Seats were filled and the excitement was palpable in the Norick Arena Saturday evening as the Open Finals for the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel wrapped up. Riders of all open levels competed for the title of Derby champion with high scores that reflected their determination to succeed.
For complete results, visit NRHADerby.com.
NRHA Derby Open Level 4 Derby Champion- Casey Deary & Down Right Amazing
In a run that had the crowd on the edge of their seats, NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary won the Open Level 4 Derby with a score of 231.5.
Deary rode Down Right Amazing, a 2017 stallion by NRHA Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Gunner and out of Shesouttayourleague. He was bred and nominated by Curtis Performance Horses and has been owned by DAG Ventures since he was three days old.
In 2020, despite sustaining a broken neck, Deary rode the talented stallion to a third-place win in the NRHA Futurity. Since then, this pair has also won first-place titles at the NRHA Derby in 2020, The 2023 American Performance Horseman, and the 2023 National Reining Breeders Classic.
“This horse, he’s just a soldier,” Deary said. “He’s a great-minded animal, and he just tries so hard every time we go out.”
The Saturday night performance sent the Deary crew home $95,000 richer, and the nominator, Curtis Performance Horses, will receive $5,000.
Deary thanked his wife and kids, DAG Ventures, his great set of veterinarians, and his team.
NRHA Derby Open Level 3 Champion and Level 2 Derby Co-Champion- Luca Fappani & Dream On Whiz
In an astounding show of talent, Luca Fappani and Dream On Whiz scored a 224, winning them the titles of Open Level 3 Champion and Open Level 2 Co-Champion.
Dream On Whiz, affectionately nicknamed Patrick, is owned by Joetta Bell. The 2017 gelding is by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Ms Sassy Whiz.
“I’ve just been so blessed to have an incredible horse like him and the other ones that I’m riding to compete at that level,” Fappani said.
Riding at that level, and winning, earned him a check worth $46,021.
Dream On Whiz was bred and nominated by Hill Country Reiners, who will also receive $2,422.
Fappani thanked NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary, Joetta Bell, and the whole time behind him for helping him achieve this win.
NRHA Derby Open Level 2 Derby Co-Champion- Kyle Shaw & HF Whizedbymobster
With a turn of events they weren’t expecting, Kyle Shaw and HF Whizedbymobster tied to win the Open Level 2 Derby with a score of 224. In fact, the title was such a surprise that he had already changed out of his show clothes before the results were final.
“We’ve shown him a few times this year, and things are really clicking,” Shaw said. “We just tied to win the Level 2 Derby, and all I can say is, this feels better than losing!”
HF Whizedbymobster, or ‘Spud’ as he’s called at home, is a 2018 stallion by HF Mobster out of Diamond Steppin Whiz. He was bred by Heritage Farms and is owned by Rita Scharman.
Shaw will go home with a paycheck of $12,771, and the nominator, Heritage Farms, will receive $672.
“This is the place you want to be as the Derby is wrapping up, instead of thinking about what you could’ve done better,” Shaw said.
Shaw thanked Spud for sticking with him every step of the run, Scharman for allowing her to ride him, and NRHA Corporate Partner and Million Dollar Owner Bob and Arlene Santagata for allowing him to train at their facility, Santa Hill Ranch.
NRHA Derby Open Level 1 Derby- Shayla Malmbery & Snip Of A Dream
Shayla Malmberg, with her 2017 gelding, Snip Of A Dream, won the Open Level 1 Derby with a smooth run and a score of 218.5.
Snip Of A Dream is by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Snip O Chex, bred and nominated by Judy Box.
Just as her horse’s name states, winning the Open Level 1 Derby really was a dream for Malmberg. Coming to Oklahoma City all the way from British Columbia, Canada, she had never attended the Derby before.
“This has been a huge experience, a lifelong dream,” Malmberg said. “It was great for my confidence, and he is an awesome horse.”
Although more nervous during the preliminary round than she was during the Finals, Malmberg did remarkably well in both, earning a nice payout for both herself and her nominator. Malmberg will take home $12,087 and her nominator will receive $636.
Malmberg thanked Jesse Beckley for coaching her through her nerves and Kyle Western for keeping things running at home.
Full results and news can be found at NRHADerby.com.