nrha – Page 68 – NRHA News

August 17, 2022August 17, 2022

The Run For A Million Invitational Lineup Features Array of NRHA Professionals

In just a couple of days, the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas will be rocking when 16 National Reining Horse Association Professionals vie for a piece for the more than $1,000,000 payout. The Champion will take home a half-million dollars, and this year’s competition is stacked with both veteran riders and up-and-comers.

Take a look at the stats of the riders who will be competing on Saturday, August 20, and let us know who you’d wager on! If you are not in Las Vegas and want to see behind the scenes footage of the riders, the event, and the winning runs be sure to tune into The Last Cowboy.

**Lifetime earnings as of 8/10/2022

Shawn Flarida

Springfield, Ohio

LTE – $6,978,989

Top 10 Wins:

2004 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Smart Spook – $175,000
2002 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Wimpys Little Step – $150,000
2013 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Tinseltown Fly Guy – $135,596
2014 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Co-Champion – Shine N Spook – $132,635
2009 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Gunnatrashya – $125,000
2007 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Wimpys Little Chic – $125,000
2005 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – KR Lil Conquistador – $125,000
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Shine Colt Shine – $105,215
2016 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Whiz Gata Prize – $104,362
2021 TRFAM Reserve Champion – Spooks Gotta Spark – $90,000

Notes: Shawn Flarida took home reserve honors at the 2021 The Run For A Million after an exciting runoff. He is NRHA’s second All Time Leading Rider and was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2011. He has ridden and trained several horses that went on to become NRHA Million and Multi-Million Dollar Sires and Dams, including NRHA $12 Million Sire Wimpys Little Step, Reining Triple Crown Winner and NRHA Million Dollar Dam Wimpys Little Chic, NRHA $7 Million Sire Gunnatrashya, and NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine.

Known for his signature green show shirts, Shawn is also a five-time World Equestrian Games Gold Medalist.

His son, Sam Flarida, is following in his father’s footsteps and as a Youth and Non Pro rider has accumulated more than $252,000 in lifetime earnings.

Shawn and wife Michelle live in Springfield, Ohio.

Follow Shawn on Facebook.

Casey Deary

Weatherford, Texas

LTE – $3,058,233

Top 10 Wins:

2021 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Ten Thirty – $332,500
2012 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Co-Champion – Americasnextgunmodel – $156,750
2015 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Co-Champion – Shesouttayourleague – $142,500
2018 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 3^rd – Americas Supermodel – $96,764
2020 NRBC Level 4 Open Champion – Americasnexttopgun – $75,000
2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open Champion – Americasnexttopgun – $71,250
2020 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 3^rd – Down Right Amazing – $69,122
2014 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 4^th – ARC Gunna Sparkya – $59,690
2017 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open Champion – Shesouttayourleague – $57,000
2016 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open Champion – Magnum Starlights – $57,000

Notes: Casey Deary is coming off a big win at this year’s 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, winning the title on Americasnexttopgun. He’s also the reigning NRHA Futurity Champion, taking home the 2021 title on Ten Thirty.

Casey Deary grew up in Texas riding horses, taking low-cost colts, training them, and reselling them, allowing him to grow his training business.

Casey and his wife Nicole now live in Weatherford, Texas, where he coaches youth and amateur clients. The couple’s four children – Wyatt, Owen, Joy, and Olivia – can always be found around the reining events and in the show pen.

Casey competed at the inaugural TRFAM in 2019, finishing eighth.

Follow Casey and his team on Facebook.

Nathan Piper

Pilot Point, Texas

LTE – $1,059,785

Top 10 Wins:

2013 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 4^th – In Like Flinn – $65,750
2019 NRBC Level 4 Open Co-Champion – Patriot – $63,000
2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Patriot – $45,193
2021 TRFAM 7^th Place – Patriot – $40,000
2019 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open 3^rd – Patriot- $24,788
2020 NRBC Level 4 Open 6^th – Patriot – $21,000
2022 NRBC Level 4 Open 8^th Place – Patriot – $18,500
2014 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 8^th – Independencedayspook – $30,504
2016 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 12^th – High Rolling Spook – $19,292
2016 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – Dun Gotyer Guns Up – $18,872

Notes: Nathan Piper was born in Bryan, Texas, where he grew up showing reining horses as a youth. During his junior year of college at Texas A&M University, he decided to forgo his Non Pro status to become an NRHA Professional. Nathan graduated from Texas A&M University in 1999 and married his wife Jean in 2000.

After college, Nathan moved to Whitesboro, Texas, to work for two-time NRHA Futurity Champion Todd Sommers as an assistant trainer. In 2004, Nathan and his wife Jean purchased a training facility in Madisonville, Texas, where they successfully built Nathan Piper Reining Horses.

