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NRHA Nomination Deadline Quickly Approaching

Tie a ribbon around your finger because a very important deadline for reining horses is near at hand. The opportunity to nominate weanling foals into the National Reining Horse Association Nomination program at the lowest rate ends on January 10.

The National Reining Horse Association’s Nomination Program was created to grow its North American and European Futurities and Derbies to new heights through enhanced payouts. It has done that by allocating 60 percent of all the fees to the Futurities and 40 percent to the Derbies after a 10 percent retainage. Simply put, the enrollment of foals creates additional added money to the purses at the Futurities and Derbies which saw a 42% increase in the North American Open Futurity in the very first year.

Although the nomination programs for the North American and the European regions are separate, there is an “option” fee available so that horses can become eligible to enter both the North American and European Programs. ­One hundred percent of the Option fees are allocated to their respective Nomination Program. Nominating foals makes them eligible to compete in the NRHA Futurity and/or Derby of their respective regions when they come of age.

When a horse competes and wins money at one of the Futurities or Derbies, the nominator receives 5% of the earnings! It does not matter if the nominator still owns the horse or not. For example, at the 2020 NRHA Futurity, although Arcese Quarter Horses was both the owner and nominator of open futurity champion All Bettss Are Off, had the horse changed hands, Arcese Quarter Horses would have still received $12,500 of the winner’s $250,000 purse.

Any horse can be nominated, and the original nominator can never be changed. NRHA Member and Show Services/Nomination Representative Emily Rush said, “We are so fortunate to have ReinerSuite available to us now because it really is the fastest and most economical way to nominate a horse. The $10 handling fee is waived when you do it online, and you receive an instant digital confirmation.” When members log in to ReinerSuite, they can get guidance on how to complete nominations in the Resources Library.

The deadline for 2020 foals is approaching quickly! After January 10, the fees double until January 31st after which date the foal is considered a yearling, and the fees adjust appropriately.

More information, including nomination forms, can be found at nrha.com/nomination.

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2020 NRHA Markel Insurance Futurity Sales Increase Average Sale Prices Across the Board

Uncertainty surrounded many aspects of the 2020 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity, including the NRHA Markel Insurance Futurity Sales. With numerous COVID-19 constraints imposed on the event, including changing the location to Arena 6 and condensing the Sales to one day instead of three, everyone waited to see what the result would be. Would the new format work for buyers and sellers? What would the averages be? Would buyers show up?

Those worries were quickly assuaged. The buyers came and stayed from beginning to end – both in-person and online – and the bidding was vigorous. Although fewer horses were consigned in the Futurity Prospect Sale than in the previous year, the sale average was substantially higher. The 23 horses through the ring averaged $35,522 against the prior year’s $34,257, while the 16 horses sold averaged $37,235, obliterating 2019’s average of $33,086.

That momentum continued in the Select Yearling Sale, where the 108 horses through the ring averaged $22,856, and the 96 sold averaged $22,697. That was up from $20,919 and $21,322, respectively.

In the Marketplace Sale, 60 horses went through the ring, averaging $14,367, compared to $13,046 in 2019. With only three pass outs, the remaining 57 sold averaged $14,088, compared to the prior year’s $13,718.

New for 2020 was the Select Breeders Sale, which showcased 21 horses that averaged $27,571. The 19 that sold averaged $29,111.

The overall high seller was Im Gunna Shine, a 2010 stallion by Gunner out of Shiner LIght by Shining Spark purchased by Onofre Gomez from California for $95,000.

Angie Honeywell, NRHA Senior Manager of Futurity Sales was excited about the success of the sales. “Overall, they went really well and everyone seemed to embrace the changes.”

One of those changes, the new online sales option, provided real convenience for buyers unable to attend in person. “We had a lot of bidding online and actually sold 11 horses to online buyers.”

