2021 NRHA World & Reserve World Champions to Be Recognized in Special Ceremony

Novice Horse Open L2 Champion Dreaming Of Guns & Bobby Avila

A World Championship in the National Reining Horse Association is one of the most sought-after accolades in the reining horse industry. Exhibitors traverse the highways competing all year at events to earn money that go towards the title race.

The 2021 World and Reserve World Champions will be recognized next month during the Four Sixes Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel. On June 18, at 6:15 p.m., those titlists will be presented with their commemorative Montana Silversmiths buckles during the buckle ceremony in the Sale Arena at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds.

“The NRHA Board of Directors knows how important the World Championship race is to our members, and worked together to plan an appropriate way to honor them,” noted Christa Morris-Stone, NRHA Assistant Commissioner. “They felt that recognizing these members during the reining industry’s second-largest event was not only appropriate, but it would allow these accomplishments to be celebrated by each winner’s family, friends, and peers.”

In addition to the buckle presentation to the World and Reserve World Champions, the Top 20 Owners, Professionals, and Non Pros will be recognized. “We will have a special memento for those individuals who made the Top 20 lists, and we will also recognize all the Top 10 winners on screen,” Morris-Stone said.

World & Reserve World Champions

  • Open World Champion – Shines Like Spook & Ann Fonck
  • Open Reserve World Champion – Cody Rooster Delmaso & Klaus Lechner
  • Int. Open World Champion – Mr Gun WR San Jo & Tiara Van Dongen
  • Int. Open Reserve World Champion – HA Handsome Harry & Patryk Peszke
  • Ltd. Open World Champion – Show Stopping Juice & Jesse Gentile/Julia Beth Henderson
  • Rookie Pro. World Champion – Dun It Smoking Gun & Alex Gerard Case
  • Rookie Pro. Reserve World Champion – Found By Mistress & Taylor Davis
  • Non Pro World Champion – Nikolai Stiller & Hollywood Gunrunner
  • Non Pro Reserve World Champion – Adrienne Speidel & ARC Walla Smart
  • Int. Non Pro World Champion – Raeanna Thayn & Roseswhiz
  • Int. Non Pro Reserve World Champion – Michael Hancock & Nics Custom Dually
  • Ltd. Non Pro World Champion – Emerson Madonia & This Chic Is Dreamy
  • Ltd. Non Pro Reserve World Champion – Sydney Weaver & Whizards Little Step
  • Prime Time Non Pro World Champion – Parker MIchin & Conquered This Town
  • Prime Time Non Pro Reserve World Champion – Shawn Reynolds & Shiny Gunman
  • Nov. Horse Open L1 World Champion – DP Docs Misstrash & Peter DeFreitas
  • Nov. Horse Open L1 Reserve World Champion – Dreaming Of Guns & Bobby Avila Jr.
  • Nov. Horse Open L2 World Champion – Dreaming Of Guns & Bobby Avila Jr.
  • Nov. Horse Open L2 Reserve World Champion – Good Friday For Guns & Jesse Gentile
  • Nov. Horse Open L3 World Champion – DP Docs Misstrash & Peter DeFreitas
  • Nov. Horse Open L3 Reserve World Champion – Ruf N Trouble Whiz & Josh Murphy
  • Nov. Horse Non Pro L1 World Champion – Lisa Bricker & Lotta Mobster
  • Nov. Horse Non Pro L1 Reserve World Champion – Abby Jennings & Low Voltage Chic
  • Nov. Horse Non Pro L2 World Champion – Kyla Thurlow & Kachina Olena Tag
  • Nov. Horse Non Pro L2 Reserve World Champion – Lynn Miller & Gata Chromed Magnum
  • Nov. Horse Non Pro L3 World Champion – Kyla Thurlow & Kachina Olena Tag
  • Nov. Horse Non Pro L3 Reserve World Champion – Kary Key & Cant Spook Me
  • Youth 13 & Under World Champion – Becca Schaffhauser & Dun Got My Rest
  • Youth 13 & Under Reserve World Champion – Reed Selner & Whiz Good To Go
  • Youth 14 – 18 World Champion – Shelby Jane Lynch & Jac N Jewels Spark
  • Youth 13 – 18 Reserve World Champion – Gracie Mae Stingle & Lucky Little Seven

Complete Top 10 and Top 20 lists can be found here.

