Author: nrha

The Open preliminary round of the 2023 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel came to a close Sunday, June 18. While the finalists are celebrating the chance to compete for big money on Saturday, a few are already counting their money from titles awarded during the preliminary round.

Shawn Flarida won the Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes, while Craig Schmersal and Fernando Salgado tied for top honors in the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby.

Craig Schmersal and Fernando Salgado Tie to Win Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby

Craig Schmersal and Fernando Salgado tied with a score of 221.5 to win the $15,000-added Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby. Schmersal rode Rootin Tootin Nite, while Salgado rode Swooon.

“He turned really great; he circled really cute,” Schmersal, an NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider, said. “He’s the kind of horse you find yourself rooting for just cause he’s so cute, you just wanna take him home.”

Rootin Tootin Nite is by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Gunners Special Nite and out of West Coast Bay. The 2018 stallion is owned by Wendy Elkins and was nominated by Linda Campbell.

Swooon is by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Sheza Smart Wimpy. The 5-year-old stallion is owned by Coma Ranch LLC and was bred and nominated by Loren Booth.

Although Salgado, an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, says he has had repeated bad luck with this horse, that changed today. “I showed him last year in the Futurity and I had some really good runs, but something always happened, so he never won a dollar until today,” Salgado said. “But he’s still one of my most favorite horses ever.”

Both the riders took the time to thank their family and staff for their dedication and hard work and to Clark’s Pump-N-Shop for making this class possible.

Shawn Flarida Wins the Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes, Open Prime Time, and APHA Open Chrome Cash

With a score of 226.5, Shawn Flarida and Andiamoe had a sweeping win of the Open Prime Time, Open Chrome Cash, and the Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes.

Andiamoe, by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya and out of NRHA Million Dollar Dam Wimpys Little Chic, is a special mare for Flarida. Her family has contributed greatly to his $7 million career, as he has previously won the NRHA Futurity on her, her sire, her dam, and her grandsire.

“My confidence in this mare has never wavered. It wouldn’t waver at any point,” Flarida said. “She’s so confident; she’s so good. If she was a human being, she’d show up a half hour early and stay a half hour late; it’s just who she is.”

The Stakes, open to 4-year-old horses only, debuted in 2021, and the support of the division was soon evident. Tamarack Ranch immediately jumped at the chance to sponsor the $40,000-added Level 4 Open Stakes.

Recognizing the popularity of the 4-year-old Stakes division and to support its longevity, the NRHA Board decided to add an additional $100,000 (to the Open and Non Pro divisions) beginning in 2023, bringing the total added money of the Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes to $110,000. To learn more about the 4-Year-Old nomination program and NRHA’s investment in the future of this group of horses, visit here.

Flarida took time to thank Tamarack Ranch for their support of riders who are entered on younger horses. “Gabe Hutchins from Tamarack, he’s already come by and given me a hug. They’ve done such a great job,” Flarida said. “They’ve just changed the sport.”

The payout for the Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes paid well and deep – to 15th place!

$110,000-added Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes Placings

1. Shawn Flarida and Andiamoe, $30,989.08

2. Andrea Fappani and Mic Dropp, $18,862.92

3. Cade McCutcheon and Trashya Quik, $14,147.19

4. Arno Honstetter and Shine Whiz Jewels, $12,126.16

5. Gabriel Borges and 007, $10.105.145

5. Fernando Salgado and Swooon, $10.105.145

7. Gennardo Lendi and Stepin Out Gunnin, $7,410.43

7. Craig Schmersal and Enterprizingattitude, $7,410.43

9. Craig Schmersal and Revolver 45, $4,378.89

9. Jason Vanlandingham and Shinetime Spook, $4,378.89

9. Jason Vanlandingham and Rufalicious, $4,378.89

9. Duane Latimer and CS Especially Moody, $4,378.89

13. Cade McCutcheon and Lost In The Trash, $2,357.87

13. Rodrigo Nieves and Spook Lil Whiz, $2,357.87

15. Abby Lengel and Bringnthaheat, $1,347.36

The Open preliminary round of the 2023 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel is in the books. In 2022, it was a clean sweep for record-breaking Open Levels 1-4 payouts. With this year’s numbers finalized, the 2023 event once again broke records in all four levels!

The Level 4 also saw record entries with 280, surpassing the previous record of 270 set in 2022. The Level 2 Open and the Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes also had record entry numbers. Total entries across all levels and divisions reached 951, and the total payout for the Open Derby divisions rose to $906,136 – a 14 percent increase!

