Category: History

Manuel Cortesi, a National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Professional from Forlimpopoli, Italy, has officially earned a spot in the prestigious NRHA Million Dollar Rider club. This remarkable milestone underscores his dedication to the sport of reining and his extraordinary success in the arena.

Cortesi’s journey with NRHA began in 2003 when he joined as a Youth member. Two years later, he earned his first NRHA paycheck at the Italian Reining Horse Association Futurity (IRHA) Show, competing in the Limited Non Pro ancillary class aboard The Slide Surprise (ARC Sparkle Surprise x Rulerita Pride). After signing his NRHA Professional card in 2015, Cortesi steadily rose through the ranks, becoming one of reining’s top competitors.

His recent accomplishments include amassing $527,235 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) over the past two years alone, a testament to his talent and consistency in the show pen. He also finished ninth in the 2024 NRHA Top 20 Professionals and qualified to compete in the 2025 American Performance Horseman by finishing sixth in the standings.

A significant portion of Cortesi’s success is attributed to his partnership with July Joe Snap. Bred by Giacomo Ronchi, the horse is sired by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Master Snapper and out of San July Jo Magnetic. Owned by NRHA Hall of Famer Eleuterio Arcese and Impresa Agricola Cuoghi, July Joe Snap, and Cortesi have earned nearly $250,000 together. The pair’s crowning achievement came at the 100X European Classic, where they scored a 231 to win the Level 4 Open Derby Championship.

In poetic fashion, Cortesi crossed the million-dollar threshold with an impressive string of performances at the same show at which he earned his first check nearly 20 years ago—the IRHA Futurity. Riding MC Millenium Falcon, he won the 3-Year-Old Level 4 Open Futurity, adding nearly $70,000 to his earnings. He also claimed the 4-Year-Old Level 4 Open Futurity title aboard Frozen Sven and secured reserve honors on Knockin On Ice, collectively amassing over $18,000 in NRHA LTE.

NRHA is proud to celebrate Cortesi’s achievement and looks forward to his continued contributions to the sport. His talent, work ethic, and partnership with exceptional horses like July Joe Snap are a testament to the spirit of reining.

Cortesi’s top-earning finishes include:

• 2024 100X European Classic Level 4 Open Derby Champion aboard July Joe Snap, earning $75,000
• 2024 IRHA Level 4 Open 3-Year-Old Futurity Champion aboard MC Millenium Falcon, earning $69,304
• 2024 NRHA European Level 4 Open Futurity Reserve Champion aboard Frozen Sven, earning $59,061
• 2022 IRGA Level 4 Open 3-Year-Old Futurity Champion aboard July Joe Snap, earning $44,741
• 2023 NRHA European Level 4 Open Futurity Champion aboard July Joe Snap, earning $40,604

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces Jessicah Keller of Sumner, Texas, as an NRHA Million Dollar Rider. Keller reached this milestone at the Heart of Dixie Reining Horse Association (HDRHA) Wicked Slide in McDonald, Tennessee.

A dedicated reining competitor, Keller became an NRHA member in 1998 and began her career in Youth competition, excelling in the category until 2003. She transitioned to Non Pro competition and steadily built her success over the years, earning top placements at NRHA Futurities and Derbies. Among her most notable achievements was her victory at the 2008 Bill Horn Shootout/Single Shot Derby, where she claimed the Level (L) 4 Non Pro Championship aboard Helluva Chex, a horse owned by Keller’s family at NRHA Million Dollar Owner Hilldale Farm. Together, the duo added $20,000 to their NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE).

One of her most cherished partnerships was with Snips Shining Gun, a mare also bred and owned by Hilldale Farm. Together, they accumulated more than $92,550 in NRHA LTE. Their standout performances include placing fifth in the L4, third in the L3, and earning Reserve Champion in the L2 at the 2019 NRHA Non Pro Futurity.

