Category: Futurity

The Adequan® Arena at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City has been bustling with activity all week as riders from across North America compete in the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships. It was a full day of classes in the Adequan® Arena, with the remainder of the Rookie classes wrapping up Sunday afternoon. Making the classes even more exciting was that the Top 10, plus ties, in both NAAC Rookie Levels 1 (Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year) and 2 earned a spot in the Toyon Ranch Rookie Showdown or Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie Level 2 Showdown, set for Thursday, Nov. 30, in the Jim Norick Coliseum.

Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year & Adequan® NAAC Rookie Level 2 Champions – Rayne Anderson & Pale Face Gunslinger

After watching a friend claim the Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year title, Rayne Anderson made it her top goal to do the same.

This year, she finally did it. After holding the lead with an impressive score of 218.5 for both days of the competition, she was crowned the Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year as well as the Adequan® NAAC Rookie Level 2 Champion at the NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships.

“As soon as we finished that first spin, I knew it was going to be a good run,” Anderson said. “I was going to be very happy with him no matter what we scored.”

Anderson rode Pale Face Gunslinger, a homegrown 9-year-old gelding by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit and out of Lost In Tinseltown, bred and owned by her grandfather, Tim Anderson.

Prior to being piloted by Anderson, who prefers to affectionately call him Simba, Pale Face Gunslinger was ridden by NRHA Five Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal to several finalist placings during the NRHA Futurity and the National Reining Breeders Classic.

About the gelding, Anderson said, “Simba has such a kind soul; he’s my best friend. I’m so grateful to have him for his older years and to have the opportunity to ride him.”

Simba has impressive lifetime earnings of more than $141,000, and his Rookie wins will add another $1,432 to that number. For Anderson, it’s a great start to what will be a surely impressive career.

Claiming this title qualifies Anderson to compete in the Bob’s Custom Saddle Rookie 2 Showdown and the Toyon Ranch Rookie Showdown.

“I’ve only shown in the Jim Norrick once before, so I’m excited that the showdowns will give me an opportunity to get back out there through the ‘Gateway of Champions’ again,” said Anderson.

Adequan® NAAC and Ancillary Prime Time Rookie Co-Champions – Susannah Rose & Shining On Ruf

The first time Susannah Rose saw Shining On Ruf, she fell in love.

“Calvin – that’s his barn name – is a 7-year-old stallion by (NRHA Million Dollar Sire) Not Ruf At All, and he is amazing,” Rose said. “The moment I laid eyes on him, I knew he was special. It was like love at first sight for me.”

Since Rose bought the horse in May, they’ve been developing a strong partnership that paid off Nov. 26 in the Adequan® NAAC Prime Time Rookie and the ancillary Prime Time Rookie. Their score of 216 tied them for the championship in both classes.

“I’d already had a really great run on my other horse, and I knew I had to score a little better to do better in the class,” Rose said. “My turns were great. I had some trouble in my departure, and I knew I had to go fast, so I was trying really hard, and he was just wonderful. His stops are amazing and just the most fun. He is so fun to ride. I’m very lucky.”

Rose and her horse had different paths to the NAAC. Shining On Ruf was bred by Kristen Avila and is out of Boom Shine Sally. He was the 2022 National Reining Breeders Classic Non Pro champion, and he won the 2019 Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity with NRHA Five Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal. His win in the Prime Time Rookie class adds $226 to his lifetime earnings of $92,086.

Rose spent many years in the hunter-jumper world before finding reining. She rides with NRHA Professional Dave Moore, the 2018 NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, and Nikki Tyndall.

“They’re just amazing,” Rose said. “They take great care of the horses. I moved to this discipline three years ago from hunters, and it’s been a long road, and they’ve been there every step of the way to get me to the next level. And they have found me two outstanding horses. This was my goal: to come here and do well. And I had two great runs.”

Rose will get a couple more chances to show this week: She qualified for the Toyon Ranch Rookie and the Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie Showdowns both on Calvin and her other horse, Xtra Gotta Step. The Showdowns will be Nov. 30 in the Jim Norick Coliseum.

