (currently owned by Christine Brazeau)—1994 stallion by Boomernic out of Boggies Last Jac by Hollywood Jac 86; LTE $138,829. Mr Boomerjac placed in the top five of the open division at the 1997 NRHA Futurity, won the 1998 National Reining Breeders Cup (now called the National Reining Breeders Classic), and competed in the 2007 FEI World Reining Masters.

Jason Vanlandingham Crosses $2 Million

In just five years’ time, NRHA Professional Jason Vanlandingham accumulated enough earnings to become the newest NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider at the 2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, after finishing third in the go-round and winning the Level 4 Open Finals with A Vintage Smoke.

“The second million was a lot easier to get than the first million,” the Whitesboro, Texas, trainer said. “It took 15 years to get the first million and five to get the second. When you’re riding good horses and figure out how to get one shown, it comes faster.”

Vanlandingham began his career training horses in 1998. He won his first NRHA Futurity Open title in 2013 with Not Ruf At All, a 2010 stallion by A Sparkling Vintage and out of All Ruffed Up, owned by Vaughn Zimmerman. That pair went on to win top honors at the 2014 NRHA Derby and the 2016 National Reining Breeders Classic. Vanlandingham reached the NRHA One Million Dollar Rider mark in 2015.

Many talented horses helped Vanlandingham bring in the checks to reach his second million, but one horse stands out. Arguably the most influential on the last five years of his career is A Vintage Smoke, a 2015 stallion by A Sparkling Vintage and out of Lady Smoke Peppy, owned by Diane Mesmer. Along with winning this year’s NRHA Derby Level 4 Open, Vanlandingham and the black stud took top open honors at the 2018 NRHA Futurity and tied to win the 2019 National Reining Breeders Classic. The also placed fifth in the inaugural Run for a Million.

“The good horses have always taught me something,” Vanlandingham shared. “Starting way back with A Smoking Whiz, he taught me how fast a horse can turn. Not Ruf At All taught me a whole different level of horse. I’ve learned something from all the good ones, and I try to make every horse I have be close to that, if not better. Good horses have taught me more than anything.”


A Sparkling Vintage Becomes an NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire

Owned by Petra Zeitler Conner and Silver Spurs Equine LLC, A Sparkling Vintage has had quite an influence on the reining world. The 1997 bay stallion by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Shining Spark and out of Vintage Badger crossed the million-dollar mark in 2016, coincidentally with a co-reserve championship at the 2016 NRHA Derby with Not Ruf At All, shown by Jason Vanlandingham, and Platinum Vintage, shown by Todd Bergen.

With earnings in both the States and Europe, A Sparkling Vintage’s influence is widespread. He was shown by Jeff Kasten, Ruben Vandorp, Fredrik Thomsson, Emanuel Ernst in Europe, and finally by Harper Conner. He stands for breeding at Silver Spurs Equine LLC in Arizona alongside one of his top-performing sons, Platinum Vintage.

“(A Sparkling Vintage) has never had big foal crops like other big sires, and his first million was achieved from offspring I bred out of my mares,” Conner shared. “Vintage passes on his huge heart and very correct conformation to be physically able to use that heart in the show ring. What makes me especially happy as a breeder is that you have very talented, performing fillies by him as well.”

A Sparkling Vintage offspring continue to make waves in the show pen, bringing home solid scores and big checks for their riders and owners. Here are a few highlights from his most notable progeny.

  • A Vintage Smoke (2015 stallion out of Lady Smoke Peppy by Mister Dual Pep); LTE $400,082. 2018 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion; 2019 NRBC Level 4 Open Co-Champion; 2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open Champion.
  • Not Ruf At All (2010 stallion out of All Ruffed Up by Lil Ruff Peppy); LTE $456,437. 2013 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion; 2014 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open Champion; 2016 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open Champion.
  • Platinum Vintage (2010 stallion out of Starjac Miss by Hollywood Jac 86); LTE $308,062. 2013 NRHA Futurity Open Finalist; 2014 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open Champion; 2016 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open Co-Reserve Champion.
  • All American Vintage (2014 stallion out of All Ruffed Up by Lil Ruf Peppy); LTE 169,615. 2017 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion.
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RHF Announces 2020 Scholarship Recipients

The Reining Horse Foundation (RHF) is awarding $13,000 in academic and need-based scholarships to eight students in 2020. The recipients are: Cassandra Townsend of Andover, South Dakota; David Gringeri of West Haven, Vermont; Megan D’Andrea of Fowler, Ohio; Liz Blaser of Duncan, Nebraska; Morgan Ritz of Comstock, Nebraska; Morgan Knerr of Plain City, Ohio; Kelly Harper of Inverness, Florida, and Natalie Gydesen of North Loup, Nebraska.

Applications are reviewed by an independent committee with scoring based upon financial need, academic achievement, an essay, involvement in the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA)  and community, and personal references. NRHyA members first apply as high school seniors, and if selected, are eligible to reapply.

Applicants in 2020 penned their essay about this topic: NRHyA members are having visible success in the show arena across many levels of competition. What does success look like for you—inside and outside of the reining arena? Their responses were creative and inspiring.

