As champions were crowned at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, two sires also reached a new milestone, with their offspring demonstrating extraordinary talent – continuing their legacies among NRHA’s leading sires.
Gunner – NRHA $14 Million Sire
As Down Right Amazing earned yet another major title as the 6666 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open Champion, the stallion also pushed Gunner over the $14 million milestone. This not only solidifies him as NRHA’s leading sire but also makes him the only sire with more than $12 million in offspring earnings.
In addition to siring the open champion, there were two offspring of Gunner in the non pro finals, earning a total of $102,494. The versatility of Gunner’s offspring and their constant success in the show pen continues the legacy of this Hall of Fame stallion.
“Gunner was a special individual who had a unique way of using his shoulders. He was able to pass that onto so many of his offspring, and I believe that is what has made them exceptional individuals,” said NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary. “Congratulations on a milestone well deserved!”
The son of Colonelfourfreckle, out of Katie Gun, has $173,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings, but that was only the beginning of the mark he would leave on the reining industry.
Beyond his show ring success, Gunner’s legacy also includes the genuine affection and admiration he garnered from people within the reining industry. While owned by Pam and Paul Rohus, he was immortalized as a Breyer Horse special edition model while also earning a world championship, an APHA World Show Reining Futurity Open Championship, and became an NRHA Futurity Open reserve champion under Clint Haverty.
Gunner was later owned by Debra and Kim Sloan. During their ownership, Gunner continued to add to his list of accomplishments. He earned an APHA Junior Reining world title, a National Reining Breeders Classic Co-Reserve Championship in the National Reining Breeders Classic, and the United States Equestrian Team Open Reining Championship with the late Bryant Pace in the saddle in 2001.
Two years after being inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame, the Sloans sold Gunner to Tim and Colleen McQuay, where he lived out the rest of his days in Tioga, Texas.
Although the stallion passed away in 2013, his legacy continues to live on as limited breedings still occur through ICSI.
Gunner’s Top Earning Offspring with 983 competing:
Down Right Amazing (Shesouttayourleague) – DAG Ventures LLC, owner; Curtis Performance Horses LLC, breeder: $532,584.29
All Bettss Are Off (Wimpys Little Chic) – Rancho Oso Rio LLC, owner; Arcese Quarter Horses USA breeder: $393,924.19
Tinker With Guns (Tinker Nic) – Silver Spurs Equine owner, Rancho Oso Rio LLC breeder: $344,117.65
Gunners Tinseltown (Miss Tinseltown) – David Silva, Sr owner/breeder – $305,307.49
Americasnextgunmodel (Cee Dun It Do It) – Arcese Quarter Horses USA, David Silva Sr., breeder: $289,486.18
Fourteen finalists sired by Gunners Special Nite entered the Jim Norick Arena during the Non Pro and Open Finals of the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. These offspring earned $75,798, catapulting the stallion to being an NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire.
By NRHA $14 Million Sire Gunner and out of Mifs Doll, the stallion earned $219,000 in the show pen with NRHA Professional Marcy Starr and NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider and Million Dollar Owner Tom McCutcheon. The remarkable athlete was bred by Kim and Debra Sloan and raised by Tim and Colleen McQuay. In 2010, the stallion was purchased by the current owner, Turnabout Farm Inc.
Gunners Special Nite’s achievements include an NRHA Futurity Open Reserve Championship and top finishes at other major events. In 2010, McCutcheon piloted the 2004 stallion to Individual and Team gold medals for Team USA at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.
Gunner Special Nite’s Top Earning Offspring with 515 competing:
Modern Gun (Taris Modern Design) – Ms Stables, owner; Turnabout Farm Inc., breeder: $362,126.05
Guns And Dynamite (Chic Olena Starbuck) – Tim & MaryBeth Ruckman, owner; Turnabout Farm Inc., breeder: $294,621.88
Baileys Not Painted (Darlins Not Painted) – Kristen Cantacuzene, owner; Turnabout Farm Inc., breeder: $143,233.62
The NRHA election is on the horizon. Learn more about the candidates running for open positions.
Compiled by NRHA Staff
The NRHA Executive Committee and Board of Directors are responsible for managing association business and for representing the best interests of its members and NRHA as a whole. Each year, the association opens nominations and hosts elections for a variety of leadership positions.
