The stakes are higher than ever before at the National Reining Horse Association Futurity, with a record-breaking number of Open entries and $2,010,040 up for grabs in the Open alone. The first round of Open competition concluded Saturday, Nov. 26, with more than 400 riders vying for a spot in the Semi-Finals.
The top 75 from the Level 4 will advance to the L4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All on Wednesday, Nov. 30, while the top 75 from L3 and L2, and the top 50 from L1, will compete in the Semi-Finals round on Tuesday.
The NRHA continues to build momentum, and the Futurity boasts the highest payouts ever in all four levels of the Open, breaking records that were set as long ago as 2012. From 2021 – a record-breaking year – the total Open payout has increased by $202,516 to break the $2 million mark for the first time ever.
The mare who topped the Level 4 Open, Andiamoe, has NRHA Open Futurity Champions on both sides of her pedigree. Guided by Seven Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida, the All American Quarter Horse Congress Open Futurity Champion posted a bold 228.5 to take control of the leaderboard. Her balanced stops and stylish circles were rewarded by a gentle pat from Flarida at the end of NRHA Pattern 12.
Bred and owned by Two Million Dollar Owner and NRHA Corporate Partner Arcese Quarter Horses, Andiamoe is sired by Eight Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya and out of Million Dollar Dam Wimpys Little Chic.
With scores of 224.5, CD Gunnas Chex Olena and Guglielmo Fontana tied for the lead of the L3 Open with CS Especially Moody and Duane Latimer.
Fontana and CD Gunnas Chex Olena (ARC Gunna Sparkya x Mistis Chex Olena) also finished with the high score in the L2 Open. CD Gunnas Chex Olena was bred, nominated, and owned by Società Agricola CD Horses SRL.
CS Especially Moody, bred, nominated, and owned by XCS Ranch of Gordonville, Texas, is sired by Five Million Dollar Sire Gunners Special Nite and out of Judys A Little Moody.
Shineoncrazydiamond and Vanessa Strotmann topped the L1 Open with a score of 220. The stallion, bred and nominated by Stefano Calcagnini, is owned by Strotmann and is sired by Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine and out of Cashing In Diamonds.
It took a 218 to advance to the Level 4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All, a 215.5 to advance to the Level 3 Open Semi-Finals, a 212 to advance to the Level 2 Open Semi-Finals, and a 208.5 to advance to the Level 1 Open Semi-Finals. Prime Time entries already advancing in other levels also earned a spot in the Semi-Finals.
Find complete results, news, and more at NRHAFuturity.com.
On Friday, Nov. 25, the Limited Non Pro competition of the National Reining Horse Association Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships took place in the Adequan® Arena at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In addition to the aged event taking place in the Jim Norick Coliseum, the NRHA Futurity features exhibitors from across North America who qualify to compete for prestigious titles in Oklahoma City.
Thanks to NRHA Corporate Partners, the champions of each of the 17 NAAC classes are presented with incredible prizes along with coveted titles. Furthermore, they are recognized the following day in the Jim Norick Coliseum as a show of support for these successful affiliate riders.
Stephanie Gentile, of Medina, Ohio, topped the Adequan® NAAC Limited Non Pro riding Joes Lil Wrangler to a 219 for earnings of $583. Gentile also won the ancillary Limited Non Pro class that was run concurrently for an additional $235. The pair also won prizes, including a Bob’s Custom Saddle, and numerous awards from NRHA Corporate and Event Sponsors, including Bluebonnet Feeds, OK Equine Hospital, Classic Equine, Platinum Performance, Adequan®, SmartPak, Equine Oasis, Brandt Blankets, and Tenda.
Joes Lil Wrangler, by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Lil Joe Cash out of A Chic In Wranglers, is owned by Lori Baker. “I got the opportunity to lease him through the end of the year, and he’s been a ton of fun. He’s super talented, and my husband [NRHA Professional] Jesse has been showing him, too, and doing well. It’s been fun to share him with Jesse, and today was extra sweet,” Gentile said. “He exceeded my expectations. I know he’s really good, but I was glad I could step up and be the level he needs as a rider and show what we can do together.”
Jesse added, “I am extremely proud of her. That’s the best I’ve seen her look showing. She was confident, and so I was super happy.”
Gentile and the 5-year-old gelding will have a day of rest, then prepare to show in the Novice Horse Non Pro on Monday and the Non Pro that begins on Tuesday.
“First and foremost, I thank Jesse for helping me and giving me the opportunity to have these nice horses and Lori Baker for leasing him to me. I love that horse to death!” She added, “I also thank all my family and friends here and at home who have supported me along the way.”
Complete results, as well as the latest news, updates, and draws, can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.
