Category: History

Two stallions combine for over $6 million in offspring earnings as they surpass National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) historic milestones.

Lil Joe Cash

The impressive progeny of Lil Joe Cash helped the stallion cross the NRHA $3 Million Sire mark. The 2008 stallion bred and nominated by Curt and Angie Harris is owned by Lil Jo Cash Inc. His impressive parentage (Nu Chex To Cash x RS Lilly Starlight) passed down characteristics leading to a successful career in the show pen totaling nearly $280,000 in NRHA LTE.

NRHA’s newest Hall of Fame Inductee, Andrea Fappani, led the stallion to his top finishes, which include the 2011 NRHA Level (L) 4 Open Futurity Championship and the 2012 National Reining Breeders Classic L4 Open Championship.

With over 300 money-producing offspring, Lil Joe Cash’s top earners include:

• Joes Genes (out of Electric Genes), owned and nominated by Andrea and Tish Fappani, bred by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, $180,797 NRHA LTE
• NVR What A Lucky Joe (out of What A Lucky Hit), owned by Morris Kulmer, bred and nominated by Gary Vickrey, $176,593 NRHA LTE
• Whoz Joe Daddy (out of Miss Sunshine Annie), owned by Chandler Winard, bred and nominated by Bahn Quarter Horses LLC, $150,283 NRHA LTE
• This Joe Got A Gun (out of This Girls Got A Gun), owned by Jamie Walters, bred and nominated by Joseph and Sandra Paul, $85,638 NRHA LTE
• Gunna Cash Ya (out of Gunners Blonde Chic), owned by Story Book Stables, bred and nominated by Allison Sutton, $84,405 NRHA LTE

Inferno Sixty Six

Less than a year after crossing his last historic milestone, Inferno Sixty Six has surpassed the NRHA $3 Million Sire mark. By NRHA Hall of Famer Gunnatrashya (out of Snip O Gun), Inferno Sixty Six was bred by Hilldale Farm and is owned by Slide or Die LLC.

The 12-year-old stallion rode to over $205,690 in NRHA LTE with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Franco Bertolani at the reins. The duo earned their top finish during the 2015 NRHA Futurity, where they took the L4 Open Reserve Championship.

Inferno Sixty Six has 212 progeny with earnings on their NRHA records; the top earners are:

• Inferno Thirty Five (out of Madeof Pure Spangled), owned by Stephen Archer, bred by NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, nominated by Mary Jansma, $284,529 NRHA LTE
• Winding Inferno (out of Wind Her Up Chic), owned by NRHA Corporate Partner Teton Ridge Ranch, bred and nominated by Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, $218,038 NRHA LTE
• Surprizing Sixty Six (out of Dun With Surprizes), owned by Janiene Borror, bred and nominated by Valentin Rascon, $154,868 NRHA LTE
• FS Inferno (FS Smart Doc Chic), owned and nominated by Gilberto Leal, bred by Raul Leal, $142,026 NRHA LTE
• Gangsta Sixtysix (Rush N Cat), owned by Julio Hernandez, bred by Lorenzo Lotti, nominated by Slide or Die LLC, $136,356 NRHA LTE

To learn more about these impressive milestones and see a full list of NRHA Million Dollar Sires, Owners, and Riders, visit nrha.com/milliondollar.

Kim Muehlstaetter has had a summer of success competing as a non professional in the show pen. Now, she adds National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Million Dollar Owner to her list of accomplishments.

Muehlstaetter first became an NRHA member in 1991 and competed in youth classes. Since then, she has climbed the ranks of competition and has won two NRHA Derby Championships, including the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Non Pro Co-Championship on Smoky Mountain Rein.

Muehlstaetter said she and husband Martin, an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, found Smoky Mountain Rein as a yearling. Martin trained the Texas Horse Power Ranch LLC-bred horse, who they purchased from Sleipner LLC in 2023 so his wife could take over the reins to prepare for the NRHA Futurity.