The celebration begins at 5 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Admission to the Buckle Ceremony is free of charge, and the event is open to everyone, but Morris-Stone asked that people, especially award recipients, RSVP at NRHA.com/RSVP to help with a catering headcount.

Any updates to this event or others held during the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel will be posted on the event’s schedule at NRHADerby.com and distributed through NRHA’s various news channels.

Reiners Rope Returns to Benefit the Reining Horse Foundation During the 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

Arguably one of the funnest benefit events hosted at a horse show, Reiners Rope is returning to the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel. Slated for Wednesday, June 22, Reiners Rope is an action-packed benefit for the Reining Horse Foundation’s Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund. Organized by NRHA Professionals Billy Williams and Patrick Flaherty with help from Marshall Kyle, Robert Barshofsky, Jeremy Olsen, and a host of other volunteers including other NRHA Professionals providing awards, the fundraiser has been popular with the large audience gathered for the Platinum Performance Welcome Party.

What began as an evening of fun for a few reining enthusiasts in 2019, quickly grew to become a favorite fundraiser chock-full of comradery, friendly competition, and lots of laughs. The event is open for all to watch as horseless ropers pit their skills against others in this one-of-a-kind dummy roping, and all to benefit the RHF’s Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund that provides grants to NRHA members enduring major hardships, such as illness, accidents and disasters.

In its inaugural year, announcer Jason Jackson and NRHA Professional Matt Armenta emerged as Reiners Rope champions. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a hiatus for the event in 2020, but the next year, when it raised nearly $2,000 for the RHF, two former strangers came together to win the event: Shane Walters and Jett Miser.

Walters, who owns Diamond Dub Quarter Horses along with his wife, Kalicia, said, “One of the great things about Reiners Rope for us was that we got to meet a lot of people that we didn’t know, so it helped grow our network. It’s a great thing to be able to help others in need.”

Miser said, “It was tons of fun. I would recommend [Reiners Rope] to anyone who can swing a rope.”

The 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel will be held in Oklahoma City at State Fair Park June 15 – 26. The best 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old reining horses and riders will be laying it all on the line for a chance at some major prize money.

Formally established as a recognized nonprofit organization in 2001, the Reining Horse Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the National Reining Horse Association. A renewed focus is driving efforts to expand fundraising so that the Foundation can do more to support the reining community. Donations of all sizes are relevant when it comes to helping reiners in need through the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, providing educational scholarships and youth leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association, and perpetuating the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame. For information visit the website at reiningfoundation.com.

Live Auction Items for Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch Announced

On December 1, 2021, reining enthusiasts will come together for Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch. The event, which regularly draws more than 400 attendees, is the Reining Horse Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser.  The celebration is held during the National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships. The 2020 event was cancelled, so the night of philanthropy and celebration is one many in the industry are eagerly looking forward to.

A highlight of the 2021 soiree will be the annual live auction, which is limited to a select group of items. This year’s donations are:

  • A John Deere TS Gator donated by Equine Discounts.
    • The John Deere TS 4×2 Utility Vehicle features cushioned bucket seating, a 12-v outlet, and a large, durable cargo box for heavy hauling.
  • A private clinic for eight people in 2022 with NRHA Professional and former NRHA Professional of the Year Mirjam Stillo.
    • The clinic will be held at the privately-owned Ranchos Los Vaqueros in Pilot Point, Texas. The clinic includes lunch and post-clinic cocktails in the welcoming event space. Hosted and made possible by Mirjam Stillo Performance Horses, Nancy and John Tague of Toyon Ranch and Debbie and Gary Conway of Ranchos Los Vaqueros.
  • A custom-made, handcrafted 18K gold pendant from MS Diamonds TX.
    • NRHA Corporate Partner MS Diamonds TX will create a custom 18K gold pendant set with 1ct GVS quality diamonds complete with the winner’s logo.
  • A 2022 embryo for Wind Her Up Chic, donated by NRHA Corporate Partners Tim Anderson and Kim Niven.
    • Wind Her Up Chic (Smart Chic Olena x Wind Her Up Doc) is a former NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby, and National Reining Breeders Classic Open finalist with lifetime earnings exceeding $100,000. Embryos for Wind Her Up Chic, who holds the 16th spot on the NRHA Lifetime Producers List, are not available publicly outside of the Sliders’ Night Out Live Auction.

