Category: History

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.

After a rigorous season of competition spanning the globe, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) concluded 2023 by honoring the horses, riders, and owners who earned one of 16 NRHA World Championships.

“These riders demonstrated unwavering commitment to their equine athletes, the sport, and its rich traditions,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith.

A ceremony to honor the 2023 NRHA Top Ten will be held at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel June 11–26 in Oklahoma City. This event will also acknowledge the Top 20 Professionals, Top 20 Non Pros, and Top 20 Owners along with the Top 10 in the following divisions: Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Rookie Professional, Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Limited Non Pro, Prime Time Non Pro, Novice Horse Open Level 1–3, Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1–3, Youth 13 & Under, and Youth 14–18. Members from around the globe are invited to join us in the celebration.

Congratulations to the following 2023 NRHA World Champions:

Open
Horse: CSG Piggiemove
Rider: Lukasz Czechowicz
Owner: Katarzyna Roleska
Location: Zglobice, Poland

Intermediate Open

Horse: Katies Whizzn Gun
Rider: Valerie Siegel
Owner: Sharon Gelhaus & Valerie A Siegel
Location: Wilsall, Montana

Limited Open
Horse: Hope N A Prayer
Rider: Liam Sykes
Owner: Teddy & Summer Gerrald
Location: Horatio, Arkansas

Rookie Professional
Horse: Big Niccy
Rider: Palmer Barnett
Owner: Celeste Elizabeth Golland
Location: Baroda, Michigan

Non Pro
Rider: Nikolai Stiller
Horse: Hollywood Gunrunner
Location: Bergheim, Germany

Intermediate Non Pro

Rider: Ashley Weaver
Horse: Platinum Per Se
Location: Morgan, Utah

Limited Non Pro
Rider: Jeremy Zangl
Horse: Moonstone Princess
Location: Pilot Point, Texas

Prime Time Non Pro
Rider: Lucinda Human
Horse: Made By Magnum
Location: Advance, North Carolina

Novice Horse Open Level 1, 2 & 3
Horse: Keep On Th Sunnyside
Rider: Peter DeFreitas
Owner: Carlton & Khris Crowe
Location: Gainsville, Texas

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1
Rider: Mason McDowell
Horse: Xtra Fugged About It
Location: Enterprise, Oregon

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2
Rider: Ashley Weaver
Horse: Platinum Per Se
Location: Morgan, Utah

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3
Rider: Stephanie Porath
Horse: Gunna Be Expensive
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho

Youth 13 & Under
Rider: Lily Forzani
Horse: Annies Custom Pistol
Location: Crossroads, Texas

Youth 14-18
Rider: Reed Selner
Horse: JL Pistol Pete
Location: Plymouth, Indiana

The full list of the 2023 NRHA Top 10 Standings are listed here.

This achievement is a testament to the dedication of these riders, the exceptional training of their equine partners, and the unwavering support of their teams. We look forward to celebrating with each of you in June.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce a historic milestone in the world of reining, as the legendary stallion Wimpys Little Step becomes the second stallion to reach $13 million in offspring earnings. This remarkable achievement underscores Wimpys Little Step’s enduring legacy as a preeminent sire in the reining industry and further solidifies his impact on the sport.

Wimpys Little Step is by NRHA Hall of Famer Nu Chex To Cash and bred by Hall of Famer Hilldale Farm. He was destined to follow in the footsteps of greatness from the very beginning. The stallion, out of Leolita Step, is now owned by Silver Spurs Equine.

Wimpys Little Step only entered the show pen six times, yet the stallion earned $185,757 with NRHA $7 Million Rider Shawn Flarida at the reins. The pair won the All-American Quarter Horse Congress Level 4 (L4) Open Futurity and the 2002 NRHA Futurity L4 Open Championship.

The stallion’s offspring show great talent in the show pen with NRHA professionals and non pros alike and stay consistent as they age. At the 2023 Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships, Courtney Battison and Xtra Little Balou (out of Lil Chic Balou) took home Reserve Championships in both the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro bringing the 10-year-old stallion’s earnings to $58,037. The pair has earned $56,333 together in non pro classes.

As the second all-time leading sire for NRHA, Wimpys Little Step’s legacy will undoubtedly endure, shaping the future of the sport and contributing to the ongoing success of reining horses and their riders.

Wimpys Little Step’s top-earning offspring include:

• Wimpys Little Chic, out of Collena Chic Olena, owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, bred by Double Run Farm, NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) $516,556 RC Fancy Step, out of Sonita Wilson, owned by Molly Morgenstern, bred by Bernie Paetzel, NRHA LTE $364,455
• Wimpys Little Buddy, out of All Thats Dun, owned by Madalyn Roberts, bred by Jenny Bertolini, NRHA LTE $285,358
• Wimpyneedsacocktail, out of Seven S Mimosa, owned by Silver Spurs Equine, bred by Sherry Thompson, NRHA LTE $280,379
• Xtra Dun Step, out of All Thats Dun, owned by Jennifer Groehn and Jerry Douglas, bred by Xtra Quarter Horses LLC, NRHA LTE $195,565

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce another stallion has joined the prestigious list of NRHA Million Dollar Sires. Earlier this year, Tinker with Guns crossed the milestone, adding his name to the NRHA history books.

