Category: History

Jordan Larson brought two horses back to the level 4 finals at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby presented by Markel to finish the week as an NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider.

Larson, who reached million-dollar status at age 30, finished ninth in Level 4 Open on I Shine At Nite (Gunners Special Nite x Shiney Enterprise), owned by Nicole McDevitt, to earn $11,507. Larson also finished 21st in the Level 4 on KR Trashya Lena (Gunnatrashya x Smart Shiney Lena), owned by Nicole and Kathy Driscoll, which earned $4,283. Both paychecks helped Larson reach the next goal of his successful NRHA career.

“I’m very thankful to have crossed the three million dollar mark at the derby this year!” said Jordan Larson. “The last few years had been a little rough. Things just weren’t going my way in the show pen. I’ve learned a lot through this and am very thankful for all the people who have supported us and the great horses I have had the opportunity to show.”

Jordan grew up in Cottonwood, California, where his father shod horses and his mother exhibited halter horses. At only three years old, he was riding and dreaming of being a horse trainer.

Since then, he has continued to build on this dream, leading him to many major event finals, competing on World Equestrian Games teams, and NRHA Futurity and Derby Championships.

“My wife is my biggest supporter, and I could not have done it without her!” said Larson. “I’m so thankful God has blessed me with the opportunity to do what I love for a living and share it with my family.”

Larson is one of 17 competitors vying for a top spot in The Run for a Million (TRFAM). He qualified last year through the $100,000 Open Shoot Out at TRFAM, earning sixth on I Shine At Nite. If you can’t make it to Las Vegas to cheer on competitors in person, you can access a live feed online for the first time in the event’s history. Be sure to only use the link on trfam.com, as this is the only official live stream. 

As champions were crowned at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, two sires also reached a new milestone, with their offspring demonstrating extraordinary talent – continuing their legacies among NRHA’s leading sires.

Gunner – NRHA $14 Million Sire

As Down Right Amazing earned yet another major title as the 6666 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open Champion, the stallion also pushed Gunner over the $14 million milestone. This not only solidifies him as NRHA’s leading sire but also makes him the only sire with more than $12 million in offspring earnings.

In addition to siring the open champion, there were two offspring of Gunner in the non pro finals, earning a total of $102,494. The versatility of Gunner’s offspring and their constant success in the show pen continues the legacy of this Hall of Fame stallion.

“Gunner was a special individual who had a unique way of using his shoulders. He was able to pass that onto so many of his offspring, and I believe that is what has made them exceptional individuals,” said NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary. “Congratulations on a milestone well deserved!”

The son of Colonelfourfreckle, out of Katie Gun, has $173,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings, but that was only the beginning of the mark he would leave on the reining industry.

Beyond his show ring success, Gunner’s legacy also includes the genuine affection and admiration he garnered from people within the reining industry. While owned by Pam and Paul Rohus, he was immortalized as a Breyer Horse special edition model while also earning a world championship, an APHA World Show Reining Futurity Open Championship, and became an NRHA Futurity Open reserve champion under Clint Haverty.

Gunner was later owned by Debra and Kim Sloan. During their ownership, Gunner continued to add to his list of accomplishments. He earned an APHA Junior Reining world title, a National Reining Breeders Classic Co-Reserve Championship in the National Reining Breeders Classic, and the United States Equestrian Team Open Reining Championship with the late Bryant Pace in the saddle in 2001.

Two years after being inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame, the Sloans sold Gunner to Tim and Colleen McQuay, where he lived out the rest of his days in Tioga, Texas.

Although the stallion passed away in 2013, his legacy continues to live on as limited breedings still occur through ICSI.