The National Reining Horse Association Open Futurity preliminary round continued Friday, Nov. 25, with the second section of the first go. More than 130 horses walked through the gate of the Jim Norick Coliseum at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, but only one was able to match the 226 score marked by Abby Lengel and Bringnthaheat in the first section.
That team was Million Dollar Rider Dany Tremblay and Thee Assassin. The flashy roan stallion, owned by Show Stoppin Stables and nominated by Heritage Farms, is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Jerrys Sippin Soda.
Lengel and Bringnthaheat, by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six out of Tackie Dreams. Lengel and her owned and nominated horse currently lead the race to win the American Paint Horse Association’s Open Futurity Chrome Cash Incentive, which is paid out following the first round.
The first round wraps up Saturday evening, and from there, the top 75 Level 4 Open contestants will advance to the L4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All on Wednesday, Nov. 30. The top 75 in Levels 3 and 2, along with the top 50 in the L1, will vie for a Finals berth during the Semi-Finals round on Nov. 29.
Those advancing to the Open Finals will compete for the last time of the year on Dec. 3, where the Champion of the MS Diamonds L4 Open Finals will be presented a check for $350,000!
Current Level and Division leaders of the Open Futurity preliminaries are:
The 2022 National Reining Horse Association Futurity is in full swing, and at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, the first section of the preliminary round of the Open Futurity is in the books.
Dreams come true every year at the NRHA Futurity, and there’s no doubt there could be another fairytale ending in the books for 2022.
Abby Lengel, of Whitesboro, Texas, currently leads the Open Level 4 preliminary round with a 226 on her mare Bringnthaheat. The pair also lead the American Paint Horse Association’s Open Chrome Cash incentive, which will be awarded at the conclusion of the preliminary round.
Chrome Cash classes are offered as part of both the Level 4 Open and Non Pro Futurities, with $3,000 and $2,000 added, respectively. Both solid and regular registry Paints can compete in the Chrome Cash classes, which are paid out according to the NRHA payout schedule. Participants can enter until noon the day prior to competing.
Bringnthaheat is by newly minted NRHA Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six and out of Tackie Dreams. Lengel has earned nearly a half-million dollars in her career and is always a serious contender at reining’s most prestigious events. If she and Bringnthaheat were to win the Championship on Dec. 4 during the MS Diamonds Level 4 Open Finals, her lifetime earnings would almost double with the $350,000 first-place check!
Since the first step to winning that momentous prize is to advance to the Level 4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All on November 30, the pair is sitting well.
Current Level Leaders through Go 1, Section 1, are:
Open Prime Time – Duane Latimer & Pale Whizkey – 225.5 (includes handicap)
APHA Chrome Cash – Abby Lengel & Bringnthaheat
The first section of the NRHA Open Futurity continues through Saturday, after which time the top 75 plus ties in Levels 2 through 4, and the top 50 in L1, will advance to the semi-final round, with Levels 1 – 3 competing on Tuesday and the L4 on Wednesday in the Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All. The clean-slate MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Futurity Finals will be held Saturday, Dec. 3.
Complete results, as well as the latest news, updates, and draws, can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.
The 2022 National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships are in full swing in Oklahoma City. While the Futurity is held in the Jim Norick Coliseum, the NAACs are held in the Adequan® Arena. The NAAC competition spotlights a variety of members and horses from across North America who qualify to compete in Oklahoma City.
In addition to incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners, the champion of each NAAC class will be recognized the following day in the Jim Norick Coliseum as a show of support for these successful affiliate riders.
Adequan® NAAC Open Co-Champion – Makendiamonds ridden by Jared Leclair
Riding Makendiamonds for owner Dorothy Queen, Jared Leclair secured the co-championship of both the Adequan® NAAC and ancillary Open, worth $5,370, with a score of 222.5. It was the cherry on top of a great year for the pair.
“It’s a really big deal to win an NAAC title,” Leclair said. “NRHA has done a great job promoting the NAACs, and there are a lot of competitors now, so it’s really tough. You have to show hard, and your horse has to be really good to win it. I feel lucky to have come out on top.”
Makendiamonds, bred by CDR Farms, is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Whizkey N Diamonds and out of Makeit In Tinseltown. The flashy 6-year-old mare was started by Abby Lengel, and with Lengel at the reins, the pair finished eighth in the Level 4 Open at the 2019 NRHA Futurity.
Makendiamonds was purchased by Dorothy and her son, Paul Queen, during the 2021 NRHA Futurity. To date, the mare has won upwards of $150,000.
“Abby was very successful with her, and I’ve done well with her too. This was the last hurrah for her and I, and it’s a great way to end the year,” Leclair said. “She was really solid and great today.”
