Category: History

For Immediate Release – November 21, 2019 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is proud to officially congratulate NRHA Professional Dean Brown for crossing $1,000,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE).

Brown, who trains out of Santa Hill Ranch in Campbell, New York, has dedicated his career to the sport of reining. He got his start with horses at a young age when he worked alongside his father training horses on the family’s ranch in Ontario, Canada. Since then, Brown has remained an active NRHA member for more than 25 years, training horses, coaching riders, and competing in major events across the country.

Notable wins from Brown’s extensive show history include:

• 1998 All American Quarter Horse Congress Futurity Co-Championship on Dolls Skeeter
• 2003 National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) fifth in Level (L) 4 Open and L3 Championship on Tinsel Nic
• 2007 NRHA Derby fifth in L4 Open on Boomtown Rocker
• 2011 NRHA Futurity 10th in L4 Open and fourth in L3 on Conquer The Spin
• 2015 NRBC ninth in L4 Open on The Kids Gotta Gun
• 2017 Congress third in L4 Open and L3 Champion on Dunit With A Blond
• 2019 Buckeye Reining Classic L4 Open Futurity Championship on Spookgotgunsintown

Most recently, Brown’s 2019 Congress L4 Futurity reserve title and L3 win aboard SHR Sweet Sugar Joe pushed him past the million-dollar mark. As he reflects on the road to his milestone, Brown credits his parents, Brian and Elaine Brown; his family; his wife, Laura; Robert and Arlene Santagata, owners of Santa Hill Ranch; and the many equine athletes he’s had the privilege to ride.

“A lot of my early horses came to me through my parents. I’m thankful for my wife, Laura, and my family’s support, too,” Brown shares. “Robert and Arlene have given me the opportunity to ride and train some very nice horses. They let me do my job.”

With just over a million in LTE to date, Brown has no plans of slowing down—he’s already shooting for the next milestone. “We have some really cool horses here at Santa Hill,” Brown reveals. “I’ll just keep on working for that two million dollars.”

Congratulations to Brown on this outstanding achievement!

For Immediate Release – November 18, 2019 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) honors five sires that have recently achieved new multi-million-dollar milestones in offspring earnings.

NRHA Hall of Fame inductee Smart Chic Olena (Smart Little Lena x Gay Sugar Chic), who was humanely euthanized in 2012, is now an NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire. Bred by Emily Woodall, “Chic” originally had a bright future in the cutting pen, but a career path change resulted in him earning an NRHA Open Reserve World Championship, among other accolades, with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Craig Johnson. As a sire, Chic passes his athleticism, willingness, and calm mind to his progeny, which includes five NRHA Million Dollar Sires: Magnum Chic Dream, Rowdy Yankee, Smart Spook, Chocolate Chic Olena, and Spat Olena.

Chic’s top-earning offspring include:

• Smart Spook (out of Sugarplum Spook, by Grays Starlight): $403,149 LTE
• Shiners Chic (out of Ebony Shines, by Shining Spark): $298,384 LTE
• Shine Chic Shine (out of Ebony Shines, by Shining Spark): $148,714 LTE
• Smartest Chic Olena (out of Colonels Dove, by Colonel Spats: $129,061 LTE
• Smart N Sparkin (out of Setting Off Sparks, by Shining Spark): $121,697 LTE
• Commandalena (out of Givenchy Command, by Fritz Command): $115,894 LTE
• Chic Please (out of San O Lenita, by Tenino San): $108,085 LTE
• Wind Her Up Chic (out of Wind Her Up Doc, by Docs Sidewinder): $102,710 LTE
• Chocolate Chic Olena (out of Jae Bar Felcia, by Leos Question): $86,176 LTE
• Rowdy Yankee (out of Nita Chex, by Ready Chex): $84,480 LTE

Two of Chic’s progeny also recently crossed milestone markers in their own right, becoming NRHA Six Million Dollar Sires: NRHA Hall of Fame inductees Magnum Chic Dream (out of Sailin Barbee) and Smart Spook (out of Sugarplum Spook).

Photo by John Brasseaux

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Bred by Guy Du Ponchel and owned by Viola Scott, 23-year-old Magnum Chic Dream boasts more than $44,000 in personal NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE). Since retiring from the show pen, “Magnum” has found even greater success as a sire, with his offspring rocketing him from his first NRHA Million Dollar Sire title in 2010 to his sixth in just nine years. The stallion stands at Cedar Ridge Stallion Station in Whitesboro, Texas.

