Category: History

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.

“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. “

Tim Anderson’s Top Earners

Gun Dun It: $187,312

Pale Face Gunslinger: $150,725

Gunna Run N Slide: $97,835

Starjac Vintage: $96,425

Lost In Tinseltown: $81,004

On December 25, past National Reining Horse Association President Mike Deer passed peacefully in his sleep at 82 years old. The reining community feels the loss of Deer, who not only served the industry and participated for more than 20 years but was a true fan of the sport.

Prior to serving as NRHA President from 2017 to 2018, Deer served as a regional director for two years, on the executive committee for three years, was vice president of the Reining Horse Foundation, and served his local affiliate.

“Mike Deer joined the NRHA Board in 2008, the same year I did,” said Rick Clark, NRHA past president. “I worked with him many, many years, and my first term as president, he served as my vice president. I knew him personally and his wife Rita, and Mike was a strong vice president. He supported me in every way, and it meant a lot to me. We were great friends. He would ask for advice while he was president, we owned horses together, and took trips together.”

Deer and his wife Rita both participated in the show pen and bred reining horses. He took pride in representing the average member and the small breeders who impact the sport so greatly.

In addition to this NRHA experience, Deer was a Colorado Licensed Commercial Insurance Agent and Broker for a Ranch Real Estate Company covering most of the U.S. for more than 30 years. He and his wife Rita then moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2018.

“Mike had such a passion for NRHA — running from the green reiner to the Level 4 Open and the masters classes. He just had a charming personality and was one of the finest, honorable individuals and truest friends I have ever known.”

Deer leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Rita, and his four children and seven grandchildren.

“Mike went through the ups and downs together, and it is a big loss for NRHA – but Mike lived life to the fullest,” said Clark. “I have a lot of respect for that man and learned a lot from him, and he served a lot of years for our association. He played a big part in where we are in the association today.”

Deer wrote in an NRHA Reiner article, “Grab your friends and neighbors, encourage them to buy a nice horse with slider plates, find a decent patch of dirt, and just say, ‘Whoa!’” May his legacy and joy for the reining industry continue.

Services will be held in Kansas on Saturday, May 6, at St. Ignatius Parish Hall, 816 Grant St., Neodesha, KS 66757. A service will follow in Glenwood Springs, CO, date yet to be determined.

Memorials can be sent to Mountain Valley Developmental Services, 700 Mt. Sopris Dr., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601. mtnvalley.org

During the 2022 National Reining Horse Association Futurity, Martin Larcombe was able to make the finish line to $1 Million NRHA earnings when he marked a 221.5 in the Level 3 Open Futurity finals aboard Vincent Van Whoa (Spooks Gotta Gun x FM Master Tag Chex), pocketing $40,375 for a Reserve Championship.

“You’re just thinking about riding your horses that you have, and you have a little bit of an idea if everything goes okay what they are capable of and just let things fall where they may. There is always the pressure of going and doing well, the earnings milestones are just that, it’s milestones along the way,” Larcombe shares. “You know, I don’t have a big barn full of horses, I tend to just try to concentrate on smaller numbers but better quality.”

Larcombe, a multiple world champion rider originally from Australia, is no stranger to the winner’s circle and certainly has earned his way into the million-dollar riders club. As a top contender inside the show pen himself with multiple world championships, not only in the United States but across the globe as well, he also takes on a huge responsibility to being an accomplished non pro coach in the industry. Larcombe was recognized and voted on by his peers to receive the 2021 Non Pro Coach of the Year award.

“I said to Sam [wife], you know, two or three years back, it’s [million-dollar mark] something that I really wanted. The joke always was once I get there, we’ll just go buy a house on the beach somewhere and retire,” Larcombe laughs. “But it looks like that’s not going to happen anytime soon, we’re still here, just business as usual. So, we’ll keep chugging along for a little while yet!”

When sharing who Martin would like to thank, he expresses, “My wife. We’ve been doing this for quite a while now, basically the better part of 30 years. She’s been there through the whole journey. That’s the main person I want to thank.”

With the beginning of his career competing in rodeos and quarter horse shows, Larcombe, along with his family, has progressed to finding success in the sport of reining. Larcombe, along with his sister, Shauna Larcombe, were part of the first Australian reining team to compete at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. Shauna also competed in the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. His daughter McKinnon is also a devoted reiner and competes in large shows such as the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City, OK, alongside her dad.

Larcombe spent eight years training in Europe, managing the CS Ranch in Givrins, Switzerland, before moving to work at the CS Ranch in Gordonville, TX. In 2018, he and his wife moved his base to Rabboni Performance Horses in Whitesboro, TX, where his family now resides and trains.

Career Highlights:

2022 NRHA Professionals No. 19 Money Earner

2022 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Reserve Champion

2022 SWRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Champion

2021 NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year

2014 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open Reserve Champion

2013 Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity Level 4 Open Champion

2010 Reining Australia Derby Level 4 Open Champion

NRHA Certified Professional Judge

The 2022 National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championships crowned new champions and helped add additional milestones to multiple riders’ careers. The 2021 NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, Trevor Dare, passed the coveted $1 Million in earnings.

Just months after a coveted National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Championship on Jerseys Baby Driver (Yellow Jersey x Wind Her Up Chic), owned by Janice Laney, Trevor continued to build on the momentum. Trevor made the million-dollar dream reality by placing sixth in the Level 4 Open Futurity onboard, Blame The Corona (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Corona Tag), owned by Courtney Brooke Battison, scoring a noteworthy 222.5. This performance would account for producing $57,078 towards the rider’s LTE.

“I just kept thinking, if I kept doing my job every day and doing the best quality work I could on my horses, then the million-dollar rider status would come,” shared Dare. “The million-dollar rider wasn’t something that I was counting down the dollars on. I did happen to look [at standings] about a month before the show [NRHA Futurity], so I had an idea that I was close,” he admitted.

Dare’s NRBC win not only earned this team from the Sooner state a $75,000 check but also helped gain traction for an incredible year-end accomplishment of becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider.

Jerseys Baby Driver and Dare are no strangers to the winners’ circle as they knocked out an impressive 226.5 winning run during the 2021 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, one of the most prestigious wins of his career and adding $75,000 towards his earnings.

When sharing who Trevor would thank, he expressed, “Obviously, my wife, because she runs our whole business and supports the lifestyle that we live. But you know, it’s all the team that’s around me. The clients that provide the horses for me to show and all the sponsors that help get us down the road and through the daily lifestyle. There are really too many people to thank.”

Formerly from Ohio, Dare started showing horses when he was 4 years old. He then transitioned to reining at 8, with influence from his immediate family of dedicated breeders and uncle, Hall of Fame member Rocky Dare. His first recorded win with NRHA was in 1996 as the winner of the All-American Quarter Horse Congress Youth 13 & Under class. Trevor Dare Reining Horses is now operating out of Silver Spurs Equine-Oklahoma located in Purcell, Oklahoma.

Career Highlights:

2022 NRHA Professionals No. 9 Money Earner

2022 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Champion

2021 NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year

2021 NRHA Derby Level 4 Champion

2021 No. 7 Money Earner for NRHA Professionals

2021 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Top 10

2019 NRHA Derby Level 3 Open Champion

2017 NRHA Futurity Level 4 3rd Place