Open Semi-Finalists Decided at NRHA Futurity

The first round began Tuesday, Nov. 21, and that day, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Dany Tremblay piloted Pawn Stars to an impressive 225. The talented colt, owned by Cooper Smith, is by PS Mega Shine Chic out of All Guns On Deck. The score held through the next three sections, and the two punched their spot to the Level 4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All, which will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 29.

Once again, the preeminent event of the NRHA is making history. In addition to the record number of Open Futurity entries, the show will best the payout record that was set in 2022, increasing by more than $120,000 to total $2,231,518. In fact, the total purse has increased for each Open Level, with each growing by percentages ranging from five to 12 percent!

Semi-Finals Qualification Protocol

The semi-finals qualifiers will be those with the top 30 percent of the first go scores in Levels 4-1; however, no more than 75 entries in each division will advance. If fewer than 50 qualifiers are in the top 30 percent in a division, then 50 will advance to the semifinals. Only Prime Time Open entries already advancing in other levels will qualify for the semifinals.

That means 75 will advance in Levels 4, 3, and 2, and 53 will move on from Level 1.

Level 4 qualifiers will compete in the L4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All on Wednesday, Nov. 29, while those in Levels 3, 2, and 1 will compete in the Semi-Finals on Monday, Nov. 27 and Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Bubble Scores Needed for Advancement:

Level 4 – 217

Level 3 – 214

Level 2 – 211

Level 1 – 207

Open First Round High Scores by Level:

Level 4 & 3, & APHA Open Chrome Cash – Dany Tremblay & Pawn Stars (PS Mega Shine Chic x All Guns On Deck) – 225

Owned by Cooper Smith | Nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch

Level 2 – Luca Fappani & Playing With Day Boys (Spooks Gotta Whiz x My Berry Best Gun) – 223

Owned by Neiberger-Camp Partnership | Nominated by Sergio Elia

Level 1 – Maxime Morin & Magnum Wimpys Dream (Magnum Chic Dream x Wimpys Little Lassie) – 219

Owned by Maxime Morin | Nominated by Henry Knox

Open Prime Time – Shauna Larcombe & Steppin Thruthe Nite (Steppin On Sparks x Spooks Night Time) – 223 (with handicap)

Owned by Karon Murff | Nominated by Karon Murff

Complete results, draws, and more for the NRHA Futurity are at NRHAFuturity.com.

Neudorf and Donahue Take Adequan® NAAC Championships in Non Pro Classes

The Adequan® Arena at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City has been bustling with activity since the event began on Tuesday, as riders from across North America compete in the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships. It was an exciting day of classes in the Adequan® Arena, with the remainder of the Non Pro classes wrapping up Friday. Making the classes even more exciting was that the Top 10, plus ties, in the NAAC Intermediate Non Pro earned a spot in the Bob’s Custom Saddles Showdown, slated for Thursday, Nov. 30.

Adequan® NAAC Non Pro & Int. Non Pro Champions – Jennifer Neudorf & Shining In Town

The last time Jennifer Neudorf competed on Shining In Town was 2020, the year after the duo swept all four Levels to win the Non Pro title at the NRHA Derby presented by Markel. The pair returned to the OKC Fairgrounds to compete in the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships in 2023.

A 223 in the first section of Adequan® Non Pro classes spelled victory in the NAAC Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro along with the corresponding ancillary classes, resulting in earnings of $11,339.

“(Chubs) was retired for a little bit,” Neudorf said. “We never planned on showing him again, but last minute, I was convinced to show him one more time, and it has been a lot of fun.”

Shining In Town is a 10-year-old stallion by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown and out of Shine Ann. Shining in Town, bred by Carol Rose, has more than $200,000 in lifetime earnings, and he was as honest in his return to reining as always.

“He is a horse like I’ve never ridden before,” Neudorf said. “He always tries. He always is just super willing. I’ve never had a horse that’s just with you 110 percent every time and just goes and does what you say.”

As part of the Intermediate Non Pro win, Neudorf qualified for the Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown, scheduled for Nov. 30.

“I’m very excited about it,” Neudorf said. “I’m so excited to go back into the Coliseum with him and just see how it goes and go have some fun.”

When the update regarding current leaders in the Adequan® NAAC Non Pro classes was posted on Thanksgiving Day, the sentence about Neudorf being a professional barrel racer had some readers scratching their heads.

NRHA staff clarified the situation, noting that “While Jennifer competes as a professional barrel racer, she does not receive remuneration for training horses and does not coach non pros. Questions about eligibility can be directed to Assistant Commissioner Christa Morris at cmorris@nrha.com.”

