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McCutcheon Paves His Way to NRHA $2 Million Rider Status

From a dynasty of reining legends, NRHA Professional Cade McCutcheon has always seemed destined for greatness. During his first year in open competition in 2019, McCutcheon proved himself when he not only won the NRHA Level 4 (L4) Open Futurity Championship and Reserve Championship but also became an NRHA Million Dollar Rider. As one of the youngest riders to ever receive the accolade, he is proving himself once again—now as an NRHA $2 Million Rider.

Hailing from Aubrey, Texas, McCutcheon grew up immersed in reining. With his dad and mom, Tom and Mandy, being two of the top professional and non pro riders (respectively), it was a natural progression for McCutcheon to take the reins as a trainer within his father’s prestigious business: Tom McCutchen Reining Horses. There, the 23-year-old established an impressive training operation, a testament to his talent, hard work, and the enduring support of his team and family.

Before the 2023 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC), McCutcheon was less than $6,000 away from $2 million in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE). With three mounts in the futurity and one in the NAAC, the talented professional blew past the milestone on finals night with an impressive run aboard the Deana Nell bred and nominated All Nite Partier (Gunners Special Nite x Topsail Survivor) owned by Sotol Investments LLC. The 224-point performance earned the duo a third-place finish in the L4 Open and over $90,000, catapulting McCutcheon across the NRHA $2 Million Rider milestone.

On March 8, McCutcheon will compete at The American Performance Horseman, presented by Teton Ridge in Arlington, Texas, for $1 million in prize money. He will compete on Team Regal Red with Austin Shepard, National Cutting Horse Association professional, and Sarah Dawson, National Reined Cow Horse Association professional. Attendees will also hear live music from Luke Bryan. Visit americanrodeo.com to purchase tickets to watch the action in Globe Life Stadium and cheer on McCutcheon in person.

McCutcheon’s top earning finishes since crossing $1 million include:

  • 2023 NRHA L4 Open Futurity third place aboard All Nite Partier (Gunners Special Nite x Topsail Survivor) – owned by Sotol Investments LLC and bred by Deana Nell, earning $91,545
  • 2022 The Run for a Million (TRFAM) Million Dollar Competition fourth place aboard Modern Gun (Gunners Special Nite x Taris Modern Design) – owned by Ms Stables and bred by Turnabout Farm Inc., earning $70,000
  • 2021 TRFAM Million Dollar Competition sixth place aboard Modern Gun (Gunners Special Nite x Taris Modern Design) – owned by Ms Stables and bred by Turnabout Farm Inc., earning $50,000
  • 2023 TRFAM Million Dollar Competition sixth place aboard Varsity Blu (Wimpy Chic x Flo N Blu Boon) – owned by Clark Reining Horse LLC and bred by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, earning $45,000
  • 2020 NRHA L4 Open Futurity fifth place aboard Gunners Town (Hollywoodstinseltown x Bubblegun) – owned by Duff Cattle and bred by Kimberly Tillman, earning $42,147

The professional’s accomplishments showcase a level of expertise and dedication that inspires fellow competitors and enthusiasts alike. As McCutcheon continues to make his mark in the world of reining, NRHA celebrates his extraordinary achievement and eagerly anticipates his future contributions to the sport.

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RHF Elects Board Members and Officers

The Reining Horse Foundation Board of Directors has elected new officers and Board members. Tim Anderson of Milbank, South Dakota, was re-elected to serve a two-year term as president of the nonprofit charitable arm of NRHA. Rick Clark of Catlettsburg, Kentucky, is the new vice president, and Nancy Tague of Pilot Point, Texas, is the new Secretary/Treasurer. Under new Bylaws approved in 2023, as vice president, Clark will be automatically nominated for the office of president for a two-year term beginning in 2026.

Patrick Flaherty of Scottsdale, Arizona, Jamie Walters of Laguna Beach, California, and Billy Williams of Aubrey, Texas, were re-elected to serve their second, three-year terms on the Board. Under RHF Bylaws, the officer and board member recommendations were reviewed and approved by the NRHA Board of Directors at its November meeting. All the positions take effect beginning January 1, 2024.

“What excites me about having been part of the successful leadership of RHF is how far we have come and how far we can possibly go,” said Anderson. “I appreciate those who have dedicated their service to helping us move the organization forward, and I look forward to the next two years.”