Gunner’s Top Earning Offspring with 983 competing:

Down Right Amazing (Shesouttayourleague) – DAG Ventures LLC, owner; Curtis Performance Horses LLC, breeder: $532,584.29

All Bettss Are Off (Wimpys Little Chic) – Rancho Oso Rio LLC, owner; Arcese Quarter Horses USA breeder: $393,924.19

Tinker With Guns (Tinker Nic) – Silver Spurs Equine owner, Rancho Oso Rio LLC breeder: $344,117.65

Gunners Tinseltown (Miss Tinseltown) – David Silva, Sr owner/breeder – $305,307.49

Americasnextgunmodel (Cee Dun It Do It) – Arcese Quarter Horses USA, David Silva Sr., breeder: $289,486.18

No Smoking Required (Icing Required) – Schmersal/ThorSport Inc., Carluccio Orsi breeder: $252,058.43

Gunners Special Nite: NRHA $6 Million Dollar Sire

Fourteen finalists sired by Gunners Special Nite entered the Jim Norick Arena during the Non Pro and Open Finals of the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. These offspring earned $75,798, catapulting the stallion to being an NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire.

By NRHA $14 Million Sire Gunner and out of Mifs Doll, the stallion earned $219,000 in the show pen with NRHA Professional Marcy Starr and NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider and Million Dollar Owner Tom McCutcheon. The remarkable athlete was bred by Kim and Debra Sloan and raised by Tim and Colleen McQuay. In 2010, the stallion was purchased by the current owner, Turnabout Farm Inc.

Gunners Special Nite’s achievements include an NRHA Futurity Open Reserve Championship and top finishes at other major events. In 2010, McCutcheon piloted the 2004 stallion to Individual and Team gold medals for Team USA at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.

Gunner Special Nite’s Top Earning Offspring with 515 competing:

Modern Gun (Taris Modern Design) – Ms Stables, owner; Turnabout Farm Inc., breeder: $362,126.05

Guns And Dynamite (Chic Olena Starbuck) – Tim & MaryBeth Ruckman, owner; Turnabout Farm Inc., breeder: $294,621.88

Baileys Not Painted (Darlins Not Painted) – Kristen Cantacuzene, owner; Turnabout Farm Inc., breeder: $143,233.62

Lenas Shining Gun (SL Lenas Chick) – Jackie Redish, owner; Roxanne Koepsell, breeder: $133,365.32

Into The Nite (Chexy Dun It) Heidi Battier, owner; Turnabout Farm Inc., breeder: $104,432.21

Special Made Whiskey (Starlight Acres) – Gordon Robinson, owner; John Stiver, breeder: $101,372.14

On Friday, May 26, Grischa Ludwig walked to the center of the arena to receive his awards at the 2023 NRHA European Futurity. Not only did he earn the NRHA Open class championship and American Paint Horse Association Chrome Cash, but these checks also pushed him past the threshold to become NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Rider.

“[The realization of the accomplishment] didn’t do anything to me when I came out of the arena,” he said. “I wasn’t yelling ‘Hooray!’ I thought, ‘cool.’ But when I went in for the awards, and they announced me as the newest NRHA Million Dollar Rider, emotion overwhelmed me!”

Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Ludwig grew up around horses his whole life as his father ran an equine therapy program at a facility for those with mental and physical disabilities. Their family lived with the 2,000 people and their Quarter Horse Program at the facility.

“It took a while [to reach this milestone],” said Ludwig. “You can do it faster for sure, but it was never my highest goal to be an NRHA Million Dollar Rider. I always saw myself as a horseman and a horse trainer. But the closer I got, the more I wanted it. Last year I got close, and people were talking so much, and I really wanted to have it.”

His wins on this momentous day were on Spooks Genius (Spooks Gotta Whiz x A Spark Of Genius) owned by Margot Van Doorne. This pair is no stranger to the winner’s circle as they were the 2022 Open European Affiliate Champions and have placed in multiple aged event finals throughout Europe.

To make the timing of the milestone even more meaningful, the European Futurity was only his second horse show since the passing of his father.