“The atmosphere at this year’s sale was very upbeat,” noted NRHA Sale Committee member Jake Dahl. “I think that the one-day format this year was great. Everyone was in sale mode all day – either buying or selling. You saw more trainers there looking at yearlings and two-year-olds than I ever remember, and overall, there was a positive feel. Both buyers and sellers were upbeat.”

Dahl, who serves on the sale committee with Chairman Clint Haverty and members Casey Hinton, Fred Thomsson, Spence Bell, John Tague, and Rosanne Sternberg, added, “That vibe seemed to start during the Wednesday night preview and just stayed consistent throughout the sale.”

NRHA Chief Financial Officer John Foy commented, “2020 has been a challenge for many equine associations, including the NRHA. We had seen a reduction in some of our revenue line items and had to make expense adjustments to offset those. So, we were very hopeful that the futurity and sale would perform well not only for the association but for the industry as a whole.”

The hopes became reality when the North American Affiliate Championships at the Futurity had record entries and payouts and the show came very close to breaking the overall payout record set in 2012. “Plus, the total sold for the entire sale was the best it has been since 2007. Foy added, “It goes without saying that the NRHA Board and Management all very appreciative of everyone who participated in the sale and the show!”

Along with the upbeat tempo, there was a distinct poignancy during the sale, with many folks wearing masks with stickers that read “Mask up for Doug” in memory of the late Doug Carpenter, who passed away due to COVID-19 the week before the futurity began.

Carpenter, a wheel horse on the sale committee, had predicted the Sale’s success back in November, referencing the quality of the horses consigned. “I have never seen the depth of the horses we are selling – not only in how well-bred they are but also in their conformation. I think we are seeing the breeding coming together – throughout the industry people are breeding great mares to great stallions and it really shows,” he said.

Planning is already underway for the 2021 NRHA Markel Insurance Futurity Sales, and information will soon be available. To learn more, contact Angie Honeywell at ​ahoneywell@nrha.com or 405-946-7400.

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Hilldale Farm Passes NRHA Million Dollar Owner Milestone

For Immediate Release – Dec. 7, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – In the last 54 years of National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) history, only 11 owners have surpassed the million-dollar mark in earnings. Such a momentous achievement is only possible because of teamwork, dedication, and, of course, incredible horsepower, all of which Tammye Hutton’s Hilldale Farm has in spades.

In early November, Hilldale Farm unofficially became the Association’s twelfth million dollar owner, after Hutton’s daughter, Jessicah Keller, piloted Its Snippin Time (Shine Big Time x Snip O Satellite), to a third place finish in the Amateur Reining at the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Championship Show.

“This is really great. It’s nice that NRHA recognizes the owners along with the riders, breeders, sires, and dams,” Hutton shared. “I think it’s amazing that there is that much money in the sport we can win, and that it’s tracked. I never thought we would reach this milestone.”

Hutton and her family first became involved with reining in the late 1990s, and Hilldale Farm, still family-owned and operated, became official NRHA members in 1997.

“The first year we just did some local NRHA shows, and 2001 was when Jessicah hauled for the youth world titles,” Hutton recalled. “I remember the first significantly larger NRHA event we went to was the Illinois State Fair, and when we were done for the day we got a check. I thought, ‘Wow, we won $4,200! Holy smokes, we need to do this more!’”

The winning continued in 2002, when Keller and Nu Chex To Cash won World Championships in the Intermediate and Limited Open, and also took reserve World Championships in the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro. That same year, Nu Chex To Cash burst onto the scene as a major sire for Hilldale Farm, when his son Wimpys Little Step (out of Leolita Step), won the NRHA Futurity Open Championship.

In addition to Wimpys Little Step, Nu Chex To Cash sired several other major earners, including Lil Joe Cash (out of RS Lilly Starlight) and NRHA Million Dollar Sire Big Chex To Cash (out of Snip O Gun). Nu Chex To Cash is now an NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire, while Wimpys Little Step is an NRHA Eleven Million Dollar Sire.

