Category: History

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.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce Americasnextgunmodel as the association’s tenth Million Dollar Dam. This prestigious achievement recognizes Americasnextgunmodel’s exceptional breeding influence within the reining community.

During her time in the show pen, Arcese Quarter Horses USA’s Americasnextgunmodel (Gunner x Cee Dun It Do It) earned nearly $290,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE), all with NRHA $4 Million Rider Casey Deary at the reins. The duo reached the pinnacle of success in 2012 when they rode to the NRHA Level (L) 4 Open Futurity Championship, earning $165,000. They also had remarkable finishes at other premier reining events, including the NRHA Derby, the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC), and the High Roller Reining Classic.

While the David Silva Sr.-bred mare undoubtedly had a successful show career, her true legacy lies in the remarkable achievements of her offspring. Twelve talented reiners sired by various stallions boast her bloodlines, collectively earning more than $1 million in NRHA competition. This accomplishment places Americasnextgunmodel amongst the elite company of NRHA Million Dollar Mares, a distinguished group of females who have demonstrably shaped the future of reining horses.

The 2009 mare’s most renowned offspring, Americasnexttopgun, has added nearly $426,000 to the dam’s offspring earnings. And, just like his mother, all earnings came with Deary at the reins. Together, they won championships at both the 2020 NRBC L4 Open and the 2022 NRHA L4 Open Derby. Their top check came during their third-place finish at the 2022 The Run For A Million’s Million Dollar Competition.

Americasnextgunmodel’s top-earning progeny include:

• Americasnexttopgun (by Walla Walla Whiz), owned by Puno Performance Horses LLC and Jody Puno, bred by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, earning $425,893
• Americas Supermodel (by Walla Walla Whiz), owned by Witmarsh Arcese Partnership, bred by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, earning $231,254
• Americasnextcovrgirl (by Walla Walla Whiz), owned by Maria Fiorucci, bred by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, earning $101,160
• Live N On A Prayer (by In Like Flinn), owned by Neiberger Performance Horses LLC, bred by Curtis Performance Horses LLC, earning $75,651
• Americas Gunslinger (by Walla Walla Whiz), owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses LLC, bred by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, earning $56,094

NRHA extends its heartfelt congratulations to Americasnextgunmodel’s owners and breeders for their dedication and foresight in recognizing her remarkable potential. Americasnextgunmodel’s journey to becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Dam is a testament to her unique qualities and a source of inspiration for breeders and reining enthusiasts worldwide.

To read more about this remarkable achievement, check out the September issue of the NRHA Reiner magazine.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is proud to announce Wind Her Up Chic has officially joined the esteemed ranks of NRHA Million Dollar Dams. This exceptional milestone marks a significant achievement in the world of reining and solidifies Wind Her Up as the ninth Million Dollar Dam in NRHA history.

Owned by Tim Anderson of NRHA Corporate Partner 21 Ranch, Wind Her Up Chic has consistently demonstrated exceptional talent, athleticism, and versatility in her offspring. The David Nogle-bred mare also boasts an impressive performance record of $102,711 in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE) all with NRHA $2 Million Rider Todd Bergen and NRHA $3 Million Rider Jordan Larson at the reins.

“It is a huge honor for me that she is in our life,” said Anderson. “Most people around the industry would say I show stallions and geldings, and I am not a purchaser of mares. But I come from a family whose respect was mainly for mares. When mares have this accomplishment, it is huge. They can only have so many foals, so the odds are so slim to reach this milestone, not to take away from the stallion’s accomplishments.”

“Windy,” by NRHA Hall of Famer Smart Chic Olena and out of Wind Her Up Doc, is a half-sibling to another NRHA Million Dollar Dam, Wind Her Up Shiner—further showcasing her royal lineage.

“What is really amazing about this story is that she and Wind Her Up Shiner are two of nine Million Dollar Dams,” said Anderson. “I cannot imagine it will happen again. Wind Her Up Doc [dam of both] was a treasure of a mare. To produce two million dollar producing mares is major and, to me, makes her the most important mare ever in reining.”

Windy’s first foal, Wound Up Wimp, was born in 2009 and was sired by NRHA Hall of Famer Wimpys Little Step. The mare went on to earn $40,284 in NRHA LTE and launched Windy’s offspring record for the history books. At 21 years old, Wind Her Up Chic has already produced an NRHA Level 4 Open Derby Champion, a National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Level 4 Open Champion, and an NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Reserve Champion.

Wind Her Up Chic’s journey to become the ninth million-dollar mare is a testament to her extraordinary capabilities, the dedication of her trainers, support team, breeders, and successful crosses that led to outstanding offspring.

Wind Her Up Chic’s leading offspring:

• Jerseys Baby Driver (by Yellow Jersey), owned by Janice Laney, bred by Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, earning $250,253
• Winding Inferno (by Inferno Sixty Six), owned by Teton Ridge Ranch, bred by Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, earning $218,038
• Starfire Sixtysix (by Inferno Sixty Six), owned by Kevin Corcoran, bred by Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, earning $79,539
• Wimpys Slidewinder (by Wimpys Little Step), owned by Ben Hirschfeld, bred by Oldenburg Farm LLC, earning $67,751
• Gunners Chic Magnet (by Gunner), owned by Josef & Tamara Ahorner, bred by Oldenburg Farm LLC, earning $60,926

Wind Her Up Chic joins the prestigious club of NRHA Million Dollar Mares with 23 offspring having NRHA earnings in the show pen. This achievement not only highlights her exceptional talent but also underscores the importance of breeding, training, and nurturing top-tier reining horses.

NRHA extends its heartfelt congratulations to Wind Her Up Chic, Tim Anderson and Kim Niven, and everyone involved in her incredible journey. We look forward to witnessing the continued success of her offspring and the lasting impact she will have on the reining community for years to come.