The RHF Board meets via conference call at least quarterly. There are working committees to advance the work of the Foundation and make recommendations to the Board. Generally speaking, directors are eligible to serve two consecutive full, three-year terms before retiring for a minimum of one year. Officers may continue to serve while on the Executive Committee.

Retiring from the Board after serving since becoming a Distinguished Director in 2016 is Loren Booth of Orange Cove, California. Booth later served as an officer on the executive committee and as vice president.

RHF Board members are responsible for meeting the duty of care, loyalty, and obedience accepted as well-established principles of nonprofit governance. They support the organization’s mission to care for and honor the reining community. In practice, they facilitate fundraising for the growing RHF, develop and executive the organization’s strategic plan, and give attention to core programs.

Anyone interested in serving on the RHF Board should contact Nancy Tague, the Nominating/Governance Committee chair, or RHF Executive Director Leslie Baker at rhf@nrha.com.

For more than two decades, members of the equine community have been doing good things through the RHF, which has supporters from around the world. Core programs include the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, which provides financial relief to reiners enduring major hardships; youth scholarship and leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association; and perpetuation of the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame. For more information or to give, visit reiningfoundation.com.

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SG Frozen Enterprize Recognized as NRHA $2 Million Sire

With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a legacy defined by exceptionalism, SG Frozen Enterprize has consistently showcased immense talent and athleticism, passing down his abilities to the next generation of reining athletes. His progeny’s outstanding performances across various competitions have been a testament to his enduring legacy and have resulted in the stallion achieving recognition as the newest National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) $2 Million Sire.

Marco Franchini was the mastermind behind SG Frozen Enterprize’s pedigree. The 2009 stallion is by Frozen Sailor and out of RS Rose SJ. After achieving success in Europe, “Iceman” was eventually brought to the United States and purchased by Silver Spurs Equine, who still owns the phenomenal sire today.

During his career in the show pen, Iceman amassed nearly $275,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE) with three NRHA Professionals at the reins: NRHA All-Time Leading Rider Andrea Fappani, Thiago Boechat, and Mirko Midili. His top win came with Fappani during the 2015 National Reining Breeder’s Classic, where the duo took the Level (L) 4 Open Championship. He went on to compete in the World Equestrian Games before finally retiring to the breeding shed full-time.

The stallion produced his first foal crop in 2015. Since then, he has sired 200 NRHA money-earning offspring who have consistently displayed the same unparalleled skill, finesse, and competitive spirit that define their illustrious sire. Two of those offspring played key roles in helping Iceman cross the $2 million mark at the 2023 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships: Froze (out of Electric Cha Ching) and Savage Love (out of Miss Whizzletown). Together, the two equine athletes added nearly $130,000 to their sire’s earnings when Allison Thorson and Thorsport Inc.’s Froze were crowned CINCH L3 Non Pro Futurity Champions and CINCH L4 Non Pro Futurity Reserve Champions, and Marco Ricotta and Savage Love (owned by Marco and Jenny Ricotta) earned 3rd place in the L3 Open Futurity and 9th place L4 Open Futurity.

SG Frozen Enterprize’s top-earning offspring include:

  • Icecube (out of Taris Designer Genes) owned by Teton Ridge Ranch, bred by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, earning $176,759
  • Ice Face (out of Dun Painting My Face), owned by Haras Bellini Inc., bred by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC, earning $143,732
  • Whizsicle (out of Miss Whizzletown), owned by Diane Yoder, bred by Jenny Ricotta, earning $118,229
  • Savage Love (out of Miss Whizzletown), owned and bred by Marco & Jenny Ricotta, earning $84,510
  • PS Whiz On Ice (PS A Whizzen Chic), owned by Cadence Eger, bred by Patsy Shutz, earning $75,445

NRHA extends heartfelt congratulations to SG Frozen Enterprize, his owners, breeders, trainers, and all those who have contributed to this remarkable journey.

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2024 NRHA Sire & Dam Stallion Auction

What could be better than access to the top stallions in the industry starting at just 60% of their advertised breeding fees? Automatic eligibility to enter the NRHA Futurity and NRHA Derby (no nomination required), reduced entry fees, and later entry deadlines!

There is no better opportunity for a Futurity-bound foal than Sire & Dam. With a lineup of over 100 premier stallions, Sire & Dam is the only stallion program offering NRHA major event benefits. 

