The American Paint Horse Association’s popular Chrome Cash incentive program will add $5,000 exclusively for registered Paints at the 2022 National Reining Horse Association Futurity, set for November 24-December 3 at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Chrome Cash classes will be offered as part of the Level 4 Open Futurity and the Level 4 Non Pro Futurity, with $3,000 and $2,000 added, respectively. Both solid and regular registry Paints can compete in the Chrome Cash classes, which are paid out according to the NRHA payout schedule.
NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter said, “Our industry moves forward on the strength of innovation. Adding Chrome Cash to the NRHA Futurity just builds on the excitement that American Paint Horses having been bringing for many years.”
APHA Executive Director Billy Smith agreed. “APHA shares that spirit of innovation with NRHA. Chrome Cash represents new opportunities for everyone who registers their reiners with APHA and appreciates flashy horses,” he said.
Entering the Chrome Cash incentives is easy:
Both solid and regular registry Paints are eligible to win
Both the owner and exhibitor must be current APHA members
Enter by marking the “Chrome Cash” option on the NRHA Futurity Rider Designation Form
Any horse with at least one APHA-registered parent (with the other being a registered Paint, Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred) can be registered with APHA, whether the horse has qualifying white markings or not. An AQHA-registered horse can be registered with APHA if they meet minimum requirements based on white markings. Either way, APHA registration makes a horse eligible for more opportunities.
To check if a horse is registered, update ownership, or inquire about the possibility of registration, email Chrome Cash program director Sunny Bates at sbates@apha.com or get a free, no-obligation registration quote from APHA by clicking here.
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded in 1962. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.
In just a couple of days, the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas will be rocking when 16 National Reining Horse Association Professionals vie for a piece for the more than $1,000,000 payout. The Champion will take home a half-million dollars, and this year’s competition is stacked with both veteran riders and up-and-comers.
Take a look at the stats of the riders who will be competing on Saturday, August 20, and let us know who you’d wager on! If you are not in Las Vegas and want to see behind the scenes footage of the riders, the event, and the winning runs be sure to tune into The Last Cowboy.
Notes: Shawn Flarida took home reserve honors at the 2021 The Run For A Million after an exciting runoff. He is NRHA’s second All Time Leading Rider and was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2011. He has ridden and trained several horses that went on to become NRHA Million and Multi-Million Dollar Sires and Dams, including NRHA $12 Million Sire Wimpys Little Step, Reining Triple Crown Winner and NRHA Million Dollar Dam Wimpys Little Chic, NRHA $7 Million Sire Gunnatrashya, and NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine.
Known for his signature green show shirts, Shawn is also a five-time World Equestrian Games Gold Medalist.
His son, Sam Flarida, is following in his father’s footsteps and as a Youth and Non Pro rider has accumulated more than $252,000 in lifetime earnings.
Shawn and wife Michelle live in Springfield, Ohio.
2017 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open Champion – Shesouttayourleague – $57,000
2016 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open Champion – Magnum Starlights – $57,000
Notes: Casey Deary is coming off a big win at this year’s 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, winning the title on Americasnexttopgun. He’s also the reigning NRHA Futurity Champion, taking home the 2021 title on Ten Thirty.
Casey Deary grew up in Texas riding horses, taking low-cost colts, training them, and reselling them, allowing him to grow his training business.
Casey and his wife Nicole now live in Weatherford, Texas, where he coaches youth and amateur clients. The couple’s four children – Wyatt, Owen, Joy, and Olivia – can always be found around the reining events and in the show pen.
Casey competed at the inaugural TRFAM in 2019, finishing eighth.
2016 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 12th – High Rolling Spook – $19,292
2016 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – Dun Gotyer Guns Up – $18,872
Notes: Nathan Piper was born in Bryan, Texas, where he grew up showing reining horses as a youth. During his junior year of college 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 for two-time NRHA Futurity Champion Todd Sommers as an assistant trainer. 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 out of Selah Ranch in Pilot Point, Texas. Nathan and Jean have two daughters, Millie and Etta.