“It is special when we get to raise them, and we try to buy a few, too,” she said. “It has been a journey for our family, and now our 13-year-old daughter, Sydney, is also part of it. It has become a passion for our whole family. It is fun that we can all share in it and enjoy doing every part of it.”

She has co-owned many horses that she and her husband have earned top honors on, including the Bobby Lewis-bred and -nominated Spooks Grand Slam (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Shiney Diamond Lady).

“We keep a handful of broodmares—a lot of them have been mares Martin and I show,” she said. “We breed, train them, and take them through the whole program. The really special ones are ones where we also rode their mom. Spooks Grand Slam would show for me and step up and be a 230 [score] for Martin in the open. His babies will be started at the end of the year.”

The first horse that hooked Muehlstatter on reining was Remedys Magic Potion (Remedys Reply x Remedys Magica.

“This was before there was a lot of money added. She got me hooked in reining,” she said. “Her son, Chics Magic Potion, was the highest-earning National Reined Cow Horse Association horse for years and won the NRCHA Futurity with Bob Avila. She was special and would still be special today.”

Muehlstaetter has had consistent success in the show pen and is $56,587 shy of becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider herself, with the goal of achieving that milestone by the end of the year.

Significant performers owned by Kim Muehlstaetter:

• Spooks Grand Slam (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Shiney Diamond Lady), owned by Kim and Martin Muehlstaetter, bred and nominated by Bobby Lewis, $150,458 NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE)
• Smoky Mountain Rein (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Sprats Electricspark), owned by Kim and Martin Muehlstaetter, bred and nominated by Texas Horse Power Ranch LLC, $63,479 NRHA LTE
• Wimpys Little Buddy (Wimpys Little Step x All Thats Dun), currently owned by Madalyn Roberts, bred by Jenny Bertolini, earner of $285,358 NRHA LTE
• TR Baby Blues (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Spooks N Sparks), currently owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, bred and nominated by Tamarack Ranch LLC, $107,461 NRHA LTE
• Smokin Dually (Gunner x Diddy Boppin Dually), bred and currently owned by Allison Oseid, $68,567 NRHA LTE
• Daddy Day Care (Nic It In The Bud x Shiners Pretty Woman), currently owned by Copus Performance Horses Inc., bred and nominated by Carol Rose, $101,081 NRHA LTE

The remarkable offspring of Colonels Shining Gun and Not Ruf At All have solidified their latest accomplishments as National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) $2 Million Sires.

Colonels Shining Gun, known as Jojo, is by NRHA Hall of Famer Gunner and out of Shining Little Peach. In 2010, Katarzyna Roleska watched NRHA Hall of Famer Andrea Fappani show the stallion to a Top 10 finish in the NRHA Level 4 (L4) Open Futurity and knew she wanted to own Jojo. Within a year, she purchased the stallion who went on to win major titles in Europe with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Cira Baeck at the reins, including the NRHA L4 Open European Derby and the silver medal for team Belgium at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. In total, Jojo has more than $112,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE).

Bred by Trend Horses LLC, Colonels Shining Gun became an NRHA Million Dollar Sire in 2022. With over 270 NRHA money-earning offspring, Jojo has solidified his place in the NRHA history books.

Colonels Shining Gun’s Top Earning Offspring:

• HS Marshal (out of Dun Its Dirty Secret), owned by Hacienda Sonador LLC, bred and nominated by Gerardo Arturo Fernandez Sanchez, $108,344 NRHA LTE
• CSG Wisemanfear (out of Tejana Chic), owned and nominated by Katarzyna Roleska, bred by Brent Loseke, $101,593 NRHA LTE
• NF Shining Whiz (out of Whowhizthispeppychic), owned by Tamarack Ranch LLC, bred by David Perneel, European nomination by Kim Windey, North American nomination by Tamarack Ranch, $97,937 NRHA LTE
• Snips Shining Gun (out of Snip O Gun), owned-bred-nominated by Hilldale Farm, $94,695 NRHA LTE
• CSG Kenzo (out of Shiner Brimolena), owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, nominated and bred by Katarzyna Roleska, $82,137 NRHA LTE

Not Ruf At All (A Sparkling Vintage x All Ruffed Up) is one of a few horses in NRHA history to consecutively win the NRHA Futurity, the NRHA Derby and the National Reining Breeders Classic. He accomplished this feat for his owner, NRHA Hall of Famer Vaughn Zimmerman, with NRHA $3 Million Rider Jason Vanlandingham.

