Category: Derby

After the storms of the day, it was a cool Friday evening, but the competition quickly heated things up at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby Derby presented by Markel in the Jim Norrick Arena for the Non Pro Derby Finals.

NRHA Derby Level 4 Non Pro Champion- Gina-Maria Schumacher & CS Sailing Gun

In an astounding show of talent from both horse and rider, Gina-Maria Schumacher won the Level 4 Non Pro Derby with CS Sailing Gun while also placing in the top five with her two other entries, Legendary Whizkey (Whizkey N Diamonds x Legends Lil Squeeze) and Gunin Addy Tude (Gunnatrashya x Miss Lil Addy Tude).

Her smooth run earned a score of 224.5, placing her firmly in the lead by 1.5 points. Her other runs held a tie of third place with a score of 221 and fifth place with a score of 220.5. The Championship came with a big check for $50,000; her other two finishes brought her take for the evening to just under $70,000.

“He was good everywhere,” Schumacher, an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, said of CS Sailing Gun with a smile. “I just couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

CS Sailing Gun is by Gunners Enterprise and out of La Bigia Sailor and was bred and owned by XCS Ranch. He was nominated by CS Ranch, who will be receiving a payout of $2,500.

Schumacher thanked NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Duane Latimer, her parents, and her whole crew for their help with the accomplishment, although she said it really hadn’t sunk in yet.

Winning an event as large as the NRHA Non Pro Derby is a high point for any rider’s career, and for Schumacher and CS Sailing Gun, it’s ending on a high note. CS Sailing Gun will be carrying a new rider from here on out, which makes this moment beyond bittersweet.

“It’s pretty sad, to be honest, because I really love him, but it’s a good way to finish,” Schumacher says.

NRHA Derby Level 3 Non Pro Co-Champion- Samantha Kapu & Chics Get The Chex

Samantha Kapu and Chics Get The Chex started off the Non Pro finals strong as the first draw, and it paid off, as they were co-champions in the Level 3 with a score of 219. The pair also finished seventh in the Level 4, bringing their total earnings for the night to $20,468.

The 2018 stallion, sired by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Stallion Magnum Chic Dream and out of Big Gold Chex, was bred by Garth Hystad and nominated by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Casey Hinton, who will also receive $1,077.

“I just wanted to go in and beat my last score. I was showing against myself- that was my mentality going in, especially being draw number one,” Kapu said. “I just wanted to go in there and make a statement with that first stop.”

Between his phenomenal performance tonight, and his win in the Storybook Stables Amateur class during the Non Pro Preliminaries earlier this week, the stallion has earned some time off.

“He’s going to get spoiled, and he’ll definitely get a couple of weeks off.” Kapu shared. “We’re going to just trail ride him for a bit.”

Kapu thanked her trainer, NRHA Professional Ashley Kelkenberg, her mother, and her husband for their support.

NRHA Derby Non Pro Level 3 Co-Champion and Level 2 Champion- Rita Clausen & Xtra Kiss Me Again

During the Level 4 Non Pro Finals, Rita Clausen accomplished things many riders only dream about. Aboard Xtra Kiss Me Again, Clausen marked a 219 to win the Level 3 Co-Championship and Level 2 Championship. She also finished as reserve champion in the Youth division and seventh in the Level 4, for total earnings of $35,887. Nominator Silver Spurs Equine will also receive $1,827.

“Camo,” as the 6-year-old gelding is affectionately known, is sired by Boom Shernic and out of SS Kiss Me Kate. Owned by Clay Clausen, Camo has lifetime earnings of more than $64,000. Clausen and Camo have only been a team for two years, having purchased him as a four-year-old from her trainer, NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal.

“I was a little uneasy after the prelims because he got hot in the rundown. So I was worried about that. But we worked on him a lot, and so last night, I was feeling confident. I was excited to show,” Clausen said. Her confidence certainly paid off when she and Camo executed a textbook run.

“He turned really good, and he circled amazingly. Like, I can never even imagine circling him better than that,” Clausen said of her run.

Clausen thanked her parents and sisters, her trainer Craig Schmersal, Mandy Faust, and the entire Schmersal team.