2019 The Run For A Million Invitational Co-Champion – Custom Made Gun – $307,500
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Super Marioo – $142,500
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Guns And Dynamite – $105,215
2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel L4 Open Reserve Champion – Super Marioo – $40,479
2021 TRFAM 6th Place – Modern Gun – $50,000
2020 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 5th – Gunners Town – $42,147
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Champion – Super Marioo – $29,858
2014 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Non Pro Reserve Champion – Starbucks Finale – $27,665
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – Guns And Dynamite – $22,632
2019 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 3 Open Champion – Shes Got Good Guns – $21,271
Notes: Cade, along with fellow 2021 TRFAM competitor Craig Schmersal, was co-champion of the inaugural event in 2019. Custom Made Gun, on who McCutcheon won his Level 4 Non Pro Championship in 2015, was shipped from Italy to Texas to train with Cade for a shot at the big money. The gamble obviously paid off with the co-title
Later that same year, Cade won the Level 4 Open of the NRHA Futurity on Super Marioo, securing his spot as the youngest NRHA Million Dollar Rider in history.
Cade comes from a family of top competitors. His father Tom McCutcheon, who is also competing in this year’s TRFAM Invitational, is an NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider and Owner. Cade’s mother, Mandy McCutcheon, is an NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider as well as a Million Dollar Owner. Cade’s grandfather is NRHA Hall of Fame Member Tim McQuay, an NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider and Million Dollar Owner, while his grandmother, Colleen McQuay, is also in the NRHA Hall of Fame.
Cade’s younger sister Carlee is an accomplished equestrian in both reining and English events.
2021 High Roller Reining Classic Stakes L4 Open Reserve Champion – Electric Whizkey – $18,534
2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – Special Made Whiskey – $15,120
2016 NRBA Level 4 Open 8th – Gunners Special Glo – $16,625
2015 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 14th – See U Saturday Night – $15,873
Notes: Arno Honstetter grew up in Liggeringen Germany, which is in the southern part of Germany in the Bodensee on the Lake of Konstanz. When he was 16 years old, he met National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Famer Ken Wold and spent several years working with Ken in the United States. He moved home to Germany for a while before returning to the United States, where he worked for great trainers such as Andrea Fappani and Randy Paul.
Arno, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife Lauren and daughter Tatum, is now the resident trainer for Brenda Joyce and Rick Christen’s Story Book Stables.
2002 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 4th – Commanders Nic – $52,352
2011 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 5th – Dunits Shining Sun – $51,628
2014 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open Reserve Championship – What A Wave – $51,000
Notes: Craig Schmersal won the inaugural TRFAM Co-Championship in 2019, tying with Cade McCutcheon. He won the title on No Smoking Required (by NRHA Leading Sire Gunner), who has earned nearly a half-million dollars in competition.
Craig’s wife, Ginger, has won numerous titles and championships in reining competition, and her lifetime earnings are nearing a half-million dollars. Craig and Ginger’s teenage daughter, Addisyn, has also been racking up reining wins, and her lifetime earnings currently sit at $175,000.
Craig, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his family, is a two-time FEI World Equestrian Games Team Gold medalist, as well as an Individual Silver medalist.
2013 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 11th – The Wizster – $22,800
2013 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – The Wizster – $21,899
2019 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 3 Open Champion – PS Mega Shine Chic – $21,370
2017 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 3 Open Champion – PS Mega Shine Chic – $20,589
2018 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 12th – Thug Life – $20,392
2021 TRFAM 9th Place – PS Mega Shine Chic – $20,000
Notes: Dany Tremblay surpassed $1,000,000 in lifetime earnings during the 2021 The Run For A Million during the Open Shootout, and he’s looking to continue his success in the South Point Arena this year.
Dany and his brother Fred relocated from Canada to the United States in 2014. Expanding upon their Canadian experience, Tremblay Performance Horses has become one of the most successful reining horse training, coaching and marketing programs in the industry.
Dany has trained and worked with some of the best horsemen available today, including Mike Flarida, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Dell Hendricks and Two Million Dollar Rider Duane Latimer, with whom he keeps a close relationship.