Although Leclair and co-champion Yonathan Baruch could have elected to run-off for the NAAC title, the two professionals elected not to. “This mare did her job today, and we were all winners today,” he said. “I thank Dorothy and Paul, my wife who is a huge supporter of mine, and all our help – both the ones here and at home keeping everything going.”
Adequan® NAAC Open Co-Champion – Peptos Lil Step ridden by Yonathan Baruch
NRHA Professional Yonathan Baruch set the pace early in the Adequan® Arena. Competing as draw two in the NAAC Open classes, Baruch and Peptos Lil Step marked a 222.5 to take the lead. When the last of the scores were tallied, Baruch and Peptos Lil Step, owned by Nancy Wheeler and Jimmy Nichols, had tied for the title, winning a load of prizes and checks totaling $5,370.
“Today was super easy. I just gave him about 30 minutes of a warmup, and I felt like he was ready. I knew the best thing to do is just trust him because that’s when he does the best,” Baruch, of Whitesboro, Texas, explained.
Peptos Lil Step, by NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step out of Peptos Lil Melody, is an 8-year-old stallion that Baruch first started riding his 3-year-old year. He admits the stallion’s breeding contributed to being overlooked early in his career. “His dam is a daughter of Peptoboonsmal,” he explained. “He’s really turned into a very nice open horse. I haven’t shown any bred like him before, but I definitely will again!”
Owner Nichols and Wheeler make their home in California but sent Peptos Lil Step to Baruch to show in the Open Shootout at The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge. “We marked a 223 and were 16th, but he was unbelievable. We could have improved the pilot, but that’s just getting used to one,” Baruch explained, adding that he’s looking forward to attempting another TRFAM qualification in 2023.
“It’s a very long list,” Baruch humbly answered when asked who deserved recognition for helping him be successful. “Obviously, I thank the owners, Jimmy and Nancy. I also thank all my help and my beautiful girlfriend, Heidi. She does all the chiropractic work on our horses and is a huge part of them staying so sound. Thank you also to our vets, farriers, and sponsors. It takes a village. No win is ever achieved by just me.”
Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Open Champion – Sparkys Shining Doll ridden by Tyrel Pole
With a score of 219, Tyrel Pole and Sparkys Shining Doll claimed the Championship for the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Open and the ancillary Intermediate Open. The pair also finished in the top 10 in the NAAC Open and ancillary division, earning more than $4,192. Making the win even more exciting? “Marvel” is owned by Pole and his wife, Rhea.
“We purchased him a year ago and have been hauling for an NRHA world title. Right now, he’s sitting near the top in the Intermediate and the Limited, and he’s been a really fun horse all year,” Pole said of the 10-year-old stallion, is by Friday Night Shiner out of BB Holly Doll.
It was early in the year when the Poles decided to pursue an NRHA world title. “We started in February or March, which might not sound like it was a last-minute decision, but it was. He was showing us he really wanted to be a show horse, and Rhea pulled us aside, said she thought we should try it, and so we went for it,” he said.
That decision sparked a whirlwind of a year. “This horse has been a trooper. I’ve shown him at every show within 200 miles of our house, and he’s been a very good and consistent horse every time. We are very thankful for him,” Pole explained. “
With the top finish in the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Open, Pole and Marvel earned a spot in the Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Open Showdown on Dec. 1. “We had a few goals here. Our big goal is for Saturday because we’re sitting so well in the Limited Open standings, but we were also hoping to do well enough to compete in the Showdown. I think going inside the Coliseum to compete for those of us out here will be super fun,” he said. “I think there are a couple of things I need to clean up on myself, but he’s super. I’m just thankful for every time I get to show.”
Pole added, “I thank my wife because, without her, we would be 100 percent lost. I also thank my kids, who have been so good when we’ve been hauling up and down the road, as well as Sophia Kent, who works for us. I also thank the support system from the other trainers who help along the way.”
The top 10 finishers of the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Open earn a spot in the clean-slate Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Open Showdown, which will be held Thursday, Dec. 1. All qualifiers must check-in and confirm their spot in the Showdown no later than noon on Nov. 30.
Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Open Showdown Qualifiers:
Sparkys Shining Doll & Tyrel Pole
Xtra Miss Wimpy & Sebastian Petroll
Spooks Gotta Cowboy & Garrett A Thurner
Prize Chex & Randy L. Schaffhauser
Xtra Voodoos Storm & Drake J. Johnson
Walla Be Custom & Jaden Beliveau
Goodtime Tinseltown & Morgan Lee Moser
Voodoo Gun & Jack Daniels
Gallos Estrella & Meaghan Shea
Magnifisent & Randall E Dooley
With Addy Tude & Naike Bell
Adequan® NAAC competition continues Friday with the Limited Open. Complete draws, results, news, and more can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.