NRHA Derby Level 1 Non Pro Champion- Kalicia Walters and Raisinthebar

Kalicia Walters and Raisinthebar won the Level 1 Non Pro Derby Finals with a score of 217. The 2018 mare, by PS Mega Shine Chic and out of Chic In The Bar, owned by Diamond Dub Quarter Horses, has been shown by Walters for two years.

Celebrating in Oklahoma City on Finals night was her family and her trainers, both of whom she thanked for their help getting to this point.

Walters will go home with a payout of $4,750, and Raisnthebar’s nominator, Adh-Mor Ranch, will receive $250.

“This mare needed me to come out with the confidence that I had tonight,” Walters said. “I was able to trust her in her circles and just ask for more than what I have been, and so I’m really proud of her.”

From here, Walters plans to take the mare for a long stretch of shows, attending the Reining By The Bay in California, The Run For A Million, The 100X, and then the High Roller.

NRHA Derby Prime Time & Masters Champion- Michael Garnett & Thundrstruk

With a beautiful run, Michael Garnett and Thundrstruk earned a score of 219 (including handicap) and won both the Prime Time and Masters Championship. The duo also took third in the Level 2 and fifth in the Level 3, for total earnings of $16,684.

Thundrstruk, a six-year-old known in the barn as Herman, is by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Flashy Tackie Kac. The talented stallion was bred and nominated by Stanley Coats, who will receive $614

“Sometimes he’ll get a little nervous and excited, but he’s never said ‘No, I’m not going to do that’ about what I ask him,” Garnett said.

Garnett thanked his trainer, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Martin Muehlstatter, and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Kole Price for their help getting them ready for this show.

NRHA Derby Non Pro Youth Champion- Emma Vanlandingham & SHR Hollywood Kid

The cheering was deafening, and a path was quickly cleared for her parents as they excitedly ran to her at the announcement of the score of 221 that earned Emma Vanlandingham the title of Non Pro Youth Derby Champion.

Vanlandingham rode SHR Hollywood Kid, a 2019 mare by The Kids Gotta Gun, and out of Shinin In Hollywood, owned by NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Jason Vanlandingham and nominated by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Robert Santagata.

“I couldn’t be more happy with her right now,” Vanlandingham said. “She is an amazing horse, and this is the highest score I’ve ever marked on her.”

Not only did she win the Youth title, Vanlandingham also finished third in the Level 4, for total earnings of $11,947. SHR Hollywood Kid’s nominator, Santagata, will take home $523.

At only 14 years old, Vanlandingham is already a show stopper in the pen, and the crowd in the Jim Norick let her know how impressed they were.

“It’s just so awesome to have everybody as in love with your run as you are, and it’s just so cool,” Vanlandingham said regarding the crowd’s energy level.

She took the time to thank her parents for supporting and coaching her, as well as Robert (Bob) and Arlene Santagata for selling them the mare.

Competition at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel continues through Sunday, June 25. For a complete schedule, draws, results, and more, visit NRHADerby.com.

The Ancillary competition continued today in the Adequan Arena at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel, with the conclusion of the Novice Horse Open classes. Jimmy van der Hoeven, Jorge Puente, and Peter Defreitas took home championships for the second slate, and Defreitas had a clean sweep of the High Point awards for all three levels.

Novice Horse Open Level 1, 2, and 3 High Point, and Level 1 (2) Champion – Peter Defreitas & Keep On Th Sunnyside

Peter DeFreitas and Keep On Th Sunnyside kept up their winning streak from earlier this week by taking home the championship in the second slate of the Level 1 Novice Horse Open and the High Point for all three levels.

Keep On Th Sunnyside, a 2017 mare bred by Double Run Farm, is sired by Shine On Line and out of Conquistadors Sandy. The 6-year-old mare is owned by Carlton and Khris Crowe.

“I thought that she probably even showed a little bit better in some spots than she did the first day,” DeFreitas said. “She turned both directions well, circled well, and ran down the pen and got stopped.”

DeFreitas describes the mare as “consistent,” stating, “She can be a little goofy and stuff, but she seems to fit me. If she’s prepared, she just does her job. She’s pretty simple that way.”

