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Two Sires Reach $2 Million

The remarkable offspring of Colonels Shining Gun and Not Ruf At All have solidified their latest accomplishments as National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) $2 Million Sires.

Colonels Shining Gun, known as Jojo, is by NRHA Hall of Famer Gunner and out of Shining Little Peach. In 2010, Katarzyna Roleska watched NRHA Hall of Famer Andrea Fappani show the stallion to a Top 10 finish in the NRHA Level 4 (L4) Open Futurity and knew she wanted to own Jojo. Within a year, she purchased the stallion who went on to win major titles in Europe with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Cira Baeck at the reins, including the NRHA L4 Open European Derby and the silver medal for team Belgium at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. In total, Jojo has more than $112,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE).

Bred by Trend Horses LLC, Colonels Shining Gun became an NRHA Million Dollar Sire in 2022. With over 270 NRHA money-earning offspring, Jojo has solidified his place in the NRHA history books.

Colonels Shining Gun’s Top Earning Offspring:

  • HS Marshal (out of Dun Its Dirty Secret), owned by Hacienda Sonador LLC, bred and nominated by Gerardo Arturo Fernandez Sanchez, $108,344 NRHA LTE
  • CSG Wisemanfear (out of Tejana Chic), owned and nominated by Katarzyna Roleska, bred by Brent Loseke, $101,593 NRHA LTE
  • NF Shining Whiz (out of Whowhizthispeppychic), owned by Tamarack Ranch LLC, bred by David Perneel, European nomination by Kim Windey, North American nomination by Tamarack Ranch, $97,937 NRHA LTE
  • Snips Shining Gun (out of Snip O Gun), owned-bred-nominated by Hilldale Farm, $94,695 NRHA LTE
  • CSG Kenzo (out of Shiner Brimolena), owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, nominated and bred by Katarzyna Roleska, $82,137 NRHA LTE

Not Ruf At All (A Sparkling Vintage x All Ruffed Up) is one of a few horses in NRHA history to consecutively win the NRHA Futurity, the NRHA Derby and the National Reining Breeders Classic. He accomplished this feat for his owner, NRHA Hall of Famer Vaughn Zimmerman, with NRHA $3 Million Rider Jason Vanlandingham.

Bred and nominated by Petra Zeitler, the stallion went on to earn more than $456,000 NRHA LTE. Not Ruf At All reached NRHA Million Dollar Sire status in 2021 and his offspring continue to climb the ranks of NRHA competition at the highest level.

Not Ruf At All’s Top Earning Offspring:

  • Rufalicious (out of Magnalicious), owned by Kristen and Ian Cantacuzene Jr., bred and nominated by Vaughn Zimmerman, NRHA LTE $150,162
  • Excessive Rufness (out of Smokin Lady Gunner), owned by Robin Mazzocca, bred and nominated by Karl Hapcic, $146,769 NRHA LTE
  • Its All About Ruf (out of Dun Pretty Nifty), owned by Taylor Zimmerman, bred and nominated by Vaughn Zimmerman, $118,285 NRHA LTE
  • Shining On Ruf (out of Boom Shine Sally), owned by Susannah Rose, bred and nominated by Kristen Avila, $92,659 NRHA LTE
  • Ruf Style Of Play (out of UB Stylin With Me), owned by Axel Bouchner, bred by Lorezno Lotti, nominated by Vaughn Zimmerman, $92,180 NRHA LTE

These accomplishments reflect the dedication and vision of their owners, breeders and riders who have nurtured and showcased their extraordinary talents. The legacies of Colonels Shining Gun and Not Ruf At All will undoubtedly inspire future generations in the NRHA community.

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Gunnatrashya and Spooks Gotta Whiz Cross Milestones

Two prominent sires in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) crossed multi-million dollar sire milestones. NRHA Hall of Famer Gunnatrashya is the fourth $12 Million Sire in NRHA history, and Spooks Gotta Whiz is an $8 Million Sire.

Gunnatrashya

Bred by Katarina Dorminy, the 2006 stallion by NRHA Hall of Famer Gunner and out of Natrasha boasts an impeccable pedigree and outstanding athleticism. The stallion is owned by NRHA’s only $3 Million Owner, Arcese Quarter Horses USA.

Throughout his career in the show pen under the guidance of NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida, Gunnatrashya amassed nearly $220,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE). The pair secured championship titles at the 2009 All American Quarter Horse Congress Level (L) 4 Open Futurity, the 2009 NRHA L4 Open Futurity and the 2010 NRHA L4 Open Derby, solidifying Gunnatrashya’s legacy as a remarkable competitor.