Voting for the 2023 election will begin on Sept. 1 at noon CDT and end on Sept. 15 at noon CDT. Mark your calendars and ensure your NRHA membership is current to be eligible to vote. Individuals with a general membership (excluding partnerships, businesses, and joint memberships) have voting privileges; however, youth and associate members do not have voting rights.
This year’s election will include one director-at-large position to serve on the Executive Committee and board. The candidates are NRHA Professional Sebastian Petroll and non pro Paulus Beurskens. All members with voting privileges, regardless of location, are eligible to vote for this position.
Two regions have one board of directors seat each in the election. In the Northwest Region (California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington), NRHA Professional Nicole Renick and non pro Kylie Warn are running. Non pro Andrea Stillo and owner/breeder Brooke Wharton are vying for a spot to represent the South Central Region (Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana).
Director-at-Large
Paulus Beurskens
Heide, Netherlands
About the Candidate: Paulus Beurskens was introduced to reining in 1994. The finesse, power, and character of the reining horse immediately attracted him. He has shown reining horses as a non pro since the 1990s and plans to continue for many years to come. He and his wife, Gisela Haas, bought their first reiner in 1996, and by 2003, they founded Galaxy Quarter Horses. The team started a small breeding operation and has had horses in training in the United States and Europe.
Beurskens is the founder/owner and CEO of Galaxy Executive Management Solutions, a company that focuses on results and personal leadership to create unparalleled opportunities and results for organizations and co-workers. He is also a partner and managing director atEnergyprofs, a consultancy agency specializing in the Dutch energy market. Since 2003, Beurskens has held various CEO and managing director positions in logistics and the energy/utility industry across Europe.
From the Candidate: “By serving on the NRHA Executive Committee, I want to help guide NRHA into a successful future with my experience in business and the reining industry. Since my involvement in reining, I have been fortunate to look at the reining industry from different perspectives — as a non pro, as a competitor, as an owner, and as a breeder. This, combined with my extensive involvement in NRHA boards and committees at the European and affiliate levels, as well as serving on the NRHA board, will help me add a balanced and independent global viewpoint to the NRHA Executive Committee.
“My goal is to further build a clean sport with a place for every reiner across the world. I have a track record in defining and implementing strategic visions, improving business results by empowering people, leadership development, and building strong relations with stakeholders. My personal core qualities are being an effective communicator, responsible and trustworthy, loyal and engaged with people.”
Volunteer History and Accolades: NRHA member for more than 35 years; member of various NRHA bodies, including the Executive Committee, board of directors, Affiliate Committee, Nominating Committee, Eligibility Committee, and Hall of Fame Committee, as well as the European Executive Board, European Council, Major Events Committee and Eligibility Committee; FEI Technical Reining Committee member; Dutch Reining Horse Association board member and president; as a rider, Dutch Champion AQHA Senior Reining, NRHA Belgium Futurity Level 1 Non Pro Champion, two-time NRHA European Derby Non Pro finalist. Owner and breeder of numerous champions and finalists at major events, including the NRHA European Futurity, Italian RHA Futurity, NRHA Austria Futurity, NRHA Belgium Futurity, and NRHA Germany Futurity, as well as the NRHA European Derby, Italian RHA Derby, BO Ranch Maturity and FEI/CRI Netherlands Champion. Master of Business Administration/Master of Economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam; Royal Dutch Army officer, Officer Traffic and Transport Control 1st Army Corps; awarded “Best CEO in the Electricity Industry 2015” by the European CEO of World News Media.
Sebastian Petroll
Whitesboro, Texas
About the Candidate: Sebastian Petroll lives in Whitesboro, Texas. Together with his wife, Melanie, he operates Petroll Reining Horses LLC, a full-service training and breeding operation for clients from all over the world.
Petroll has coached non pros to great success in the show arena. He is a past NRHA Professional of the Year, an NRHA judge for more than 15 years and an NRHA steward for nearly 10 years. Petroll also has vast international experience in all things reining.
From the Candidate: “My passion for reining runs deep. I’m fortunate to be able to make a living in this industry, and NRHA is a big part of that. Serving in different functions over the years is my way of giving back to the industry.
