Category: History

In a year where mare power is more evident than ever, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces the 12th Million Dollar Dam, This Chicsdundreamin. This is the fourth mare to reach this elite milestone in 2024, which is twice as many as any year in history.

Bred by the late Joe Hayes, the 20-year-old mare was owned by George Lawrence and Judy Box before finding her current home at Rhodes River Ranch. She is by NRHA Hall of Famer Magnum Chic Dream and out of Hermosa Dun It.

This Chicsdundreamin amassed $124,609 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) while competing simultaneously with George Lawrence in non pro divisions and NRHA $4 Million Rider Casey Deary in open divisions. Although Lawrence owned her at the time, both men would often show her and earn money at the same events. including Reining By The Bay, the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC), and the Wimpys Little Step Derby. The mare’s top finish came with Lawrence during the 2009 NRBC, where the duo won the Level 3 Non Pro and earned 3rd in the Level 4.

The mare now has 20 offspring, with 15 having NRHA LTE. Topping that list with nearly half a million in NRHA LTE is Tinker With Dreams. Bred and nominated by Rhodes River Ranch, Tinker With Dreams is owned by NRHA Corporate Partner Diamond Dub Quarter Horses. The 10-year-old stallion was runner-up at the 2023 The Run For A Million’s Million Dollar Competition with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Dany Tremblay at the reins. The duo competed in the competition again this year and earned $35,000 to push the stallion’s dam over the million-dollar mark.

This Chicsdundreamin’s top earning offspring:

• Tinker With Dreams (by Tinker With Guns), bred and nominated by Rhodes River Ranch, owned by Diamond Dub Quarter Horses, $431,183 NRHA LTE
• Trashinyurdreams (by Gunnatrashya), bred and nominated by Rhodes River Ranch, owned by Penny Gutschmidt, $196,249 NRHA LTE
• Take Out The Trash (by Gunnatrashya), bred and nominated by Judy Box, owned by XCS Ranch LLC, $75,883 NRHA LTE
• Chics Dream About Me (by Wimpys Little Step), bred and nominated by George Lawrence, owned by Day Creek Ranch LLC, $65,903 NRHA LTE
• Trashy Dreams (by Gunnatrashya), bred by Rhodes River Ranch, nominated and owned by Neiberger Performance Horses LLC, $46,591 NRHA LTE

Read more about This Chicsdundreamin’s journey to the million in the December issue of NRHA Reiner.

Hang Ten Surprize has officially reached the coveted status of National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Million Dollar Sire. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the stallion’s already illustrious career, solidifying his place among the elite sires who have made an enduring impact on the sport of reining.

Born in 2000 and bred by Bob Loomis Quarter Horses Inc., Hang Ten Surprize’s lineage is rooted in excellence. He is sired by Hangten Peppy and out of Mizzen Topsail, a parentage that laid the foundation for his success in both the show pen and as a sire. Over the years, Hang Ten Surprize has been owned by several notable reining enthusiasts, including Bob Loomis Reining Horses, Manntana LLC, and Hang Ten Surprize LLC. In 2015, NRHA Hall of Famer Dell and Terri Hendricks acquired the stallion, continuing his legacy under their ownership.

With $133,059 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE), Hang Ten Surprize was a force to be reckoned with in the reining arena. Ridden exclusively by NRHA $2 Million Rider Duane Latimer, Hang Ten Surprize achieved remarkable victories throughout his career. Among his most notable accomplishments, he claimed the title of Individual Reining title at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, showcasing his talent on the world stage. He also earned the distinction of 2004 American Quarter Horse Association Jr Reining World Champion, further establishing himself as a top competitor in the sport.