Gunnatrashya’s top earning offspring include:

  • Gunna Stop (out of Stop Little Sister), owned by Amber Gokey, bred and nominated by NRHA Corporate Partner Toyon Ranch LLC, $672,762 NRHA LTE
  • Andiamoe (out of Wimpys Little Chic), owned, bred and nominated by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, $438,139 NRHA LTE
  • Ten Thirty (out of Dainty Little Step), owned by Rancho El Fortin, bred and nominated by Brooke Wharton, $418,788 NRHA LTE
  • Gunnabebigtime (out of Big Time Jazzy), owned, bred and nominated by Tami Nelson, $362,903 NRHA LTE
  • Super Marioo (HA Chic A Tune), owned by Tom and Mandy McCutcheon, bred and nominated by Hillis Akin Family Partnership, $338,891 NRHA LTE

Spooks Gotta Whiz

After crossing the NRHA $7 Million Sire milestone earlier this year, Spooks Gotta Whiz’s offspring have already pushed him past the $8 million mark.

The 2007 stallion owned Michell Anne Kimball earned the 2010 NRHA L4 Open Futurity Championship with NRHA $3 Million Rider Jordan Larson. Bred by Clint Haverty, his illustrious career continued with NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida when the team won the L4 Open Championship at the 2012 NRHA Derby and the National Reining Breeders Classic that same year. The team wrapped up their career with an individual gold medal at the 2014 World Equestrian Games held in Normandy, France.

Spooks Gotta Whiz’s top earning offspring include:

  • Alpha Jac Sparrow (out of Chexanicki), owned by Fritz Leeman, bred and nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, $273,097 NRHA LTE
  • Mic Dropp (out of Dun Dry Whiz), owned by Tim Anderson and Clark Reining Horses LLC, bred and nominated by Clark Reining Horses LLC, $257,390 NRHA LTE
  • Spooks Gotta Spark (out of Dolittle Lena), owned by Kevin Truax, bred and nominated by Bobby Lewis, $215,585 NRHA LTE
  • Spooky Whiz (out of Myo Starlight), owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses LLC, bred and nominated by Spence Bell, $186,043 NRHA LTE
  • Gotta Twist It Up (out of Make It With A Twist), owned, bred and nominated by Sandra Bentien, $183,837 NRHA LTE

As of July 2024, Gunnatrashya is the year’s NRHA Leading Sire by a margin of $60,000. There are 370 competing offspring, with total earnings of $1,272,207. Spooks Gotta Whiz is shortly behind, sitting in second place with $1,217,623 in NRHA LTE.

Congratulations to Arcese Quarter Horses USA, Michell Anne Kimball and all who have had a role in these stallion’s careers.

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NRHA Election—Making Your Choice

Current members can vote for open positions during the NRHA election.

Compiled by NRHA Staff

The NRHA Executive Committee and board of directors are responsible for managing the business of the Association and for representing the best interests of its members and NRHA as a whole. Each year, NRHA opens nominations and hosts elections for a variety of leadership positions.

Each year, the election nomination process gives affiliates and members the opportunity to put forward candidates to be considered in the voting process. Two candidates for the NRHA Board of Directors seat that represents North America’s Southeast region made this June 1 deadline.

The Southeast Region is comprised of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Virginia. Members in the Southeast region can cast their vote for either Bundy Lane (Gates, North Carolina) or Alicia Rapp (Tampa, Florida).

The member receiving the most votes will be elected to serve a term on the board from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.

Voting

Voting in this year’s election will begin at noon CDT Sept. 3, 2024 will end at noon CDT Sept. 17, 2024. Individuals with a General membership (excluding partnerships, businesses and joint memberships) have voting privileges; however, youth and associate members do not have voting rights.

Voting information will be sent to eligible voters via email. The emails will be sent to the member’s ReinerSuite email address (username email). If the member is not a registered ReinerSuite user, it will be sent to any other email address on that member’s NRHA account information.

For more details on the election, visit the NRHA Elections page, or contact NRHA’s Christa Morris-Stone for assistance (cmorris@nrha.com or 405-946-7400, ext. 105).

Bundy Lane
Gates, North Carolina

From the Candidate: As a member of NRHA for over 40 years and raising my children in this sport of reining, I am now at a time in my life where I think I can help guide this organization forward. The training and experience I have gained from sitting on a Farm Credit bank board for 15 years along with building and managing a family farming business has prepared me well in all matters of finance as well as board functions.