2017 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – All American Vintage – $113,936
2011 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Spook Off Sparks – $113,176
2005 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Big Chex To Cash – $109,633
2003 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – NQH Little Jac – $104,342
Notes: Andrea is the winningest rider in NRHA history and the only competitor to ever pass $7,000,000 in lifetime earnings. When Andrea first became an NRHA Million Dollar Rider in 2006, he was the youngest rider to reach that milestone.
Andrea, originally from Italy, currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. His wife Tish, an avid Non Pro competitor with more than $678,000 in lifetime earnings, is an NRHA Million Dollar Owner. His son, Luca, seems to be following in his father’s footsteps and has already won more than $404,000.
Fappani’s other son, Jeremy, is a successful National Amateur Motocross Racer.
2013 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – Not Ruf At All – $156,750
2018 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion – A Vintage Smoke – $150,000
2021 North American Reining Stakes Level 4 Champion – Excessive Ruffness – $100,000
2021 TRFAM 3rd Place – A Vintage Smoke – $80,000
2016 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open Champion – Not Ruf At All – $75,000
2019 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open Champion – A Vintage Smoke – $75,000
2021 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open Co-Champion – A Vintage Smoke – $62,500
2019 TRFAM Invitational – A Vintage Smoke – $60,000
2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open Champion – A Vintage Smoke – $57,000
2014 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open Champion – Not Ruf At All – $57,000
Notes: Jason and his wife Adrienne live in Whitesboro, Texas, where they keep a small but select group of horses in training. Jason’s son, Dalton, and daughter, Emma, also compete in reining.
Jason is one of an elite group of riders to ever win reining’s unofficial Triple Crown, which entails winning the NRHA Futurity, the NRHA Derby, and the National Reining Breeders Classic on the same horse. He accomplished that feat not once but two times with standout stallions Not Ruf At All and A Vintage Smoke.
2021 TRFAM Open Shootout Champion – Gunnarickashay – $30,642
2021 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Gunnarickashay – $30,297
2021 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open 9th place – My Special Sidekick – $10,023
2021 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 3 Open 7th Place – Gunna Outshine Ya – $5,399
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 2 Open 6th Place – Lanas Lil Joe – $5,386
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 1 Open Reserve Champion – Lanas Lil Joe – $4,523.51
2021 APHA World Championship Show Level 4 Open Reserve Champion – Gunnarickashay – $4,389.
2019 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 2 Open 3rd Place – Baileys Sidekick – $4,262
2021 High Roller Reining Classic Level 3 Open 3rd Place – Xtra Dun Step – $4,147
Notes: Josh Tishman started riding English from a young age, jumping horses in the Northeastern portion of the United States. Originally from Jefferson, Maine, Josh attended college in Montana, rodeoing for Rocky Mountain College. According to Josh, the rodeo coach begged him to ride for them. He agreed, under the stipulation, he could ride the reining horses.
Josh has since worked for multiple NRHA Professionals but has worked at Casey Deary Performance Horses the longest – more than six years. His wife, Layton, is an accomplished barrel racer and has been getting her feet wet in reining in recent years.
The Tishmans make their home with their one-year-old daughter, Emma Grace, at Deary Performance Horses in Weatherford, Texas.
2013 OVRHA Blue Grass Reining Stakes Wimpys Little Step Derby Level 4 Open Champion – Legends Lil Squeeze – $9,146
2019 NRBC Level 4 Open 15th Place – Spitfire Spook – $7,833
2019 NRBC Level 3 Open 5th Place – Spitfire Spook – $6,504
2009 Carolina Classic ABI Derby Level 4 Open Champion – Whale Of A Whiz – $6,275
2016 NRBC Level 4 Open 20th Place – Dun Alotta Chics – $5,500
2013 OVRHA Blue Grass Reining Stakes Level 4 Open Champion – Legends Lil Squeeze – $5,450
Notes: Matt Palmer was raised in the horse industry by his parents Guy and Joan Palmer. He has competed since childhood, but reining wasn’t his only interest. While simultaneously competing in the horse world, Matt also dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. He played through high school and college, getting as far as signing with the Minnesota Twins before an injury sidelined that dream. Those years would not go to waste, as the discipline learned along with the mental strength it takes to compete would follow Matt into his career as an NRHA professional.