Adequan® NAAC Prime Time Non Pro Champions – Adam Donahue & Not Ruf

A rough year had a Not Ruf ending for Adam Donahue, who marked 219.5 to capture the Adequan® NAAC Prime Time Non Pro Championship and the win in the ancillary division. Additionally, he and Not Ruf placed in all six of the concurrently-run Non Pro classes for total earnings of $6,384.

“We started the year off real good in Florida, down in Jacksonville, and he’s been showing up every time I’ve shown him this year,” Donahue said. “I got him from Vaughn and Justin Zimmerman his 3-year-old year, and I’ve had him ever since.”

Not Ruf is a 7-year-old gelding by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Not Ruf At All and out of the mare Kays Freckles.

“He was really good today,” Donahue said. “He ran really strong. He always turns around well. He kept coming, and when I asked for more, he let me have more. He’s a nice horse, and I will show him a little bit in the maturities next year.”

It was a year of ups and downs for Donahue. Before the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, Donahue was bitten by a tick and developed erlichiosis. He didn’t realize what had happened.

“When I was here at the Derby, I went to the hospital to the emergency room three times,” Donahue said. “They kept telling me I had heat stroke, and I went home on Sunday, and I went to the emergency room on Monday. They started running tests, and the following Thursday night, I was pretty sure I was gonna die.”

It was close enough that Donahue and his wife had said what they thought would be their final goodbyes. The antibiotics did their work on Donahue’s tough system, and he was able to go home. A week later, he was suffering severe disorientation.

Back in the hospital, the doctors discovered Donahue had suffered a small stroke in his brainstem. A physical therapist told him that riding would be good for him, so Donahue and his wife compromised: He only took one 3-year-old to Ocala, Florida, to show.

“And she was really good,” Donahue said. “So that’s how my life goes.”

Donahue will have another chance at winning money on Not Ruf through the Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown, scheduled for Nov. 30 in the Jim Norick Coliseum.

Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown Qualifiers

The top 10 finishers of the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Open earn a spot in the clean-slate Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown, which will be held Thursday, Nov. 30. All qualifiers must check in and confirm their spot in the Showdown no later than noon Nov. 25, or they will be removed from the draw, and the next place entry will be invited.

Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown Qualifiers:

  • Jennifer Neudorf & Shining In Town
  • Courtney Battison & Xtra Little Balou
  • Jenna Webb & MMB Chic Gun Renda
  • Adam Donahue & Not Ruf
  • Kim Friedman & Electalena
  • Ayden Mae Welman & Miss Im In Style
  • Grant Truax & Lady Infernofourosix
  • Bevin Zimmerman & Taking A Mistress
  • Karen Shedlauskas & Gunnabetya
  • Kathleen Armenta & Off N Running
  • Kristen Avila & Gunners Specialdream

Adequan® NAAC competition continues Saturday with the first section of the Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year, Rookie Level 2, and Prime Time Rookie.

Complete results, draws, and more for the NRHA Futurity can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.

Dany Tremblay & Pawn Stars Lead NRHA Futurity Open First Round Following Third Section

Thanksgiving Day is special to reiners, and not just for the delicious food and camaraderie amongst friends and family. It typically means the start of the most storied reining event in the world – the National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships.

While the start of the Futurity was moved up a couple of days, there was much to be thankful for on Nov. 23. According to NRHA Chief Financial Officer John Foy, the 2023 Futurity is a record-breaker in numerous ways. Foy shared that total Open entries were up by 8.5 percent over the prior year. He also noted that 2022 was a record year for added money, but 2023 raised the bar, increasing by $66,200 to $1,163,529.

Another noteworthy record is that the Level 2 purse surpassed $200,000 for the first time in NRHA history!

Taking home a piece of that payout is a three-tier process, with the first being advancing out of the first round, which wraps up Friday, Nov. 24. Riders who qualify in Levels 1, 2, or 3 compete in the Semi-Finals rounds on Nov. 27 and 28, with the Level 4 qualifiers moving to the Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All on Nov. 29.

From there, the top 30 in each level advance to the Open Finals, with finalists in Levels 1, 2, and 3 competing Saturday morning, Dec. 2. That evening, the Level 4 Open qualifiers will vie for a $350,000 championship prize in the MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Finals.