“I remember the first time I loped, my first blue ribbon, and my first reining pattern,” wrote Gringeri. “At those moments spirits were high, but I recognized that it was hours in the saddle and late nights at the barn that I was celebrating.”

Harper, a first-time scholarship recipient, wrote, “I have received an unwarranted amount of support from those around me, and soon it will be my turn to do the same for the next generation of young reiners.”

Townsend, Gringeri and D’Andrea will each receive $2,500 scholarships. Townsend is majoring in human biology in the pre-medicine pathway at South Dakota State University with the goal of becoming a physician’s assistant. Gringeri attends the University of Vermont majoring in business/finance preparing for a career in agribusiness. D’Andrea is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in nursing at Kent State University with plans to become an emergency room nurse.

Blaser and Ritz each are being awarded $1,500 scholarships. Blaser, the 2019 NRHyA President, is attending Wayne State College majoring in pre-professional/medicine with the goal of becoming an emergency medicine physician. Ritz is the 2020 NRHyA President and will attend South Dakota State University majoring in nutrition/dietetics. Both Blaser and Ritz held multiple NRHyA national officer positions.

Knerr is the recipient of a $1,000 RHF scholarship. She attends the University of Findlay with plans to become a pediatric pharmacist. She held multiple positions as an NRHyA officer, including president in 2017.

Earning $750 scholarships are Harper and Gydesen. Harper will attend Oklahoma State University to major in agribusiness/pre-law. Gydesen is majoring in animal science at South Dakota State University with the goal of becoming a veterinarian. Her scholarship is designated as the John McQuay Memorial Scholarship.

For more information about the RHF Scholarship program, or for application information, go to reiningfoundation.com or nrhya.com.  Scholarship information will be updated and open for applicants in early 2021. The RHF scholarship program is made possible by donations—primarily from individuals. To make a difference as a donor, contact RHF executive director Leslie Baker at (405) 946-7400, ext. 106 or rhf@nrha.com.

 

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NRHA Reinstates 2020 World Championships

In a year of unprecedented challenges and seemingly endless unknowns, associations have struggled with difficult choices. Key among them has been making decisions that are best for the most members. The National Reining Horse Association, like other equine organizations, has waded through difficult waters, very aware of the reality that what benefits one member can negatively impact another.

The recent move of the NRHA Board of Directors to reinstate the NRHA World Championship races and titles for 2020 is a perfect example. In June, the championships were suspended because of how the COVID-19 pandemic had reduced the amount of shows, but feedback from members resulted in reconsideration of the issue.

NRHA President Mike Hancock noted, “At an impromptu meeting held at the NRHA Derby, people spoke of the months and months of preparation and planning that were part of hauling for a title. They stressed how important those World Championship races were to members, noting it was the title and not just the awards – that in view of the NRHA’s budget constraints, they would pay for their own awards if the titles were just reinstated. The board took a lot of time with the issue – considering several alternatives – from continental championships for North America and Europe among other ideas. But the central theme of what the board tried to accomplish, in my opinion, was helping us return to some form of normalcy even though it was still not the same for everyone. This decision does allow a large portion of our membership to reach goals they had set out many, many months in the past. Likewise, the members of the board do realize that there are people who are negatively impacted by this. There are just no simple answers.”

He explained that the issue will be reconsidered for 2021 and all options will be examined. For 2020, exhibitors must win money in seven NRHA approved shows to be eligible for titles.

An acknowledged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the drastic reduction in revenue to the NRHA from shows around the world. A barebones budget enacted by the Board and Finance Committee resulted in staff and travel cuts and in some cases, member service streamlining. With that reality, the funding is simply not available for a full round of World Championship awards.  At this point, some of the year-end awards have been sponsored by members wanting to assist and the board is hopeful that others will join suit in support of the program.

For NRHA Professional Jared Leclair, the process has been enlightening. “When I had an assistant trainer finish Reserve in the world for the Rookie Professional, I realized how important such a title can be for a young trainer. This was the first year I tried to go for a title, myself. I started out the year and didn’t completely understand how big a deal it was until the program was canceled.”

He continued, “People told me how important these standings and titles are to them and their careers and businesses. I had a dog in the fight for sure but I learned that there is a silent majority out there who base their business on this program and there are a lot of non pros for whom this is the ultimate goal.”

He complimented the process of addressing the issue – and the dedication of the NRHA Board. “This is a group of people who are volunteering their time to better the association. I saw them listen to all perspectives from the membership and try to come up with the best decision they could make in a difficult year.”

As far as the reduction in awards, Leclair noted. “Everyone who runs a business understands budget cuts. With this pandemic, we have all had to adjust our business models. We just need to keep people playing – keep goals for them. Sure, we’d like to get a truckload of awards, but the title is the thing. We can understand as a group we want to keep this program going, keep the NRHA strong, and keep the industry alive for everyone.”

He urged others in the industry to step forward to help with sponsoring awards. Individuals and companies wishing to sponsor different classes should contact NRHA Senior Director of Corporate Relations Sammi Miller at smiller@nrha.com.

Since the world title race has been reinstated, all NRHA event approvals received January 1 through August 1 will be considered Top Ten Events, which count for year-end standings. For these events to count toward the standings, the approval must be complete with all information required. This gives show management and affiliates the opportunity for August and September events not yet submitted to be considered as Top Ten Events.