“My father shaped me to the way that I am,” he said. “He was the best daddy I could have. He was as proud as someone could be when I won, and he was also proud if I was second, and he would tell me there was still one place to be better.”

Read more about Ludwig and this accomplishment in the September issue of the NRHA Reiner Magazine.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) honors a new member of the elite NRHA $9 Million Dollar Sire list, Gunnatrashya. After reaching the $7 Million milestone 14 months ago, this stallion’s offspring continue to propel him to new achievements rapidly, securing his place in history books.

Bred by Katarina Dorminy, Gunnatrashya is by NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee and $13 Million Dollar Sire Gunner and out of Natrasha. Along with his success in the breeding barn, the stallion started his career with impressive wins, including the 2009 NRHA Open Futurity Championship, 2009 All American Quarter Horse Congress Open Futurity Championship, and 2010 NRHA Open Derby Championship, with NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida. These wins pushed his NRHA lifetime earnings to over $218,000.

The stallion became an NRHA Million Dollar Sire in 2017, less than three years after his first group of foals set foot in the show pen, and has already produced several NRHA Futurity and NRHA Derby Champions. Gunnatrashya stands at NRHA Corporate Partner Oswood Stallion Station in Weatherford, Texas, for owner Arcese Quarter Horses.

Gunnatrashya sired the 2022, 2021, and 2019 NRHA Open Futurity Champions and the reserve champion in 2020. It is no surprise that Gunnatrashya was the recipient of the inaugural Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award in 2021 and earned it again in 2022. This pattern continued as he was also the leading sire at the 2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

Gunnatrashya continues to pass at least one milestone annually, creating global recognition and continuing to put his stamp on his offspring.

Gunnatrashya’s top performers are:

Gunna Stop (out of Stop Little Sister) $672,762

Andiamoe (out of Wimpys Little Chic) $389,083

Ten Thirty (out of Dainty Little Step) $369,059

Super Marioo (out of HA Chic A Tune) $336,562

ARC Gunnabeabigstar (out of Wimpys Little Chic) $298,999

In 2012, the National Reining Horse Association created the Professionals of the Year awards to recognize and honor individuals who exemplify excellence in the NRHA community. This distinction recognizes the elite individuals who, in all aspects of their career, consistently excel in perpetuating the growth of the NRHA not solely by their success in the show pen but, more importantly, by how they choose to give back to the association and its members. The 2022 recipients are an example of integrity and sincerity within the industry while working to promote and maintain the ideals of the reining horse.

NRHA affiliates may nominate NRHA Professionals, and the NRHA Professionals Committee may write in candidates for the awards, which include the NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, the NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, the NRHA Youth Coach of the Year, the NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year, and the NRHA Up-and-Coming Trainer of the Year. NRHA Professionals then vote on the nominees.

“It is an honor to be voted by your peers for such a prestigious award,” said Patti Carter, NRHA Senior Director of Education & Officials. “NRHA appreciates the Professionals who support the sport of reining and exemplify the characteristics of these awards.”

The 2022 NRHA Professionals of the Year will be honored with custom spurs from Montana Silversmiths and featured in the May issue of the NRHA Reiner Magazine.

Horseman of the Year: Nathan Piper
Whitesboro, Texas
NRHA LTE: $1,571,992

Nathan Piper had a banner year in 2022, becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider and The Run For A Million Champion—all while supporting his local affiliate and NRHA programs such as the Reining Horse Foundation.

Piper was born in Bryan, Texas, where he grew up showing reining horses as a youth. During his junior year at Texas A&M University, he decided to forgo his Non Pro status to become an NRHA Professional. Nathan graduated from Texas A&M University in 1999 and married his wife, Jean, in 2000.

After college, Nathan moved to Whitesboro, Texas, to work as an assistant trainer for two-time NRHA Futurity Champion Todd Sommers. In 2004, Nathan and his wife Jean purchased a training facility in Madisonville, Texas, where they successfully built Nathan Piper Reining Horses.