Tinker With Guns is a 2006 stallion by NRHA Fourteen Million Sire Gunner and out of Tinker Nic. Bred by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, the stallion is owned by Silver Spurs Equine.

Before entering the breeding shed, Tinker With Guns led a successful show career during which he amassed over $344,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE). He initially rode with NRHA Professional Randy Paul who piloted the stallion to a top-five finish in the 2009 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity. Then, NRHA Eight Million Rider Andrea Fappani took the reins in 2011. The duo earned nearly $275,000 together with their top win came during the 2012 National Reining Breeders Classic.

“We are very proud of Tinker,” said owner Michael Miola. “In my opinion, he is one of the best of the Gunner line. His mother, Tinker Nic, is by the great Reminic. This is what makes Tinker very special. While it has been a while since Tinker was in the show pen, you must not forget that he won over $346,000 when the purses were much smaller than they are today. In order to compete in the show pen these days, you have to have a horse that is as sound as he/she is talented. The Gunner/Reminic lines bring that into all of Tinkers’ foals. The incredible stopping and turning power of Tinker is unmatched.”

Tinker With Guns produced his first foal crop in 2013. Ten years later, he has 96 NRHA money-earning offspring. Topping that list is the Rhodes River Ranch-bred Tinker With Dreams (This Chicsdundreamin). The 2014 stallion owned by Diamond Dub Quarter Horses has been piloted by notable riders over the years including NRHA Four Million Rider Casey Deary, Million Rider Dany Tremblay, and NRHA Professional Sean McBurney. These riders helped Shooter amass nearly $400,000 in NRHA LTE, with the top check coming earlier this year when Tremblay piloted him to a reserve championship at The Run For A Million’s Million Dollar Competition.

Top progeny for Tinker With Guns include:

• Tinker With Dreams (This Chicsdundreamin) owned by Diamond Dub Quarter Horses and bred by Rhodes River Ranch, earning $396,183
• Guns In My Genes (Taris Designer Genes), owned by Garrett Warren, earning $57,915, and bred by Rancho Oso Rio LLC
• Whizin Off With Guns (Whizin Off Sparks), owned by Janet Rogers, earning $53,502, and bred by Rosanne Sternberg
• Guns N Dreams (Brennas Dream), owned by Smoking Roosters PH LLC, earning $42,019, and bred by Loren Booth
• Guns N Sparks (Whizin Off Sparks), owned by Jennifer Ludemann, earning $30,622, and bred by Rosanne Sternberg

NRHA is proud to recognize Tinker With Guns’ extraordinary accomplishment, as it underlines the ongoing growth and success of the reining community, and NRHA looks forward to witnessing the continued success of his offspring.

On Friday, November 10, Michael and Michelle Miola announced on their joint Facebook page that Spooks Gotta Gun had passed the day before. The stallion by Grays Starlight and out of Katie Gun had just crossed the NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire mark the same week.

“It is with great sadness and tears that I have to announce that our precious Spooks Gotta Gun passed away yesterday morning. He was so loved and cared for by everyone at Silver Spurs; it will not be the same without him,” the Facebook post stated.

Bred by Eric Storey, the stallion traded hands a few times before being purchased by current owner Silver Spurs Equine in 2010.

Andrea Fappani rode him to a third-place finish in the Derby Level 4 Open at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby during his show career, earning $31,864. The next month, the pair won the Derby Level 4 Open at Reining By The Bay, winning $10,000. Spooks Gotta Gun earned a total of $79,603 in the show pen between four NRHA Professionals: Clint Haverty, Shawn Flarida, Abigayle Mixon, and Fappani.

With nearly 300 offspring with NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE), Spooks Gotta Gun’s progeny record is stacked. Most notably, he is the sire to recent NRHA Hall of Fame inductee and Six Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz. ‘Baby’ was pivotal to Spooks Gotta Gun’s journey to his first million—garnering nearly $350,000 toward the sire’s offspring earnings.

Since crossing the $2 million mark in 2018, one horse has risen above the rest in ushering Spooks Gotta Gun to his next NRHA milestone: Spooks Gotta Tinsel (Tinsel Tiara). The 2018 stallion bred by Domingo Alvarado is owned by Lance Griffin. Since his show career began in 2021, Spooks Gotta Tinsel has $120,960 in NRHA LTE. His biggest win came this year during The Run For A Million, where Francesco Martinotti piloted the stallion to a 6th place finish in the Million Dollar Competition and earned a check for $45,000.

Spooks Gotta Gun’s top-earning offspring are:

• Spooks Gotta Whiz (out of Prettywhizprettydoes), owned by Michell Anne Kimball, bred by Clint Haverty, earning $345,138
• Spooksgottachicolena (out of Braz Us), owned by Harper Lawson, bred by Reinbow Ridge Equestrian, earning $152,949
• Oops Itsa Spooks (out of Tejons Finally Dunit), owned by AC Quarter Horses LLC, bred by Silver Spurs Equine, earning $125,427
• Spooks Gotta Tinsel (out of Tinsel Tiara), owned by Lance Griffin, bred by Domingo Alvarado, earning $120,960
• Ifwhizswereguns (out of Ifwhizsweredollars), owned by Silver Spurs Equine, bred by Tanya Jenkins, earning $118,578

NRHA offers our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Spooks Gotta Gun. His influence on the reining community will be forever remembered, and we are thrilled to honor his life with the announcement of his accomplishment as an NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire.