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Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch Honors Inductees and Raises $300k for Reining Horse Foundation

The room glittered brightly as reining industry stars and enthusiasts turned out for the shining event of the charitable season: the Reining Horse Foundation Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch.

Spurs and saddles were set aside in favor of sequins for the gala Nov. 29 in the historic Centennial Building at OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. The event raised more than $300,000 for the Reining Horse Foundation and honored difference-makers during the National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships.

“This is an annual celebration to come together and honor new and previous inductees into the NRHA Hall of Fame, as well as the recipient of the NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award – the highest honors bestowed by NRHA. The second purpose is to raise funding crucial for the RHF and its core programs,” said Rick Clark, chairman of the RHF Board of Directors development committee and a foundation officer. “This is the fifth year the gala will be in this format. I’m proud to say Toyon Ranch has been the presenting donor all five years; we have great appreciation for the leadership from owners John and Nancy Tague.”

The newest members of the NRHA Hall of Fame were inducted:

  • The late Bob McDonnell, known as “Bob Mac”
  • Dell Hendricks
  • Gunnatrashya

The NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to:

  • Dave Belson
  • Jenifer Reynolds & Chris Cook

The event recognizes honorees and shines a light on history makers, said Leslie Baker, executive director of the Reining Horse Foundation, while also serving as a primary fundraiser for the Foundation.

“We raised more than $300,000 for the Reining Horse Foundation – a record for this event,” Baker said. “We want to thank all the donors and event supporters. Toyon Ranch, already the presenting sponsor, offered to match up to $25,000 in donations for the Dale Wilkinson Crisis Fund, and donors met that match.”

Since 2018, Sliders’ Night Out has been the single largest annual fundraiser for the Reining Horse Foundation, the charitable arm of NRHA.

“(The donations) give us tremendous momentum to continue growth of the Foundation’s core programs,” Baker said.

Adrianna Runzo, NRHyA president, announced on behalf of the Reining Horse Foundation that beginning in 2024, former youth members who remain active NRHA members can apply for five new Merit Scholarships, which are $1,500 each, available to students in accredited college or trade school programs.

RHF is broadening the pool, Runzo said, as these scholarships will be reserved for students who have never been awarded any scholarships by the NRHyA and Reining Horse Foundation and who have started in higher education programs.

“This is a terrific way to reach more members and help more students,” Runzo said. “There’s a good chance it may even reach some nontraditional students.”

Jeff Tebow led the live auction with six generously donated goods and services. The proceeds will go toward the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, the Hall of Fame, and youth scholarships, among other benefits for NRHA members. The auction raised $241,500.

Would-be buyers excitedly raised the bid on the NASCAR Truck Series experience, donated by ThorSport. The experience, which included an opportunity to put a logo on a ThorSport truck for the season-opening event at Dayton International Speedway, was the high-seller in the live auction, going for $100,000 to 100X Equine.

Other items were:

$80,000 – Toyon Ranch won the bid for a breeding package featuring GeneTech ICSI Services, an embryo from Dun Dry Whiz, the dam of Mic Dropp, and a breeding to Toyon Ranch featuring stallions. The package was made possible by GeneTech, Clark Reining Horses, Cinder Lakes, and Toyon Ranch.

$19,000 – Cooper Smith bought the John Deere Ztrak Zero Turn Mower, Model Z-720E, donated by Equine Discounts.

$14,000 – Mike McFarlin purchased an exclusive VIP Offering and Premium Seating to the American Performance Horseman. This coveted package included limited edition credentials, Texas cuisine, and more. NRHA provided this opportunity

$13,500 – ThorSport purchased the second available American Performance Horseman package.

$8,000 – Spooks Gotta Whiz won the bid for an 18K white gold paved ring featuring gemstones, donated by MS Diamonds TX, a perennial RHF contributor.