“The membership is very diverse. Understanding the different needs of members is very important. The way NRHA is governed is exemplary across the horse industry. It is also an ongoing process, and I gladly do my part.”
Volunteer History and Accolades: Petroll has been in the horse business for more than 25 years. Over the years, he has been elected to serve multiple terms on the NRHA board of directors. He has also served for nearly two decades on NRHA committees representing the membership. Those committees include the Judges, Stewards (vice chair), Non Pro (vice chair), Aged Events, and Eligibility. Petroll also volunteered his time for NRHA task forces with topics such as the NRHA Derby, judging, and animal welfare. As an NRHA Professional, he has numerous wins and titles to his name. He has also made every major event Level 4 Open finals and clinched the 2020 Level 3 Open Championship at the NRHA Futurity.
Northwest Regional Director
Nicole Renick
Lake Stevens, Washington
About the Candidate: Like all young horse-crazy girls, Nicole Renick remembers coming straight home from school and heading to the barn to work her horses. This grew into a lifelong passion that ultimately led the Temecula, California, native to her current profession as an open rider, trainer and coach.
Renick’s background includes a very successful youth career with multiple world titles showing all-around performance horses and then later focusing on reining. The NRHA Professional received coaching from industry leaders of their time, including NRHA Professional Tanya Jenkins, and Jerry and Shelly Lunde. When Jenkins introduced Renick to reining, Renick fell in love with the sport.
From the Candidate: “I hope to promote and grow reining in the Northwest through serving on the board. I look forward to helping shape reining in a way that allows non pro riders to grow their skills and enjoy the sport, allows professionals to have thriving businesses and that promotes the highest standard of welfare for the horses, who are central to our sport. I am committed to being a resource when people have questions or ideas and making a positive impact through my service on the board.”
Volunteer History and Accolades: NRHA member for more than 25 years and NRHA Professional; NRHA Open Futurity finalist, once in all four levels and again in the Level 3; Champion in multiple futurities and derbies at leading events; Level 3 Open Derby Champion and Level 4 Open Reserve Champion at the 2023 Best Little Derby in the West.
Kylie Warn
Canby, Oregon
About the Candidate: Kylie Warn started showing in American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) reining as a youth. Her interest in the sport of reining continued to grow as she showed more and gained experience, which was and still is a family affair. She was given what she calls her first “real reining horse” (Now Ya Dun It Doc) in 2002, and she has been a consistent presence in NRHA competition ever since.
Outside of the show pen, Warn is a clothing designer for the equine industry, reining horse breeder and devoted mother of two. She manages a small breeding operation, which has produced multiple NRHA money-earners. In addition, she enjoys spending time with husband Jim, son Griffin and daughter Sloan, as well as traveling and cooking.
From the Candidate: “I hope to give a voice to those in our region. I understand multiple aspects of the challenges in living in a region located far from major events, and understand the spectrum of horses and riders, from green reiners to the Level 4.
“I look forward to accepting the continued responsibility of being the Northwest director. I take this position very seriously, and hope to continue in trying to make the region and NRHA grow and flourish.”
Volunteer History and Accolades: Current NRHA board member and former Affiliate Committee member; Top 20 Non Pro; multiple-time Level 4 Non Pro finalist at the NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby and National Reining Breeders Classic; AQHA Amateur Reining World Champion; sponsor procurement for local shows; community outreach for underserved families; published clothing and fashion designer.
South Central Regional Director
Andrea Stillo
Pilot Point, Texas
About the Candidate: At age of 10, Andrea Stillo’s grandfather bought him his first horse and gave him a start riding jumpers. At 17, Stillo got his first reining horse, and since then, reining has been his passion. Stillo’s mentors and influences in reining include the late Filippo Masi, NRHA Professional Cody Sapergia, and his wife, Mirjam, an NRHA Professional.
Over the past 30 years, Stillo has shown reining horses in Italy, Germany, Austria, France and the United States. He is an Italian attorney at law, a past associate professor of civil and family law at the University of Rome, and a legal consultant.
From the Candidate: “NRHA and the sport of reining have radically changed my and my wife’s lives. My family has always been dedicated to the continuous evolution and development of our association.