Since 1966, the Sire & Dam program has delivered substantial value to its participants while contributing to the support of NRHA. It’s the perfect addition to any breeding program. Mare owners can purchase breedings they may not otherwise have access to, often at reduced rates.

Offspring produced from the program have added value even before hitting the ground. Some of those benefits include:

  • No nomination to the NRHA Futurity and Derby required; resulting foals are automatically eligible
  • Reduced entry fees (up to 50%) to the NRHA Futurity and Derby
  • Later entry deadlines for the NRHA Futurity
  • Sire & Dam offspring eligibility remains with the horse even if it is sold

Stallion owners who contribute a breeding to the Sire & Dam auction receive promotion through program advertising and inclusion in the NRHA stallion directory. They also become eligible for NRHA Futurity and Derby sire incentives including cash awards.

There’s still time to enroll a stallion in the Sire & Dam program for 2024, whether through the auction or as a buyback, and anyone interested in participating can contact NRHA Sire & Dam program director Haley Carmen at hcarmen@nrha.com or visit the Sire & Dam page for more information.

To view and bid on participating stallions, visit the Sire & Dam auction at reiningauction.com.

Mare owners are encouraged to contact the participating stallion owners or agents to ask about additional fees before purchasing. Winning bidders will be notified by email after the auction closes on January 8. After the conclusion of the auction, stallions will be available through the breeding season at 60% of their advertised fee (minimum of $500).

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2023 NRHA World Champions Are Announced

After a rigorous season of competition spanning the globe, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) concluded 2023 by honoring the horses, riders, and owners who earned one of 16 NRHA World Championships.

“These riders demonstrated unwavering commitment to their equine athletes, the sport, and its rich traditions,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith.

A ceremony to honor the 2023 NRHA Top Ten will be held at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel June 11–26 in Oklahoma City. This event will also acknowledge the Top 20 Professionals, Top 20 Non Pros, and Top 20 Owners along with the Top 10 in the following divisions: Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Rookie Professional, Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Limited Non Pro, Prime Time Non Pro, Novice Horse Open Level 1–3, Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1–3, Youth 13 & Under, and Youth 14–18. Members from around the globe are invited to join us in the celebration.

Congratulations to the following 2023 NRHA World Champions:

Open
Horse: CSG Piggiemove
Rider: Lukasz Czechowicz
Owner: Katarzyna Roleska
Location: Zglobice, Poland

Intermediate Open

Horse: Katies Whizzn Gun
Rider: Valerie Siegel
Owner: Sharon Gelhaus & Valerie A Siegel
Location: Wilsall, Montana

Limited Open
Horse: Hope N A Prayer
Rider: Liam Sykes
Owner: Teddy & Summer Gerrald
Location: Horatio, Arkansas

Rookie Professional
Horse: Big Niccy
Rider: Palmer Barnett
Owner: Celeste Elizabeth Golland
Location: Baroda, Michigan

Non Pro
Rider: Nikolai Stiller
Horse: Hollywood Gunrunner
Location: Bergheim, Germany

Intermediate Non Pro

Rider: Ashley Weaver
Horse: Platinum Per Se
Location: Morgan, Utah

Limited Non Pro
Rider: Jeremy Zangl
Horse: Moonstone Princess
Location: Pilot Point, Texas

Prime Time Non Pro
Rider: Lucinda Human
Horse: Made By Magnum
Location: Advance, North Carolina

Novice Horse Open Level 1, 2 & 3
Horse: Keep On Th Sunnyside
Rider: Peter DeFreitas
Owner: Carlton & Khris Crowe
Location: Gainsville, Texas

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1
Rider: Mason McDowell
Horse: Xtra Fugged About It
Location: Enterprise, Oregon

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2
Rider: Ashley Weaver
Horse: Platinum Per Se
Location: Morgan, Utah

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3
Rider: Stephanie Porath
Horse: Gunna Be Expensive
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho

Youth 13 & Under
Rider: Lily Forzani
Horse: Annies Custom Pistol
Location: Crossroads, Texas

Youth 14-18
Rider: Reed Selner
Horse: JL Pistol Pete
Location: Plymouth, Indiana

The full list of the 2023 NRHA Top 10 Standings are listed here.

This achievement is a testament to the dedication of these riders, the exceptional training of their equine partners, and the unwavering support of their teams. We look forward to celebrating with each of you in June.