Nu Chex To Cash, an NRHA Hall of Fame inductee in 2010, would also sire Hilldale Farm’s biggest money earner, Heavy Duty Chex, who won back-to-back National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Non Pro Classic Championships with Hutton’s younger daughter Sarah Locker.

“Nu Chex [To Cash] is the one that really got us where we are,” Hutton said. “It was pretty amazing, and it just exploded our business.”

A year ago, Hilldale Farm’s blue hen mare, Snip O Gun, became only the third NRHA Million Dollar Dam during the NRHA Futurity. It was a fitting accomplishment, as the gorgeous bay mare was also inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame as part of the 2019 class.

“There have been so many people who have helped us over the years, and gone above and beyond for me, my daughters, and our program,” she shared. “I know if I tried to list each one individually, I would accidently leave someone off the list.”

To learn more about Hilldale Farm, visit HilldaleFarm.com.

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Andrea Fappani Claims Level 4 Open Championship With All Bettss Are Off

Ten days of intense, world-class competition culminated Saturday, December 6, with the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity Open Finals. The NRHA Futurity, held at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, featured top horses and riders from across the globe.

Thanks to the Futurity Challenge donors, for the first time in NRHA history the 2020 Level (L) 4 Open Futurity Champion earned $250,000.

Prior to the start of the MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Finals, NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr, NRHA Million Dollar Dam Princess In Diamonds, NRHA Million Dollar Dam Snip O Gun and NRHA Million Dollar Owner Hilldale Farm were all honored.

With a precise and powerful performance, NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani rode All Bettss Are Off to a score of 225, which earned the prestigious championship and a quarter-million dollars.

Owned, bred and nominated by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, All Bettss Are Off is by NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Gunner and out of Wimpys Little Chic. Fappani’s win tonight helped push Wimpys Little Chic to NRHA Million Dollar Dam status. Wimpys Little Chic won more than a half-million dollars in her career, including the NRHA Futurity, Derby, and National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC).

Fappani dedicated his win to Eleuterio Arcese of Arcese Quarter Horses, saying, “Mr. Arcese said it would be a dream come true for him to win another one. He has been such a big player, and I really want to dedicate this to him. I’ve got a huge group of people who support me and I want to thank everybody.”

In a year rife with unpredictability, Fappani is thrilled to earn the fourth NRHA Open Futurity Championship of his career. “This year has been so crazy, but with the Futurity paying a record $250,000 for the first time, it’s just amazing to win it,” he said.

Having three horses out of his Scottsdale, Arizona-based program secure top 10 finishes in the Open Futurity was a proud achievement for Fappani, who added that he is grateful the Futurity was able to proceed without interruption.

“I enjoy all the other shows, but the young horses are why I wake up in the morning. To come to the Futurity and show is why I do what I do,” he said.

Fappani chose All Bettss Are Off from a group of prospects and said the horse stood out to him from the beginning.

“He’s a super-talented horse,” Fappani said. “He’s a little different than what I’m used to and I think that pushed me. He was so talented. I really had to push myself to adapt to him rather than ask him to adapt to me.”

Achieving scores of 220 in the preliminaries, 220.5 in the L4 Semi-Finals presented by Not Ruf At All and Tamarack Ranch, and finally a 225 in the MS Diamonds TX Finals, Fappani accomplished his goal of steadily building momentum toward winning the title.

He added that one aspect of shows being canceled in 2020 enabled him to have more time at home to ride and train.

“We had a great group of horses, but I think because we were home so much, we were able to prepare them really well. I told Tish, ‘I think I’m set up to do as good as I’ve ever done at the Futurity, so I think I’m just going to enjoy it,’” Fappani said.

The L4 Open Champion has the option to receive a one-year lease for a gooseneck trailer or a $10,000 credit toward a new trailer build from Kyle Zanetti Trailers, Official Trailer of the NRHA.