Matt is a two-time USEF Gold Medalist. In addition to being the youngest member of the USEF team, he would join the WEG team. He is a five-time NRHA World Champion and consistently ranks as an NRHA Top 20 Professional.
Matt also coaches Non Pro and youth riders and has helped them earn AQHA and NRHA titles, make the finals at major NRHA events, and has helped eight of his students earn college riding scholarships.
2022 NRBC Level 4 Open 13th Place – Smoking Trash – $11,125
2014 IRHA Futurity Level 4 Open 3rd Place – DJ Ruf – $10,774
2020 NRBC Level 4 Open 13th Place – Smoking Trash – $9,875
2019 NRHA Level 4 Open 24th Place – Smoking Trash – $9,838
2018 All American Quarter Horse Congress Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – MMB Spook Gotta Girl – $7,546
2021 The Run For A Million Open Shoot Out 7th Place – Smoking Trash – $7,327
2021 NRBC Level 3 Open 5th Place – Smoking Trash – $7,133
2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open 11th Place – Smoking Trash – $7,086
2013 NRHA European Derby Level 3 Open Champion – Rambo Bo Sun – $6,410
Notes: Francesco Martinotti is originally from Italy and grew up riding reining horses with his sister, Valentina, until he was given the opportunity to work professionally with one of Italy’s most renowned horse owner, Claudio Risso. It was there he started working as an assistant while training two-year-olds.
Once on his own, he became one of Italy’s top NRHA professionals. In 2015, after winning the FEI European Championship Team Gold medal for Italy, he was approached by NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Tom McCutcheon with a job opportunity in America to learn from the industry’s top professionals such as NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Duane Latimer and Tom himself.
Since arriving in the US in January of 2016, Francesco has been either a finalist or top 10 finisher in every major open derby or futurity. In the fall of 2017, Francesco decided it was time to start his own business and Martinotti Equine Services LLC was born.
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open 3rd Place – Smoke In Whizkey – $16,639
2021 NRHA 6666 Derby presented by Markel Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – No Mans Whizkey – $13,415
2021 NRBC Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – No Mans Whizkey – $13,315
2016 High Roller Reining Classic Futurity Level 3 Open Champion – Gibsons Finest – $10,010
2021 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open 10th Place – No Mans Whizkey – $7,968
2015 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open 10th Place – Sparklin Whizkey – $7,738
2021 The Run For A Million Open Shootout 7th Place – No Mans Whizkey – $7,327
2016 High Roller Reining Classic Futurity Level 4 Open 3rd Place – Gibsons Finest – $6,215
2017 Reining By The Bay Derby Level 3 Open Champion – Waitin On A Diamond – $5,620
2015 High Roller Reining Classic Futurity Level 3 Open Reserve Champion – Waitin On A Whizkey – $4,872
Notes: Wife of fellow TRFAM competitor Sean McBurney. Jordan began showing reining horses in 2009, although she has barrel raced competitively for years. She got started in reining after working a job exercising and grooming reining horses.
She and her husband, Sean, are the resident trainers of Rhodes River Ranch, so typically the couple show horses by Rhodes River Ranch stallion Whizkey N Diamonds, an NRHA Million Dollar Sire.
Keep up with Jordan on Rhodes River Ranch Facebook.
Sean McBurney
Arlington, Washington
LTE: $493,367
2015 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Champion – Rsure Shot Of Whizkey – $26,934
2014 NRHA Derby Level 3 Open 3rd Place – Guns R For Shootin – $15,563
2018 High Roller Reining Classic Level 4 Open Stakes Champion – Tinker With Dreams – $13,976
2018 High Roller Reining Classic Derby Level 3 Champion – Tinker With Dreams – $12,025
2021 High Roller Reining Classic High Roller Reining Futurity Level 4 Reserve Champion – Xtra Stone Cold – $11,155
2018 High Roller Reining Classic Stakes Level 3 Open Champion – Tinker With Dreams – $9,731
2019 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open – Lil Gun Affair – $8,945
2018 High Roller Reining Classic Derby Level 2 Open Champion – Tinker With Dreams – 8,428
2018 High Roller Reining Classic Derby Level 4 Open 4th – Tinker With Dreams – $8,379
Notes: Husband of fellow TRFAM competitor Jordan McBurney. Sean is the manager and head trainer at Rhodes River Ranch, where he has worked for more than two decades. Jordan is also a trainer at Rhodes River Ranch.