Bred and nominated by Petra Zeitler, the stallion went on to earn more than $456,000 NRHA LTE. Not Ruf At All reached NRHA Million Dollar Sire status in 2021 and his offspring continue to climb the ranks of NRHA competition at the highest level.

Not Ruf At All’s Top Earning Offspring:

• Rufalicious (out of Magnalicious), owned by Kristen and Ian Cantacuzene Jr., bred and nominated by Vaughn Zimmerman, NRHA LTE $150,162
• Excessive Rufness (out of Smokin Lady Gunner), owned by Robin Mazzocca, bred and nominated by Karl Hapcic, $146,769 NRHA LTE
• Its All About Ruf (out of Dun Pretty Nifty), owned by Taylor Zimmerman, bred and nominated by Vaughn Zimmerman, $118,285 NRHA LTE
• Shining On Ruf (out of Boom Shine Sally), owned by Susannah Rose, bred and nominated by Kristen Avila, $92,659 NRHA LTE
• Ruf Style Of Play (out of UB Stylin With Me), owned by Axel Bouchner, bred by Lorezno Lotti, nominated by Vaughn Zimmerman, $92,180 NRHA LTE

These accomplishments reflect the dedication and vision of their owners, breeders and riders who have nurtured and showcased their extraordinary talents. The legacies of Colonels Shining Gun and Not Ruf At All will undoubtedly inspire future generations in the NRHA community.

Two prominent sires in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) crossed multi-million dollar sire milestones. NRHA Hall of Famer Gunnatrashya is the fourth $12 Million Sire in NRHA history, and Spooks Gotta Whiz is an $8 Million Sire.

Gunnatrashya

Bred by Katarina Dorminy, the 2006 stallion by NRHA Hall of Famer Gunner and out of Natrasha boasts an impeccable pedigree and outstanding athleticism. The stallion is owned by NRHA’s only $3 Million Owner, Arcese Quarter Horses USA.

Throughout his career in the show pen under the guidance of NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida, Gunnatrashya amassed nearly $220,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE). The pair secured championship titles at the 2009 All American Quarter Horse Congress Level (L) 4 Open Futurity, the 2009 NRHA L4 Open Futurity and the 2010 NRHA L4 Open Derby, solidifying Gunnatrashya’s legacy as a remarkable competitor.

Gunnatrashya’s top earning offspring include:

• Gunna Stop (out of Stop Little Sister), owned by Amber Gokey, bred and nominated by NRHA Corporate Partner Toyon Ranch LLC, $672,762 NRHA LTE
• Andiamoe (out of Wimpys Little Chic), owned, bred and nominated by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, $438,139 NRHA LTE
• Ten Thirty (out of Dainty Little Step), owned by Rancho El Fortin, bred and nominated by Brooke Wharton, $418,788 NRHA LTE
• Gunnabebigtime (out of Big Time Jazzy), owned, bred and nominated by Tami Nelson, $362,903 NRHA LTE
• Super Marioo (HA Chic A Tune), owned by Tom and Mandy McCutcheon, bred and nominated by Hillis Akin Family Partnership, $338,891 NRHA LTE

Spooks Gotta Whiz

After crossing the NRHA $7 Million Sire milestone earlier this year, Spooks Gotta Whiz’s offspring have already pushed him past the $8 million mark.