“The proceeds raised from this event and through the RHF benefit our members in a variety of ways, including the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, youth scholarships, supporting our Hall of Fame, and more,” Clark shared. “Every dollar donated, whether it’s a big donation or small, adds up and makes a difference. The RHF just keeps growing every day, and I, and the rest of the RHF Board, are thankful for every donor. This is our 20th anniversary, and the RHF is at a level we dreamed of when it started. We have great leaders with a great vision, and I am proud to be a part of it.”

New in 2021, Sliders’ Night Out will offer live, online bidding powered by Auction Mobility, the same platform that will be used for this year’s NRHA Markel Futurity Sales on December 2. To view the Slider’s Night Out Auction, go to auctions.nrha.com, or download the new NRHA Sales App. Proxy and absentee bidding is also available, and those interested can contact RHF Executive Director Leslie Baker.

In addition to the Live Auction, there will be a pledge auction where everyone in attendance is welcome to contribute to the RHF. Unrestricted gifts of $100 or more will receive donor recognition in the Reiners Club.

Hosted by the RHF, the event will honor and recognize the NRHA Hall of Fame inductees as well as the recipients of the NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2020 and 2021. “We are excited to formally welcome 2020 Hall of Fame inductees Sally Brown and Jerry Kimmel, and the 2021 inductees Doug Carpenter and Jose Vazquez,” said Rick Clark, NRHA President and RHF Development Chairperson. “We will also recognize Mike Carrier and Charles Vaughan, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2020 and 2021. These are well-deserved honors, and we are excited to celebrate each of these individuals.”

The RHF, which serves as the charitable arm of the NRHA. Through major underwriters and Hall of Fame table hosts, dollars are raised in support of the RHF mission of caring for and honoring the reining community.

Donors of every level are important. They come from individuals, corporations, ranches, training barns, foundations and groups of reiners joining forces to support the event. Baker said a limited number of tables and seats remain available for the event and encourages anyone wanting to attend, to act quickly.

Advance reservations are encouraged to ensure a chance to be in attendance at Sliders’ Night Out and enjoy the chef-prepared dinner and celebration. Individual tickets are available.

To make reservations, contact Leslie Baker, RHF, (405) 946-7400, ext. 106 or email rhf@nrha.com.

Expectations High for 2021 NRHA Markel Futurity Sales

Im Gunna Shine – 2020 High Seller

Catalogs for the 2021 National Reining Horse Association Markel Futurity Sales are arriving in mailboxes around the globe, while many reining enthusiasts have already begun perusing the consignments through the Sale’s new website and mobile app.

Regardless of how people choose to do their research, it’s clear that the quality of horsepower consigned this year, slated for December 2 at the NRHA Futurity, is high as ever.

Twenty-six NRHA Million Dollar or higher stallions account for 122 foals in the sale, including all three NRHA $12 Million Sires (Wimpys Little Step – 2, Gunner – 8, and Topsail Whiz – 3).

There have only been three stallions to win all three major NRHA events – the Futurity, the Derby, and the National Reining Breeders Classic. Two of those three, A Vintage Smoke* and Not Ruf At All, each have a foal in the sale, while Spooks Gotta Whiz* has 12.

The stallion most represented in this year’s NRHA Markel Futurity Sales is NRHA $5 Million Sire Gunnatrashya, with 22.

The mare power is equally impressive. NRHA Million Dollar Dam Princess In Diamonds has one foal in the Sales, as does All Ruffed Up, dam of NRHA Million Dollar Sire Not Ruf At All.

Ebony Spook, dam of the second and third high sellers for the 2020 Select Yearling Sale (Vintage Ebony and Spook Electric), has the most foals in this year’s Sales, with six.