Piper Reining Horses now operates out of Selah Ranch in Pilot Point, Texas. Nathan and Jean have two daughters, Millie and Etta.

Follow Nathan’s journey on Facebook.

Cade McCutcheon

Aubrey, Texas

LTE: $1,440,879

Top 10 Wins:

2019 The Run For A Million Invitational Co-Champion – Custom Made Gun – $307,500
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Super Marioo – $142,500
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Guns And Dynamite – $105,215
2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel L4 Open Reserve Champion – Super Marioo – $40,479
2021 TRFAM 6^th Place – Modern Gun – $50,000
2020 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 5^th – Gunners Town – $42,147
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Champion – Super Marioo – $29,858
2014 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Non Pro Reserve Champion – Starbucks Finale – $27,665
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – Guns And Dynamite – $22,632
2019 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 3 Open Champion – Shes Got Good Guns – $21,271

Notes: Cade, along with fellow 2021 TRFAM competitor Craig Schmersal, was co-champion of the inaugural event in 2019. Custom Made Gun, on who McCutcheon won his Level 4 Non Pro Championship in 2015, was shipped from Italy to Texas to train with Cade for a shot at the big money. The gamble obviously paid off with the co-title

Later that same year, Cade won the Level 4 Open of the NRHA Futurity on Super Marioo, securing his spot as the youngest NRHA Million Dollar Rider in history.

Cade comes from a family of top competitors. His father Tom McCutcheon, who is also competing in this year’s TRFAM Invitational, is an NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider and Owner. Cade’s mother, Mandy McCutcheon, is an NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider as well as a Million Dollar Owner. Cade’s grandfather is NRHA Hall of Fame Member Tim McQuay, an NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider and Million Dollar Owner, while his grandmother, Colleen McQuay, is also in the NRHA Hall of Fame.

Cade’s younger sister Carlee is an accomplished equestrian in both reining and English events.

Follow Cade on Facebook.

Arno Honstetter

Scottsdale, Arizona

LTE: $933,944

Top 10 Wins:

2011 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Show Me The Buckles – $113,176
2013 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 5^th – Hollier Than Thou – $50,947
2010 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 5^th – Chicsdundreamin – $47,642
2016 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Champion – Whizkey Chaser – $28,061
2010 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Champion – Chicsdundreamin – $23,789
2014 NRHA Derby Level 3 Open Champion – Colonels Splashy Gun – $22,302
2021 High Roller Reining Classic Stakes L4 Open Reserve Champion – Electric Whizkey – $18,534
2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – Special Made Whiskey – $15,120
2016 NRBA Level 4 Open 8^th – Gunners Special Glo – $16,625
2015 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 14^th – See U Saturday Night – $15,873

Notes: Arno Honstetter grew up in Liggeringen Germany, which is in the southern part of Germany in the Bodensee on the Lake of Konstanz. When he was 16 years old, he met National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Famer Ken Wold and spent several years working with Ken in the United States. He moved home to Germany for a while before returning to the United States, where he worked for great trainers such as Andrea Fappani and Randy Paul.

Arno, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife Lauren and daughter Tatum, is now the resident trainer for Brenda Joyce and Rick Christen’s Story Book Stables.

Follow Arno on Facebook.

Craig Schmersal

Scottsdale, Arizona

LTE: $4,814,971

Top 10 Wins:

2019 TRFAM Invitational Co-Champion – No Smoking Required – $307,500
2017 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Championship – Face The Attitude – $142,500
2015 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Championship – Cashing Black Chex – $88,305
2005 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 3^rd – Wrangle Whiz – $81,384
2010 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open Championship – Boom Shernic – $75,000
2021 TRFAM 4^th Place – No Smokin Required – $65,000
2018 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 4^th – Ladysdreamofblueeyes – $53,913
2002 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 4^th – Commanders Nic – $52,352
2011 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 5^th – Dunits Shining Sun – $51,628
2014 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open Reserve Championship – What A Wave – $51,000

Notes: Craig Schmersal won the inaugural TRFAM Co-Championship in 2019, tying with Cade McCutcheon. He won the title on No Smoking Required (by NRHA Leading Sire Gunner), who has earned nearly a half-million dollars in competition.

Craig’s wife, Ginger, has won numerous titles and championships in reining competition, and her lifetime earnings are nearing a half-million dollars. Craig and Ginger’s teenage daughter, Addisyn, has also been racking up reining wins, and her lifetime earnings currently sit at $175,000.

Craig, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his family, is a two-time FEI World Equestrian Games Team Gold medalist, as well as an Individual Silver medalist.

Follow Craig on Facebook.

