Category: History

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces two exceptional sires, A Sparkling Vintage and Inferno Sixty Six, have crossed the monumental $4 million mark in NRHA offspring earnings. This significant milestone reflects their remarkable influence in the reining industry and the exceptional performances of their progeny on a global stage.

A Sparkling Vintage

Born in 1997, A Sparkling Vintage is a standout sire bred by Jeff Cornelius and NRHA Hall of Famer Carol Rose. Sired by the legendary NRHA Hall of Fame inductee Shining Spark and out of Vintage Badger, this exceptional stallion is owned by Petra Zeitler. Known for his impeccable bloodlines and proven performance, A Sparkling Vintage last reached a major milestone in 2022. His contributions to the reining world have been cemented with his offspring’s success at premier events.

A Sparkling Vintage’s 183 NRHA money-earning offspring have propelled him to the $4 million milestone. A pivotal contribution came from SS Pretty Nifty, ridden by Anna-Maria Zehetbauer to claim the Italian Reining Horse Association Level 4 Non Pro 4-Year-Old Futurity Championship in 2024. The duo added over $100,000 to the sire’s progeny earnings, showcasing the enduring impact of A Sparkling Vintage on the reining industry.

A Sparkling Vintage’s top-earning offspring include:

• A Vintage Smoke (out of Lady Smoke Peppy), bred and nominated by Karl Hapcic and owned by Diane Mesmer, $540,650 NRHA LTE
• Not Ruf At All (out of All Ruffed Up), bred and nominated by Petra Zeitler, owned by NRHA Hall of Famer Vaughn Zimmerman, $456,437 NRHA LTE
• Platinum Vintage (out of Starjac Miss), bred and nominated by Petra Zeitler, owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Silver Spurs Equine, $314,909 NRHA LTE
• Starjac Vintage (out of Starjac Miss); bred by Petra Zeitler, nominated by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Tim Anderson, and owned by Clover Oak Ranch; $228,312 NRHA LTE
• All American Vintage (out of All Ruffed Up), bred by Petra Zeitler, nominated by Harper Conner (USA) and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Gennaro Lendi (EU), owned by Eyal Carmon, $171,263 NRHA LTE

Inferno Sixty Six

Inferno Sixty Six, a 2012-born stallion, continues to blaze trails in the reining world. Bred by Hilldale Farm and nominated by Domenico Lomuto, this exceptional sire is the result of a legendary pairing between two NRHA Hall of Famers: Gunnatrashya and Snip O Gun. Owned by Slide or Die LLC, Inferno Sixty Six has consistently proven his worth, crossing his last milestone in the summer of 2024.

Inferno Sixty Six’s 378 NRHA money-earning offspring have solidified his place among reining’s elite sires. His rise to the $4 million milestone was highlighted by the stellar performance of NRHA Professional Kaci O’Rourke and The Firemen (Redhot Walla) at the 2024 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships. Together, they captured the MS Diamonds Level 4 Open Futurity Championship and the Level 3 Open Futurity Championship, earning over $425,000 in 2024 and cementing Inferno Sixty Six’s legacy.

Inferno Sixty Six’s top-earning offspring include:

• The Firemen (out of Redhot Walla), bred and nominated by NRHA Corporate Partner Tamarack Ranch LLC, owned by Peter and Courtney Morgan, $425,078 NRHA LTE
• Inferno Thirty Five (out of Madeof Pure Spangled), bred by NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, nominated by Mary Jansma, owned by Stephen Archer, $284,529 NRHA LTE
• Winding Inferno (out of Wind Her Up Chic), bred and nominated by Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, owned by NRHA Corporate Partner Teton Ridge Ranch, $218,038 NRHA LTE
• Surprizing Sixty Six (out of Dun With Surprizes), bred and nominated by Valentin Rascon; owned by Janiene Borror, $169,534 NRHA LTE
• Gangsta Sixtysix (out of Rush N Cat), bred by Lorenzo Lottie, nominated by Slide or Die LLC, owned by Julio Mora Hernandez, $168,344 NRHA LTE

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces Quarter Dream SRL, based in Puglia, Italy, has joined the elite ranks of NRHA Million Dollar Owners. This prestigious milestone celebrates the tremendous success and dedication of owner Pietro Marseglia, whose family’s equestrian legacy dates back to the 1930s.

