5.26.23: Capello and Shya Shine Non Pro Futurity Champions
5.25.23: Ancillary Action
5.25.23: Cortesi and July Joe Snap Lead the Open Qualifier
5.23.23: Matteo Capello and Shya Shine top the Non Pro Qualifier
More at nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com
$20,000 Invitational Freestyle Reining Will Be Held at the 2023 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is excited to host the $20,000 Invitational Freestyle Reining held at the 2023 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Sponsored by the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, this must-see event will take place on Thursday, June 22 at 6 p.m., is free to the public, and is sure to have the whole family on the edge of their seats!
Often compared to figure skating, the performances also use choreographed music and are paired with astounding costumes, props, or often additional characters! Freestyle reining allows one to creatively use core reining maneuvers (circles, spins, stops, flying lead changes, etc.) and magnify them with music and choreography. The fan-favorite freestyle reining has been an NRHA tradition since 1986, with the first-ever freestyle reining held at the NRHA Derby in St. Paul, MN. Veteran spectators of the event may mention it is always a surprise who may show up to compete.
The 2022 NRHA Invitational Freestyle Reining Champion, Hava Vital, blew away the competition last year with her breathtaking performance to the “Moulin Rouge” hit song “Lady Marmalade.” Coming in two points behind Hava as Reserve Champion, Abby Budd paired a bridleless routine with the song “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” Watch her performance here!
“As the horse show capital of the world, we are always excited to host reining events here in OKC,” said Zac Craig, Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau president. “We look forward to welcoming these participants and showing them all there is to do in the Modern Frontier.”
Confirmed 2023 Freestyle contestants include Karen Knight, Gabe Garrison, Ari Mischo, Brogan Hill, and Caitie Holtzman.
The 2023 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel is full of other events throughout the week, including a tradeshow, Non Pro and Open Finals, and more. Visit NRHADerby.com or Facebook for the latest updates.
NRHA Para Reining Championships to be held at the 2023 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is honored to host the 2023 Para Reining Championships. The event will be held in Norick Arena on the last day of the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel on June 25, 2023, just before the Non Pro competition. Classes for this event include Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5.
USA Para Reining, a branch of the United States Equestrian Federation, created the grade level system. This program gives riders with varying physical disabilities the opportunity to compete in reining. World Para Reining celebrated its inaugural year in 2015, and since then, it has worked to incorporate approved Para Reining classes into existing shows and host independent events and classes.
“With the inception of first the rookie class followed by prime time and then the Entry Level Green classes, NRHA has always strived to live up to its ‘A place for all’ motto,” said NRHA Professional, USA Para Reining board member Jennifer Hoyt. “In 2015, NRHA approved the first rules for Para Reining, letting even more reining enthusiasts compete and enjoy the thrill of riding a truly exceptional equine athlete. The inclusion of this Championship in the NRHA illustrates more than ever how the NRHA has a place for everyone.”
NRHA is excited to have an additional Para Reining Championship sponsor, Dechra Veterinary Products, located in Overland Park, Kansas. Dechra will provide added money to all classes and is the U.S. sales and marketing division of Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC, a UK-based company dedicated to the animal healthcare market.
Hart Trailers, NRHA’s Official Trailer and Para Reining Sponsor, will award halters to all championship participants. Additional awards will also be given. The overall Championship will be decided from the high scores of all para exhibitors’ rides regardless of grade.
To gain more insight about para reining, follow USA Reining Para-Reining on Facebook. For more details about the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, visit nrhaderby.com.
Dechra Veterinary Products:
Dechra’s equine product line includes Osphos® (clodronate injection), Orthokine® vet irap 10 and 60, Osteokine® (PRP), Equidone® (domperidone) Gel, the Vetivex® line of parenteral fluids, Phycox® EQ, and a comprehensive line of topical dermatologic products. The recent additions of ProVet APC™ (Autologous Platelet Concentrate) system, Zimeta® (dipyrone injection), Rompun® (xylazine injection), Butorphanol Tartrate Injection, Isoflurane, USP Inhalant Anesthetic, and SucroMate® Equine (deslorelin acetate) further expand Dechra’s equine offerings.
2023 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel Judges Have Been Chosen
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) proudly announces the group of judges chosen for the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, held June 13-25, 2023. As the second largest NRHA-approved event of the year, preparation for the prestigious show has started, including finalizing who will evaluate each run.
Kelly Hedges, Jan Hay, Dean Bogart, and BJ Riberio have been chosen for the Adequan® Arena classes. The Judges Monitor will be Bob Kail.
The Jim Norick Coliseum will be judged by Bub Poplin, Ollie Griffith, Mack Weaver, Gabe Davide, and Manu Maiocchi, with Jeff Buckley as equipment judge. The Judges Monitor is Eugenio Latorre.
“The selection of judges for an NRHA Event is thorough, fair, and rigorous,” said Patti Carter, Senior Director of Education and Officials. “The NRHA Judges Committee is confident this group of judges will represent NRHA and its athletes with consistent and accurate maneuver and penalty application throughout the event. We look forward to working with this amazing group of selected NRHA Judges.”