Dany Tremblay

Overbrook, Oklahoma

LTE: $1,077,295

Top 10 Wins:

2021 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open Co-Champion – Tinker With Dreams – $62,500
2017 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – PS Mega Shine Chic – $41,000
2015 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 8^th – Spooksgottachicolena – $32,110
2019 TRFAM Shootout Champion – PS Mega Shine Chic – $26,337
2013 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 11^th – The Wizster – $22,800
2013 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – The Wizster – $21,899
2019 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 3 Open Champion – PS Mega Shine Chic – $21,370
2017 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 3 Open Champion – PS Mega Shine Chic – $20,589
2018 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 12^th – Thug Life – $20,392
2021 TRFAM 9^th Place – PS Mega Shine Chic – $20,000

Notes: Dany Tremblay surpassed $1,000,000 in lifetime earnings during the 2021 The Run For A Million during the Open Shootout, and he’s looking to continue his success in the South Point Arena this year.

Dany and his brother Fred relocated from Canada to the United States in 2014. Expanding upon their Canadian experience, Tremblay Performance Horses has become one of the most successful reining horse training, coaching and marketing programs in the industry.

Dany has trained and worked with some of the best horsemen available today, including Mike Flarida, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Dell Hendricks and Two Million Dollar Rider Duane Latimer, with whom he keeps a close relationship.

Follow Dany on Facebook.

Andrea Fappani

Scottsdale, Arizona

LTE: $7,198,649

Top 10 Wins:

2020 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – All Bettss Are Off – $237,500
2001 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – RR Star – $150,000
2016 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Spooky Whiz – $142,500
2011 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Lil Joe Cash – $142,500
2021 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Winding Inferno – $118,750
2021 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Mr Farenheit – $118,750
2017 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – All American Vintage – $113,936
2011 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Spook Off Sparks – $113,176
2005 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Big Chex To Cash – $109,633
2003 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – NQH Little Jac – $104,342

Notes: Andrea is the winningest rider in NRHA history and the only competitor to ever pass $7,000,000 in lifetime earnings. When Andrea first became an NRHA Million Dollar Rider in 2006, he was the youngest rider to reach that milestone.

Andrea, originally from Italy, currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. His wife Tish, an avid Non Pro competitor with more than $678,000 in lifetime earnings, is an NRHA Million Dollar Owner. His son, Luca, seems to be following in his father’s footsteps and has already won more than $404,000.

Fappani’s other son, Jeremy, is a successful National Amateur Motocross Racer.

Follow Andrea on Facebook.

Jason Vanlandingham

Whitesboro, Texas

LTE: $2,675,118

Top 10 Wins:

2013 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Not Ruf At All – $156,750
2018 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – A Vintage Smoke – $150,000
2021 North American Reining Stakes Level 4 Champion – Excessive Ruffness – $100,000
2021 TRFAM 3^rd Place – A Vintage Smoke – $80,000
2016 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open Champion – Not Ruf At All – $75,000
2019 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open Champion – A Vintage Smoke – $75,000
2021 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open Co-Champion – A Vintage Smoke – $62,500
2019 TRFAM Invitational – A Vintage Smoke – $60,000
2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open Champion – A Vintage Smoke – $57,000
2014 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open Champion – Not Ruf At All – $57,000

Notes: Jason and his wife Adrienne live in Whitesboro, Texas, where they keep a small but select group of horses in training. Jason’s son, Dalton, and daughter, Emma, also compete in reining.

Jason is one of an elite group of riders to ever win reining’s unofficial Triple Crown, which entails winning the NRHA Futurity, the NRHA Derby, and the National Reining Breeders Classic on the same horse. He accomplished that feat not once but two times with standout stallions Not Ruf At All and A Vintage Smoke.

Follow along with Jason on Facebook.

Josh Tishman

Weatherford, Texas

LTE: $231,448

2021 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 3 Champion – Gunnarickashay – $33,250.00
2021 TRFAM Open Shootout Champion – Gunnarickashay – $30,642
2021 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Gunnarickashay – $30,297
2021 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open 9^th place – My Special Sidekick – $10,023
2021 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 3 Open 7^th Place – Gunna Outshine Ya – $5,399
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 2 Open 6^th Place – Lanas Lil Joe – $5,386
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 1 Open Reserve Champion – Lanas Lil Joe – $4,523.51
2021 APHA World Championship Show Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Gunnarickashay – $4,389.
2019 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 2 Open 3^rd Place – Baileys Sidekick – $4,262
2021 High Roller Reining Classic Level 3 Open 3^rd Place – Xtra Dun Step – $4,147

Notes: Josh Tishman started riding English from a young age, jumping horses in the Northeastern portion of the United States. Originally from Jefferson, Maine, Josh attended college in Montana, rodeoing for Rocky Mountain College. According to Josh, the rodeo coach begged him to ride for them. He agreed, under the stipulation, he could ride the reining horses.

Josh has since worked for multiple NRHA Professionals but has worked at Casey Deary Performance Horses the longest – more than six years. His wife, Layton, is an accomplished barrel racer and has been getting her feet wet in reining in recent years.

The Tishmans make their home with their one-year-old daughter, Emma Grace, at Deary Performance Horses in Weatherford, Texas.

Keep up with Josh on Facebook.

Matt Palmer

Elverson, Pennsylvania

LTE: $749,870

2021 The Run For A Million Open Shoot Out Champion – Gunnatrashtheplace – $11,990
2017 NRHA Derby Level 3 Open 4^th Place – Boom Shien Boom – $9,995
2020 NRBC Level 4 Open 13^th Place – Gunnatrashtheplace – $9,875
2021 NRBC Classic Challenge Level 4 Open Champion – Gunnatrashtheplace – $9,374
2013 OVRHA Blue Grass Reining Stakes Wimpys Little Step Derby Level 4 Open Champion – Legends Lil Squeeze – $9,146
2019 NRBC Level 4 Open 15^th Place – Spitfire Spook – $7,833
2019 NRBC Level 3 Open 5^th Place – Spitfire Spook – $6,504
2009 Carolina Classic ABI Derby Level 4 Open Champion – Whale Of A Whiz – $6,275
2016 NRBC Level 4 Open 20^th Place – Dun Alotta Chics – $5,500
2013 OVRHA Blue Grass Reining Stakes Level 4 Open Champion – Legends Lil Squeeze – $5,450

Notes: Matt Palmer was raised in the horse industry by his parents Guy and Joan Palmer. He has competed since childhood, but reining wasn’t his only interest. While simultaneously competing in the horse world, Matt also dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. He played through high school and college, getting as far as signing with the Minnesota Twins before an injury sidelined that dream. Those years would not go to waste, as the discipline learned along with the mental strength it takes to compete would follow Matt into his career as an NRHA professional.

Matt is a two-time USEF Gold Medalist. In addition to being the youngest member of the USEF team, he would join the WEG team. He is a five-time NRHA World Champion and consistently ranks as an NRHA Top 20 Professional.

Matt also coaches Non Pro and youth riders and has helped them earn AQHA and NRHA titles, make the finals at major NRHA events, and has helped eight of his students earn college riding scholarships.

Follow Palmer Performance Horses on Facebook.

Francesco Martinotti

Whitesboro, Texas

LTE: $310,276

2021 NRHA Derby Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – Smoking Trash – $13,415
2022 NRBC Level 4 Open 13^th Place – Smoking Trash – $11,125
2014 IRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 3^rd Place – DJ Ruf – $10,774
2020 NRBC Level 4 Open 13^th Place – Smoking Trash – $9,875
2019 NRHA Level 4 Open 24^th Place – Smoking Trash – $9,838
2018 All American Quarter Horse Congress Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – MMB Spook Gotta Girl – $7,546
2021 The Run For A Million Open Shoot Out 7^th Place – Smoking Trash – $7,327
2021 NRBC Level 3 Open 5^th Place – Smoking Trash – $7,133
2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open 11^th Place – Smoking Trash – $7,086
2013 NRHA European Derby Level 3 Open Champion – Rambo Bo Sun – $6,410

Notes: Francesco Martinotti is originally from Italy and grew up riding reining horses with his sister, Valentina, until he was given the opportunity to work professionally with one of Italy’s most renowned horse owner, Claudio Risso. It was there he started working as an assistant while training two-year-olds.

Once on his own, he became one of Italy’s top NRHA professionals. In 2015, after winning the FEI European Championship Team Gold medal for Italy, he was approached by NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Tom McCutcheon with a job opportunity in America to learn from the industry’s top professionals such as NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Duane Latimer and Tom himself.

Since arriving in the US in January of 2016, Francesco has been either a finalist or top 10 finisher in every major open derby or futurity. In the fall of 2017, Francesco decided it was time to start his own business and Martinotti Equine Services LLC was born.

Follow Francesco and Smoking Trash on Facebook.