Adequan® NAAC and Ancillary Prime Time Rookie Co-Champions – Christine Loper & A Ruf Spook

Christine Loper likes an orderly process, and it’s just one of the things she loves about reining – there’s a process.

That process led to a score of 216 and a win in the Adequan ® NAAC and ancillary Prime Time Rookie classes on A Ruf Spook.

“He has been fantastic for me,” Loper said. “I actually did the reiners and the Quarter Horses all my life, and I got out, and I did hunter-jumpers for about 21 years. I’ve just come back to the reining for two years and have landed in the most perfect program for me with Jared Leclair. He has just helped me strategically figure out how to get in tune with this horse and how we peak and how we accelerate all of our learning. It has just been an amazing ride.”

A Ruf Spook is an 8-year-old gelding by NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook out of A Ruf Gal. Rosanne Sternberg bred the horse now owned by Loper Performance Horses LLC. A Ruf Spook has more than $12,900 in lifetime earnings, and the win in the two classes added $226 to his earnings. Loper rode in the first section and then waited a full day to learn whether her score would hold up.

“What I know about my gelding is I’ve got to keep his feet moving,” Loper said. “So I trotted in and made sure I didn’t overspin because in my practices, I overspun. So I was just thrilled with him that he was right there in the spins. I pushed him harder in my large fast than I’ve ever done. He was with me all the way. I woke up at 3 in the morning, reliving my ride because it was so much fun.”

Since Loper purchased A Ruf Spook, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Jared Leclair has helped her and her horse develop as a team, Loper said.

“He has been fantastic for me,” Loper said. “I actually did the reiners and the Quarter Horses all my life, and I got out and I did hunter-jumpers for about 21 years. I’ve just come back to the reining for two years and have landed in the most perfect program for me with Jared Leclair. He has just helped me strategically figure out how to get in tune with this horse and how we peak and how we accelerate all of our learning. It has just been an amazing ride.”

With her win, Loper qualified for the Toyon Ranch Rookie Showdown on Nov. 30 in the Jim Norick Coliseum.

Toyon Ranch Rookie 1 and Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie 2 Showdown Qualifiers

The top 10 finishers of the Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year and the Adequan® NAAC Rookie Level 2 earn a spot in the Bob’s Custom Saddles or Toyon Ranch Showdowns, which will be Thursday, Nov. 30. All qualifiers must check in and confirm their spot in the Showdown no later than noon Nov. 27, or they will be removed from the draw, and the next place entry will be invited.

Toyon Ranch Rookie Showdown Qualifiers:

• Rayne Anderson & Pale Face Gunslinger
• Alea Lasaponara & Tagin Stiletto Chics
• Logan Friedman & Hollywood Villain
• Juliana Pearl Gonzales & Baileys Not Painted
• Sophie Gibson & Magnum Diamond
• Michael James Riley & Drivin By Shootin
• Susannah Rose & Shining On Ruf
• Christine Loper & A Ruf Spook
• Kayden Kellmer & Xtra Ice Ice Wimpy
• Susannah Rose & Xtra Gotta Step
• Kent Ray Taylor & Xtra Wimpys Catalyst
• Kalina Olmstead & Magnum Chicdraw

Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie Level 2 Showdown Qualifiers:

• Rayne Anderson & Pale Face Gunslinger
• Alea Lasaponara & Tagin Stiletto Chics
• Logan Friedman & Hollywood Villain
• Juliana Pearl Gonzales & Baileys Not Painted
• Sophie Gibson & Magnum Diamond
• Eunice Ruiz Bravo & Lokotas Whizen April
• Michael James Riley & Drivin By Shootin
• Susannah Rose & Shining On Ruf
• Lily Forzani & Annies Custom Pistol
• Tyris Klynn Bowdle & Suga N Spice

Complete results, draws, schedules, and more can be found at NRHAFuturity.com

The final week of the 2023 National Reining Horse Association Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships has officially begun, with the second section of the first round of the CINCH Non Pro Futurity being held Sunday, Nov. 26. The action in the renowned Jim Norick arena continued, as Gina-Maria Schumacher topped her own previously leading score by a whopping two points aboard Reining Royalty.