While Hang Ten Surprize had a stellar show career, it is his impact as a sire that has now propelled him into the NRHA Million Dollar Sire club. With 129 offspring boasting NRHA earnings, his progeny consistently demonstrate excellence in the arena. His top-earning offspring, Hang Ten And Shine—out of NRHA Hall of Famer Ebony Shines—has earned $117,582 in NRHA LTE. Bred and nominated by NRHA Hall of Famer Rosanne Sternberg and owned by Christine Brazeau, Hang Ten And Shine has achieved impressive finishes at major events, including 12th place at the 2014 NRHA Level (L) 4 Open Futurity, eighth place at the 2017 National Reining Breeders Classic L4 Open and third place at the 2017 NRHA L3 Open Derby. Under the guidance of NRHA Million Dollar Rider Martin Larcombe, Hang Ten And Shine’s performances have contributed significantly to Hang Ten Surprize’s milestone as a Million Dollar Sire.

Hang Ten Surprize’s top-earning progeny are:

• Hang Ten And Shine (out of Ebony Shines), bred and nominated by Rosanne Sternberg, owned by Christine Brazeau, $117,582 NRHA LTE
• Harley Surprize Lena (out of Yuba Torima Lena), bred and nominated by Raynald Rodrigue, owned by Jackie Redish, $71,472 NRHA LTE
• CBK Hang A Wright (out of HR Wright On Cash), bred, nominated, and owned by William and Corliss Kellogg, $61,099 NRHA LTE
• Game Day Surprise (out of Dunit N Continental), bred and nominated by John Deer, owned by Sharee Schwartzenberger
• Whiz Kid Surprize (out of North East Whiz), bred by Amelie Hamel, nominated by Rene Laquerre, owned by Celine Poirier

Read more about Hang Ten Surprize and his journey to the million in the January issue of NRHA Reiner.

Attesting to an exceptional lineage, performance in the show pen and the success of his progeny, In Like Flinn has solidified his place in the history books as an NRHA Million Dollar Sire.

Bred by Buck Hazledine and owned by In Like Flinn Holdings LLC, this 2010 stallion, by NRHA Hall of Famer Topsail Whiz and out of Nestle Quik Chic, was destined for greatness.

In Like Flinn boasts an impressive show career, amassing $187,880 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE). His most notable performance includes a 4th place finish at the 2013 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Nathan Piper in the saddle. Throughout his career, he also demonstrated his versatility and excellence in the arena with NRHA $4 Million Rider Casey Deary and 2021 Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year, Kaci O’Rourke.

Standing at Cedar Ridge Stallion Station, In Like Flinn has sired 108 NRHA money-earning offspring to date, collectively contributing to his newly earned Million Dollar Sire status. His progeny have consistently shown outstanding ability and athleticism, furthering his legacy and cementing his influence on the sport of reining.

After achieving success on In Like Flinn, Deary continued to showcase the stallion’s legacy by riding his top-earning offspring, Time Inn A Bottle. The duo rode to 8th place at the 2022 NRHA Level (4) Open Futurity. NRHA Non Pro Jack Medows also guided the gelding to over $37,000 in earnings. With the two talented pilots at the reins, Time Inn A Bottle has recorded over $93,000 in NRHA LTE for owner, breeder, and nominator Amy Medows.

In Like Flinn’s top performers include:

• Time Inn A Bottle (out of Surprizentheprincess), bred, nominated, and owned by Amy Medows, $93,299 NRHA LTE
• Starlight Flinn (out of Baby Red Gaylena), bred and nominated by Mary Brown, owned by Shearer Performance Horses LLC, $91,554 NRHA LTE
• Live N On A Prayer (out of Americasnextgunmodel), bred by Curtis Performance Horses, nominated and owned by Neiberger Performance Horses LLC, $75,651 NRHA LTE
• AC Einsteins In Like (out of Einsteins Delight), bred and nominated by Alessandro Cazzaniga, owned by Andreas Eder, $51,776 NRHA LTE
• Shezinmypocket (out of A Smart Gun), bred and nominated by Barbi Boyle, owned by Sue Barker, $48,164 NRHA LTE

For an in-depth look at In Like Flinn’s indelible mark on the reining community and his journey to NRHA Million Dollar Sire status, read the December issue of NRHA Reiner.