Jordan McBurney

Arlington, Washington

LTE: $325,686

2019 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open 3^rd Place – Smoke In Whizkey – $16,639
2021 NRHA 6666 Derby presented by Markel Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – No Mans Whizkey – $13,415
2021 NRBC Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – No Mans Whizkey – $13,315
2016 High Roller Reining Classic Futurity Level 3 Open Champion – Gibsons Finest – $10,010
2021 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open 10^th Place – No Mans Whizkey – $7,968
2015 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open 10^th Place – Sparklin Whizkey – $7,738
2021 The Run For A Million Open Shootout 7^th Place – No Mans Whizkey – $7,327
2016 High Roller Reining Classic Futurity Level 4 Open 3^rd Place – Gibsons Finest – $6,215
2017 Reining By The Bay Derby Level 3 Open Champion – Waitin On A Diamond – $5,620
2015 High Roller Reining Classic Futurity Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – Waitin On A Whizkey – $4,872

Notes: Wife of fellow TRFAM competitor Sean McBurney. Jordan began showing reining horses in 2009, although she has barrel raced competitively for years. She got started in reining after working a job exercising and grooming reining horses.

She and her husband, Sean, are the resident trainers of Rhodes River Ranch, so typically the couple show horses by Rhodes River Ranch stallion Whizkey N Diamonds, an NRHA Million Dollar Sire.

Keep up with Jordan on Rhodes River Ranch Facebook.

Sean McBurney

Arlington, Washington

LTE: $493,367

2015 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Champion – Rsure Shot Of Whizkey – $26,934
2012 NRHA Derby Level 3 Open Champion – Chics Loaded Gun – $21,447
2014 NRHA Derby Level 3 Open 3^rd Place – Guns R For Shootin – $15,563
2018 High Roller Reining Classic Level 4 Open Stakes Champion – Tinker With Dreams – $13,976
2018 High Roller Reining Classic Derby Level 3 Champion – Tinker With Dreams – $12,025
2021 High Roller Reining Classic High Roller Reining Futurity Level 4 Reserve Champion – Xtra Stone Cold – $11,155
2018 High Roller Reining Classic Stakes Level 3 Open Champion – Tinker With Dreams – $9,731
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open – Lil Gun Affair – $8,945
2018 High Roller Reining Classic Derby Level 2 Open Champion – Tinker With Dreams – 8,428
2018 High Roller Reining Classic Derby Level 4 Open 4^th – Tinker With Dreams – $8,379

Notes: Husband of fellow TRFAM competitor Jordan McBurney. Sean is the manager and head trainer at Rhodes River Ranch, where he has worked for more than two decades. Jordan is also a trainer at Rhodes River Ranch.

Sean grew up with thoroughbreds and jumpers, but reining seemed like a bigger challenge, and he liked how broke reiners were.

Sean’s biggest win to date came in 2015 when he won the NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Championship on Rsure Shot Of Whizkey. Rhodes River Ranch owns NRHA Million Dollar Sire Whizkey N Diamonds, and both Sean and Jordan can regularly be found showing the stallion’s offspring.

Keep up with Sean on Rhodes River Ranch Facebook.

Fernando Salgado

Gainesville, Texas

LTE: $721,553

2022 NRBC Level 4 Open 4^th Place – Gunnabeabrightstar – $32,500
2022 NRBC Level 3 Open Champion – Gunnabeabrightstar – $24,921
2016 NRHA Derby Level 3 Open Champion – Electric Cha Ching – $21,046
2016 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 12^th Place – Loveya – $19,292
2018 SWRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Stars And Sparks – $17,112
2020 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 14^th Place – Vinny Gun – $14,386
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 17^th Place – Gunnabeabrightstar – $13,628
2016 NRHA Futurity Level 2 Open Reserve Champion – Loveya – $13,237
2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 3 Open 3^rd Place – Electric Enterprise – $12,780
2016 SWRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Loveya – $12,671

Notes: Brazilian-born Fernando Salgado was raised in a performance horse family, with both of his older brothers training professionally. He had already proven himself as a successful trainer and showman in Brazil, with several prestigious wins while working for his brother Eduardo prior to coming to the US.

Fernando began his US career in 2010 when he became the first assistant trainer at the newly established Xtra Quarter Horses, home of Wimpys Little Step. Under the guidance of Thiago Boechat, he was mounted on some of the finest Reining horses in the industry, including Shiners Voodoo Dr. This talented trainer also rode under the renowned Andrea Fappani to further his training knowledge.

Along with his wife Sabrina, the NRHA Professional has his own training business at Fernando Salgado Reining Horses.

Follow Fernando on Facebook.

