Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show: the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 and Level 1 Champions
Oklahoma City, November 27, 2017 – Earning the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show (NAAC) Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 Co-Championship were Alicia Rapp and James Windham, both earning a 218.5 and representing the Southeast ARC. Rapp rode Magnificent Dreamer (Magnum Chic Dream x Heavenly Rooster), a 5-year-old gelding bred by Zachary Greg. “I just got ‘Reggie’ at the 2017 NRHA Derby from [NRHA Professional] Ashley Kelkenberg,” Rapp said. “He is only my second reining horse and was a step up from my first one. He is so gorgeous and handsome, and his personality is everything I wanted. I joked that I wanted a big, beautiful horse, but I had no intention of buying a new horse at the Derby. I bought him after talking to Ashley for 30 minutes, and I did not even ride him.”
Windham rode his own Walks With Swagger (Topsail Whiz x Princess In Diamonds). He has owned the 7-year-old gelding for a year and a half. “He has been awesome since I first owned him,” said Windham. “This venue is always my best, and he always proves himself out here. I was very happy with his performance today. It has been a really great year with many tough shows to get to this point, so it feels incredible to end it this way.” Both teams will compete tomorrow in the Adequan® NAAC Non Pro and joked that they hope to represent their region and barn aisle as they did today.
In third place in the Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 was Kelly Rainford on Give Me Starbucks (Walla Walla Whiz x Starbucks Rosy Blend), who scored a 218. Rainford came to OKC representing the Rocky Mountain Reining Horse Association (RHA) on her 7-year-old mare bred by Jimmy Pierce.
The Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 Champion received a Kyle Tack saddle, a custom Montana Silversmiths Trophy Buckle, a Platinum Performance Gift Certificate, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, Bluebonnet Feed product, a $150 SmartPak Gift card, an embroidered halter from Brandt Blankets, and an Avila Pro Shop blanket.
Saving the best for last in the Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1, Kristen Avila and Mercedes Dot Tari (Cromed Out Mercedes x Skeets Dot Tari) scored a 217.5 to win the Championship. “I am so excited that I think I am going to cry,” said an emotional Avila. “She is such a special mare to our family.” NRHA Professional Bobby Avila, Jr. and Kristen bought the 5-year-old mare from NRHA Million Dollar Owner and Hall of Fame Inductee Vaughn Zimmerman when she was still on her dam’s side, said Kristen. “Bobby trained her mom, and I have loved her since she was a baby,” said Kristen. “She would run up and want attention and truly is our pet. She will be my son’s short stirrup horse one day and will have a forever home with us. For her to win this is just amazing. I am so thankful Vaughn gave us the opportunity to own her and that my husband trained her for me.”
Earning the Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 Reserve Championship, after scoring a 216.5, were Taryn Bakker and Love Playin Tag (Loveable Nic x Whiz N Tag Chic). Bakker has owned the 6-year-old gelding, bred by Vanessa Noble, since January. The pair, representing Washington RHA, has had an incredibly successful first year together. “I showed as a youth ten years ago and just got back into reining,” Bakker said. “I am learning how to rein again, and it has been really fun. I have four kids, and it just felt like the right time. I have gone and watched and wanted to show again, and she was the inspiration. It has been a surreal dream since you never know how it will go once you get to the show. I have joined the best coach [NRHA Professional Darren Stancik] and family of non pros in this barn.” Their goal has been to compete for the Silver Spurs Equine Rookie of the Year title, to be determined on Thursday, November 30.
The Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 Champion received a Kyle Tack saddle, a custom Montana Silversmiths Trophy Buckle, a Platinum Performance Gift Certificate, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, Bluebonnet Feed product, a $150 SmartPak Gift card, an embroidered halter from Brandt Blankets, and an Avila Pro Shop Blanket.
Adam Donahue and Thata Shiner (Smart Spook x SLJ Smartlikewhinny) won the $1,000-added NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 after scoring a 219. The 8-year-old mare, owned by Donahue, was bred by Million Dollar Owner Smart Like Juice Inc. Stephanie T Gripp and her own Gun N For Glory (Gunner x Dun It For Chex) won the $1,000-added NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2. Gripp and the 5-year-old mare, bred by Oldenburg Farm LLC, scored a 220 for the win.
For further information, results, live feed and live score, visit nrhafuturity.com