Quarter Dream SRL’s remarkable journey to becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Owner culminated after the 2024 NRHA Season. Significant contributions to this achievement include standout performances by three of their horses Hollys Hijackers, Sugar Little Step, and Colonels Dancing Gun. Quarter Dream also acknowledges the broodmares Dance Little Spook, Gunna Be Majestic, and Sugar Little Step, which helped them reach this milestone.

“NRHA Professional Nico Sicuro, current Quarter Dream Trainer, [NRHA Million Dollar Rider] Franco Bertolani, Marcus Gebert, the Italian [NRHA Million Dollar Rider] Gennaro Lendi, [NRHA Million Dollar Rider] Ann Fonck and Rudi Kronsteiner are the ones who piloted Quarter Dream Horses to build what Quarter Dream is today.”

Additionally, Colonels Dancing Gun, a 10-year-old stallion bred, owned, and nominated by Quarter Dream SRL, earned $1,270 with NRHA Professional Nico Sicuro in the Run for a Million Qualifier, contributing to his impressive lifetime earnings of $240,230. Colonels Dancing Gun’s illustrious career includes victories such as the 2018 NRHA European Level 4 Open Futurity Championship, the 2020 NRHA European Level 4 Open Derby Championship, and the 2023 World Reining Championships Open Senior Individual Championship. Colonels Dancing Gun and Sicuro also earned the 2024 NRHA Open World Championship.

Quarter Dream SRL’s partnership with NRHA extends beyond the arena as an NRHA Corporate Partner since 2020, underscoring their commitment to advancing the sport of reining worldwide. With over 120 horses contributing to their NRHA records, the team’s dedication to excellence is unmatched.

For Pietro Marseglia, Quarter Dream SRL’s success is rooted in a singular vision. “We build in the years an excellent breeding program and we are proud of that.”

The family’s equestrian tradition began during a time of war in the 1930s, when Pietro’s grandfather served as the chief of the royal horse soldiers, and before during 1830 Giovanni aka “La Fata” was in the beer transport of course using horses.

Today, Quarter Dream SRL carries on this legacy, blending heritage with a commitment to innovation in the reining industry. The NRHA congratulates Quarter Dream SRL and Pietro and his wife Helena on this remarkable accomplishment and looks forward to their continued contributions to the sport. Read more about Quarter Dream SRL’s journey to the million in the April issue of the NRHA Reiner.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces PS Mega Shine Chic, fondly known as “Crush,” as its newest Million Dollar Sire. This significant milestone comes after standout performances by his offspring at the 2024 NRHA Futurity, solidifying the 2013 stallion’s place among reining’s elite sires.

Bred and nominated by Patsy Shelton Schutz and owned by Adh-Mor Ranch, PS Mega Shine Chic is the product of NRHA $3 Million Sire Shine Chic Shine and Megas Sugar Baby. With NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) of $239,655, the stallion’s reputation as both a fierce competitor and a proven producer continues to grow.

Crush’s own impressive career showcased his immense talent and athleticism. Under the reins of NRHA Million Dollar Rider Dany Tremblay, he claimed the reserve championship at the 2017 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open and won the 2019 The Run For A Million Open Shootout. Notably, 94% of Crush’s LTE came with Tremblay at the reins.

Now, PS Mega Shine Chic’s legacy lives on through his exceptional offspring. To date, 53 of his progeny have amassed NRHA LTE, with several becoming standouts in the reining arena. Crush seems to pair particularly well with the dam All Guns On Deck, as three of his top five earners share that bloodline. Leading his offspring in earnings is All Guns On Crush, a standout with $145,340 in NRHA LTE. Out of All Guns On Deck, All Guns On Crush was bred and nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch, owned by Fred Tremblay, and ridden exclusively by Dany Tremblay. All Guns On Crush most recently earned fifth place in the Level 4 Open at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel with an impressive score of 228.

