Gunnatrashya Reaches $9 Million Dollar Sire Milestone

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) honors a new member of the elite NRHA $9 Million Dollar Sire list, Gunnatrashya. After reaching the $7 Million milestone 14 months ago, this stallion’s offspring continue to propel him to new achievements rapidly, securing his place in history books.

Bred by Katarina Dorminy, Gunnatrashya is by NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee and $13 Million Dollar Sire Gunner and out of Natrasha. Along with his success in the breeding barn, the stallion started his career with impressive wins, including the 2009 NRHA Open Futurity Championship, 2009 All American Quarter Horse Congress Open Futurity Championship, and 2010 NRHA Open Derby Championship, with NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida. These wins pushed his NRHA lifetime earnings to over $218,000.

The stallion became an NRHA Million Dollar Sire in 2017, less than three years after his first group of foals set foot in the show pen, and has already produced several NRHA Futurity and NRHA Derby Champions. Gunnatrashya stands at NRHA Corporate Partner Oswood Stallion Station in Weatherford, Texas, for owner Arcese Quarter Horses.

Gunnatrashya sired the 2022, 2021, and 2019 NRHA Open Futurity Champions and the reserve champion in 2020. It is no surprise that Gunnatrashya was the recipient of the inaugural Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award in 2021 and earned it again in 2022. This pattern continued as he was also the leading sire at the 2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

Gunnatrashya continues to pass at least one milestone annually, creating global recognition and continuing to put his stamp on his offspring.

Gunnatrashya’s top performers are:

Gunna Stop (out of Stop Little Sister) $672,762

Andiamoe (out of Wimpys Little Chic) $389,083

Ten Thirty (out of Dainty Little Step) $369,059

Super Marioo (out of HA Chic A Tune) $336,562

ARC Gunnabeabigstar (out of Wimpys Little Chic) $298,999

2022 NRHA Professionals of the Year Announced

In 2012, the National Reining Horse Association created the Professionals of the Year awards to recognize and honor individuals who exemplify excellence in the NRHA community. This distinction recognizes the elite individuals who, in all aspects of their career, consistently excel in perpetuating the growth of the NRHA not solely by their success in the show pen but, more importantly, by how they choose to give back to the association and its members. The 2022 recipients are an example of integrity and sincerity within the industry while working to promote and maintain the ideals of the reining horse.

NRHA affiliates may nominate NRHA Professionals, and the NRHA Professionals Committee may write in candidates for the awards, which include the NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, the NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, the NRHA Youth Coach of the Year, the NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year, and the NRHA Up-and-Coming Trainer of the Year. NRHA Professionals then vote on the nominees.

“It is an honor to be voted by your peers for such a prestigious award,” said Patti Carter, NRHA Senior Director of Education & Officials. “NRHA appreciates the Professionals who support the sport of reining and exemplify the characteristics of these awards.”

The 2022 NRHA Professionals of the Year will be honored with custom spurs from Montana Silversmiths and featured in the May issue of the NRHA Reiner Magazine.

Horseman of the Year: Nathan Piper
Whitesboro, Texas
NRHA LTE: $1,571,992

Nathan Piper had a banner year in 2022, becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider and The Run For A Million Champion—all while supporting his local affiliate and NRHA programs such as the Reining Horse Foundation.

Piper was born in Bryan, Texas, where he grew up showing reining horses as a youth. During his junior year at Texas A&M University, he decided to forgo his Non Pro status to become an NRHA Professional. Nathan graduated from Texas A&M University in 1999 and married his wife, Jean, in 2000.

After college, Nathan moved to Whitesboro, Texas, to work as an assistant trainer for two-time NRHA Futurity Champion Todd Sommers. In 2004, Nathan and his wife Jean purchased a training facility in Madisonville, Texas, where they successfully built Nathan Piper Reining Horses.

Piper Reining Horses now operates in Whitesboro, Texas. Nathan and Jean have two daughters, Millie and Etta.

Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year: Jordan McBurney
Arlington, Washington
NRHA LTE: $375,055

Jordan McBurney found her start in the reining industry after working a job exercising and grooming reining horses. McBurney came from a barrel racing background and showed her first reiner in 2009. She now competes at the highest level and has many accolades.

Not only did she earn 8th place in the million-dollar competition at The Run for a Million in 2022, but she also remains humble and rarely seeks the spotlight, despite often deserving it. She dedicates her time to non professionals in the industry and has coached many, including Non Pro Futurity Champions.