MS Diamonds TX, Official Diamond Jeweler of NRHA, presented the L4 Open Champion rider and the owner of the winning horse with custom-made handcrafted NRHA Futurity Open Championship rings. Each L4 Open finalist owner was presented a commemorative pin from MS Diamonds TX during last night’s rider introductions.

Fappani was awarded a saddle from Bob’s Custom Saddles with silver from Montana Silversmith’s, a Montana Silversmith’s trophy buckle, Anderson Bean boots, Classic Equine product, a Platinum Performance gift certificate, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, a SmartPak gift card, one stomach scope from Dr. Joe Carter and Oklahoma Equine Hospital, a Shorty’s Caboy Hattery certificate, and a garment bag by Brandt Blankets.

Sebastian Petroll Wins L3 & L2 Open Championships Riding Dunit The Walla Way

Sebastian Petroll, of Whitesboro, Texas, says he’s grateful to show a horse with as much try as Dunit The Walla Way. Petroll and the big-hearted filly won both the NRHA Futurity L3 and L2 Open Championships thanks to their score of 218.5. They also finished 12th in the Open L4 Finals for combined total earnings of $53,879. Owned and nominated by Ellen Lloyd Cummins, Dunit The Walla Way is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz and out of Dunit The Gunner Way.

“We bought her mother several years ago,” Petroll said. “Her owner, Ellen Cummins, and I both showed her. It’s always fun when you are part of the whole process with a horse.”

Petroll says Dunit The Walla Way is a horse that he can always depend on to perform.

“She has a heart that I don’t know how it fits into her little body,” he said. “She is so kind and she always wants to be with you. You can count on her 100 percent of the time. That’s what makes her so special; that paired with some obvious talent, but mentally she is just very special.”

Petroll’s plan for the preliminary round was to make a safe run that was enough to get to the Open L4 semi-finals, sponsored by Not Ruf At All & Tamarack Ranch, which he accomplished handily with a 219.5. His aim was similar for the semi-finals. “I knew if I could finish in the upper half that I should be fine, so I tried not to use up my horse. In the Finals I just tried to get as good of a run together as I could, and it worked.”

With all the uncertainly in 2020, Petroll says he is happy that the Futurity went on uninterrupted.

“It means everything to get to show here, not just for me personally, but it’s very important that we were able to have the event for the sake of the entire industry,” Petroll said.

He is also thankful for Dunit The Walla Way’s owner, Cummins, who has been a client with him for more than a decade.

“She’s just been amazing. She’s a pleasure to work with and very important to our program. We can only do this because of all our great owners,” Petroll said, adding, “Also, my wife Melanie, she rode this horse for big stretches during her 2-year-old year. Without her, I couldn’t do this.”

For the L3, Petroll received a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Glycoguard. For the L2, Petroll was presented with a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Arcese Quarter Horses. For both the L3 and L2 championship, Petroll won a Montana Silversmith’s trophy buckle, Anderson Bean boots, Classic Equine product, a Platinum Performance gift certificate, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, a SmartPak gift card, one stomach scope from Dr. Joe Carter and Oklahoma Equine Hospital, a Shorty’s Caboy Hattery certificate, and a garment bag by Brandt Blankets.

Dallas Cunningham Wins L1 Open Co-Championship Riding RFR Voodoos Fuego

NRHA Professional Dallas Cunningham, of Mitchell, South Dakota, rode RFR Voodoos Fuego to share top honors in the NRHA Futurity L1 Open, and tie for second in both L2 and L3 for a $24,348 payday. RFR Voodoos Fuego, by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr out of Show N Tag, is owned and was nominated by Peter Smith.

Cunningham, who has been training professionally for the past decade, says RFR Voodoos Fuego impressed him from the start.

“He’s a super nice horse. We started him as a 2-year-old and right away I thought he was awesome, I felt he was really special,” Cunningham said.