Cremes Chic Olena, dam of the 2019 Marketplace Sale High Seller Xtra Half N Half, has two foals consigned to this year’s Sales, while Unquestionably Crome, dam of 2019 Select Yearling High Seller Inferno On Ice, has one.

Other notable dams include Gunnersspecialsister (full sibling to NRHA $4 Million Sire Gunners Special Nite), Icing Required (dam of Run For A Million Co-Champion No Smoking Required), and Mifs Doll (dam of NRHA $4 Million Sire Gunners Special Nite).

Prior to the four regular Sales, 11 breedings to great stallions will be auctioned to benefit the National Reining Horse Youth Association. That stallion lineup includes Colonels Shining Gun, Dun It For Whizkey, Gunner Dun It Again, Hey Joe, Inferno Sixty Six, No Smoking Required, Patriot, PS Mega Shine Chic, Spooks Gotta Spark, Tinker With Dreams, and What A Wave.

The Sales will continue with the all-on-one-day concept begun in 2020, so all the Markel Futurity Sales will be held on Thursday, December 2. Also, the two-year-old preview opportunities have been modified and expanded into two-hour sessions in Arena 6 held on November 30 and December 1 at the conclusion of each day’s Futurity Semi-Finals.

The Sales will also return to Barns 3 and 4, where they have been traditionally held, and will begin at 10 a.m. December 2 with the Futurity Prospect Sale, followed by the Elite Yearling Sale and the Preferred Breeders Sale. The Premier Sale will finish out the day.

*Includes Covering Sire

NRHA Markel Futurity Sales Introduce New Website and App for 2021

Researching, bidding, and buying a horse at the National Reining Horse Association Markel Futurity Sales just got easier. The Futurity Sales Task Force has unveiled a new and interactive website and app for the Sales, which are slated for December 2 at the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The new website will also streamline the online bidding process. Instead of several steps across different platforms, everything – from registering to credit card authorization to bidding – will all be done through the new site at auctions.nrha.com.

The NRHA Markel Futurity Sales will also be live-streamed on the new site, and there is are plenty of new features to make researching and sharing favorite horses simpler.

“I think my favorite feature of the new website and app is that the horses’ photos, videos, and pedigree are all on one page. This makes it quick and easy for buyers to see all the information easily on their phone, tablet or computer,” noted NRHA Senior Manager of ReinerSuite and Futurity Sales. “My other favorite feature is the app for your phone. Most people always have a phone handy. The app makes it easy to look at sale horses on the phone or bring up a horse quickly to show it to someone else.”

The website and app boast cool features such as push notifications, the ability to mark favorite horses, and more. “For example, if a buyer ‘watches’ a lot, it will notify them five lots before it sells so they don’t miss it. It makes it quick and easy to buy online,” Honeywell shared.

Honeywell noted that the new website and app are just the latest changes made by the Futurity Sales Task Force to continue upping the game and maintain the Sales’ position as the preeminent sale for reining horses. “The feedback from our consignors has been incredible. They are excited about the increased marketing potential the new platform offers,” she said.

Registration is simple.

  1. Visit the website at auctions.nrha.com
  2. Click “Login,” which can be found at the top of the page.
  3. Registered users can then enter their username and password. New users will have to click the “Sign Up Now” link.
  4. Fill in your personal information.

Registering to bid is equally simple.

  1. Login to your account.
  2. Click “Register to Bid.”
  3. Fill in your information and a credit card for verification. The credit card will be authorized for $5,000, but the card will not be charged. Online buyers will be contacted after the sale to see how they want to pay; the card will not be automatically charged.

Honeywell strongly urges all prospective buyers to complete the registration process early, including credit card preauthorization. “We do suggest doing this prior to the Sales in case buyers have any issues we need to help them with. Of course, people can just register by supplying their name and email address to start watching the horses,” she said.

To view the consigned horses, visit auctions.nrha.com

Find the NRHA Futurity Sales app on the App Store or Google Play.

Join the NRHA Markel Futurity Sales Facebook group for Sale Horse previews and the latest news.