Magnum’s top-earning offspring include:

• Chic Dreamin (out of Skeets Red Dunit, by Skeets Peppy): $239,876 LTE
• Taris Dreamer (out of Taris San Cutter, by Doc Tari): $193,511 LTE
• Msdreamy (out of A Gal With A Gun, by Gunner): $179,169 LTE
• Mega Maggie Mae (out of Cinco De Mega, by Marthas Mega Jac): $170,133 LTE
• Lil Magnum Jessie (out of Lil Ruf Jessie, by Lil Ruf Peppy): $166,274 LTE
• Chicsdundreamin (out of Goody Goody Dun Drop, by Hollywood Dun It): $153,510 LTE
• Made By Magnum (out of Ready Make Cowboy, by Master Cowboy Jac): $152,668 LTE
• Chics Dream (out of First Ex Flame, by Expensive Flame): $147,611 LTE
• Magnum Starlights (out of Starlights Sugarwhiz, by Little Bay Starlight): $144,788 LTE
• Magnum With A Dream (out of Shine On Sayo, by Shining Spark): $128,254 LTE

Photo by John Brasseaux

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Smart Spook, owned and bred by Rosanne Sternberg, earned more than $403,149 in personal NRHA LTE before he transitioned into a full-time career as a sire. With NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida in the saddle, he won 2004 NRHA L4 Open Futurity, the 2005 NRHA L4 Open Derby, and the 2005 AQHA World Show junior reining, among other titles, and earned consecutive gold medals at the 2007, 2008, and 2009 FEI World Reining Masters with NRHA Professional Rudi Kronsteiner. Smart Spook has proven himself equally remarkable as a sire since his first crop hit the ground in 2006. The 18-year-old stallion was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2015 and stands at Sterling Ranch in Pilot Point, Texas.

Smart Spook’s top-earning offspring include:

• Custom Spook (out of Custom Spinderella, by Custom Crome): $235,749 LTE
• Shine N Spook (out of Ebony Shines, by Shining Spark): $219,826 LTE
• Red Stripe Spook (out of Ms Red Capri, by Jacs Aledo Bar): $179,766 LTE
• Spooks N Jewels (out of Whiz Jewels, by Topsail Whiz): $165,223 LTE
• Ebony Spook (out of Ebony Whiz): $160,634 LTE
• Spook Off Sparks (out of Setting Off Sparks): $142,339 LTE
• Patriot (out of Dunit A Lil Ruf): $138,738 LTE
• Hey Joe (out of Best Stop): $121,450 LTE
• Spook N Perla (out of Shine On Ruff): $112,306 LTE
• Jacs Lil Spook (out of Miss Whoa Jac): $108,935 LTE

Photo by Cam Essick

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NRHA Hall of Fame inductee Smart Like Juice (Smart Little Lena x Jessies Oak), owned by Smart Like Juice Inc./Jose Vazquez, has achieved the title of NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire. Bred by Lindy Burch, the 1994 stallion was purchased by Justin and Vaughn Zimmerman as an early 3-year-old. After watching the horse place seventh in the open finals at the 1997 NRHA Futurity, non pro rider Jose Vazquez knew he had found his new horse. “Juice” went on to compete with both Vazquez and NRHA Professional Ed Fear, earning $56,096 in NRHA LTE before retiring to the breeding shed. Earning his first Million Dollar Sire title in 2008, Juice was recognized with his induction into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2017 for his contributions to the reining industry. He stands at Hannagan Farms in Penfield, Illinois.