The NRHA Derby and Futurity judges are recommended by the Judges Committee, submitted to a sub-committee appointed by the NRHA President, and given final approval from the Executive Committee. The recommendations are made by the following criteria:
- Each eligible judge is contacted for their availability for the event
- All available judges are compiled into a list and sent to each member of the Judges Committee
- Judges Committee members make selections from the list to fill the allotted slots for the event
- These names are compiled into a shortlist and discussed on a conference call with all members of the Judges Committee.
- The committee members, except for the chair, then rank their choices, and each ranking equates to a certain number of points. The points are compiled and submitted to the committee chair.
- The committee chair reviews and makes recommendations based on the outcome of the vote and the needs of NRHA.
- The ranked list with the Judges Committee Chair recommendations is submitted to the subcommittee for final selection.
For more information, visit NRHA.com/judges.
The Teams Have Been Chosen for the American Performance Horseman
The Teton Ridge American Performance Horseman gets prepared for the bright lights of Arlington, Texas, at the home of the Texas Rangers MLB team, Globe Life Field. The American Western Weekend will kick off with the Top Five professionals from the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) on Friday, March 10, 2023.
Each team will include a reining professional, reined cow horse professional, and cutting professional. This highly anticipated competition will open with cutting, then move into the reining, and close out with the reined cow horse competitors. The performance horse industry will witness history with the first team concept competition battling for $1 Million in prize money.
Each NRHA professional announced their two equine athletes of choice to ride for this inaugural event during The American Performance Horseman Team Selections event held on February 6th. The horsepower will be off the charts, and riders must declare their official decision by March 8th at noon.
First up, NRHA $7 Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida selected Alpha Jac Sparrow, owned by Fritz Leeman. This is a stallion sired by NRHA Hall of Famer Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Chexanicki, with lifetime earnings (LTE) of $126,953. He chose Shiner On My Eye as well, with a lifetime earnings of $169,999 and owned by Bob Santagata. The stud is out of Flashy Lil Step and sired by NRHA $3 Million Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr.
Second up, NRHA $3 Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary, with his choice of Down Right Amazing, a stallion owned by DAG Ventures LLC with lifetime earnings of $224,250.
The 2022 Run for a Million Shootout Champion is sired by NRHA $13 Million Sire Gunner and out of Shesouttayourleague. His other pick is lifetime earner of more than $369,059, the 2021 NRHA Futurity Champion Ten Thirty, owned by Rancho El Fortin and sired by Gunnatrashya and out of Dainty Little Step.
Next in line, NRHA Professional Fernando Salgado chose Gunnabeabrightstar, owned by Neiberger Performance Horses, carrying a lifetime earnings of $157,017. This stud is out of the mare Abbie Be Tuff and sired by ARC Gunnabeabigstar. Salgado’s other option is Pale Dun Star, owned by Ian and Kristen Cantacuzene. The stud with $78,208 in NRHA LTE is sired by NRHA $3 Million Sire Pale Face Dunnit and out of the mare Get Ya Some Stars.
Next, NRHA $7 Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani plans to pair up with Trash Talkin Spook with $154,770 NRHA LTE owned by Marilyn Overgaard. A stud sired by Gunnatrashya and out of I Spook. Fappani, in addition, chose a stud owned by Teton Ridge, Starjac Vintage, with a lifetime earnings of $172,769. The stud is an NRHA $3 Million Sire A Sparkling Vintage and out of Starjac Miss.
Last to draw, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Matt Mills electing to pilot Guns And Dynamite sired by NRHA $5 Million Sire Gunners Special Nite and out of Chic Olena Starbuck. The stallion chosen is proudly owned by Tim and MaryBeth Ruckman and has an LTE of $250,424. He also elected Stopping In Jersey owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses, lifetime earner of $96,864. The stud is out of Stop Little Sister and sired by Yellow Jersey.
Burnt Orange Team
Cutting: Austin Shepherd, Summerdale, Alabama
Reining: Matt Mills, Weatherford, Texas
Reined Cow Horse: Lee Deacon, Marietta, Oklahoma
Racing Green Team
Cutting: Lindy Thorn, Claremore, Oklahoma
Reining: Casey Deary, Weatherford, Texas
Reined Cow Horse: Chris Dawson, Perrin, Texas
Royal Blue Team
Cutting: Adan Banuelos, Weatherford, Texas
Reining: Fernando Salgado, Gainesville, Texas
Reined Cow Horse: Sarah Dawson, Perrin, Texas
Imperial Purple Team
Cutting: Wesley Galyean, Claremore, Oklahoma
Reining: Andrea Fappani, Scottsdale, Arizona
Reined Cow Horse: Corey Cushing, Weatherford, Texas
Regal Red Team
Cutting: Lloyd Cox, Marietta, Oklahoma
Reining: Shawn Flarida, Springfield, Ohio
Reined Cow Horse: Justin Wright, Santa Maria, California
The American West Weekend is one you won’t want to miss. The American Performance Horseman event will commence at 6:45 p.m. CST on Friday, March 10. The evening will conclude with a concert featuring Darius Rucker and Sheryl Crow, which is included in your admission fee. The American Rodeo will be held at Globe Life Field on Saturday, March 11, with admission to a Cody Johnson concert included. For a 25% discount on your tickets for the weekend, use code NRHA23 at checkout.
Buy your tickets TODAY by visiting americanrodeo.com/tickets, and be sure to download Teton Ridge + to stay in the know regarding all things American West Weekend at tetonridgeplus.com. We can’t wait to see you there!