$5,000 – Spooks Gotta Spark won the bid for a Reining Horse Foundation whiskey barrel bar/table, donated by Waugh Designs.

$2,000 –The folks at 100X Equine had the last bid on a custom whiskey barrel featuring a photo of the new owner’s choice, donated by Waugh Designs.

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Bob’s Custom Saddles & Toyon Ranch Rookie Showdown Winners Crowned at NRHA Futurity & Adequan® NAAC

Generous sponsorships from Bob’s Custom Saddles and Toyon Ranch gave some reiners an opportunity to showcase their horses in the Jim Norick Coliseum during the 2023 National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Ok.

On Nov. 30, Rookie Level 1, Rookie Level 2, Intermediate Non Pro, and Intermediate Open riders who placed in the top 10 of their Adequan® NAAC classes rode into the bright lights of the coliseum in hopes of taking home a championship in the Bob’s Custom Saddles and/or Toyon Ranch Showdowns.

Winners in each of the Showdown classes received a check for $5,000. Thanks to the sponsorships from Toyon Ranch and Bob’s Custom Saddles, competitors didn’t have any additional entry fees to the showdown.

Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Open Showdown Champions – Justin Mathison & Alpha Taris Chic

Justin Mathison was ready for Pattern 7 in the Bob’s Custom Saddles NAAC Intermediate Open Showdown in the Norick Coliseum at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds.

The NRHA Million Dollar Rider rode Alpha Taris Chic to the Showdown win – and a check for $5,000 – with a score of 218.5. He also finished reserve on Shes Reddy On Line.

“Pattern 7 is a pattern we don’t run very often,” Mathison said. “I’m seasoned in the show pen so I know how not to rush through it, so I felt like I had an advantage there, and I’m riding two good horses. It was fun.”

Alpha Taris Chic is by Wimpy Chic and out of Taris Attraction by Mr Boomerjac. Jordan Wright Du Plessis owns the 5-year-old gelding with more than $18,975 in lifetime earnings.

“Alpha Taris Chic was very physical running and stopping, and I took my time,” Mathison said. “I loped off on my right set of circles, and he was a little bit nervous, so I stayed at plus-quarter on the throttle. I didn’t try to gas it. About a half-circle into my fast circle, I had him talked back into being with me, and then I could go as fast as I wanted.

“He slowed down great, stayed in frame, and changed leads right in the middle. Both circles were in frame, very pretty, and the part I’m most proud of is he turned his last corner and ran to his last stop as if he had never been shown before.”

That’s hard for a horse that has been shown a lot, Mathison said, adding that the horse isn’t typically nervous but could feel the excitement of the Norick Coliseum.

“He’s a solid citizen,” Mathison said. “These horses aren’t dumb. They know the bright lights are on in there.”

Shes Reddy On Line is a 2016 mare sired by Shine On Line and out of the Nic It In The Bud mare Guns R Reddy. She has lifetime earnings of more than $101,000. Mary A. Jansma bred and still owns the mare.

“I thank my help for helping me get both horses ready,” Mathison said. “This is an amazing event. I really thank Bob’s Custom Saddles for it, because when I showed in the Intermediate Open in the Adequan® arena, I had no idea I’d be able to run (in the Jim Norick Coliseum). I didn’t know until after the fact. It was a pleasant surprise. Thanks to Bob’s and all the sponsors. Everybody gives so much, and it makes our industry so much better.”

Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown Champion – Jennifer Neudorf & Shining In Town

Jennifer Neudorf and Shining In Town continued their winning ways Nov. 30 as they took the champion title and the $5,000 check in the Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown.

Neudorf and the 10-year-old stallion scored 218.5 in the Showdown after winning the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Non Pro with a 223 to qualify for the bonus round.

“He felt really good,” Neudorf said. “It was a bit more of a complicated pattern, but he just listened and tried his best and made it fun as always. It was really cool to be back in the Norick.”