Billy Williams

Aubrey, Texas

LTE: $193,353

2015 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open 8^th Place – Gunnafoolya – $9,320
2015 NRHA Futurity Level 2 Open 5^th Place – Gunnafoolya – $8,918
2010 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open 6^th Place – Wimpys Lil Star – $8,485
2021 NRBC Development Division Reserve Champion – Tinkers Little Step – $7,628
2016 High Roller Reining Classic Stakes Level 3 Open Champion – Gunnafoolya – $6,986
2016 NRBC Level 4 Open 24^th Place – Gunnafoolya – $5,050
2011 NRBC Level 2 Open 4^th Place – Strawberry Tag – $4,527
2008 NRBC Level 2 Open 4^th Place – Whiz N Starlight – $4,482
2015 All American Quarter Horse Congress 5^th Place – Gunnafoolya – $4,263
2010 NRHA Futurity Level 2 Open 4^th Place – Wimpys Lil Star – $4,236

Notes: Billy placed 13th at the Cactus Reining Classic earlier this year just missing the call back for The Run for a Million, but received a call from Taylor Sheridan inviting him to compete in Las Vegas after another had to withdraw from the competition due to personal reasons.

Billy lives with his wife, Veronica, and son Weston in Aubrey, Texas, and owns and operates Williams Ranch. Billy serves on the Reining Horse Foundation Board and has held active roles in multiple NRHA committees.

Follow Williams Performance Horses on Facebook.

August 15, 2022August 15, 2022

Raise A Million Auctions Benefitting Reining Horse Foundation Return to The Run For A Million

In August 2021, The Run For A Million hosted the Raise A Million Auctions to benefit the Reining Horse Foundation. The event exceeded all expectations, with more than a half-million dollars raised for the charitable organization. The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge returns to the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, August 17-20, and will once again host the Raise A Million Auctions.

“In 2021, the first Raise A Million auction set an amazing record for support benefiting the reining community. People are still talking about that electric event made possible by The Run For A Million, Taylor Sheridan, generous donors and bidders,” said Leslie Baker, RHF Executive Director. “To be invited back and have such a terrific lineup of donations leaves us grateful and super excited. We cannot wait to see what an impact this event will have, and we invite everyone to come by the RHF auction display.”

As in 2021, there will be a Silent Auction that will be set up and open for bidding in the Western Trade Fair, August 17-20, and will close Saturday, August 20 at 4 p.m.

The excitement will ramp up Friday when the Live Auction will be held just prior to the Million Dollar Competition Draw Party. The Live Auction features six incredible items, ranging from a breeding package with special ties to The Run For A Million past champions to a Shorty’s Caboy Hattery custom Luxe mink hat and commemorative beaver box hat can.

The Run For A Million Draw is expected to be a standing-room-only soiree. Big bids are expected once again, as already the items donated are indicative of the potential impact of the event.

Live Auction Items include:

Sleipnir Trio Pave Diamond and Sapphire Pendant made and donated by MS Diamonds TX
One in a Million original glass trio acrylic painting made and donated by MJ’s Equine Art Studios, Maggie Leverett
Bit handcrafted and donated by Randy Paul along with his artist’s sketch
Custom Luxe Mink Hat with The Run For A Million Beaver Box hat can donated by Shorty’s Caboy Hattery
Napa Valley Wine Experience featuring a tasting for six, a two-night cottage stay, two magnums of wine and more. Donated by Spooks Gotta Spark and The Vineyardist Winery
Supreme Breeding Package featuring a breeding to Gunna Stop, a breeding to No Smoking Required and an embryo from Icing Required. Donated by Amber Gokey, Schmersal/Thorsport Inc. and Toyon Ranch LLC

A complete list of Live and Silent Auction items can be found here.

Limited proxy bidding is available by contacting Leslie Baker, RHF Executive Director at (405) 946-7400, ext. 106 or by emailing rhf@nrha.com.

Items are being added daily, and there is still time to donate. Donations of trips, unique experiences, services, training packages, artwork, jewelry, goods, and more are all welcome. Donors should submit the donation form to LBaker@nrha.com no later than August 16.

The mission of the Reining Horse Foundation is to care for and honor the reining community. Core programs include the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund to benefit reiners enduring hardships such as major illness, accidents, and disasters; youth leadership development and scholarships for members of the National Reining Horse Youth Association; and perpetuation of the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame.

For information on the RHF Auctions, visit ReiningFoundation.com/auctions

August 12, 2022August 12, 2022

Reining World Mourns the Loss of Smart Like Juice

In 1994, a spindly-legged, sorrel colt made his first appearance, and while he was admired by many, no one could have guessed the horizons that he would reach. Born under the ownership of National Cutting Horse Association icon Lindy Burch of Weatherford, Texas, the colt, by elite stallion Smart Little Lena out of Jessies Oak by Docs Oak, was named Smart Like Juice. Reining enthusiast Justin Zimmerman saw the colt’s knack for reining and bought him in a partnership with his father, Vaughn Zimmerman.

Justin said, “I was always a fan of the Smart Little Lenas, and he was royally bred. He had great conformation, just stunning to look at. We bought him in December with some cutting training on him, but he transitioned to reining in a very short time. He was always so pleasant to be around and just wanted to please from day one.”