“In the event that the members of the NRHA deem it appropriate that I be elected, my goal will be to continue to work for the interest of the majority of the members. I remain available and I defer to any decision you want to make. I will respectfully accept any decision, continuing to work for the sole benefit of the NRHA, even in different roles. Thank you for any opportunity.”
Volunteer History and Accolades: NRHA judge and steward; Non Pro Committee Chair, Aged Events Committee member, Bylaws Committee member and Eligibility Committee member; Reining Horse Foundation (RHF) board member and Development Committee vice chair; Italian Cutting Horse Association board member; Italian Quarter Horse Association president; AQHA Past International and Appointed director.
Brooke Wharton
Fort Worth, Texas
About the Candidate: Brooke Wharton’s family ranch has bred and raised horses for more than a century. The family got involved in reining in the late 1990s. When Doug Milholland joined their team, Wharton worked with him during the summer school breaks.
Later, Ben Baldus became head trainer and encouraged Wharton to show the ranch’s horses. After college, she started working on the horse division of the ranch, and learned as much as she could before starting her own reining and cow horse breeding business. With a master’s degree in equine industry management from Texas A&M University, she is now the breeder and manager of BMW Quarter Horses.
From the Candidate:“I intend to spend the rest of my life in the reining horse industry, so I want to learn as much as I can and give back to the industry with my time and experience. I want the industry to grow, and I think what’s good for the sport is good for all of us, even if indirectly.
“I am passionate about our sport and making it better, and I want feedback from everyone — green reiners, Level 4 Open trainers, breeders, owners, staff and everyone who plays a role in our industry. If I am not elected, I am still a representative for everyone with the committees I serve on, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with thoughts, concerns and feedback.”
Volunteer History and Accolades: NRHA Aged Events Committee Chair and Non Pro Committee member; Reining Horse Foundation board member; Finance Committee Chair; RHF Development Committee member; Futurity Sales task force member; breeder of NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Champion Ten Thirty; AQHA director, Hall of Fame Committee member, International Committee member, International Educational Marketplace Committee member and Show Committee member; Texas A&M Equine Initiative board member; Thacher Horse Advisory Committee member; Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Scholarship Committee member; National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Mitzi Lucas Riley Award winner; Mongol Derby finisher — sixth place (tie).
On Friday, June 23, NRHyA Members proved that their skills extend beyond the show pen in the CINCH Youth Speaking Contest, held at the 2023 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.
This contest, sponsored by CINCH, allows youth members to compete for scholarship money in one of three categories, in the 13 & Under or 14-18 age divisions. Prior to 2023, a $500 scholarship was awarded to the winner in each category. This year, CINCH increased their contribution to allow for a $700 scholarship to be earned by the winner in each category, as well as a $200 scholarship for second place, for a total of $5,400 being awarded in total. The three categories members may compete in are Delivering A: General, Prepared Public Speaking, and Community Service Presentation.
Delivering A: General is a contest unique to NRHyA, in which the competitor must memorize, and recite, A: General to a panel of judges. John “JG” Codell won the 13 & Under division, a feat that required extensive preparation. “One of our friends helped me,” Codell explained. “We had nightly meetings over Zoom to prepare for the speech.
For the Prepared Public Speaking contest, youth were asked to choose any leadership and equestrian topic, and present a four-eight minute speech, without the assistance of visual aids. The 13 & Under Prepared Public Speaking category winner, Wade Kiser, conquered his nerves to earn his $700 scholarship from CINCH. “I was nervous at first, but the more and more I talked, the more comfortable I got,” Kiser said. “It was a lot of fun; I’d definitely do it again.”
The final contest offered is the Community Service Presentation, in which youth create an eight-10 minute presentation explaining their completed community service project. Current NRHyA President, Adrianna Runzo, took home the win and the $700 scholarship from CINCH. Runzo’s presentation focused on her involvement with the Akron Children’s Hospital’s Reach Out and Read program, where she collected 500 books. “It’s amazing, especially because the speaking contest is bigger than ever,” Runzo stated regarding her win. “I know the first year I competed, there were only three of us youth kids in the same category. Now that number is 20.”
Runzo and the other youth competing in the contest were grateful to CINCH for their support. “It’s amazing to see the added scholarship money,” stated Runzo. “It really elevated the experience as a youth, seeing that we could win such great scholarships from a corporation that already supports us so much throughout all of our youth endeavors.”