Piper Reining Horses now operates in Whitesboro, Texas. Nathan and Jean have two daughters, Millie and Etta.

Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year: Jordan McBurney
Arlington, Washington
NRHA LTE: $375,055

Jordan McBurney found her start in the reining industry after working a job exercising and grooming reining horses. McBurney came from a barrel racing background and showed her first reiner in 2009. She now competes at the highest level and has many accolades.

Not only did she earn 8th place in the million-dollar competition at The Run for a Million in 2022, but she also remains humble and rarely seeks the spotlight, despite often deserving it. She dedicates her time to non professionals in the industry and has coached many, including Non Pro Futurity Champions.

McBurney and her husband, NRHA Professional Sean McBurney, train out of Rhodes River Ranch, located in the foothills of the Cascades. This powerful couple develops award-winning performance horses, such as the offspring of the ranch’s leading sire, Whizkey And Diamonds.

Up-And-Coming Professional of the Year: Jack Daniels
Aubrey, Texas
NRHA LTE: $79,005

Originally from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, Jack grew up training rope horses and cow horses. After making a name for himself training 2-year-olds and showing in Australia, he came to the United States to further his career. 

Daniels not only had a successful year in the show pen earning the 2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 1 Championship and over $74,000, but he is also active in giving back. He serves on the Affiliate Committee and is eager to assist with international affairs. 

He prides himself on his two-year-old program and the solid foundation they receive in his program. Horses he started went on to be incredibly successful in 2022, winning major events nationwide. 

Daniels and his wife, Kaci O’Rourke, operate Pond Hill Performance Horses out of Aubrey, Texas. 

Non Pro Coach of the Year: Dan Huss
Scottsdale, Arizona
NRHA LTE: $740,761

Starting his professional career in the university sector, teaching at Findlay for almost 20 years, it is no surprise that coaching Non Pro riders has become a passion of Dan Huss’. He specializes in not only preparing his riders and their horses but in helping them become a team.

Huss implemented the training processes at home as he had taught at the college, making his program well known to non pro riders at all levels who want to take the next step in the show pen. Along with riders, Huss is also known for his training program, including starting NRHA Hall of Famer Wimpy’s Little Step.

Huss has NRHA lifetime earnings of more than $740,700 and has well-known accolades, including the 2022 AQHA Senior Reining World Championship, 2021 Prime Time Open Futurity Championship, All American Quarter Horse Congress Championships, along with many finalist and other titles to his name across all major events.

Along with his own accomplishments, Huss’s clients are frequently seen in the winner’s circle from the grassroots level to the NRHA Futurity. Between lessons, clinics, assisting all levels of non professional riders, and consistent coaching and training throughout his career, Huss is incredibly deserving of the recognition. 

Youth Coach of the Year: Shane Kelley
Lampasas, Texas
NRHA LTE: $58,469

Shane Kelley’s positive and encouraging demeanor lends him to have successful youth riders in his program and riders who continue on in the industry and make a difference.

From the grassroots level within the Texas Reining horse Association, FFA, and 4-H programs to competing at the highest caliber of NRHA shows, Kelly directly supports and impacts all levels of reining to youth members.

Kelley’s program has had Division 1 scholarship recipients for three years in a row, and they are known for having incredible sportsmanship. His students have also won year-end accolades, The Run for a Million qualifications, and more.

“Shane’s insistence on sustainability for both the horse and the rider and his continual compassion towards both cultivates some of the most passionate kids and happy horses I’ve ever experienced,” said the Texas Reining Horse Association. “He doesn’t look for his youth to sit back and count on others to work through problems, fix issues in training, or even do work around the barn. Instead, he makes a point to work with them through trials, whether on a horse or in life, helping however he can while also casting light on their own capabilities and responsibilities as a horseman. This creates confidence and lends to youth that are not only successful in riding, but willing to put forth the hours and work it takes to be successful in life.”