After her success at this show, Keep On Th Sunnyside is getting much-deserved time off before heading to Waco, Texas, for the One Hot Reining show.

Novice Horse Open Level 2 (2) Champion – Jimmy Van der Hoeven & Wimpy Pale Face

Jimmy van der Hoeven and Wimpy Pale Face, a 2017 stallion, won the second slate of the Novice Horse Open Level 2.

“Timmy,” as he is affectionately known, is sired by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit and out of Wimpys Lil Doll. Bred by Tim Anderson, the stallion is now owned by Margaret McNamara.

The 6-year-old stallion is a newer addition to Van der Hoeven’s show string, only joining the barn about six weeks ago. A could bobbles in the open preliminaries earlier in the week kept the pair out of the Finals. With the intention of getting Timmy dialed back in before their next show, Van der Hoeven entered the stallion in the Novice Horse Open and was pleased.

“My plan was to go in there and make him at least turn fast, and then I went kind of easier on my circles, just made it comfortable,” explained Van Der Hoeven. “I was gonna see if he stopped better. And he did. It’s actually really good. I was happy with him. He’s a very sweet horse.”

Next up for Wimpy Pale Face is the APHA World Show in Fort Worth, Texas, where the stallion will be shown in the Open Derby.

Novice Horse Open Level 3 (2) Champion – Jorge Puente & Dual Reality

Jorge Puente and Dual Reality, a 2013 gelding, won the Novice Horse Open Level 3 (2). Dual Reality is by Mister Nicudual and out of Snip O Chex, bred by Cinder Lakes Ranch, with lifetime earnings of $18,377.

“This horse, he just likes his job,” Puente said about Dual Reality. “He’s a big turner, has smooth circles, and he’s just happy about it.”

Between Puente and Dual Reality’s owner, Kristen Suggs-Bohrer, the gelding has been shown every weekend for the last month, but there are no plans for where they’ll be hauling him to next.

Puente was most grateful to his team at home, making it possible for him to be at shows, and to Suggs-Bohrer for providing him the opportunity to ride the gelding.

The Novice Horse Non Pro classes wrapped up today in the Adequan® Arena at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel on Thursday, June 22. After 108 entries spread across three levels, and a run-off tiebreaker in the Level 2, Sarah Grace McNally and Kary Key came home with class wins, while Alicia Rapp and Melissa Wigen took home high-point buckles.

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 & 2 High Point – Alicia Rapp & CS Just Viintage

Alicia Rapp and CS Just Viintage, a 2019 mare, won the High Point for both the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 and Level 2 at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

CS Just Viintage, or “Missy,” as she is affectionately known, is sired by Platinum Vintage and out of Snow Town and was bred by XCS Ranch, LLC.

With this only being their second time in the show pen together, Rapp is very pleased with Missy’s performance this week. “She’s proven to me here that she wants to be a show horse, so it’s been a great experience,” Rapp explained.

“I tried to step her up a little bit today just to see if she would hang with me. And she did… I felt like our circles were really strong, and our stops are getting better and better,” Rapp shared of the pair’s run in the second slate..

Rapp thanked her long-time trainer, Ted Chancey, as well as her equine chiropractor and acupuncturist, Mari Little.

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 & 3 (2) Champion – Sarah Grace McNally & Smartys Bea

Sarah McNally and Smartys Bea won the second slate of the Level 1 and Level 3 Novice Horse Non Pro. They were also reserve in the Level 2 after a tie-breaking run-off.

Smartys Bea, a 2017 mare sired by Colonels Smart Spook and out of Bea With a Twist, was bred by Monte Strusiner.

“She’s a wonderful horse, under saddle and on the ground,” McNally said. “She really likes to have a job. Under saddle, she is the most consistent and calm and loving horse. My four-year-old daughter does leadline on her at our local shows. She’s a wonderful mare, we love her so much.”

The pair scored their personal high score at this show, with a 72.5 under one of the judges and a 144.5 overall. Up next for this duo is the All Star Reining Stakes in Ocala, Florida.

McNally made a point to thank her trainers, Tricia Tillman and Austin Morris, as well as Bob LaPorta. Most of all, she thanked her mother, who has supported her since her youth career in AQHA, calling her the “best show mom you could ever imagine.”