RFR Voodoos Fuego has been a pleasure for Cunningham to show all year and he had high hopes for the horse coming into the Futurity.

“I showed him at Vegas and won the Level 2 there,” Cunningham said. “I showed him in Memphis and he was really good. He was a 218 in the first round, then when I showed him in the Finals and he fell out of lead to be a 224 (in Memphis), but he was awesome there.”

With 2020 being such an unpredictable year, Cunningham says he is thankful that the NRHA was able to produce the Futurity.

“I love this horse, so I was really looking forward to this show. I’m just dang glad we’re here,” he said, adding that he appreciates the help he gets from the many supporters who’ve assisted him to this point in his career.

“I went from being a bull riding, team roping, colt starter to doing this just by watching [Andrea] Fappani’s videos. I’ve got to thank that guy because he’s changed my career,” Cunningham laughed. “My wife, my customers, everybody is so supportive. I couldn’t do it without any of them.”

Cunningham was presented with a saddle from Bob’s Custom Saddles, a Montana Silversmith’s trophy buckle, Anderson Bean boots, Classic Equine product, a Platinum Performance gift certificate, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, a SmartPak gift card, one stomach scope from Dr. Joe Carter and Oklahoma Equine Hospital, a Shorty’s Caboy Hattery certificate, and a garment bag by Brandt Blankets.

Rodrigo Nieves Pilots Tagin Stiletto Chics to L1 Open Co-Championship

Rodrigo Nieves has never made the finals at the NRHA Futurity, but he qualified all three of his entries back to compete on Saturday. To top off an already exciting day, Nieves piloted Tagin Stiletto Chics to a 217.5 to tie for the L1 Championship, and finish in a three-way tie for the L2 Reserve Championship.

“We came here, and the first two runs weren’t like we expected, but today’s run was really good, and we are grateful for that,” he shared. In the first go, he and Tagin Stilleto Chics marked a 216.5 but followed that with a 214 in the semi-finals for a 430.5 composite.

Tagin Stiletto Chics is by Gunners Special Nite, unofficially an NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire, and out of Stiletto Tag. “I like how honest he is. He is super honest and a special show horse,” Nieves said of the colt.

In addition to a paycheck of $8,959, Nieves was presented with a saddle from Bob’s Custom Saddles, a Montana Silversmith’s trophy buckle, Anderson Bean boots, Classic Equine product, a Platinum Performance gift certificate, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, a SmartPak gift card, one stomach scope from Dr. Joe Carter and Oklahoma Equine Hospital, a Shorty’s Caboy Hattery certificate, and a garment bag from Brandt Blankets.

Tagin Stilleto Chics is owned and nominated by Jennifer Marley. “Duane Latimer started to ride the horse, and then gave me the opportunity to ride him in Ardmore at the Futurity there,” Nieves said, referring to the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity, where he and Tagin Stiletto Chics claimed the reserve title for Levels 1 and 2. “I thank Duane Latimer, the owner, the team at XCS Ranch, my wife and daughter, and my family in Uruguay.”

Although originally from Uruguay, Nieves spent 10 years in Brazil, where he got his start with reining horses before moving to the United States. He has worked for Duane Latimer for a year and a half.

In addition to Tagin Stiletto Chics, Nieves qualified Alphasushienterprize (owned by Fernando Botteon) and Theoneyourelookinfor (owned by Eduardo Salgado) back to the L1 Open Futurity Finals.

Shawn Flarida and Whizsicle Win NRHA Open Prime Time Futurity

NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida, of Springfield, Ohio, rode Whizsicle to the top of the NRHA Open Futurity Prime Time championship with a 219.5 for owner Arcese Quarter Horses USA. Whizsicle, by SG Frozen Enterprize and out of Miss Whizzletown, was nominated by Jenny Ricotta. Flarida and Whizsicle also finished the L4 Finals in a tie for eighth, bringing total earnings to $30,932.