After big performances by offspring at The Run For A Million and the 100X Reining Classic, four stallions have crossed multi-million-dollar milestones with the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA): Topsail Whiz, Magnum Chic Dream, Spooks Gotta Whiz, and Pale Face Dunnit.

Topsail Whiz – NRHA $13 Million Sire

Bred by Tom McBeath, Topsail Whiz (Topsail Cody x Jeanie Whiz Bar) was owned by Bob Loomis Reining Horses. Loomis rode the late sire to nearly $50,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) during his show career. During the 1990 NRHA Futurity, the duo rode to their top finish—the Level (L) 4 Open Championship.

Topsail Whiz was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2003 and has continued to leave his mark on reining through remarkable offspring. The stallion has more than 1,000 offspring with NRHA LTE. Several of his progeny have contributed to this newest milestone, including his second-highest earning offspring—Dun It For Whizkey.

Dun It For Whizkey helped Topsail Whiz cross his last historical milestone after top finishes at the NRHA Futurity and Derby. Since then, he’s added nearly $55,000 more toward his sire’s offspring earnings. Nearly half of that total came during the 2019 The Run For A Million, where he and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Franco Bertolani earned a ninth-place finish in the Million Dollar Competition.

Topsail Whiz’s top-earning progeny include:

• The Great Whiz (out of Pines BH), bred and owned by Lance Griffin, $256,470 NRHA LTE
• Dun It For Whizkey (out of Dun It For Chex), bred by Oldenburg Farm LLC, nominated and owned by Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, $244,528 NRHA LTE
• Easy Otie Whiz (out of Miss Poco Easy), bred by Bob Loomis Quarter Horses Inc., owned by Outwest Stallion Station LLC and Bobbie Cook, $233,611 NRHA LTE
• Whizkey N Diamonds (out of Princess In Diamonds), bred by Cristin Schuetz, owned by Rhodes River Ranch, $216,336 NRHA LTE
• Smoking Whiz (out of Glendas A Smokingun), bred by Susan Ray, owned by Silver Spurs Equine, $208,839 NRHA LTE

Magnum Chic Dream – NRHA $12 Million Sire

NRHA Hall of Famer Magnum Chic Dream is making history once again as an NRHA $12 Million Sire after only crossing the $11 million mark a mere five months prior. The Guy A Du Ponchel-bred stallion, by NRHA Hall of Famer Smart Chic Olena and out of Sailin Barbee, garnered $44,294 in NRHA LTE for owner Viola Scott. With NRHA Million Dollar Rider Casey Hinton at the reins, the stallion was crowned 2004 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Senior World Reining Champion, his most notable title within his show career.

The breeding shed is where Magnum Chic Dream continued to leave his mark on reining. His progeny have competed and earned top titles in nearly every facet of reining competition, including the NRHA Futurity, the NRHA Derby, the National Reining Breeder’s Classic (NRBC), and the World Equestrian Games. To date, 28 of his offspring have over $100,000 NRHA LTE.

Custom Dreams (out of Gunna Be Custom) has led the charge to push Magnum Chic Dream over the $12 Million Sire milestone. Owned by Custom Dreams Brazil, the Devin Warren-bred and -nominated stallion has earned nearly $215,000 this year, including a $100,000 paycheck at the 100X Cowtown Classic where he and Deary won the L4 Open Stakes. They went on to earn top marks at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel with a reserve championship in the Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes, a first-place finish in the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Chrome Cash division, and sixth place in the L4 Open Derby.