The 2007 stallion owned Michell Anne Kimball earned the 2010 NRHA L4 Open Futurity Championship with NRHA $3 Million Rider Jordan Larson. Bred by Clint Haverty, his illustrious career continued with NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida when the team won the L4 Open Championship at the 2012 NRHA Derby and the National Reining Breeders Classic that same year. The team wrapped up their career with an individual gold medal at the 2014 World Equestrian Games held in Normandy, France.

Spooks Gotta Whiz’s top earning offspring include:

• Alpha Jac Sparrow (out of Chexanicki), owned by Fritz Leeman, bred and nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, $273,097 NRHA LTE
• Mic Dropp (out of Dun Dry Whiz), owned by Tim Anderson and Clark Reining Horses LLC, bred and nominated by Clark Reining Horses LLC, $257,390 NRHA LTE
• Spooks Gotta Spark (out of Dolittle Lena), owned by Kevin Truax, bred and nominated by Bobby Lewis, $215,585 NRHA LTE
• Spooky Whiz (out of Myo Starlight), owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses LLC, bred and nominated by Spence Bell, $186,043 NRHA LTE
• Gotta Twist It Up (out of Make It With A Twist), owned, bred and nominated by Sandra Bentien, $183,837 NRHA LTE

As of July 2024, Gunnatrashya is the year’s NRHA Leading Sire by a margin of $60,000. There are 370 competing offspring, with total earnings of $1,272,207. Spooks Gotta Whiz is shortly behind, sitting in second place with $1,217,623 in NRHA LTE.

Congratulations to Arcese Quarter Horses USA, Michell Anne Kimball and all who have had a role in these stallion’s careers.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) announces new Million Dollar Owner: Clark Reining Horses LLC. Owned by NRHA Past President and current executive committee member Rick Clark, the accolade adds to Clark’s significant contributions to the reining horse industry.

“It is a tremendous milestone for me,” said Clark. “A lot of effort has gone into this, and it has been fun. I think back to when I was a non pro and showing, and then I got hurt. The pros then took over, and I have owned and still own some really great horses. It is all due to my trainers. They work so hard, and I am so appreciative of them.”

Clark has invested more than 25 years in NRHA as a competitor, owner, and now Corporate Partner through Clark’s Pump-N-Shop. He has also served two separate terms as NRHA President and over a decade of leadership positions within NRHA.

Clark owned the 2014 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Co-Champion Shine N Spook (Smart Spook x Ebony Shines), who was ridden by NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida and bred by nominator Rosanne Sternberg. Since that accomplishment, he still has the goal of winning every major event.

“To be one of the million dollar owners is truly an accomplishment, and I am really proud of it,” he said. “I got there quicker because of the purses and what we have accomplished as an industry. If you are competing, you set goals, and this was one of my milestones. I am so happy to be able to accomplish it. It has been a tremendous run, and I hope we are just getting started.”

Clark thanks NRHA Hall of Famers Shawn Flarida and Andrea Fappani, NRHA $2 Million Rider Cade McCutcheon, and NRHA Professional Kaci O’Rourke for their talents in helping him reach this milestone. He also highlighted a key gelding in the beginning of his career, Wimps Chocolate Chip, a gelding which he and Flarida both showed to $64,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings.

Clark’s success is a testament to his keen eye for top-tier talent, his investment in the development of exceptional horses, and his partnership with some of the industry’s most skilled trainers and riders.

Clark Reining Horses LLC’s top earners:

• Mic Dropp (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Dun Dry Whiz), owned in partnership with Tim Anderson, bred by Clark Reining Horses LLC, earner of $257,390
• Shine N Spook (Smart Spook x Ebony Shines), bred by Rosanne Sternberg, earner of $219,827
• Varsity Blu (Wimpy Chic x Flo N Blu Boon), bred by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, earner of $160,942
• Wimps Chocolate Chip (Wimpys Little Step x Tejana Chic), bred by Brent Loseke, earner of $65,323

Read more about Clark Reining Horses LLC’s journey to the million in the September issue of the Reiner Magazine.