The reining community lost Jeff Petska after a long battle with cancer on March 5. Petska was a past National Reining Horse Association Board member, avid reining supporter, chef d’equipe for the United States Reining Team, and most of all, a friend and mentor to many.
The Nebraska native operated Petska Performance Horses of Whitesboro, Texas for more than 20 years, trained horses for over 35 years, and held a judge’s card with both NRHA and the American Quarter Horse Association along with participating on different Boards.
Days before passing away, Petska took to Facebook with a post that more than 500 people commented on, just a small testament to the many lives he impacted.
“I hope your memory of me is not these final weeks or days of me as my body prepares to meet my maker, I hope my memory is carried on thru the spoken stories of the times we had, thru the following of the dreams we shared,” Petska said. “But mostly I hope my memory is kept alive by all of you continuing to have my family be a part of your lives. For you to share some of the parts of our lives that have made my life so full.”
Petska’s philosophy at Petska Performance Horses was “take a unique approach to the training of our horses. My philosophy is based upon the desire to help each horse to achieve their optimal performance.” This approach proved successful many times throughout his career, notably while starting NRHA Hall of Famer Shining Spark.
Along with launching careers of four-legged athletes, Petska was pivotal in the careers of many while serving as chef d’equipe for the gold medal-winning teams at the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. The impact he had on the lives of these athletes, and junior teams, lived on far past the Games.
Jeff leaves behind his wife, Lisa, and their children, Tanner and Chelsea.
Memorial services and opportunities to support the Petska family will be updated as information is provided.
In 2021, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) established the Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award to honor the late NRHA member whose support contributed immensely to the association and the future of the industry.
The second recipient of the award is NRHA $8 Million Sire Gunnatrashya (Gunner x Natrasha), who also received the inaugural award last year.
At the 2022 NRHA Futurity, the stallion owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA and bred by Katarina Dorminy had ten offspring in the Open Finals and five in the Non Pro Finals. In total, the offspring earned $613,444 in both finals for an average of $40,896.
The perpetual award is presented annually at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel in June. The Mehl Lawson Bronze, which represents the award, will remain in the NRHA office in Oklahoma City.
A member of the NRHA since 1966, Phinny was raised in Fremont, Michigan, and lived most of his life in the Glen Arbor area. He will be remembered as a solid citizen, devoted to family, and always kind and generous with friends, associates, and worthy causes.
Two stallions in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) have recently crossed a multi-million dollar milestone and have a first-class list of offspring in the industry. The two noticeably stunning palomino stallions, Pale Face Dunnit and Shiners Voodoo Dr, accruing more than $3 million in offspring earnings, have an extraordinary influence in the reining industry.
Pale Face Dunnit—$3 Million Sire
The 16-year-old stallion, Pale Face Dunnit, is sired by NRHA $13 Million Sire Gunner and out of Lena Dun It by Hollywood Dun It. Following in suit of his sire, he had many accolades in the show pen with NRHA Professionals piloting, such as NRHA Million Dollar Rider Randy Paul and current owner NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal.
Top Achievements include: 2013 USEF National Open Reserve Champion 2013 NRBC Open Classic Finalist 2012 HRRC Open Derby Top Five 2012 NRHA Open Derby: Top Ten 2011 AQHA Performance Register of Merit
Pale Face Dunnit’s top offspring: (as of 1/24/23)
Face The Attitude (out of Miss Lil Addy Tude) $228,352 Phantom Face (out of Gorgeous Like A Star) $182,234 Pale Face Gunslinger (out of Lost In Tinseltown) $140,280 Pale Face Whiz (out of Lady Naskiia Whiz) $106,901 Pale Black Gun (out of Blazing In Black) $106,882
Pale Face Dunnit was bred by Rancho Oso Rio and is now owned by Schmersal Reining Horses and Silver Spurs Equine of Scottsdale, Arizona, where he stands at stud.
Find more information about the stallion here or on Facebook.
Shiners Voodoo Dr—$3 Million Sire
“Voodoo” is no stranger to the praises of the reining industry, winning more than $85,000 LTE in his show career. Notable winnings include the 2012 NRHA Derby Open Level 4 Open Championship with NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Todd Bergen aboard, the 2010 Tulsa Reining Classic L3-2 Open Championship, as well as making the finals in the NRHA Futurity Open Level 4 Finals.
Shiners Voodoo Dr, by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Shining Spark and out of Voodoo Chic, is owned by Silver Spurs Equine LLC in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was bred by Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch and was one of the three stallions acquired when Silver Spurs Equine LLC made the purchase of Xtra Quarter Horses in 2017.
The respect only grew as the stallion entered the breeding barn. In 2019, Voodoo passed the million-dollar mark when his offspring earned more than $30,000 during the NRHA Futurity.
Shiners Voodoo Dr’s leading progeny include: (as of 1/24/23)Shiner On My Eye (out of Flashy Lil Step) $169,999 Warlocks Last Step (out of SDP A Lasting Step) $86,181 Xtra New Pal Voodoo (out of Wimpys New Pal) $81,893 Shiners Voodoo (out of BR China Rose) $75,354 RFR Voodoos Fuego (out of Show N Tag) $68,266
Shiners Voodoo Dr presently stands at Silver Spurs Equine in Purcell, Oklahoma. Find more information about the stallion here or on Facebook.
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) honors two sires for crossing their next million-dollar milestones — Spooks Gotta Whiz and Magnum Chic Dream. After the conclusion of the 2022 show season, Spooks Gotta Whiz reached $5 Million, Magnum Chic Dream hit the $9 Million mark.
A 2022 NRHA Hall of Fame inductee, Spooks Gotta Whiz reached $5 Million in offspring earnings just one year after reaching $4 Million.
Some of the most memorable wins during his career involve the 2010 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Championship, ridden by NRHA $2 Million Dollar Rider Jordan Larson, as well as the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Level 4 Open Championship with NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida aboard.
The 16-year-old stallion is owned by Michell Anne Kimball, who purchased the horse from Duane Hicks in 2009. Bred by Clint Haverty, Spooks Gotta Whiz was sired by NRHA $2 Million Sire Spooks Gotta Gun and out of Prettywhizprettydoes, has lifetime earnings of more than $345,137.
Spooks Gotta Whiz’s top performers are:
Spooks Gotta Spark (out of Dolittle Lena) $215,585
Spooky Whiz (out of Myo Starlight) $186,042
Gotta Twist It Up (out of Make It With A Twist) $183,837
Spooks Show Time (out of Dolittle Lena) $176,091
Spooks Gotta Crush (out of Megas Sugar Baby) $150,528
Recently crossing the $9 million mark after reaching the $8 Million mark in the very same year is Magnum Chic Dream (out of Smart Chic Olena). His offspring have shown remarkable success, which is only capitalized by reaching multiple milestones in one year.
Magnum Chic Dream holds just over $44,000 in his show career and reached the Million Dollar Sire status in 2010. The 26-year-old stallion is owned by Jack and Viola Scott of Sherman, Texas, and was bred by Guy Du Ponchel.
Some of his accolades include 2004 AQHA Senior Reining World Champion, shown by Casey Hinton, as well as NRHA Derby Level 3 Intermediate Open Reserve Champion, shown by Patti Brownshadel.
Magnum Chic Dream’s top offspring:
Msdreamy (out of A Gal With A Gun) $263,130
Chic Dreamin (out of Skeets Red Dunit) $247,272
Mr Farenheit (out of Wimpy Little Girl) $221,693
Taris Dreamer (out of Taris San Cutter) $194,311
Made By Magnum (out of Ready Make Cowboy) $193,791
As a National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) member for more than 15 years, Tim Anderson has added multiple accomplishments to his name, including serving as the Reining Horse Foundation President, NRHA Corporate Partner, sponsor, and owner. At the 2022 NRHA Futurity, another title was added to his NRHA career, which may be the most exciting yet—becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Owner.
Anderson was an owner of three horses that competed in the NRHA Futurity MS Diamonds Level 4 Finals, a feat that is a major accomplishment in itself.
“When I started my involvement with reining horses, I didn’t have this goal to become a million dollar owner,” said Anderson. “I never had any clue that we would get this involved in it. Once I started having some success with my horses, I always had the goal of being in the Top 20 Owners every year.”
“Three years ago, I saw how things were going and that my horses were on track that we might become a million dollar owner before retiring in the industry,” he continued. “This year [2022] happened to be my most successful year with my horses, and I didn’t know that until the fall. We won three futurities, and when all three made the finals, I knew we would go over the threshold.”
Anderson has found success as a breeder, picking successful yearlings, and in his partnerships—all of which were showcased at the 2022 NRHA Futurity. Of the three horses in the Level 4 finals, one was bred from a mare he owned since she was two, one he chose as an early yearling, and the third one was a partnership with good friend and past NRHA President Rick Clark.
“To go over the million dollar mark at the big show, the one we all dream about, and to have three in the Level 4 Finals when that doesn’t happen very often, it was a huge moment of excitement and accomplishment,” he said. “We did it the old-fashioned way. Our horses have won some derbies and futurities but not the NRHA Derby or Futurity, we just chipped away at it year after year. It’s possible to chip away at the goal, and you don’t need to win a major to do it.”
Anderson and his family have been involved in the agricultural industry throughout their lives, both with their business and passions, and in the horse industry specifically for decades. Although originally in the halter and pleasure industry, Anderson fell in love with the reining industry for the fair judging system.
“Picking the right horses is a lot of luck, but my abilities are higher power given,” he said. “I was born with my abilities, and there’s no doubt about it. I can’t point my finger at one person. My mother had a huge impact on it, she was a long-term breeder and exhibitor and had a lot of influence on me reading pedigrees, reading confirmation, and trainers’ abilities. I have a good eye for animals, I have been in the livestock business for 40 years, and it sounds corny, but animals with me, and I can talk with them. It isn’t like Doctor Doolittle, but I can walk into barns and tell you within ten seconds if the animals are feeling good and the environment is comfortable for them. I have always had a very good eye for a horse.”
Although Anderson may not have initially set his sights on the million dollar mark, his appreciation for the journey and each person who helped meet the accomplishment is evident.
Tim & Kim
“My partner Kim [Niven] has been a huge supporter and never questioned my moves or what I do with the horses, she also shows and has always been there 100 percent, he said. “I have great partners and am never afraid to have a partner, and all of them are done with a handshake, if it can’t be done with a handshake, we don’t do it. There have been many trainers and people who work their tails off for these trainers on my way to one million. It is a very hard industry to work in and can be very stressful, so there have been many people who contributed to this, from grooms to lopers, saddlers, and more. “