At the end of the second section, the NRHA Million Dollar Rider and Reining Royalty topped the leaderboard with a 219.5. Reining Royalty is a 2020 stallion sired by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of the Shining Spark mare Bella Della. He was bred by Michell Anne Kimball and is owned by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner XCS Ranch.

In the CINCH Non Pro Futurity, the top 25 from each level will automatically advance to the finals at the end of the preliminary go-round on Nov. 27. The finals will be held on Dec. 1 in the Norick Coliseum, and the Level 4 Non Pro Champion will be presented with a check for $75,000.

The riders who did not secure a spot in CINCH Non Pro Futurity during the first round will still have a chance to advance through the Consolation Round, which will be Nov. 29. A specific number of horses who just missed that top-25 mark will compete in the Consolation Round, with the top five of each level then advancing to the finals.

Current Level Leaders through Go 1, Section 2, are:

Level 4 & Chrome Cash – Gina-Maria Schumacher & Reining Royalty (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Bella Della) – 219.5
Nominated by Michell Anne Kimball | Owned by XCS Ranch LLC

Level 3, 2, 1 & Youth – Rylee Butler & SS Rock My World (Ruf Lil Magnum x Xtra Ruby Step) – 217.5

Owned by Rylee Butler | Nominated by Silver Spurs Equine

Level 3, 2 & 1- Dani Latimer & Snap My Crush (PS Mega Shine Chic x Snapbacks) – 217.5

Owned and nominated by Dean Latimer

Prime Time – Lance Griffin & Heza Wimpy Chic (Wimpy Chic x Sheza Shiney Chic) – 217.5

Nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses | Owned by Lance Griffin

Complete results, draws, schedules, and more can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.

Non Pro Riders finally got their turn to show in the Jim Norick Coliseum during the first section of the CINCH Non Pro Futurity. Approximately 200 exhibitors rode into the coliseum attempting to earn a trip to the CINCH Non Pro Finals, where the Level 4 Champion will walk away with a check for $75,000, and the Level 3 winner will earn a guaranteed $40,000!

The only way to get to the Finals and have a chance to win one of those big checks is by qualifying through the first round.

At the end of the first section of the first round, three riders were tied for the lead at 217.5: Gina-Maria Schumacher rode CS Tuned Guns, Dani Latimer rode Snap My Crush, and Rylee Butler rode SS Rock My World for those matching scores.

SS Rock My World is a 2020 mare sired by Ruf Lil Magnum and out of Xtra Ruby Step (by Wimpys Little Step). She was bred and nominated by Silver Spurs Equine, and Butler is the owner. The talented mare already has $8,076 in earnings through the Best of the West Futurity, the 100X Reining Classic, and the RMRHA Summer Slide Stallion Stakes Futurity.

CS Tuned Guns is a 2020 stallion sired by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun and out Wimpys Cute Tune (by Wimpys Little Step). XCS Ranch LLC is the breeder, owner, and nominator for the horse, who already has more than $2,775 in earnings from the Best of the West Futurity and the 100X Reining Classic.

Snap My Crush is a 2020 stallion sired by PS Mega Shine Chic and out of Snapbacks (by Master Snapper). Snap My Crush was bred, owned, and nominated by Dean Latimer. The stallion already has more than $53,600 in earnings from the 100X Reining Classic and the One Hot Reining Hot Summer Slide.

The CINCH Non Pro Futurity first round continues Nov. 26 in the Jim Norick Coliseum. The Cinch Non Pro Futurity Finals are scheduled for Dec. 1.

Current Level Leaders through Go 1, Section 1, are:

Level 4 – Gina-Maria Schumacher & CS Tuned Glass (Colonels Shining Gun x Wimpys Cute Tune) – 217.5

Owned and nominated by XCS Ranch LLC

Level 4, 3, 2, 1 & Youth – Rylee Butler & SS Rock My World (Ruf Lil Magnum x Xtra Ruby Step) – 217.5

Owned by Rylee Butler | Nominated by Silver Spurs Equine

Level 4, 3, 2 & 1- Dani Latimer & Snap My Crush (PS Mega Shine Chic x Snapbacks) – 217.5

Owned and nominated by Dean Latimer

Prime Time – Jose Vazquez & Gunna Glow (Gunners Special Nite x Wind Her Up Juice) – 217

Owned and nominated by Smart Like Juice Inc.