“Chubs” was sired by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown and is out of the Shining Spark mare Shine Ann. Carol Rose bred the horse that has more than $200,000 in earnings.

“It was for sure so fun and exciting to show in the Norick,” Neudorf said. “I thank Bob’s Custom Saddle for sponsoring such a cool class.”

Shining In Town had been retired before Neudorf legged him up and brought him to the NRHA Futurity. He has felt good all week, Neudorf said.

“He just tries,” she said. “He doesn’t ever want to be in trouble. He always wants to be a good boy, and it makes it fun. I want to keep showing him, for sure.

“I thank the Schmersal team, Craig and Ginger. They’re always such a big help. I also thank my parents for how they always support me.”

Toyon Ranch Rookie Level 1 Showdown Champion & Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie Level 2 Showdown Champion – Rayne Anderson & Pale Face Gunslinger

Rayne Anderson and Pale Face Gunslinger continued their winning streak, claiming championships in the Toyon Ranch Rookie Level 1 Showdown Champion & Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie Level 2 Showdown at the National Reining Horse Association Futurity & Adequan ® NAAC Championships.

“Going through the Gateway of Champions was very nerve-wracking,” Anderson said. “But once we ran in and started our pattern, we both kind of settled down.”

Pale Face Gunslinger is a 2014 gelding by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit and out of Lost In Tinseltown. He is owned by Anderson’s grandfather, Tim Anderson, and has been previously shown by Kim Niven.

The pair won the Adequan® NAAC Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year title earlier in the show, with Anderson proudly wearing the award buckle for that win as she entered the pen again to secure these championships.

Each Showdown featured a prize of $5,000 and claiming both wins will push the gelding over the $150,000 in lifetime earnings mark.

“I’m just thankful and proud. He still shows like a rockstar,” said Anderson of Pale Face Gunslinger, who she calls Simba. Unsure of where they’ll show next, the plan seems to be to take it a day at a time.

“I love John and Nancy (Tague) at Toyon Ranch. They are honestly the sweetest, best, kindest people to me and my grandparents, and I just appreciate them as a whole, and I appreciate their sponsorship of this class,” Anderson said as she thanked them. “I appreciate Bob’s Custom Saddles a whole lot too, for making this a possibility.”

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The Stage is Set for Record-Breaking NRHA Futurity Finals!

Reiners brought the heat in their last chance to make it to the National Reining Horse Association Futurity finals. More entries and higher payouts brought the best out of 3-year-old reiners and their riders.

More than $2.9 million will be paid out, breaking the 2022 record for riders in Non Pro and Open divisions in the Jim Norick Coliseum. 

Once again, the Level 4 Open exhibitors will be competing for an impressive $350,000 first-place prize during the MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Futurity Finals. The reserve champion will win a guaranteed $150,000, and third place will bank $100,000.

The CINCH Non Pro Level 4 is also lucrative, with the Champion leaving the Sooner State with $75,000, the Reserve winner earning $45,000, and third taking a cool $35,000.

Andrea Fappani Leads Field of Open Finalists on Inferno Thirty Five

A competitive field of 3-year-old horses and their riders tested their skills Nov. 29 in the Jim Norick Coliseum for the Level 4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All, hoping to put together a second solid run that would earn them a trip to the MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Finals on Dec. 2. All day, scores kept going up and up, as riders added the semifinal scores to their first-round scores for composites that indicate consistency as well as fiery talent.

The NRHA’s only Eight Million Dollar Rider, Andrea Fappani, rode Stephen Archer’s Inferno Thirty Five to the highest composite score of the Level 4 Open Semi-Finals, presented by Not Ruf At All, with a 443.5.

Inferno Thirty Five is a 2020 stallion sired by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six and out of Madeof Pure Spangled by Star Spangled Whiz. Mary A. Jansma nominated the horse bred by Cardinal Hill Training Center. The horse already has $100,000 in lifetime earnings thanks to a win at The Invitational at the 100X Reining Classic.