The large field of competitors was narrowed down to the top 30 in the Open Levels 4, 3, 2, and 1. Those entries advanced to the clean-slate finals, which will be held Saturday, June 24. The Open preliminaries also decided the champions of the $110,000-added Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes, the $15,000-added Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby, and the Open Prime Time.

Unofficially the bubble for advancing to the finals is:

Level 4 – 220

Level 3 – 217.5

Level 2 – 214.5

Level 1 – 209

Winning each division of the Open preliminaries were:

Level 4 – Jason Vanlandingham & Gunnabebigtime (Gunnatrashya x Big Time Jazzy) – 227.5
Owner & Nominator: Tami Nelson

Level 3 – Dany Tremblay & All Guns On Crush (PS Mega Shine Chic x All Guns On Deck) – 223
Owner: Fred Tremblay, Nominator: Adh-Mor Ranch

Level 2 – Gabriel Diano & Gunna Bet My Boon (Gunnatrashya x Flo N Blu Boon) – 220
Owner: Cabana RT La Aurora, Breeder & Nominator: Alpha Quarter Horses, LLC

Level 1 – Sumer Opinker & Always A Magnum (Magnum Chic Dream x Always A Dunit) – 216
Owner: Pamela Williams, Breeder: Petska Trinity Equine, LLC, Nominator: Jeffery Petska

Level 1 – Santiago Cilleruelo & Flinn Gunna Mark Ya (In Like Flinn x ARC Gunna Mark Ya) – 216
Owner: Justice Performance Horses, Breeder: Jody Puno, Nominator: Neiberger Performance Horses

Level 1 – Abby Kampmann & Lylith (A Sparkling Vintage x Dun It Got Lucky) – 216
Owner: Slide or Die LLC, Breeder: Cade McCutcheon, Nominator: Roxanne Koepsell

Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old  Stakes & Open Prime Time – Shawn Flarida & Andiamoe (Gunnatrashya x Wimpys Little Chic) – 226.5           
Owner, Breeder, & Nominator: Arcese Quarter Horses USA

Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby – Craig Schmersal & Rootin Tootin Nite (Gunners Special Nite x West Coast Bay) – 221.5           
Owner: Wendy Elkins, Nominator: Linda Campbell

Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby – Fernando Salgado & Swooon (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Sheza Smart Wimpy) – 221.5
Owner: Coma Ranch, Breeder & Nominator: Loren Booth

The draw for the Open finals will be decided during the Platinum Performance Open Draw Party on Thursday, June 22, at 10 a.m. The Draw Party, open to everyone, will be held in the Platinum Zone in the Sale Arena.

Be sure to purchase tickets to cheer on your favorite finalists on Saturday, June 24, at 5 p.m.

Complete results, draws, news, and more can be found at NRHADerby.com.

Photo of Jason Vanlandingham & Gunnabebigtime by Chelsea Schneider Media.

The second section of the Open preliminary round of the 2023 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel took place Saturday, June 17. After 104 rides in the Jim Norick Coliseum, there was little change to the leaderboard.

The clean-slate Finals will be held on Saturday, June 24 at the OKC Fairgrounds. It will be an action-packed event with the largest check in Derby history- $100,000- being presented to the Open Champion.

The Open preliminary rounds will wrap up tomorrow, Sunday, June 18, with the final 99 draws. The current high scores in Levels 4-1 are:

Level 4 – Jason Vanlandingham & Best Shine – 227
(Shine Chic Shine x Best Stop) 
Owner: Robert Santagata, Breeder & Nominator: Wagman Ranch Inc

Level 3 – Dany Tremblay & All Guns On Crush – 223
(PS Mega Shine Chic x All Guns On Deck)
Owner: Fred Tremblay, Nominator: Adh-Mor Ranch

Level 2 – Gabriel Diano & Gunna Bet My Boon – 220
(Gunnatrashya x Flo N Blu Boon)
Owner: Cabana RT La Aurora, Breeder & Nominator: Alpha Quarter Horses, LLC

Level 1 – Sumer Opinker & Always A Magnum – 216
(Magnum Chic Dream x Always A Dunit)
Owner: Pamela Williams, Breeder: Petska Trinity Equine, LLC, Nominator: Jeffery Petska

Level 1 – Santiago Cilleruelo & Flinn Gunna Mark Ya – 216
(In Like Flinn x ARC Gunna Mark Ya)
Owner: Justice Performance Horses, Breeder: Jody Puno, Nominator: Neiberger Performance Horses

The preliminary rounds not only determine who returns to the Finals- they also decide the champions of the $110,000-added Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes and the $15,000-added Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby. The winners of these events, along with the Open Prime Time and the American Paint Horse Association’s Open Chrome Cash, will be announced at the conclusion of the preliminary rounds tomorrow. The current leaders for these divisions are:

Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Open Stakes – Cade McCutcheon & Trashya Quik – 223
(Gunnatrashya x Nestle Quik Chic)
Owner: Vaughn Zimmerman, Breeder & Nominator: William Newman, Jr

Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby – Craig Schmersal & Rootin Tootin Nite – 221.5
(Gunners Special Nite x West Coast Bay)
Owner: Wendy Elkins, Nominator: Linda Campbell

Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby – Fernando Salgado & Swooon – 221.5
(Spooks Gotta Whiz x Sheza Smart Wimpy)
Owner: Coma Ranch, Breeder & Nominator: Loren Booth

Open Prime Time: Matthew McDowell & Xtra Voodoo Dr – 221 (includes handicap)
(Shiners Voodoo Dr x Wound Up Wimp)
Owner: Mona Bodaness, Breeder & Nominator: Silver Spurs Equine

Open Chrome Cash: Trevor Elliot Dare & Gangsta Sixtysix – 223.5
(Inferno Sixty Six x Rush N Cat)
Owner: Julio Mora Hernandez, Breeder: Lorenzo Lotti, Nominator: Slide or Die LLC

The top 30 (plus ties) in the Open Levels 4-1 will advance to the clean-slate finals on Saturday, June 24. The draw for the Finals will be decided at the Platinum Performance Open Draw Party on Friday, Saturday 23, at 10 a.m.

For complete results and a competition live stream, visit NRHADerby.com.

Photo of current leader Jason Vanlandingham and Best Shine by Waltenberry Photography.

With the second day of the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel in the books, the event is in full swing.

The Adequan® Arena had a full day, with 79 entries competing in the first slate of the ancillary Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, and Rookie Professional classes. When the day drew to a close, Justin Mathison, Dakota Guthridge, and Megan Overy were in the win photos.

Open & Int. Open (1) Champion – Gunny Mathison & Alpha Taris Chic

Justin “Gunny” Mathison and Alpha Taris Chic brought home the win in the first slate of both the ancillary Open and Intermediate Open with a score of 147. 

Alpha Taris Chic,​​ a 2018 gelding, is sired by Wimpy Chic and out of Taris Attraction. When asked about the gelding, Gunny laughed and said “He’s a horse I love. I love looking at him. He makes me smile just to see him, so I bring him with me to every horse show I go to… just to look at him.”

He’s more than just good looks, though. “His right turn was a one, his right circle was good, and his left circle was very good. He runs and stops real hard,” Gunne explained. “We were last in our drag, and the ground was all chewed up, but it didn’t matter to this animal.” 

Up next for the gelding is The Run For The Million with his owner Jordan Wright Du Plessis of South Africa.

Ltd. Open (1) Champion – Dakota Guthridge & Dun With Guns

Dakota Guthridge and Dun With Guns, a 2015 gelding owned by Shawn Stratman, won the first slate of the ancillary Limited Open with a score of 142.5.

Dun With Guns is by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Gunners Special Nite and out of Belle Starr Dun It, bred by Turnabout Farm Inc.

While Dun With Guns has won more than $79,000, this was only the second show for the pair. Guthridge noted he was pleased with Dun With Guns performance in the pen.

“He is just really great. He’s fun to show and he’s teaching me a lot, but he’s also just a lot of fun,” Guthridge said.

Guthridge thanked the McCutcheon family and Shawn Stratman for their continued support.

Rookie Pro. (1) Champion – Megan Overy & ARC Wimpysgottagun

Megan Overy and ARC Wimpysgottagun, a 2013 stallion owned by Janice Dickson, won the first slate of the Rookie Pro with a 144.

ARC Wimpysgottagun, known around the barn as “Lefty,” is by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of Hall of Famer Wimpys Little Chic. The stallion was bred by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Arcese Quarter Horses and has lifetime earnings over $28,000. While Lefty is no stranger to the show pen, today’s class was Megan’s first class at her first Derby.

When asked about Lefty, Megan beamed as she explained, “I love that horse… honestly, he’s a little bit quieter at home – he’s more relaxed and chill. At the shows, he gets a little more excited. He loves his job. As soon as he walks in the pen, he knows what his job is. And he wants to do it.”

She added, “It’s such an honor to be able to show him. Janice Dickson, who owns him, has just given me such an amazing opportunity to be able to show him. My coach, Matt Mills, has been a wonderful helper; he’s supported me the whole way. It’s just been a team effort.”

For complete results and a competition live stream, visit NRHADerby.com.