McBurney and her husband, NRHA Professional Sean McBurney, train out of Rhodes River Ranch, located in the foothills of the Cascades. This powerful couple develops award-winning performance horses, such as the offspring of the ranch’s leading sire, Whizkey And Diamonds.

Up-And-Coming Professional of the Year: Jack Daniels
Aubrey, Texas
NRHA LTE: $79,005

Originally from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, Jack grew up training rope horses and cow horses. After making a name for himself training 2-year-olds and showing in Australia, he came to the United States to further his career. 

Daniels not only had a successful year in the show pen earning the 2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 1 Championship and over $74,000, but he is also active in giving back. He serves on the Affiliate Committee and is eager to assist with international affairs. 

He prides himself on his two-year-old program and the solid foundation they receive in his program. Horses he started went on to be incredibly successful in 2022, winning major events nationwide. 

Daniels and his wife, Kaci O’Rourke, operate Pond Hill Performance Horses out of Aubrey, Texas. 

Non Pro Coach of the Year: Dan Huss

Scottsdale, Arizona
NRHA LTE: $740,761

Starting his professional career in the university sector, teaching at Findlay for almost 20 years, it is no surprise that coaching Non Pro riders has become a passion of Dan Huss’. He specializes in not only preparing his riders and their horses but in helping them become a team.

Huss implemented the training processes at home as he had taught at the college, making his program well known to non pro riders at all levels who want to take the next step in the show pen. Along with riders, Huss is also known for his training program, including starting NRHA Hall of Famer Wimpy’s Little Step.

Huss has NRHA lifetime earnings of more than $740,700 and has well-known accolades, including the 2022 AQHA Senior Reining World Championship, 2021 Prime Time Open Futurity Championship, All American Quarter Horse Congress Championships, along with many finalist and other titles to his name across all major events.

Along with his own accomplishments, Huss’s clients are frequently seen in the winner’s circle from the grassroots level to the NRHA Futurity. Between lessons, clinics, assisting all levels of non professional riders, and consistent coaching and training throughout his career, Huss is incredibly deserving of the recognition. 

Youth Coach of the Year: Shane Kelley
Lampasas, Texas
NRHA LTE: $58,469

Shane Kelley’s positive and encouraging demeanor lends him to have successful youth riders in his program and riders who continue on in the industry and make a difference.

From the grassroots level within the Texas Reining horse Association, FFA, and 4-H programs to competing at the highest caliber of NRHA shows, Kelly directly supports and impacts all levels of reining to youth members.

Kelley’s program has had Division 1 scholarship recipients for three years in a row, and they are known for having incredible sportsmanship. His students have also won year-end accolades, The Run for a Million qualifications, and more.

“Shane’s insistence on sustainability for both the horse and the rider and his continual compassion towards both cultivates some of the most passionate kids and happy horses I’ve ever experienced,” said the Texas Reining Horse Association. “He doesn’t look for his youth to sit back and count on others to work through problems, fix issues in training, or even do work around the barn. Instead, he makes a point to work with them through trials, whether on a horse or in life, helping however he can while also casting light on their own capabilities and responsibilities as a horseman. This creates confidence and lends to youth that are not only successful in riding, but willing to put forth the hours and work it takes to be successful in life.”

Fernando Salgado Becomes NRHA’s Newest Million Dollar Rider

This past month, the warm Florida sunshine served as icing on the cake during the Florida Reining Classic for Fernando Salgado, National Reining Horse Association’s latest Million Dollar Rider. Salgado laid down fantastic runs aboard Vinny Gun, owned by Guillermo De Anda Martinez, and Bob Reiner, owned by Kristen and Rodion Cantacuzene; both pushed Fernando Salgado over the million dollar total in NRHA lifetime earnings.

“I started joking around with my friends and people that work at the barn; last year, I was Level 3 and 4, and I said this year I am going to win a million,” said Salgado. “At the beginning, I was even kind of joking about it, but every horse show went to worked well, and towards the middle of the year, I was like, I can do it. I kept going, and it really happened that fast from then on, so that was something that made me really proud.”

Salgado is a Brazilian native who grew up at the forefront of the performance horse world, with his close family members also being professional trainers. He began training horses professionally in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he became a well-known reiner. He worked with his uncle Jango Salgado, who previously worked under NRHA Hall of Famer Doug Milholland, and his late brother, NRHA Professional Eduardo Salgado. He rode in Eduardo’s memory at the 2022 NRHA South Central Affiliate Regional Championship & Tulsa Reining Classic aboard FS Inferno (Inferno Sixty Six x FS Smart Doc Chic). The ride added more than $125,000 to Salgado’s earnings and FS Inferno’s earnings for owner Gilberto Leal.