Vaughn added, “It was very common back then to buy reining futurity prospects from those cutting horse sales. That horse caught our eye because he moved extremely well, and you could see by the way he stopped when they were working him on a cow how he would do well in the reining pen.”

As Smart Like Juice, known simply as “Juice,” grew and developed, he confirmed Zimmerman’s impression of reining ability. The colt was brimming with athleticism and had an uncanny way of understanding what was expected of him. Through training, he was willing and eager to learn. As time went on, he matured to have a beautiful rabicano coat pattern that further added to his distinction.

Juice was teamed up with NRHA Lifetime Achievement Award winner Ken Eppers early in his show career and won the 1997 SRHA Open Futurity right off the bat. He went on to finish 7^th in the 1997 National Reining Horse Association Open Futurity, but by then, he had already caught the eye of new reining enthusiast José Vazquez.

Vazquez had just watched his first NRHA Futurity in 1996. Then, while attending a smaller futurity in Minnesota the following year, he saw what he believed to be the most beautiful horse yet. He kept track of the animal showing under Eppers until one fateful day. He was visiting renowned trainer Ed Fear when a man appeared asking if Fear would be interested in training a horse for him. In the video he showed of that horse, Vazquez caught sight of the beautiful rabicano stallion he had been following. He pressed the man for information, and by 11 p.m. that day, Vazquez owned his dream horse.

The names José Vazquez and Smart Like Juice would become synonymous with success over the next 25 years. After Vazquez bought Juice, he kept him in training with Fear, who rode him to great achievement, but it was in the breeding barn that Juice’s name became legendary.

Vazquez was new to reining, and to the horse industry in general, when he purchased Juice. He said, “I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know anything about breeding, but I bought this horse that I thought was so beautiful. After Ed rode him for a few days, he said, ‘José, I don’t think you have just a show horse. I think you may have a breeding stallion, too!’ So, I went out and bought two mares.”

Vazquez later laughed at himself because, at that time, he didn’t know what he didn’t know. Of the two mares he’d acquired for his new stallion, only one of them was bred for reining. She was a daughter of Hollywood Jac 86 and had only earned $800 showing, but when paired with Smart Like Juice, the mare went on to produce more than $117,000.

Some years later, Vazquez had learned more of what it took to produce champions and to make a name in the reining horse breeding world, so he started finding better mares for Juice. In his opinion, the best mare was Wind Her Up Shiner (Shining Spark x Wind Her Up Doc) who earned $33,000 in the show pen. She was never bred to any other stallion but Smart Like Juice, and she became a Million Dollar Dam the very weekend that Smart Like Juice passed away. The magic match produced 25 surviving foals that carried her to that milestone.

Overall, Juice has sired more than 700 foals that were recorded with NRHA, and 58% of those earned money making him a $4 Million Sire and Vazquez a $2 Million Breeder. Juice’s get are known for being good-minded, trainable, athletic, willing and versatile. They are sought after by Rookies and Non Pros for their easy demeanors and Open riders for their commanding arena presence and extraordinary athleticism. In addition to outstanding ability, they are also known to last.

Vazquez threw his whole heart behind his stallion and has, himself, won over 83% of his more than $1.6 million in NRHA lifetime earnings on horses that trace back to Smart Like Juice. Juice was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2017 and was joined by Vazquez in 2021.

Juice lived out the last several years of his breeding career under the care and management of Mary Hannagan at Hannagan Farms in Gifford, Illinois. She said, “In 2007, Ed Fear called to ask me if I would stand Juice for José. Juice was an incredible show horse with heart and longevity that he has passed to almost all his foals. He was certainly a life-changing horse for me. José & Juice have had such an amazing journey – Hall of Fame, $4 Million Sire, $1 Million Owner and $2 Million Breeder! I am so thankful I was given the chance to breed the mares and foal the babies! It’s amazing how one incredible stallion can do so much for so many!”

Smart Like Juice died peacefully in his stall at Hannagan Farms on Friday, August 5, 2022, and while the reining community will mourn his loss, the reining dynasty he created lives on.

August 12, 2022August 12, 2022

SG Frozen Enterprize Becomes NRHA Million Dollar Sire

There has never been anything cold about SG Frozen Enterprize, unofficially the National Reining Horse Association’s newest Million Dollar Sire. From the beginning, the son of Frozen Sailor out of RS Rose SJ by SJ Enterprise was on fire, wowing audiences, making fans and showing incredible ability.

He moved into the spotlight when Mirko Midili rode him to sweep the Italian Reining Horse Association Futurity in 2012. NRHA All-Time Leading Rider Andrea Fappani saw the video of that winning run and showed it to Silver Spurs Equine owner Michael Miola. Miola remembers being more than impressed. “I said he looked like something special,” he shared.