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 (2) Champion – Kary Key & Spookadeous

Kary Key and Spookadeous won the second slate of the ancillary Level 2 Novice Horse Non Pro after a tie-breaking run-off.

Spookadeous is a 2018 stallion, sired by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Gun, out of Trash N For Chex, and bred by Key and her mother, Pat Fletcher.

“He’s five, but he’s really just coming into his own this year,” Key said. “We did stuff last year, but he’s had such a big change this year. Every day he gets better.”

Not only is Spookadeous becoming a fabulous show horse, but he also has a big personality. “He’s always looking for his cookie. This horse works for food. So, for example, if I get back in the aisleway and I don’t have cookies for him, I will probably be disowned,” Key explained, laughing.

Key has big goals for this homebred stallion. “I want to make the finals of the major events… we were Level 1 at the NRBC, but I want to be a Level 4 finalist. I think this horse can do it, but I hope I can learn how to do it as well,” she said.

Key thanked her mother, Pat Fletcher, who bred Spookadeous, as well as most of the horses that Key has had in her show string. She also thanked Naike Bell and the entire Brian Bell barn, stating that she is always “striving to be a little Brian Bell” when she shows.

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3 High Point – Melissa Wigen & Starlight Escalade

Melissa Wigen and Starlight Escalade won the Level 3 Novice Horse Non Pro High Point title.

Starlight Escalade, sired by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Starlights Wrangler out of Escalante Chic, was bred by Adair Reiners, LLC.

Wigen and her 9-year-old gelding, known around the barn as “Rascal,” had a week full of improvements and hard work leading up to this High Point win, coming off a great year in 2022. “We’ve been working on making it correct and working on finesse,” explained Wigen.

As a horse trainer’s wife, Wigen got the advice she needed to hear today, to just go in and have fun, and accomplished just that. The pair also avoided the penalty box, a goal Wigen had after her ride earlier this week.

While her future plans with Rascal are not set in stone, Wigen is excited at the prospect of showing the gelding again on Sunday, as well as in Denver, and potentially the Run For A Million in Las Vegas. This week, she is also excited to cheer on her daughter, Kendall, and her husband, Travis.

Competition continues Friday in the Adequan® Arena with the second slate of the Novice Horse Open classes. It will be followed by the first section of the Toyon Ranch Rookie Free For All. Find draws, results, news, and more at NRHADerby.com.

In the second annual $20,000-added Freestyle Reining presented by Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau held at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, 12 creative and captivating runs were performed by riders of all levels. The exciting evening started on a celebratory note when the Level 4 Non Pro Finalists were introduced, setting the tone of impressive riding and friendly competition.

From patriotic tributes to rocking choreography, the Thursday night crowd was entertained. Then, competition heated up.

For Taylor Zimmerman, every hour spent in the saddle with the horse she grew up with, Its All About Ruf, has been golden. As a tribute to their time together, they performed to JVKE’s Golden Hour.

Its All About Ruf, who she calls TJ, is a 2016 stallion by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Not Ruf At All and out of Dun Pretty Nifty, with a lifetime earnings of $88,081.

With as much as TJ has already given Zimmerman, he took it to the next level with a ride that earned a score of 230.5 and the Championship of the Invitational Freestyle. This score is currently the highest score marked at the Derby this year.

This year’s freestyle reining had $20,000 of added prize money presented by the OKCVB. Zimmerman plans to donate a portion of her $6,280 in winnings to longtime friend of the reining industry, Jenifer Reynolds.

“This is such a special event, and she’s just a special person. It’s important to recognize the people in our industry going through a hard time and support them, so I just wanted to do this for her,” Zimmerman said.

The performance featured Zimmerman in a white jumpsuit with gold decorations, and TJ was decked out with gold tinsel in his mane and tail, along with meticulously placed sparkly stars along his hind end.

Although Zimmerman ending up with TJ as her show horse was a lucky accident, it resulted in several great years, leading up to tonight’s freestyle run being one of their last competitions together.