With the experience and expertise gained while competing in Brazil, he decided to make his way to the United States to broaden his education and opportunity in the training profession. In 2010, Salgado moved to work with NRHA Professional Thiago Boechat as an assistant trainer. After working at the Xtra Quarter Horses facility, Salgado pushed his horizons further by working for NRHA Seven Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani.

Salgado is sure to thank those who helped him along the way to this success.

“The list is very big, but for sure, my family,” he said. “I think that the way I was raised with my uncle Jango as a horse trainer and my older brother Eduardo as a horse trainer as well, I got to live that lifestyle from the beginning. My whole team that allowed me to go to many shows and especially my wife, Sabrina, who keeps up with my craziness. I would not be able to do it without her. A big thank you to all my customers who believed in me and continue supporting me. We have big goals we are going after, for sure.”

Salgado mentioned in his recent social media post to share the coveted news, “There are not enough words to express my gratitude to all the owners of the horses that got me here. I came to this country with a dream, and because of all of you, I get to live it every day. Here’s to One Million and many more to come!” He also shared a list of the many great horses and owners who took part in this success, such as his first horse, Sting Melodys, owned by Jefferson Abbud, and his most recent horse, Swoon, owned by Coma Ranch.

Now located at his own facility in Gainesville, Texas, alongside his wife Sabrina, Salgado’s career has taken ablaze with championships, top professional recognition, event qualifications such as Teton Ridge’s The American Performance Horseman, and so much more.

Career Highlights:

2023 Teton Ridge The American Performance Horseman: Team Championship and 3rd place in reining

2022 NRHA South Central Affiliate Regional Championship & Tulsa Reining Classic – The Invitational Level 4 Open Champion

2022 National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Level 3 Open Champion

2022 Oklahoma Ride & Slide Derby and Novice Horse Derby Level 4 Open Champion

2022 6666 NRHA Derby Level 3 Open 3rd

Ranked 3rd in 2022 Top 20 NRHA Professionals

Major event finalist, including the All American Quarter Horse Congress Reining Futurity, NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby, NRBC, and The Run For A Million – Million Dollar Competition

Our Condolences – Jeff Petska

The reining community lost Jeff Petska after a long battle with cancer on March 5. Petska was a past National Reining Horse Association Board member, avid reining supporter, chef d’equipe for the United States Reining Team, and most of all, a friend and mentor to many.

The Nebraska native operated Petska Performance Horses of Whitesboro, Texas for more than 20 years, trained horses for over 35 years, and held a judge’s card with both NRHA and the American Quarter Horse Association along with participating on different Boards.

Days before passing away, Petska took to Facebook with a post that more than 500 people commented on, just a small testament to the many lives he impacted.

“I hope your memory of me is not these final weeks or days of me as my body prepares to meet my maker, I hope my memory is carried on thru the spoken stories of the times we had, thru the following of the dreams we shared,” Petska said. “But mostly I hope my memory is kept alive by all of you continuing to have my family be a part of your lives. For you to share some of the parts of our lives that have made my life so full.”

Petska’s philosophy at Petska Performance Horses was “take a unique approach to the training of our horses. My philosophy is based upon the desire to help each horse to achieve their optimal performance.” This approach proved successful many times throughout his career, notably while starting NRHA Hall of Famer Shining Spark. 

Along with launching careers of four-legged athletes, Petska was pivotal in the careers of many while serving as chef d’equipe for the gold medal-winning teams at the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. The impact he had on the lives of these athletes, and junior teams, lived on far past the Games.

Jeff leaves behind his wife, Lisa, and their children, Tanner and Chelsea.

Memorial services and opportunities to support the Petska family will be updated as information is provided.

2022 Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award

In 2021, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) established the Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award to honor the late NRHA member whose support contributed immensely to the association and the future of the industry.

The second recipient of the award is NRHA $8 Million Sire Gunnatrashya (Gunner x Natrasha), who also received the inaugural award last year.

At the 2022 NRHA Futurity, the stallion owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA and bred by Katarina Dorminy had ten offspring in the Open Finals and five in the Non Pro Finals. In total, the offspring earned $613,444 in both finals for an average of $40,896.

The perpetual award is presented annually at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel in June. The Mehl Lawson Bronze, which represents the award, will remain in the NRHA office in Oklahoma City.

A member of the NRHA since 1966, Phinny was raised in Fremont, Michigan, and lived most of his life in the Glen Arbor area. He will be remembered as a solid citizen, devoted to family, and always kind and generous with friends, associates, and worthy causes.

To learn more about Peter Phinny, visit here.