Some of the best reining competition in the nation once again took place today in Adequan® Arena at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. Prestigious titles were on the line as action continued at the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC).
In addition to incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners, the champion of each of the 17 NAAC classes will be presented an Adequan® Championship vest the following day in the Jim Norick Coliseum as a show of support for these successful affiliate riders.
Awards through 10th place are presented in all NAAC divisions, so those riders who haven’t picked up prizes yet are reminded to stop by the awards room to collect the goods.
Jennifer Gilliam & Magnatize Win Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2
Jennifer Gilliam traveled from her northern California home in the town of Pine Grove to dominate the NAAC and ancillary Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2.
Gilliam and Magnatize put up a 219.5 for first in the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2, which paid $2,232, as well as first in the ancillary to add $1,007 to the day’s earnings. Magnatize is by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of the mare Dunit N Continental.
“We bought him here as a 3-year-old, so two years ago. I’ve shown in some derby stuff and he’s been a wonderful horse,” Gilliam said.
Gilliam thanked her trainer Jordan McBurney for the time she invests in helping her achieve her goals, and also thanked her mother Janiene Borror.
“He actually belongs to my mom. She has been super busy so she hasn’t been able to show him. She lets me show him, so big thanks to my mom as well,” Gilliam said.
When considering the many challenges that 2020 has presented, Gilliam is grateful for the opportunity to compete here in Oklahoma City.
“I’m really excited that the show actually happened. We came early, my husband drove me out and we’ve been here for two weeks. I’m really excited to be here. I was just happy to make the long trip and have some success because this is a really tough show. I think this is the best run I’ve ever had on him.”
The NAAC Novice Non Pro Level 2 champion was awarded a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.
Kyla Thurlow & Double Guns Tonite Win Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1
Dominant is the appropriate adjective to describe Kyla Thurlow’s performance in the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 and concurrently run NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1. Thurlow, who originally hails from Maine, traveled from her current home in Massachusetts to compete. To add to her travel schedule, Thurlow’s horses reside in Florida.
Thurlow and her horse Double Guns Tonite, by Top Gun Tonite out of Gunners Dazey, scored a 216.5 to earn the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 title and $1,064. Their performance earned the ancillary championship for another $822.
Double Guns Tonite was acquired by Thurlow during last year’s NRHA Futurity.
“I haven’t really gotten much ride time on her with all my traveling and with everything that’s been going on, but we’re figuring each other out slowly. She was wonderful today,” Thurlow said. “She was really listening. She is very sensitive. She can really run and stop huge and she did that today.”
Thurlow was also reserve in both divisions with a 215 aboard Kachina Olena Tag for another $1,323. Kachina Olena Tag is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Whiz N Tag Chex out of Kachina Oak Olena. Thurlow was happy to show both of her horses to the top of both Level 1 classes.
“Anytime you’re able to go to a horse show this year you feel blessed to be here for sure,” Thurlow said. “It’s wonderful that this show has gone through thanks to everyone banding together.”
Thurlow had high praise for her team of supporters, which includes her boyfriend Steven Borgia who found her winning mount for her, as well as her trainers Mark and Shannon Rafacz and their daughter Madison.
“I have a huge team. My mom and dad are my biggest supporters, they’re watching from home and I wish everyone could be here, but I appreciate them all so much,” she said.
As NAAC Limited Non Pro Level 1 champion Thurlow was awarded a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.
Jessicah Keller Wins NRHA Nov. Horse Non Pro Level 3 on Its Snippin Time
Jessicah Keller and Its Snippin Time had put together a great start to their run in the Novice Horse Non Pro class in the Adequan® Arena, executing a flawless run-in stop and an impressive turn. Then, the unexpected happened. “Before I loped off the alarm started going off. The judges were still in their stands, so I ran my circles, changed leads, and got through my first stop and rollback, but then they announced they were evacuating the building,” she shared.
A half-hour later, after the all clear, Keller and Its Snippin Time made their second attempt, and made it count. “She was great the second time too,” Keller said. The pair marked a 217 to not only win the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3 but also take reserve in both the NAAC and NRHA Level 2. All totaled, Keller won $2,579.
Its Snippin Time, by Shine Big Time out of Snip O Satellite, is extra special to Keller. The mare is owned by Keller’s mother, Tammye Hutton of Hilldale Farm, the NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Owner. “We raised her, and we raised – and I showed – her mother,” Kelller explained. “This mare, Its Snippin Time, is actually the one that put our program across the million-dollar mark. It was a goal of mine for us to reach that this year, and then COVID hit and there weren’t as many horse shows. I wasn’t sure we were going to make it, but here we are.”
Keller noted she had several people to thank. “I thank Todd Sommers, who has been helping me with this mare. He has done a great job and is a good mentor and friend. I thank my mom, my brother and sister, and the great team I have behind me,” she said.