Flarida, age 51, remarked that tonight was the first time in 25 or more years that he’s been eligible to compete in a division other than the Open L4.

“I love to show,” Flarida said, “So having another avenue to win money is neat.”

Whizsicle was bred and started by Marco Ricotta and Flarida says the horse has been a pleasure to have in his program.

“This is just a really nice horse. I had a little bit of trouble kind of hooking up with him at the beginning of the year but he’s coming on and getting strong and finding his pace. He’s got such a great brain. He’s so pretty in the way he moves and lopes.”

In the Finals, Flarida’s focus was to avoid penalties and allow Whizsicle’s talent to shine.

“My goal was to try and eliminate any penalties on my part, avoid mistakes and let my horse be as good as he could be,” Flarida said. “I prepared him last night as good as I thought I could prepare him, and it all played out very well.”

Flarida thanked Whizsicle’s owner, Mr. Arcese, a man he credits for having owned several of the greatest horses Flarida has had the privilege to ride during his career— Gunnatrashya, Wimpys Little Chic (unofficially the NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Dam), and Walla Walla Whiz.

“He’s contributed so much to the sport for so many years,” Flarida said, adding that he would enjoy showing him at derbies in the future. “We’ll have to talk to Mr. Arcese and see what the plan is.”

Flarida was awarded a saddle from Bob’s Custom Saddles with silver from Montana Silversmith’s, a Montana Silversmith’s trophy buckle, Anderson Bean boots, Classic Equine product, a Platinum Performance gift certificate, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, a SmartPak gift card, one stomach scope from Dr. Joe Carter and Oklahoma Equine Hospital, a Shorty’s Caboy Hattery certificate, and a garment bag by Brandt Blankets.

The NRHA greatly appreciates all NRHA Corporate Partners and Event Sponsors that make it possible to award the first-class prizes presented at the NRHA Futurity.

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Carlee McCutcheon and The Wizster Win Adequan® NAAC Youth 14-18 Championship

The Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships, held during the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity, culminated Saturday afternoon with the Youth 14-18 competition.

Carlee McCutcheon and The Wizster, by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Gallo Del Cielo and out of Miss Whizard Jac, posted a 223 to top the NAAC Youth 14-18 and the ancillary Youth 14-18 for total earnings of $327. Owned by Turnabout Farm, Inc., The Wizster is a 2010 bay gelding with more than $207,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE).

“I started showing him in Tulsa at the NRBC. He’s super easy to show and I enjoy showing him so much. He’s a lot of fun to have,” McCutcheon said.

“He was really good today. He was with me every step. He knows his job and he tells me what to do more than I tell him,” McCutcheon said, adding, “My dad showed him as a derby horse and since he’s aged out I get to show him a little bit.”

The 15-year-old homeschooled equestrian balances her time between a heavy competition schedule showing hunter-jumpers for 10 months out of the year and showing reining horses at the highest level.

“I’d like to thank Debbie Brown for everything, she’s my trainer and she has gotten me to where I am. She’s taught me a lot. I definitely want to thank my parents, and my grandparents, Tim and Colleen McQuay, and my brother too—a little bit,” she laughed.

The Adequan® NAAC Youth 14-18 Champion was awarded a Continental Saddlery Saddle, a Custom Montana Silversmith’s Trophy Buckle, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a Classic Equine Fleece Cooler, a Bluebonnet Feeds Gift Certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blanket Company, Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter, a champion’s vest from Adequan®, and a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket.

The National Reining Horse Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the sport of reining through a core mission: “Respect the Horse. Respect the Sport.” Founded in 1966, NRHA now has nearly 15,000 members and sets the standards for reining worldwide. Reining is an international sport and continues to grow year after year by offering opportunities for horse enthusiasts of all ages.

Media Contact:
Lindsay Humphrey
Manager of Public Relations & Communications
National Reining Horse Association
lhumphrey@nrha.com
(405) 946-7400 x 136

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