Juice’s top-earning offspring include:

• Juiced Up Doc (out of Jokes Startime, by Joker Solano): $196,813 LTE
• Like Shiner (out of Wind Her Up Shiner, by Shining Spark): $145,096 LTE
• Moonshine Juice (out of Wind Her Up Shiner, by Shining Spark): $122,365 LTE
• Wound By Juice (out of Wind Her Up Shiner, by Shining Spark): $112,368 LTE
• Moonshine N Juice (out of Wind Her Up Shiner, by Shining Spark): $98,858 LTE
• SLJ Sweet N Juicy (out of Jacks My Sugar Daddy, by Hollywood Jac 86): $88,821 LTE
• SLJ Ruf Juice (out of Ruf Catalyst, by Lil Ruf Peppy): $84,632 LTE
• Smart Like Valentino (out of Smart Little Jewel, by Smart Chic Olena): $69,502 LTE
• Gorgeous Like A Star (out of Hustle Up A Star, by Grays Starlight): $66,451 LTE
• Juice N Silk (out of Silk N Sable Pine, by Okie Paul Quixote): $66,212 LTE

Photo by John Brasseaux

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Spooks Gotta Whiz (Spooks Gotta Gun x Prettywhizprettydoes) has reached the mark of NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire, only a year after his offspring took him past his first million. The 2007 stallion bred by Clint Haverty and owned by Michell Anne Kimball achieved significant success in his own right. With NRHA LTE of more than $345,137, “Baby” claimed the 2010 NRHA L4 Open Futurity Championship with NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Jordan Larson, as well as the 2012 NRHA L4 Open Derby Championship among other notable victories with NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida. Baby stands at Cinder Lakes Ranch in Valley View, Texas.

Spooks Gotta Whiz’ top-earning offspring include:

• Spooky Whiz (out of Myo Starlight, by Paddys Irish Whiskey): $184,715 LTE
• Gotta Twist It Up (out of Make It With A Twist, by Dun It With A Twist): $163,111 LTE
• Spooks Show Time (out of Dolittle Lena, by Shining Spark): $106,934 LTE
• Thebettertohearuwith (out of Chex Out The Cowgirl, by Lean With Me): $104,822 LTE
• Sharp Dressed Spook (out of Dolittle Lena, by Shining Spark): $93,536 LTE
• Spooks Grand Slam (out of Shiney Diamond Lady, by Shining Spark): $90,514 LTE
• Spooks Gotta Spark (out of Dolittle Lena, by Shining Spark): $66,804 LTE
• Spooks Gotta Crush (out of Megas Sugar Baby, by Marthas Mega Jac): $58,122 LTE
• Night Time Spook (out of Custom Night Time, by Custom Crome): $56,317 LTE
• Gotta Shiney Diamond (out of Shiney Diamond Lady, by Shining Spark): $50,038 LTE

Photo courtesy of Michell Kimball

Congratulations to all five of these outstanding sires and all their connections.

One of NRHA’s main functions is documenting records for horses, riders, and owners who participate in the sport of reining. With that responsibility comes the honor of promoting the achievements of these remarkable horses, riders, and owners. It’s a fantastic opportunity to recognize these accomplishments as well as a means to show NRHA’s support for these stars and all of the NRHA members who help them achieve these milestones—the breeders who choose these sires and dams, the customers of the riders, and those who buy horses of all ages from the owners.

Ever wondered how NRHA recognizes these achievements? Here’s a quick outline. Note that the milestone must be official in NRHA’s internal system before the wheels can start turning for the celebratory elements.

First Million

Crossing the million-dollar mark for the first time generates buzz throughout the reining industry, and beyond. It’s a monumental accomplishment! A horse’s, rider’s, or owner’s first million-dollar milestone is celebrated with:

• Congratulatory social media post.
• Press release discussing the achievement, including quotes from those involved and major accomplishments to get there.
• Three-page feature in the NRHA Reiner

Multimillions

Once a million-dollar milestone is achieved, NRHA continues to recognize and promote commensurate millions for horses, riders, and owners. Each million after the first is commemorated with:

• Congratulatory social media post.
• Press release noting the accomplishment along with other multimillion milestone achievers. (Usually, three to five milestones are recognized per release.)
• Half-page recognition in the NRHA Reiner

NRHA has recognized more than 80 million-dollar milestones and many more multimillion accomplishments (find them all here) and is proud to share them with reiners and the entirety of the horse industry.

For Immediate Release – November 1, 2019 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is proud to welcome another outstanding equine athlete to the Million Dollar Sire club: Whizkey N Diamonds. Owned by Rhodes River Ranch, Whizkey N Diamonds is by the all-time leading sire of NRHA money earners, Topsail Whiz, and out of Princess In Diamonds, one of the top three highest-producing NRHA dams to date.