Non Pro Chrome Cash – Jennifer L. Gilliam & Suprizingya (Gunnatrashya x Dun With Surprizes) – 217

Owned by Janiene Borror | Nominated by Valentin Rascon

Complete results, draws, and more for the NRHA Futurity are at NRHAFuturity.com.

The first round began Tuesday, Nov. 21, and that day, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Dany Tremblay piloted Pawn Stars to an impressive 225. The talented colt, owned by Cooper Smith, is by PS Mega Shine Chic out of All Guns On Deck. The score held through the next three sections, and the two punched their spot to the Level 4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All, which will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 29.

Once again, the preeminent event of the NRHA is making history. In addition to the record number of Open Futurity entries, the show will best the payout record that was set in 2022, increasing by more than $120,000 to total $2,231,518. In fact, the total purse has increased for each Open Level, with each growing by percentages ranging from five to 12 percent!

Semi-Finals Qualification Protocol

The semi-finals qualifiers will be those with the top 30 percent of the first go scores in Levels 4-1; however, no more than 75 entries in each division will advance. If fewer than 50 qualifiers are in the top 30 percent in a division, then 50 will advance to the semifinals. Only Prime Time Open entries already advancing in other levels will qualify for the semifinals.

That means 75 will advance in Levels 4, 3, and 2, and 53 will move on from Level 1.

Level 4 qualifiers will compete in the L4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All on Wednesday, Nov. 29, while those in Levels 3, 2, and 1 will compete in the Semi-Finals on Monday, Nov. 27 and Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Bubble Scores Needed for Advancement:

Level 4 – 217

Level 3 – 214

Level 2 – 211

Level 1 – 207

Open First Round High Scores by Level:

Level 4 & 3, & APHA Open Chrome Cash – Dany Tremblay & Pawn Stars (PS Mega Shine Chic x All Guns On Deck) – 225

Owned by Cooper Smith | Nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch

Level 2 – Luca Fappani & Playing With Day Boys (Spooks Gotta Whiz x My Berry Best Gun) – 223

Owned by Neiberger-Camp Partnership | Nominated by Sergio Elia

Level 1 – Maxime Morin & Magnum Wimpys Dream (Magnum Chic Dream x Wimpys Little Lassie) – 219

Owned by Maxime Morin | Nominated by Henry Knox

Open Prime Time – Shauna Larcombe & Steppin Thruthe Nite (Steppin On Sparks x Spooks Night Time) – 223 (with handicap)

Owned by Karon Murff | Nominated by Karon Murff

Complete results, draws, and more for the NRHA Futurity are at NRHAFuturity.com.

The Adequan® Arena at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City has been bustling with activity since the event began on Tuesday, as riders from across North America compete in the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships. It was an exciting day of classes in the Adequan® Arena, with the remainder of the Non Pro classes wrapping up Friday. Making the classes even more exciting was that the Top 10, plus ties, in the NAAC Intermediate Non Pro earned a spot in the Bob’s Custom Saddles Showdown, slated for Thursday, Nov. 30.

Adequan® NAAC Non Pro & Int. Non Pro Champions – Jennifer Neudorf & Shining In Town

The last time Jennifer Neudorf competed on Shining In Town was 2020, the year after the duo swept all four Levels to win the Non Pro title at the NRHA Derby presented by Markel. The pair returned to the OKC Fairgrounds to compete in the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships in 2023.

A 223 in the first section of Adequan® Non Pro classes spelled victory in the NAAC Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro along with the corresponding ancillary classes, resulting in earnings of $11,339.

“(Chubs) was retired for a little bit,” Neudorf said. “We never planned on showing him again, but last minute, I was convinced to show him one more time, and it has been a lot of fun.”

