Category: History

The Reining Horse Foundation and NRHA mourn the passing of Ann Admonius of Ocala, Florida, on February 28, 2024.

Ann first found success as an all-around competitor in AQHA and NSBA events. She moved to the sport of reining in 2009. Ann achieved the milestone of more than $50,000 NRHA earnings in 2021. She was a member of the Reining Horse Foundation Board of Directors from 2014–2019.

Read her formal obituary here.

Ann requested a Celebration of Life (in her words, “Party”). It will be held June 8 in Ocala, Florida. Ann’s husband, Tim, is requesting that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the Reining Horse Foundation.

If mailing a check, put “In Memory of Ann Admonius” in the memo section. Donate online via the RHF website.

In the spirit of honoring excellence and commitment within our vibrant community, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) proudly presents the distinguished 2023 Professionals of the Year awards. Since its inception in 2012, these accolades have served as a beacon, spotlighting individuals who epitomize excellence as leaders of reining.

The essence of this honor lies not only in remarkable achievements within the show arena but also in the profound impact these individuals make through their unwavering support and contribution to our association and its members. The recipients of the 2023 awards embody integrity and sincerity, serving as paragons within our industry, tirelessly striving to advance and uphold the cherished ideals of reining.

Nominees for these prestigious awards, including NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, NRHA Youth Coach of the Year, NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year, and NRHA Up-and-Coming Professional of the Year, are sourced from NRHA affiliates and the discerning eye of the NRHA Professionals Committee. Subsequently, NRHA Professionals cast their votes for those who will join the illustrious ranks of our esteemed honorees.

Horseman of the Year: Brian Bell
Valley View, Texas
NRHA LTE: $2,659,353

Brian Bell started his reining career at 18 years old, winning the NRHA Youth 14–18 World Title. After immersing himself in reining, he became an NRHA Million Dollar Rider in 2013. In 2023, he accomplished his goal of winning the NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity on Crystalized Whizkey.

Not only has Bell competed and earned titles at all major NRHA events, but he is also known for his efforts to support the reining community outside of the show pen.

Supporters of his nomination said Bell has always been a strong supporter of grassroots and weekend shows in his region; he also hosts an annual affiliate show in Hamilton, Texas, because he saw a need for it in his region. He is very passionate about helping non pros and increasing inclusivity in reining. He also contributes to reining’s international growth through clinics.

Along with these efforts, he participates in every aspect of the business, including attending judges’ seminars.

Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year: Josiane Gauthier
Lucama, North Carolina
NRHA LTE: $688,039

Josiane Gauthier and her husband, Russell, had the opportunity to purchase Sunny Pines Farm in 2016 and have been running JG Performance Horses on their ranch since. Along with competing at aged events and making the finals of every NRHA major event, Josiane runs a breeding program and is known for her strong green reiner and non pro programs.

“Josiane is not just a coach. Josiane is ‘THE COACH!’ She doesn’t just preach to you, she leads the way, she guides, she is the way maker,” said the Southeast Reining Horse Association recommendation letter. “She empathizes with you. She shares in your success and your trials. She truly cares! You can always tell a JG horse from a mile away. They just carry themself differently. They have swag. They are healthy. They are confident. They know that they are loved and very well taken care of. Her clients are also this way. We just present different; a good difference. We have the best supportive community. This stems from a great leader and team.”

Non Pro Coach of the Year: Martin Muehlstaetter
Scottsdale, Arizona
NRHA LTE: $1,379,569

Martin Muehlstaetter was born in Villach, Austria. Before heading to the states, Muehlstaetter began riding horses there at a young age. He now resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he and his wife, Kim, own and operate Muehlstaetter Performance Horses.

“Not only is Martin one of the very top professional reining horse trainers in the country, but he is also an excellent non pro coach,” read Muehlstaetter’s recommendation. “He has the top non pros in the country come to ride with him because he prepares their horses properly and then gives each non pro high-quality time to be able to prepare them so they can be competitive at the top level as well.”

Up-And-Coming Trainer of the Year: Luca Fappani
Weatherford, Texas
NRHA LTE: $788,051

Luca Fappani became an NRHyA member in 2015 and competed in the highest ranks as a non pro before becoming an NRHA Professional in 2023. In his first year competing as a pro, Fappani took home the NRHA Level 2 Open Futurity Championship, amassed over $375,000 and was 7th in the list of NRHA Top 20 Professionals.

“Luca always has a good attitude at work and gets along well with his peers. He is a sponge,” said NRHA $4 Million Rider Casey Deary. “He is always asking questions and trying to improve. Many of the questions are about trying to breed a better reining horse to ensure a strong future. Luca takes instruction well and is happy to give instruction to assist his peers. He has a lot of natural feel on a horse that allows him to adapt as needed. He handles the stress of major event finals like someone who has been there many times before. The entire world knows that Andrea and Tish Fappani are incredible horse people, but if a child is a reflection of the people that raised it, they are pretty amazing parents as well.”