Bred by Cristin Schuetz, the 2006 buckskin stallion earned more than $216,335 in personal NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) during his show career with NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida. After the pair placed third in the Level (L) 4 Open at the 2009 NRHA Futurity, then-owner Clinton Anderson took the stallion out of the reining pen to star in his Downunder Horsemanship Trick Training Series. In 2011, Whizkey N Diamonds came back strong, winning the 2011 Wimpys Little Step Derby, finishing top five in the Level 4 Open Derby at the National Reining Breeders Classic, and taking home reserve L4 Open honors at the 2011 NRHA Derby, all with Flarida in the saddle.

Now, Whizkey N Diamonds stands at Oklahoma Equine Hospital in Goldsby, Oklahoma. His 312 competition-age offspring have followed in their sire’s footsteps at major events including the NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby, and the National Reining Breeders Classic. Their success allowed the stallion to achieve this elite status after just seven breeding seasons, with his first foal crop reaching competition age in 2016.

“I think it’s pretty impressive,” shared Sean McBurney, ranch manager for Rhodes River Ranch. “He only had 11 babies in his first foal crop. We’ve just tried to match him with the best mares.”

Whizkey N Diamonds’ top-performing offspring include:

• Rsure Shot Of Whizkey (out of Gunners Sureshot, by Gunner): $80,504.34 LTE
• Whizkey Chaser (out of Sparklin Chic, by Lena Spark): $66,908.47 LTE
• Whizzen In The Wind (out of Very Smart Flo Jo, by Very Smart Remedy): $41,706.83 LTE
• Sparklin Whizkey (out of Moms So Stylish, by Smart Little Lena): $40,302.77 LTE
• Whizkey Rock N Roll (out of Snip O Chex, by Nu Chex To Cash): $36,726.98 LTE
• Whizkeymakesmefrisky (out of One Smart Pepto, by One Time Pepto): $35,865.60 LTE
• Waitin On A Diamond (out of This Chicsdundreamin, by Magnum Chic Dream): $33,804.26 LTE
• Red Garter N Whizkey (out of Peppys Lightning Jac, Lil Ruf Peppy): $33,474.25 LTE
• Diamonds In My Genes (out of Electric Genes, by Jacs Electric Spark): $32,159.01 LTE
• Starlightsndiamonds (out of Starlights Sugarwhiz, by Little Bay Starlight): $29,804.92 LTE

In light of this accomplishment, McBurney and the Rhodes River Ranch team acknowledge not only the prowess of their stallion but also the dedication of all those who have trusted in his offspring and helped Whizkey N Diamonds reach this milestone.

“I need to thank Jean Rhodes for all her support and everyone at Oklahoma Equine for doing such a great job looking after him,” McBurney said. “I’d also like to credit my wife, Jordan, and everybody who rode his offspring and helped him get here. All the people who bred to him—that’s what made it happen.”

Congratulations to all of Whizkey N Diamonds’ connections on this achievement.

Silver Spurs Equine lost a legend with the passing of NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Conquistador Whiz (Topsail Whiz x Sugarita Chex).

In 2011, Conquistador Whiz became the first-ever third-generation NRHA Million Dollar Sire, following the path of his sire, Topsail Whiz, and grandsire, Topsail Cody. Just four years later, the 1995 stallion added another accolade to his credentials when his progeny pushed him past two million in offspring earnings. To date, his 398 foals have collected more than $2,451,000 in combined NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE). Most notably, Conquistador Whiz sired 2005 NRHA Open Futurity champion KR Lil Conquistador, a 2002 gelding out of Smart Little Prize who earned more than $422,000 LTE during his career with NRHA Six Million Dollar rider Shawn Flarida and owners Jeff and Cheree Kirkbride.

Before retiring to the breeding shed, Conquistador Whiz earned just over $100,000 LTE in his own right with NRHA Professionals Duane Latimer and Tom McCutcheon in the saddle. With Latimer, he claimed victories in the 2000 National Reining Breeders Classic Level (L)4 Open Derby and the 2000 NRHA Derby L4 Open, among other titles. In 2002, he competed with McCutcheon at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, helping earn the team gold and netting the individual silver medal.

After being purchased by Silver Spurs Equine in 2008, Conquistador Whiz stood at sire at the ranch’s headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Our condolences to Michael and Michelle Miola of Silver Spurs and all of Conquistador Whiz’s connections on the loss of this tremendous stallion.

Photos by John Brasseaux