From being the first NRHA Youth 14-18 world champion in 1986 to my daughter competing for Team USA in 2017 and 2019, I have loved this sport and the challenges it presents. Reining is magic when you get it right. I want more people to experience the thrill and excitement I feel when riding a good, broke horse, and helping this sport do that is my goal for being on this board.

Alicia Rapp
Tampa, Florida

From the Candidate: I believe I would be a strong candidate choice for the Southeast Region director position given [my] extensive and deep passion for the sport of reining. With my leadership skills that I have demonstrated in the reining community, I feel that I am well-equipped to collaborate with fellow board members and help drive NRHA in a positive direction.

I have a solid commitment to ethical integrity and the willingness to dedicate my time and passion for the reining industry and its future, I feel I would be a valuable contribution to the NRHA as the Southeast Region Director.

Other Positions

Several other elected leadership positions will be filled for the same two-year term. The following uncontested seats will be elected by acclamation by the Board of Directors. Those seats are:

Vice President — Nominating Committee Candidate

Casey Hinton
Whitesboro, Texas

Director-At-Large — Nominating Committee Candidate

John Tague
Pilot Point, Texas

Mountain Region

Travis Chapman
Eaton, Colorado

Southwest Region

Jenny Ricotta
Scottsdale, Arizona

Canada

Andre De Bellefeuille
St-Basile-Le-Grand, Quebec

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Clark Reining Horses Reaches $1 Million

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces new Million Dollar Owner: Clark Reining Horses LLC. Owned by NRHA Past President and current executive committee member Rick Clark, the accolade adds to Clark’s significant contributions to the reining horse industry.

“It is a tremendous milestone for me,” said Clark. “A lot of effort has gone into this, and it has been fun. I think back to when I was a non pro and showing, and then I got hurt. The pros then took over, and I have owned and still own some really great horses. It is all due to my trainers. They work so hard, and I am so appreciative of them.”

Clark has invested more than 25 years in NRHA as a competitor, owner, and now Corporate Partner through Clark’s Pump-N-Shop. He has also served two separate terms as NRHA President and over a decade of leadership positions within NRHA.

Clark owned the 2014 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Co-Champion Shine N Spook (Smart Spook x Ebony Shines), who was ridden by NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida and bred by nominator Rosanne Sternberg. Since that accomplishment, he still has the goal of winning every major event.

“To be one of the million dollar owners is truly an accomplishment, and I am really proud of it,” he said. “I got there quicker because of the purses and what we have accomplished as an industry. If you are competing, you set goals, and this was one of my milestones. I am so happy to be able to accomplish it. It has been a tremendous run, and I hope we are just getting started.”

Clark thanks NRHA Hall of Famers Shawn Flarida and Andrea Fappani, NRHA $2 Million Rider Cade McCutcheon, and NRHA Professional Kaci O’Rourke for their talents in helping him reach this milestone. He also highlighted a key gelding in the beginning of his career, Wimps Chocolate Chip, a gelding which he and Flarida both showed to $64,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings.

Clark’s success is a testament to his keen eye for top-tier talent, his investment in the development of exceptional horses, and his partnership with some of the industry’s most skilled trainers and riders.

Clark Reining Horses LLC’s top earners:

  • Mic Dropp (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Dun Dry Whiz), owned in partnership with Tim Anderson, bred by Clark Reining Horses LLC, earner of $257,390
  • Shine N Spook (Smart Spook x Ebony Shines), bred by Rosanne Sternberg, earner of $219,827
  • Varsity Blu (Wimpy Chic x Flo N Blu Boon), bred by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, earner of $160,942
  • Wimps Chocolate Chip (Wimpys Little Step x Tejana Chic), bred by Brent Loseke, earner of $65,323

Read more about Clark Reining Horses LLC’s journey to the million in the September issue of the Reiner Magazine.

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In Memory of Tim Katona

The Reining Horse Foundation and NRHA mourn the passing of Tim Katona of Belleville, Michigan, on July 12, 2024.

Tim Katona demonstrated a lifetime of dedication to the sport of reining as a trainer, coach and volunteer with NRHA and the Michigan Reining Horse Association. He was honored with the NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

You can read his full obituary here.

The family is requesting that memorial gifts may be made to the Reining Horse Foundation’s NRHyA Scholarship fund.

If mailing a check, put “In Memory of Tim Katona” in the memo section. Donate online via the RHF website. It will notify RHF that your gift is in memory of Tim. Your gift will be acknowledged.

Donate online here.