Both men felt “Iceman” was an outstanding show horse and the ideal stallion to bring to the United States as an outcross. Fappani convinced then-owner Marco Franchini to send the stallion over.

Iceman arrived in the states just weeks before the 2013 NRHA Derby, and when Fappani rode him the first time, he immediately felt his instincts had been right on point. Miola agreed, so negotiations to purchase the horse began.

Fappani piloted Iceman to the Reserve Championship of the 2013 High Roller Reining Derby and finished fifth at the NRHA Derby. During the Derby, the sale was completed, and Iceman became Silver Spurs Equine’s newest stallion prospect. The following year he was ninth at the NRHA Derby and took third at both the Cactus Reining Classic and the High Roller Reining Classic Open Derbies.

Fappani typically only shows horses he’s had in training since their 2-year-old year but made an exception for Iceman, even though it took extra work to get together with him. He consistently scored between 222 and 225, but Fappani felt certain that the horse could do better with time. He was proven right when the pair won the 2014 American Quarter Horse Association Junior Reining World Championship with a score of 229.5.

The following year Fappani and Iceman won the National Reining Breeders Classic Open title, the Cactus Reining Classic Derby Championship, and fourth at the NRHA Derby.

As Iceman reached the end of his derby years, with lifetime earnings of more than $274,000, it was time to enter the next phase of his career as a breeding stallion. Despite breeding to a small, but select group of mares, success came early.

There were only two foals that were NRHA nominated in Iceman’s first foal crop, which arrived in 2015, but one of those was Icecube (out of Taris Designer Genes by Mr Boomerjac), the horse Tish Fappani rode to win the 2018 NRHA Level 4 Non Pro Futurity. Icecube is currently SG Frozen Enterprize’s top earner, leading an impressive list of other performers.

SG Frozen Enterprize Top Money Earners:

Icecube (Taris Designer Genes) $171,808

Ice Face (Dun Painting My Face) $97,615

Whizsicle (Miss Whizzletown) $92,565

A Cool Back Story (Skeets Chexy Nic) $59,588

Electric Enterprize (Electric Genes) $42,901

Xtra Ice Ice Wimpy (Wimpy Little Sinbar) $33,058

Talladega Ice (Skeets Chexy Nic) $32,910

TR Ice Ice Baby (Ms Whiz Dunit) $29,772

Frozen Gambler (Surprise Me Gamble) $28,843

CO Frozen Asset (Top Sail Cheetah) $28,402

Sarah Flarida, Silver Spurs Equine Oklahoma ranch manager, noted, “Iceman is one of the kindest, friendliest studs I’ve ever been around. He loves people, and his foals seem to all have that same personality.”

Not only does Iceman brand the foals with his demeanor, most generally have his signature physical features. Miola explained, “Most of them are red duns. You can instantly pick them all out in the pasture. They are all just mini-Icemans!”

Flarida added, “We are thrilled at how many of his offspring are able to compete at a high level and seem to improve with age, and we look forward to following their success.”

Learn more about SG Frozen Enterprize by visiting the website or following the stallion on Facebook.

July 30, 2022August 2, 2022

Entries Look to be Up for 2022 NRHA Futurity on Eve of Fourth Payment Deadline

While important events are held throughout the year, the National Reining Horse Association Futurity, slated for November 24–December 3, is heralded as reining’s premier event. For 3-year-old reining horses, the Futurity’s spotlight shines on the horses in their first year of competition, and all eyes are on the Jim Norick Coliseum to see which ones will begin to write their names in the history books of the sport.

Ten Thirty, All Bettss Are Off, Super Marioo, and A Vintage Smoke are the most recent Level 4 Open Champions from the Futurity, and when any of these horses’ names are called, spectators flock to the fence to watch at derbies throughout the world.

The NRHA Futurity has continued to grow in both size and prominence since it was first held in Columbus, Ohio, in 1966. On the eve of the fourth payment deadline (August 1) for the 2022 Futurity, the world’s largest reining event is shaping up to be another record breaker, as the number of entries with at least one payment made is up from the prior year.

Once again, the Level 4 Open Futurity Champion will leave the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds $350,000 richer, and the Level 4 Non Pro Champion will be presented a check for $60,000. The total payout will likely once again surpass $2.6 million.

Those numbers are expected to continue rising, as late entries are typical. First payments can still be made until August 1 with just a $600 late fee, and those made between August 1 and October 1, will incur a $1,000 late fee.

The deadline to be included in the draw for both the Open and Non Pro Futurity is November 1.

All entry forms can be found at NRHAFuturity.com, and entries can be made online or mailed.