“He fell into my hands, and we’ve been a pair ever since,” Zimmerman said. “This is our last big event together, but he’ll be with me forever.”

For a schedule, results, news, and more, visit NRHADerby.com.

Photos by NRHA Media and Chelsea Schneider Media

Wednesday was a full day of competition in the Adequan® Arena at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel. The first slate of the Novice Horse Open classes was held, with the three levels run concurrently. The 133-entry class proved tough, and in the end, Peter Defreitas, Brian Bell, and Josiane Gauthier rode away with the wins.

Novice Horse Open Level 1 (1) Champion, Level 2 (1) Co-Champion – Peter DeFreitas & Keep On Th Sunnyside

Peter Defreitas and Keep On Th Sunnyside have been the model of consistency this year, but the pair had yet to compete on a run-in pattern.

That changed Wednesday at the NRHA Derby, with Pattern 9 chosen for the first slate of Novice Horse Open classes.

Defreitas and the big-stopping mare delivered, nailing the first stop and executing the rest of the pattern well to earn a 146.5. That score not only won the Novice Horse Open Level 1 but also tied for the win of the Level 2 and was good for the Reserve title in the Level 3.

“I was excited about this because she’s such a big stopper. She really hit that stop, then turned good to the right. Her left turn could have been just a little better, but she circled really well and finished up with good stops,” Defreitas recalled. “Her big lick is running and stopping. I know it doesn’t matter what’s happening because she’s going to stop big.”

Keep On Th Sunnyside is by Shine On Line and out of Conquistadors Sandy. The 6-year-old mare was bred by Double Run Farm and is now owned by Carlton and Khris Crowe.

“I’ve been showing her in the novice horse this year. She’s a very nice and quiet mare, and I’m happy I get to show her. She can get a little fresh, but when it’s time to horse show, she’s all business,” Defreitas said. “As many times as I’ve shown her this year, she seems to just keep getting better.”

Defreitas and Keep On Th Sunnyside will show again this week in the second slate of the Novice Horse Open. “If she keeps doing well, we’re going to keep showing in this division and hope we can win one of the NRHA World titles. Right now, we’re up there, so we’re just going to see what happens,” he said.

Novice Horse Open Level 2 (1) Co-Champion – Brian Bell & Spookadeous

Brian Bell and Spookadeous, a 2018 gelding, won the Novice Horse Open Level 1 (1) with a tie on a score of 146.5. Spookadeous, by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Gun out of Trash N For Chex, was bred and is owned by Kary Key.

With only a day’s notice to prepare to show Spookadeous, Bell, an NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider, focused on getting in tune with the horse, known in the barn as ‘Bruce.’ Known for his large, fast, smooth-as-butter circles, Bruce was a ride that Bell enjoyed.

“I liked having this horse in the barn before I showed him,” Bell said. “But now that I’ve shown him, I like him even more. He was honest, and he played on the team.”

Bell will not be showing Bruce again at the Derby but will be riding in the Open finals and coaching five other riders in the Non Pro finals. He thanked his wife, son, and clients for allowing any of this to be possible.

Novice Horse Open Level 3 (1) Champion – Josiane Gauthier & Xtra Step Doctor

Josiane Gauthier and Xtra Step Doctor won the Novice Horse Open Level 3 (1) with a score of 148.

Xtra Step Doctor is a 2018 stallion by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Xtra Ruby Step, bred by Ixtul Quarter Horses. Gauthier had purchased the horse as a two-year-old at the NRHA Futurity and sold him as a three-year-old. Luckily, he ended up back as the horse of one of her clients, Nancy Alford, who allowed her to show him today.

“He’s just got a big heart, big turns, and lots of try, and you just can’t teach a horse to be like that,” Gauthier said.

Gauthier won’t show Xtra Step Doctor again during this year’s Derby but is eagerly awaiting other opportunities to be in the pen with him again after previously competing on him at the National Reining Breeders Classic and The Run For The Million Shootout.

She thanked her family, her husband, those helping her care for her horses during the show, and Alford for letting her ride Xtra Step Doctor.

Ancillary action continues Thursday with the second slate of the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro classes. A complete schedule, results, link to the live webcast, and more can be found at NRHADerby.com.