Shining In Town is a 10-year-old stallion by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown and out of Shine Ann. Shining in Town, bred by Carol Rose, has more than $200,000 in lifetime earnings, and he was as honest in his return to reining as always.

“He is a horse like I’ve never ridden before,” Neudorf said. “He always tries. He always is just super willing. I’ve never had a horse that’s just with you 110 percent every time and just goes and does what you say.”

As part of the Intermediate Non Pro win, Neudorf qualified for the Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown, scheduled for Nov. 30.

“I’m very excited about it,” Neudorf said. “I’m so excited to go back into the Coliseum with him and just see how it goes and go have some fun.”

When the update regarding current leaders in the Adequan® NAAC Non Pro classes was posted on Thanksgiving Day, the sentence about Neudorf being a professional barrel racer had some readers scratching their heads.

NRHA staff clarified the situation, noting that “While Jennifer competes as a professional barrel racer, she does not receive remuneration for training horses and does not coach non pros. Questions about eligibility can be directed to Assistant Commissioner Christa Morris at cmorris@nrha.com.”

Adequan® NAAC Prime Time Non Pro Champions – Adam Donahue & Not Ruf

A rough year had a Not Ruf ending for Adam Donahue, who marked 219.5 to capture the Adequan® NAAC Prime Time Non Pro Championship and the win in the ancillary division. Additionally, he and Not Ruf placed in all six of the concurrently-run Non Pro classes for total earnings of $6,384.

“We started the year off real good in Florida, down in Jacksonville, and he’s been showing up every time I’ve shown him this year,” Donahue said. “I got him from Vaughn and Justin Zimmerman his 3-year-old year, and I’ve had him ever since.”

Not Ruf is a 7-year-old gelding by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Not Ruf At All and out of the mare Kays Freckles.

“He was really good today,” Donahue said. “He ran really strong. He always turns around well. He kept coming, and when I asked for more, he let me have more. He’s a nice horse, and I will show him a little bit in the maturities next year.”

It was a year of ups and downs for Donahue. Before the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, Donahue was bitten by a tick and developed erlichiosis. He didn’t realize what had happened.

“When I was here at the Derby, I went to the hospital to the emergency room three times,” Donahue said. “They kept telling me I had heat stroke, and I went home on Sunday, and I went to the emergency room on Monday. They started running tests, and the following Thursday night, I was pretty sure I was gonna die.”

It was close enough that Donahue and his wife had said what they thought would be their final goodbyes. The antibiotics did their work on Donahue’s tough system, and he was able to go home. A week later, he was suffering severe disorientation.

Back in the hospital, the doctors discovered Donahue had suffered a small stroke in his brainstem. A physical therapist told him that riding would be good for him, so Donahue and his wife compromised: He only took one 3-year-old to Ocala, Florida, to show.

“And she was really good,” Donahue said. “So that’s how my life goes.”

Donahue will have another chance at winning money on Not Ruf through the Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown, scheduled for Nov. 30 in the Jim Norick Coliseum.

Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown Qualifiers

The top 10 finishers of the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Open earn a spot in the clean-slate Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown, which will be held Thursday, Nov. 30. All qualifiers must check in and confirm their spot in the Showdown no later than noon Nov. 25, or they will be removed from the draw, and the next place entry will be invited.

Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Non Pro Showdown Qualifiers:

• Jennifer Neudorf & Shining In Town
• Courtney Battison & Xtra Little Balou
• Jenna Webb & MMB Chic Gun Renda
• Adam Donahue & Not Ruf
• Kim Friedman & Electalena
• Ayden Mae Welman & Miss Im In Style
• Grant Truax & Lady Infernofourosix
• Bevin Zimmerman & Taking A Mistress
• Karen Shedlauskas & Gunnabetya
• Kathleen Armenta & Off N Running
• Kristen Avila & Gunners Specialdream

Adequan® NAAC competition continues Saturday with the first section of the Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year, Rookie Level 2, and Prime Time Rookie.

Complete results, draws, and more for the NRHA Futurity can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.