Youth Coach of the Year: Matthew Flarida
Purcell, Oklahoma
NRHA LTE $340,152

Matthew Flarida grew up in Western Ohio, where he learned his father, Mike Flarida, a two-time NRHA Open Futurity Champion and an NRHA Hall of Famer. Not only has he made the finals at all major NRHA events, but he is known for helping youth in the show pen and helping them become better horsemen altogether.

“Matt started coaching two sisters, Victoria and Tessa Watchous, when they qualified for The Run For A Million (TRFAM) Rookie class in 2022, and they have come so far since they joined his program,” read Flarida’s recommendation. “Matt has helped them to better prepare their horses to show and achieve a lot of personal milestones. He has gone above and beyond to put the time and effort into the girls getting time in the saddle and improving. They travel several hours each way from either their home in Kansas or from school at OSU [Oklahoma State University] to take multiple lessons each week. They qualified for and competed at TRFAM again, as well as the NAACs [North American Affiliate Championships] in 2023. He not only coaches their riding and showing but has put equal effort into sharing his knowledge of the importance of good horsemanship and caring for their horses.”

With more than $24 million won by National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) competitors in 2023, stallions are reaching new million-dollar milestones rapidly. One of the stallions who left their mark last year is NRHA Hall of Famer Spooks Gotta Whiz. Not only did the stallion surpass the NRHA $7 Million Sire mark just two months after crossing the $6 million, but he was also the second-highest leading sire of 2023 (NRHA categories 1-12) with $2,285,709 earned by his offspring.

Spooks Gotta Whiz offspring excelling in the show pen is no surprise considering the stallion’s own successful career. The 2007 stallion, bred by Clint Haverty, earned the 2010 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Championship with NRHA $3 Million Rider Jordan Larson. His talent continued to shine with NRHA $7 Million Rider Shawn Flarida when the team won the Level 4 Open Championship at the 2012 NRHA Derby and the National Reining Breeders Classic that same year. The team ended their career on an impressive note by taking home a team and individual gold medal at the 2014 World Equestrian Games held in Normandy, France.

The sire by Spooks Gotta Gun and out of Prettywhizprettydoes had exceptional offspring push him past the $7 million milestone at the 2023 Futurity and Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championships for owner Michell Anne Kimball. In the open and non pro futurity alone, Spooks Gotta Whiz offspring earned more than $458,000, greater than any other sire.

One of the offspring that helped Spooks Gotta Whiz become the top-earning sire at the 2023 NRHA Futurity was Shez Got Addy Tude (out of Miss Lil Addy Tude). With NRHA Professional Kole Price at the reins, the mare scored a 223 to earn the NRHA Open Futurity Level 3 Championship and sixth in the Level 4. The wins added $137,861 to her NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE). The mare, owned by Capital Quarter Horses LLC, was nominated by Michell Anne Kimball, owner of Spooks Gotta Whiz.

Mare power continued to propel Spooks Gotta Whiz to the next milestone when NRHA Professional Luca Fappani and Playing With Da Boys earned the Open Level 2 Futurity Co-Championship and $108,000 for owner Neiberger-Camp Partnership. ‘Charlie’ (out of My Berry Best Gun) was bred and nominated by Sergio Elia and now boasts $112,099 in NRHA LTE, all earned with Fappani.

Although Spooks Gotta Whiz retired from the show pen in 2014, his name still echoes through arenas worldwide as his offspring dominate in the show pen, proving that his talent, heart, and tenacity continue to leave a lasting legacy.

Spooks Gotta Whiz’s top-earning offspring include:

• Alpha Jac Sparrow (out of Chexanicki), owned by Fritz Leeman, bred by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, earning $240,326
• Mic Dropp (out of Dun Dry Whiz), owned by Tim Anderson/Clark Reining Horses LLC and bred by Clark Reining Horses LLC, earning $235,987
• Spooks Gotta Spark (out of Dolittle Lena), owned by Kevin Truax and bred by Bobby Lewis, earning $215,585
• Spooky Whiz (out of Myo Starlight), owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses LLC and bred by Spence Bell, earning $186,043
• Gotta Twist It Up (out of Make It With A Twist), owned and bred by Sandra Bentien, earning $183,837

From a dynasty of reining legends, NRHA Professional Cade McCutcheon has always seemed destined for greatness. During his first year in open competition in 2019, McCutcheon proved himself when he not only won the NRHA Level 4 (L4) Open Futurity Championship and Reserve Championship but also became an NRHA Million Dollar Rider. As one of the youngest riders to ever receive the accolade, he is proving himself once again—now as an NRHA $2 Million Rider.

Hailing from Aubrey, Texas, McCutcheon grew up immersed in reining. With his dad and mom, Tom and Mandy, being two of the top professional and non pro riders (respectively), it was a natural progression for McCutcheon to take the reins as a trainer within his father’s prestigious business: Tom McCutchen Reining Horses. There, the 23-year-old established an impressive training operation, a testament to his talent, hard work, and the enduring support of his team and family.

Before the 2023 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC), McCutcheon was less than $6,000 away from $2 million in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE). With three mounts in the futurity and one in the NAAC, the talented professional blew past the milestone on finals night with an impressive run aboard the Deana Nell bred and nominated All Nite Partier (Gunners Special Nite x Topsail Survivor) owned by Sotol Investments LLC. The 224-point performance earned the duo a third-place finish in the L4 Open and over $90,000, catapulting McCutcheon across the NRHA $2 Million Rider milestone.

On March 8, McCutcheon will compete at The American Performance Horseman, presented by Teton Ridge in Arlington, Texas, for $1 million in prize money. He will compete on Team Regal Red with Austin Shepard, National Cutting Horse Association professional, and Sarah Dawson, National Reined Cow Horse Association professional. Attendees will also hear live music from Luke Bryan. Visit americanrodeo.com to purchase tickets to watch the action in Globe Life Stadium and cheer on McCutcheon in person.

McCutcheon’s top earning finishes since crossing $1 million include:

• 2023 NRHA L4 Open Futurity third place aboard All Nite Partier (Gunners Special Nite x Topsail Survivor) – owned by Sotol Investments LLC and bred by Deana Nell, earning $91,545
• 2022 The Run for a Million (TRFAM) Million Dollar Competition fourth place aboard Modern Gun (Gunners Special Nite x Taris Modern Design) – owned by Ms Stables and bred by Turnabout Farm Inc., earning $70,000
• 2021 TRFAM Million Dollar Competition sixth place aboard Modern Gun (Gunners Special Nite x Taris Modern Design) – owned by Ms Stables and bred by Turnabout Farm Inc., earning $50,000
• 2023 TRFAM Million Dollar Competition sixth place aboard Varsity Blu (Wimpy Chic x Flo N Blu Boon) – owned by Clark Reining Horse LLC and bred by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, earning $45,000
• 2020 NRHA L4 Open Futurity fifth place aboard Gunners Town (Hollywoodstinseltown x Bubblegun) – owned by Duff Cattle and bred by Kimberly Tillman, earning $42,147

The professional’s accomplishments showcase a level of expertise and dedication that inspires fellow competitors and enthusiasts alike. As McCutcheon continues to make his mark in the world of reining, NRHA celebrates his extraordinary achievement and eagerly anticipates his future contributions to the sport.

With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a legacy defined by exceptionalism, SG Frozen Enterprize has consistently showcased immense talent and athleticism, passing down his abilities to the next generation of reining athletes. His progeny’s outstanding performances across various competitions have been a testament to his enduring legacy and have resulted in the stallion achieving recognition as the newest National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) $2 Million Sire.

Marco Franchini was the mastermind behind SG Frozen Enterprize’s pedigree. The 2009 stallion is by Frozen Sailor and out of RS Rose SJ. After achieving success in Europe, “Iceman” was eventually brought to the United States and purchased by Silver Spurs Equine, who still owns the phenomenal sire today.

During his career in the show pen, Iceman amassed nearly $275,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE) with three NRHA Professionals at the reins: NRHA All-Time Leading Rider Andrea Fappani, Thiago Boechat, and Mirko Midili. His top win came with Fappani during the 2015 National Reining Breeder’s Classic, where the duo took the Level (L) 4 Open Championship. He went on to compete in the World Equestrian Games before finally retiring to the breeding shed full-time.

The stallion produced his first foal crop in 2015. Since then, he has sired 200 NRHA money-earning offspring who have consistently displayed the same unparalleled skill, finesse, and competitive spirit that define their illustrious sire. Two of those offspring played key roles in helping Iceman cross the $2 million mark at the 2023 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships: Froze (out of Electric Cha Ching) and Savage Love (out of Miss Whizzletown). Together, the two equine athletes added nearly $130,000 to their sire’s earnings when Allison Thorson and Thorsport Inc.’s Froze were crowned CINCH L3 Non Pro Futurity Champions and CINCH L4 Non Pro Futurity Reserve Champions, and Marco Ricotta and Savage Love (owned by Marco and Jenny Ricotta) earned 3rd place in the L3 Open Futurity and 9th place L4 Open Futurity.

SG Frozen Enterprize’s top-earning offspring include:

• Icecube (out of Taris Designer Genes) owned by Teton Ridge Ranch, bred by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, earning $176,759
• Ice Face (out of Dun Painting My Face), owned by Haras Bellini Inc., bred by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC, earning $143,732
• Whizsicle (out of Miss Whizzletown), owned by Diane Yoder, bred by Jenny Ricotta, earning $118,229
• Savage Love (out of Miss Whizzletown), owned and bred by Marco & Jenny Ricotta, earning $84,510
• PS Whiz On Ice (PS A Whizzen Chic), owned by Cadence Eger, bred by Patsy Shutz, earning $75,445

NRHA extends heartfelt congratulations to SG Frozen Enterprize, his owners, breeders, trainers, and all those who have contributed to this remarkable journey.