Magnum Chic Dream’s highest money-earning offspring include:

• Mr Farenheit (out of Wimpy Little Girl), bred and nominated by Peter Morgan, owned by Morin and Vandorp, $298,022 NRHA LTE
• Custom Dreams (out of Gunna Be Custom), bred and nominated by Devin Warren, owned by Custom Dreams Brazil, $279,603 NRHA LTE
• Msdreamy (out of A Gal With A Gun), bred by Jana Simons, owned by Frederick Christen, $263,131 NRHA LTE
• Chic Dreamin (out of Skeets Red Dunit), bred and nominated by Casey Hinton, owned by Silver Spurs Equine, $250,421 NRHA LTE
• Customize My Dream (out of Gunna Be Custom), bred and owned by Devin Warren, nominated by Garth Hystad, $236,767 NRHA LTE

Spooks Gotta Whiz – $9 Million Sire

Michell Anne Kimball’s Spooks Gotta Whiz (Spooks Gotta Gun x Prettywhizprettydoes) was bred by Clint Haverty. With NRHA LTE of nearly $350,000, the 2007 stallion is one of only a few to win the NRHA L4 Open Futurity, the NRHA L4 Open Derby, and the NRBC. He also earned two gold medals at the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Spooks Gotta Whiz entered the show pen at the 2024 The Run for Million with NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida at the reins, proving that at 17 years old, the stallion still loves the limelight in the show pen.

Now, Spooks Gotta Whiz is making an even bigger mark on reining, which was solidified with his induction into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2022. He’s continuing his legacy by flying through NRHA milestones at a remarkable rate, crossing the $8 million only earlier this summer.

His top-earning offspring, Mic Dropp, has helped usher him to $9 million with a third-place performance in the Million Dollar Competition at The Run For A Million last month. The performance led to a $90,000 paycheck with NRHA Hall of Famer Andrea Fappani at the reins. Fappani has piloted the stallion his entire show career.

Top-earning progeny of Spooks Gotta Whiz include:

• Mic Dropp (out of Dun Dry Whiz), bred and nominated by Clark Reining Horses LLC, who owns the horse along with Tim Anderson, $347,390 NRHA LTE
• Alpha Jac Sparrow (out of Chexanicki), bred and nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, owned by Fritz Leeman, $273,097 NRHA LTE
• Spooks Gotta Spark (out of Dolittle Lena), bred and nominated by Bobby Lewis, owned by Kevin Truax, $215,585 NRHA LTE
• Spooky Whiz (out of Myo Starlight), bred and nominated by Spence Bell, owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses LLC, a subsidiary of NRHA Corporate Partner 6666 Ranch, $186,043 NRHA LTE
• Gotta Twist It Up (out of Make It With A Twist), bred, nominated, and owned by Sandra Bentien, $183,837 NRHA LTE

Pale Face Dunnit – $4 Million Sire

With the parentage of NRHA Hall of Famer and All Time Leading Sire Gunner and Lena Dun It, Rancho Oso Rio LLC bred Pale Face Dunnit to be a reining superstar. The Schmersal Reining Horses and Silver Spurs Equine-owned stallion garnered over $70,000 in NRHA LTE before establishing his legacy-building career as a breeding stallion.

The 2007 sire had his first crop of foals in 2012. After crossing his last historic milestone in 2022, Pale Face Dunnit’s over 340 NRHA money-earning offspring have now made him a $4 Million Sire.

One of the offspring pushing him to this new milestone is TA Dunit Redhot, a 6-year-old stallion out of Redhot Walla owned by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC. With National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) member Addisyn Schmersal at the reins for nearly all of the stallion’s career, he has amassed $145,901 NRHA LTE with nearly $60,000 earned in 2024 with wins including a reserve championship at the NRBC L4 Non Pro and a championship in the L3.

Pale Face Dunnit’s top-earning offspring include:

• Face The Attitude (out of Miss Lil Addy Tude), bred by KC Performance Horses LLC, nominated by Ginger Schmersal, owned by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC, $228,352 NRHA LTE
• Phantom Face (out of Gorgeous Like A Star), bred by Greg Hill, nominated by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC (North America) and Maria Fiorucci (Europe), owned by Maria Fiorucci, $182,235 NRHA LTE
• Pale Dun Star (out of Get Ya Some Stars), bred by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC, nominated by Ginger Schmersal, owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, $153,315 NRHA LTE
• Pale Face Gunslinger (out of Lost In Tinseltown), bred, nominated and owned by Tim Anderson, $152,898 NRHA LTE
• TA Dunit Redhot (out of Redhot Walla), bred by Tamarack Ranch LLC, nominated by Tim Anderson, owned by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC, $145,901 NRHA LTE

National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Hall of Famer and All-Time Leading Sire, Gunner, has reached yet another historic milestone as the only NRHA $15 Million Sire.