Luca Fappani took the top spot in Levels 2 and 3 on Playing With Da Boys, a 2020 mare sired by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of the Gunner mare My Berry Best Gun. Neiberger-Camp Partnership owns Playing With Da Boys, who already has earnings of more than $3,800 through the 100X Reining Classic. The composite score was 442, and Fappani will advance in Level 4 also.

In Level 1, Maxime Morin set the pace on his own horse Magnum Wimpys Dream, with a 437 composite. The 2020 stallion is sired by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Wimpys Little Lassie by Wimpys Little Step. He was bred and nominated by Henry Knox. The horse has $4,776 in earnings through the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity and the Warm Up 3 Futurity sponsored by Snipers Smoking Gun.

NRHA Seven Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida received the top composite score of 442.5  in Prime Time on Spooks Gotta Homerun, a 2020 stallion sired by Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of A Ruf Mistress by Lil Ruf Peppy. The horse was nominated by Tracy Cole and bred by Larry Weihing. He has lifetime earnings of more than $15,000 through the North American Reining Stakes Futurity and the High Roller Reining Classic Futurity.

Bubbles for Advancing to the Open Futurity Finals:

MS Diamonds TX Level 4 – 437

Level 3 – 433

Level 2 – 428

Level 1 – 419

Prime Time – 434.5 (with handicap)

Riders Advance from CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation

Although the NRHA CINCH Non Pro Futurity preliminary round concluded Monday, Nov. 27, riders who barely missed qualifying for the finals still had a chance to advance.

That’s because the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation round gives entries that last chance needed to secure a spot in the Finals. In the consolation, the top five from each of the four Levels move on to Friday’s competition.

Topping the Level 4 were NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Mandy McCutcheon and Stephanie Porath, tying with an impressive 218.5. McCutcheon rode Arylosa, a mare she owns with NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider and Owner Tom McCutcheon, nominated by Euro-Vets Inc., by Arlosa Whiz and out of Spooky Lil Chex, while Porath was aboard Gunna Prosper, a stallion she owns and nominated with her husband, Jackson Porath. The stallion is by NRHA Ten Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya and out of Whizen Starlight. 

In the Level 3, it was Robert Peterson and TR Ice On Fire who claimed the lead with a 214. TR Ice On Fire is a gelding owned by Goose Creek Ranch LLC and nominated by Tamarack Ranch, by NRHA Million Dollar Sire SG Frozen Enterprize and out of Wallawhizagun.

The Level 2 lead was secured by Kristen Avila, riding A Spook In Hollywood, a horse she owns and nominated herself. The stallion is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown and out of Lucky Lil Spook, for a score of 211.

Taking the Level 1 was Delacy Hubbard, aboard HF Freeze Brand, for a 214. HF Freeze Brand is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire SG Frozen Enterprize and out of HF Mobscar, nominated by Heritage Farms. 

Bubbles to Advance out of CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation:

Level 4 – 215

Level 3 – 211

Level 2 – 209

Level 1 – 209

Draw positions for the finals will be decided during the Platinum Performance Draw Party at 8 a.m. Thursday in the Sale Arena.

Complete results, draws, schedules, and more can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.

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Tinker With Guns Joins List of Million Dollar Sires

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce another stallion has joined the prestigious list of NRHA Million Dollar Sires. Earlier this year, Tinker with Guns crossed the milestone, adding his name to the NRHA history books.

Tinker With Guns is a 2006 stallion by NRHA Fourteen Million Sire Gunner and out of Tinker Nic. Bred by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, the stallion is owned by Silver Spurs Equine.

Before entering the breeding shed, Tinker With Guns led a successful show career during which he amassed over $344,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE). He initially rode with NRHA Professional Randy Paul who piloted the stallion to a top-five finish in the 2009 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity. Then, NRHA Eight Million Rider Andrea Fappani took the reins in 2011. The duo earned nearly $275,000 together with their top win came during the 2012 National Reining Breeders Classic.