Current Level Leaders through Go 1, Section 3, are:

Level 4 & 3, & APHA Open Chrome Cash – Dany Tremblay & Pawn Stars (PS Mega Shine Chic x All Guns On Deck) – 225

Owned by Cooper Smith | Nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch

Level 2 Co-Leader & Prime Time – Shauna Larcombe & Steppin Thruthe Nite (Steppin On Sparks x Spooks Night Time) – 220

Owned by Karon Murff | Nominated by Karon Murff

Level 2 Co-Leader – Daniel Martins Cruz & Wimpys Inferno (Inferno Sixty Six x Wimpys Pinesail) – 220

Owned by Ixtul Quarter Horses | Nominated by Ubere Agropecuaria Eireli

Level 2 Co-Leader – Robin Schoeller & Shine OH Shine (Shine Chic Shine x Miz Whizconsin)

Owned by Ruoff Dietter Reining Horses, Inc. | Bred by Ruoff Dietter Reining Horses, Inc.

Level 1 – Maxime Morin & Magnum Wimpys Dream (Magnum Chic Dream x Wimmpys Little Lassie) – 219

Owned by Maxime Morin | Nominated by Henry Knox

Complete results, draws, and more for the NRHA Futurity are at NRHAFuturity.com.

Dana Pastorino Takes NRHA Limited Non Pro Adequan® NAAC Title on Hesa Rockin Whiz

Dana Pastorino rocked her way to victory in the NRHA Limited Non Pro Adequan® NAAC and the Limited Non Pro ancillary title on Hesa Rockin Whiz, the horse who has been a stalwart for her throughout 2023.

“He’s a 7-year-old gelding,” Pastorino said. “I’ve had him for a year and a half, and he’s just really very solid. We’ve had an amazing year.” Pastorino started the year with wins at the Cactus Class, then the NRHA Derby, then Reining by the Bay. Her success all year has pushed her out of the limited non pro and intermediate divisions, she said.

“We just had a super spectacular year with him,” Pastorino said. Pastorino and her horse put the year’s experience to work in the Adequan® Arena for the NAAC classes.

“I just went out there, and I didn’t want to hold anything back, so I just turned hard and ran hard, and everything came together,” Pastorino said. “He was really with me, and it was very fun.” Hesa Rockin Whiz was sired by NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Topsail Whiz and out of A Bueno Poco Dunit. Roxanne Koepsell bred the 2016 gelding who now has more than $100,570 in lifetime earnings. Pastorino’s two wins added $991 to that number for the horse she calls “The Rock.”

“(Fred Tremblay) found him for me,” Pastorino said. “He came from Duane Latimer’s program. I just needed something that I could go out and try and win a derby with, and we just clicked. I’ve learned so much because he’s finished, right? You just learn what it feels like to be right, to be correct.” Thanks to NRHA Corporate Partners, the champions of each of the NAAC classes are presented with incredible prizes along with the coveted titles.

Competition in the Adequan® Arena continues Thanksgiving Day with the first section of the NAAC Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro classes. Complete draws, results, schedules, and more can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.

Dany Tremblay & Pawn Stars Lead NRHA Open Futurity First Round Following Second Section

Although more than 100 entries took their shot, none could oust National Reining Horse Association Million Dollar Rider Dany Tremblay and Pawn Stars from the top spot in the first round of the Open Futurity. Competing at the end of the first day, the duo marked a 225 to take the lead, which remained in the lead through the second section.

The first step to making it to the Finals on Saturday, Dec. 2, is to advance out of the first round and make it to the Semi-Finals. With just two sections left to go in the first round, Tremblay and Pawn Stars have all but secured their spot in the Level 4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All on Wednesday, Nov. 29.

Pawn Stars, sired by PS Mega Shine Chic and out of the mare All Guns On Deck, already boasts lifetime earnings exceeding $50,000, thanks to a third-place finish at The Invitational Futurity this fall. The colt, owned by Cooper Smith, was nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch.

This is the first year that the NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships haven’t started on Thanksgiving Day, a change required by the explosive growth of the event. The extended time will allow young horses more time for recovery between competition rounds.

Current Level Leaders through Go 1, Section 2, are:

Level 4 & 3, & APHA Open Chrome Cash – Dany Tremblay & Pawn Stars (PS Mega Shine Chic x All Guns On Deck) – 225

Owned by Cooper Smith | Nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch

Open Level 2 Co-Leader & Prime Time – Shauna Larcombe & Steppin Thruthe Nite (Steppin On Sparks x Spooks Night Time) – 220

Owned by Karon Murff | Nominated by Karon Murff

Open Level 2 Co-Leader – Daniel Martins Cruz & Wimpys Inferno (Inferno Sixty Six x Wimpys Pinesail) – 220

Owned by Ixtul Quarter Horses | Nominated by Ubere Agropecuaria Eireli

Open Level 1 – Maxime Morin & Magnum Wimpys Dream (Magnum Chic Dream x Wimmpys Little Lassie) – 219

Owned by Maxime Morin | Nominated by Henry Knox

Complete results, draws, and more for the NRHA Futurity can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.