Born in 1993, Gunner is the product of a stellar pedigree. He was sired by Colonelfourfreckle and out of the great mare Katie Gun. Bred by Eric Storey, Gunner is dual registered with the American Quarter Horse Association and the American Paint Horse Association. His distinctive white coat and blue eyes made him instantly recognizable, but it was his athleticism and temperament that set him apart. Owned by McQuay Stables Inc. since 2005, Gunner was previously owned by Paul and Pam Rohus, followed by Debra Sloan.

Gunner’s career in the show pen was nothing short of extraordinary. With $173,728 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE), he consistently demonstrated his talent at the highest levels of competition. In 1996, Gunner earned the Reserve Champion title in the NRHA Level (L) 4 Open Futurity with NRHA Hall of Famer Clint Haverty. He went on to claim victory at the International Reining Championship during the United States Equestrian Team Festival of Champions with the late Bryant Pace in the saddle, along with other impressive finishes across the United States under the guidance of Haverty, Pace, and former owner Sloan. Gunner passed away on July 8, 2013, at age 20, but his memory and legacy continued.

Beyond his show successes, Gunner became a true ambassador for the sport, even becoming a Breyer Horse special edition model, immortalizing his likeness for reining fans around the world.

While Gunner’s show career was impressive, his legacy as a sire is truly historic. With nearly 1,000 NRHA money-earning offspring to his name, Gunner’s progeny have consistently excelled in the show pen. 24 of those progeny have more than $100,000 in NRHA LTE, including Down Right Amazing, NRHA’s All-Time Leading Horse.

In 2023, Down Right Amazing helped push Gunner past the $14 million mark by winning the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel L4 Open Championship. Bred and nominated by Curtis Performance Horses LLC, the 2017 stallion owned by DAG Ventures LLC has earned $949,134 in NRHA LTE and helped usher his sire to NRHA $15 Million Sire status. “Amazing’s” most recent titles include the 2024 National Reining Breeders Classic L4 Open Championship and the Individual Reining and Team Champion titles at the 2024 The American Performance Horseman.

Gunner’s offspring continue to dominate the sport, and his influence reaches beyond the show pen as he shapes the future of reining through his exceptional bloodline. In addition to his top-earning offspring mentioned below, Gunner has produced some of the top sires in reining, such as NRHA Hall of Famer Gunnatrashya and NRHA $7 Million Sire Gunners Special Nite.

Gunner’s top-earning offspring include:

• Down Right Amazing (out of Shesouttayourleague), bred and nominated by Curtis Performance Horses LLC, owned by DAG Ventures LLC, $949,134 NRHA LTE
• All Bettss Are Off (out of Wimpys Little Chic), bred and nominated by NRHA All-Time Leading Owner Arcese Quarter Horses USA, owned by NRHA $2 Million Owner Rancho Oso Rio LLC, $506,091 NRHA LTE
• Tinker With Guns (out of Tinker Nic), bred by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, owned by NRHA $2 Million Owner Silver Spurs Equine, $344,118 NRHA LTE
• Gunners Tinseltown (out of Miss Tinseltown), bred, nominated, and owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owner David Silva, Sr., $305,307 NRHA LTE
• Americasnextgunmodel (out of Cee Dun It Do It), bred and nominated by David Silva, Sr., owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, $289,486 NRHA LTE

Gunner’s contributions to reining are unparalleled, and crossing the $15 million threshold is yet another milestone in his extraordinary legacy. From his impressive show career to the achievements of his remarkable offspring, Gunner’s impact will be felt for generations to come as he continues to shape the sport one champion at a time.