“We are very proud of Tinker,” said owner Michael Miola. “In my opinion, he is one of the best of the Gunner line. His mother, Tinker Nic, is by the great Reminic. This is what makes Tinker very special. While it has been a while since Tinker was in the show pen, you must not forget that he won over $346,000 when the purses were much smaller than they are today. In order to compete in the show pen these days, you have to have a horse that is as sound as he/she is talented. The Gunner/Reminic lines bring that into all of Tinkers’ foals. The incredible stopping and turning power of Tinker is unmatched.”

Tinker With Guns produced his first foal crop in 2013. Ten years later, he has 96 NRHA money-earning offspring. Topping that list is the Rhodes River Ranch-bred Tinker With Dreams (This Chicsdundreamin). The 2014 stallion owned by Diamond Dub Quarter Horses has been piloted by notable riders over the years including NRHA Four Million Rider Casey Deary, Million Rider Dany Tremblay, and NRHA Professional Sean McBurney. These riders helped Shooter amass nearly $400,000 in NRHA LTE, with the top check coming earlier this year when Tremblay piloted him to a reserve championship at The Run For A Million’s Million Dollar Competition.

Top progeny for Tinker With Guns include:

  • Tinker With Dreams (This Chicsdundreamin) owned by Diamond Dub Quarter Horses and bred by Rhodes River Ranch, earning $396,183
  • Guns In My Genes (Taris Designer Genes), owned by Garrett Warren, earning $57,915, and bred by Rancho Oso Rio LLC
  • Whizin Off With Guns (Whizin Off Sparks), owned by Janet Rogers, earning $53,502, and bred by Rosanne Sternberg
  • Guns N Dreams (Brennas Dream), owned by Smoking Roosters PH LLC, earning $42,019, and bred by Loren Booth
  • Guns N Sparks (Whizin Off Sparks), owned by Jennifer Ludemann, earning $30,622, and bred by Rosanne Sternberg

NRHA is proud to recognize Tinker With Guns’ extraordinary accomplishment, as it underlines the ongoing growth and success of the reining community, and NRHA looks forward to witnessing the continued success of his offspring.

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Marco Ricotta Claims Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Open Titles at NRHA Futurity

As the National Reining Horse Association Futurity continued through the open semi-finals at the OKC Fairgrounds, competitive teams of horse and rider fought for Adequan ® NAAC Champion titles.

Adequan ® NAAC Novice Horse Open Levels 1 & 2 Champion and Ancillary Novice Horse Open Champion – Marco Ricotta & Black Chex Cash

On their path to hopefully claiming a world championship, Marco Ricotta and Black Chex Cash have collected quite the list of championship accolades, and on Tuesday, Nov. 28, they added Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Open Levels 1 & 2 Champions to the list. The pair also claimed the ancillary titles for the Novice Horse Open in Levels 1, 2 and 3.

This impressive list of new titles earned the pair $4,290 to add to Black Chex Cash’s lifetime earnings of just over $25,000.

“We ended up at a show earlier in the year, and she [Kim Niven] said ‘Marco, why don’t you try him? Go do what you got to do and have some fun,” Ricotta said.

Black Chex Cash, a 2016 stallion by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Big Chex To Cash and out of Blazing In Black, suffered an injury in his 2-year-old year that prevented him from making a name for himself in his futurity and derby years, but he is commanding the attention of anyone watching the ancillary pen now.

Black Chex Cash is owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Tim Anderson and has been shown in non pro divisions by Kim Niven.

To prepare for the run today, Ricotta said, “I tried to get him in the mindset the night before, so today, I went outside and rode him in the big pen to finish getting him mentally ready.”

Ricotta thanked Anderson and Niven for the chance to ride the stallion this year.

Competition continues in the Adequan® Arena with the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation Round.