Keller’s impressive career continued into 2024, where she amassed over $42,600 in earnings, solidifying her spot in the NRHA history books as a Million Dollar Rider. Her final push to the million came at the HDRHA Wicked Slide I, where she clinched the L1 Novice Horse Non Pro title and Reserve Champion honors in the L2 Novice Horse Open Non Pro aboard Gunna Be Rich. She then finished 17th in the 2024 NRHA CINCH Level 4 Non Pro Futurity Championship on Nu Chex (Nu Chex To Cash x Snips Shining Gun) owned by Hilldale Farm. The pair also finished 10th in the L3.

Keller’s top-earning finishes include:

• 2008 Bill Horn Shootout/Single Shot L4 Non Pro Derby Champion aboard Helluva Chex earning $20,000
• 2019 NRHA L4 Non Pro Futurity fifth place aboard Snips Shining Gun earning $15,009
• 2008 NRHA L4 Non Pro Futurity fifth place aboard Plus One Chex earning $14,130
• 2008 NRHA L4 Non Pro Derby Reserve Champion aboard Helluva Chex earning $11,361
• 2019 NRHA L3 Non Pro Futurity third place aboard Snips Shining Gun earning $11,213

Read more about Keller’s journey to the million in the March issue of NRHA Reiner.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) proudly announces Chexanicki is the unprecedented fifth horse to achieve Million Dollar Dam status in 2024. With only 13 Million Dollar Dams in NRHA history, Chexanicki is one of the most influential and consistent producers in the sport, contributing to the advancement and popularity of reining on an international scale.

The 24-year-old mare by Bueno Chexinic and out of Ds Fancy Footwork was bred by Seneca Way Inc. and is owned by NRHA Corporate Partner Toyon Ranch LLC. With $86,292 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) garnered with the late Kelle Smith and Rick Ford at the reins, the mare showed great consistency earning titles such as the 2004 NRHA Level (L) 4 Non Pro Derby Champion and National Reining Breeders Classic L4 Non Pro (NRBC) Reserve Champion, both with Smith at the reins.

Chexanicki’s highest-earning offspring, Alpha Jac Sparrow, has earned $298,564 with Katsy Leeman Flarida, NRHA Professional Sam Flarida, and NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida at the reins. The 6-year-old stallion won the 2024 All Star Reining Stakes L4 Open Derby with Shawn at the reins and also took reserve in the L4 Non Pro with Katsy. Additionally, the stallion won the 2022 High Roller Reining Classic L4 Open 4-year-old Stakes and the 2023 NRBC L4 Open and has many additional titles to his name in addition to participating at the 2023 The American Performance Horseman under Shawn.

Known for passing on both talent and a distinctive athleticism, her progeny have displayed a unique blend of skill, style, and durability that continues to excel in the show pen with NRHA Professionals and non pros alike.

Chexanicki’s top-earning offspring:

• Alpha Jac Sparrow (by Spooks Gotta Whiz), bred and nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, owned by Fritz Leeman, $298,564 NRHA LTE
• Chexi Chic (by Wimpy Chic), bred and nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, owned by Lauren Love, $159,088 NRHA LTE
• Rufanicki (by Lil Ruf Peppy), bred by Sam Smith, owned by Shaunda Blinzler, $144,656 NRHA LTE
• Alpha Black (by Wimpy Chic), bred and nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, owned by Circle Y Ranch, $96,066 NRHA LTE
• Smokin Something (by Gunner), bred and nominated by Cinder Lakes Ranch, owned by Amy Potts, $58,654 NRHA LTE

Read more about Chexanicki’s journey to becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Dam in the January issue of NRHA Reiner.

NRHA Professional Brian Bell has crossed the $3 million mark in National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Lifetime Earnings. Bell achieved this milestone following his performances at the 2024 All American Quarter Horse Congress & All Star Reining Stakes.

Bell and Cooper Smith’s Dunitthemodernway took sixth place in the Level (L) 4 Open Futurity of both events, while Bell and I Dream Of Stopping, co-owned by Bell and Wallace Wood, secured seventh place finishes. These placements solidified Bell’s status as an NRHA $3 Million Rider, just three years after he crossed the $2 million mark at the same show.