It was the 2024 NRHA Futurity that pushed PS Mega Shine Chic over the million-dollar threshold. Among his offspring’s notable performances was Colonel Crush, ridden by Elisabeth Bourassa Carter. The duo earned over $46,000 with the following finishes: Level 1 Non Pro Futurity Champions, Level 2 Non Pro Futurity Reserve Champions, third place in the Level 3 Non Pro Futurity, and 10th in the Level 4 Non Pro Futurity. Colonel Crush, a 2021 stallion out of Shining Hit Girl, was bred and nominated by Brent Loseke and is owned by Bourassa Carter.

The top-earning offspring of Crush include:

• All Guns On Crush (out of All Guns On Deck), bred and nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch, owned by Fred Tremblay, $145,340 NRHA LTE
• Snap My Crush (out of Snapbacks), bred and nominated by Dean Latimer, owned by James Pirtle Jr., $133,885 NRHA LTE
• Pawn Stars (out of All Guns On Deck), bred and nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch, owned by Cooper Smith, NRHA LTE $101,281
• High Caliber Crush (out of All Guns On Deck), bred, nominated, and owned by Adh-Mor Ranch, $71,146 NRHA LTE
• Colonel Crush (out of Shining Hit Girl), bred and nominated by Brent Loseke, owned by Elisabeth Bourassa Carter, $59,599 NRHA LTE

Read more about PS Mega Shine Chic and the journey to this milestone in the April issue of the NRHA Reiner.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces Gunners Tinseltown as an NRHA Million Dollar Sire. The milestone solidifies the stallion’s impact on the sport as a competitor and sire.

Gunners Tinseltown, a 2009 stallion bred, owned, and nominated by David Silva Sr., boasts an elite pedigree (Gunner x Miss Tinseltown), with both parents being NRHA Hall of Famers. With such lineage, Gunners Tinseltown’s success comes as no surprise.

During his competitive career, Gunners Tinseltown amassed $305,307 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE), showcasing his undeniable talent. Ridden by NRHA Professional Sam Schaffhauser and NRHA Hall of Famer Tim McQuay, his standout performance came at the 2012 NRHA Futurity. With McQuay, the stallion claimed Reserve Champion honors in the Level (L) 4 Open, earning $143,473.

As a sire, Gunners Tinseltown has 99 offspring with NRHA LTE, collectively pushing him into the million-dollar ranks. His top performer, Setting Off To Town, exemplifies his influence. Bred and nominated by NRHA Hall of Famer Rosanne Sternberg and owned by NRHA Corporate Partner Bosque Ranch Performance Horses LLC, the gelding boasts an impressive $153,186 in LTE. Setting Off To Town’s accomplishments include a tenth-place finish at the 2020 NRHA L4 Open Futurity with NRHA $5 Million Rider Craig Schmersal, earning $20,657. In 2024 alone, the gelding added nearly $40,000 to his record.

Gunners Tinseltown’s top-earning progeny are:

• Setting Off To Town (out of Setting Off Smart), bred and nominated by Rosanne Sternberg, owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses LLC, $153,186 NRHA LTE
• Blueyedgirl (out of Shining Survivor), bred and nominated by NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, owned by Bruna Bertolani, $108,145 NRHA LTE
• Guns Required (out of Icing Required), bred by Carluccio Orse, nominated by NRHA Corporate Partner Toyon Ranch LLC, owned by Tim Roper, $73,840 NRHA LTE
• CBKtinseltownsparty (out of HR Wright On Cash), bred, nominated and owned by William and Corliss Kellogg, $42,371 NRHA LTE
• MMB Chic Gun Renda (out of Lil Chic Balou), bred and nominated by Margarita Arietti, owned by Jenna Webb, $41,614 NRHA LTE

For more on Gunners Tinseltown’s journey to becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Sire, read the March issue of NRHA Reiner.

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