A native of Valley View, Texas, Bell owns and operates Brian Bell Performance Horses and has been a fixture in the reining world since he began competing as a youth with NRHA in 1991. He became an NRHA Professional in 2006, steadily building a reputation as one of the sport’s top talents. Bell was named the 2023 NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, an accolade he earned after winning the 2023 NRHA Futurity. In a memorable runoff, Bell and Wallace Wood’s Crystalized Whizkey—affectionately known as “Disco”—claimed the L4 Open championship. The duo has accumulated nearly $600,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings.

Bell’s top-earning finishes since crossing his last milestone include:

• 2023 NRHA L4 Open Futurity Champion aboard Crystalized Whizkey (Whizkey N Diamonds x Lonely At The Top), bred by Curtis Performance Horses LLC, nominated by Rhodes River Ranch, owned by Wallace Wood, earning $332,500
• 2024 100X Cowtown Classic L4 Open Stakes Champion aboard Crystalized Whizkey earning $150,000
• 2023 All Star Reining Stakes L4 Open Futurity Champion aboard Crystalized Whizkey earning $38,000
• 2023 All American Quarter Horse Congress L4 Open Futurity Champion aboard Crystalized Whizkey earning $32,294
• 2024 North American Reining Stakes L4 Open Derby Champion aboard Vintage Couture (Platinum Vintage x Couture Tag), bred, nominated, and owned by George & Carol Bell, earning $30,000

Crossing the $3 million threshold marks yet another highlight in Bell’s impressive career, which continues to inspire and elevate the sport of reining.

A reining stallion with European roots is a National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Million Dollar Sire.

Master Snapper was bred by M. Fausto and A. Adani of Italy and is owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi. The 2001 stallion by Snapper Cal Bar and out of Colonel Mistress found his own success in the show pen in Europe and the United States before entering the breeding shed.

In 2006, Master Snapper flew to Oklahoma City to compete in the NRHA Derby under NRHA Professional Kelly Zweifel. After scoring a 232, the duo earned the Open, Intermediate and Limited Championships now known as Open Levels 4, 3 and 2. These championships made Master Snapper the first horse born, bred and trained in Europe to win the NRHA Open Derby. He went on to earn $69,050 NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE).

With just over 100 offspring with NRHA LTE, there is one stallion that makes up nearly one-fourth of Master Snapper’s million: July Joe Snap (out of San July Jo Magnetic).

After scoring a 232, July Joe Snap and Italian NRHA Professional Manuel Cortesi became the 2023 NRHA European Futurity Champions. Co-owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi and Eleuterio Arcese, the stallion earned the title on a special day.

“With a horse like this anyone can achieve great goals. I had seen him in action as a 3-year-old with his breeder, my friend [NRHA Professional] Giacomo [Ronchi], who trained him,” said Cortesi after winning the championship. “Unfortunately, Giacomo passed away prematurely a month before the IRHA [Italian Reining Horse Association] Futurity. I knew he could have won the Futurity with this one. The reins passed on to me, and we claimed the Open Futurity title. The win was even more special as [that day] would have been Giacomo’s birthday, and all I can say is that I felt he was riding with me both times.”

July Joe Snap and Cortesti have went on to earn $236,158 in NRHA LTE together in the show pen including wins at the IRHA/NRHA 4-year-old Open Futurity, NRHA Germany Breeders 4-year-old Futurity Championships and the 100X Open Derby in Paris.

Master Snapper’s Top Earners:

• July Joe Snap (out of San July Jo Magnetic), bred by Giacomo Ronchi, nominated by Roberto Cuoghi, owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi and Eleuterio Arcese, $236,158 NRHA LTE
• Snap Dun The Bases (out of Shes Dun The Bases), bred, nominated and owned by Lewisville Development LP, $125,816 NRHA LTE
• Letters To Juliet (out of San July Jo Magnetic), bred by Giacomo Ronchi, nominated by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi, owned by Maria Fiorucci, $63,067 NRHA LTE
• Dunnit Like A Master (out of Justanother Dun It), bred, nominated and owned by Lewisville Development LP, $61,824 NRHA LTE
• Plus One Master (out of Ima Mistress), bred and nominated by Green Valley Ranch, owned by Carrie Berkenbosch, $32,844 NRHA LTE

Read more about Master Snapper’s million-dollar accomplishment in an upcoming issue of the NRHA Reiner Magazine.