Sean grew up with thoroughbreds and jumpers, but reining seemed like a bigger challenge, and he liked how broke reiners were.
Sean’s biggest win to date came in 2015 when he won the NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Championship on Rsure Shot Of Whizkey. Rhodes River Ranch owns NRHA Million Dollar Sire Whizkey N Diamonds, and both Sean and Jordan can regularly be found showing the stallion’s offspring.
Notes: Brazilian-born Fernando Salgado was raised in a performance horse family, with both of his older brothers training professionally. He had already proven himself as a successful trainer and showman in Brazil, with several prestigious wins while working for his brother Eduardo prior to coming to the US.
Fernando began his US career in 2010 when he became the first assistant trainer at the newly established Xtra Quarter Horses, home of Wimpys Little Step. Under the guidance of Thiago Boechat, he was mounted on some of the finest Reining horses in the industry, including Shiners Voodoo Dr. This talented trainer also rode under the renowned Andrea Fappani to further his training knowledge.
Along with his wife Sabrina, the NRHA Professional has his own training business at Fernando Salgado Reining Horses.
2015 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open 8th Place – Gunnafoolya – $9,320
2015 NRHA Futurity Level 2 Open 5th Place – Gunnafoolya – $8,918
2010 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open 6th Place – Wimpys Lil Star – $8,485
2021 NRBC Development Division Reserve Champion – Tinkers Little Step – $7,628
2016 High Roller Reining Classic Stakes Level 3 Open Champion – Gunnafoolya – $6,986
2016 NRBC Level 4 Open 24th Place – Gunnafoolya – $5,050
2011 NRBC Level 2 Open 4th Place – Strawberry Tag – $4,527
2008 NRBC Level 2 Open 4th Place – Whiz N Starlight – $4,482
2015 All American Quarter Horse Congress 5th Place – Gunnafoolya – $4,263
2010 NRHA Futurity Level 2 Open 4th Place – Wimpys Lil Star – $4,236
Notes: Billy placed 13th at the Cactus Reining Classic earlier this year just missing the call back for The Run for a Million, but received a call from Taylor Sheridan inviting him to compete in Las Vegas after another had to withdraw from the competition due to personal reasons.
Billy lives with his wife, Veronica, and son Weston in Aubrey, Texas, and owns and operates Williams Ranch. Billy serves on the Reining Horse Foundation Board and has held active roles in multiple NRHA committees.
While important events are held throughout the year, the National Reining Horse Association Futurity, slated for November 24–December 3, is heralded as reining’s premier event. For 3-year-old reining horses, the Futurity’s spotlight shines on the horses in their first year of competition, and all eyes are on the Jim Norick Coliseum to see which ones will begin to write their names in the history books of the sport.
Ten Thirty
Ten Thirty, All Bettss Are Off, Super Marioo, and A Vintage Smoke are the most recent Level 4 Open Champions from the Futurity, and when any of these horses’ names are called, spectators flock to the fence to watch at derbies throughout the world.
The NRHA Futurity has continued to grow in both size and prominence since it was first held in Columbus, Ohio, in 1966. On the eve of the fourth payment deadline (August 1) for the 2022 Futurity, the world’s largest reining event is shaping up to be another record breaker, as the number of entries with at least one payment made is up from the prior year.
Once again, the Level 4 Open Futurity Champion will leave the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds $350,000 richer, and the Level 4 Non Pro Champion will be presented a check for $60,000. The total payout will likely once again surpass $2.6 million.
Those numbers are expected to continue rising, as late entries are typical. First payments can still be made until August 1 with just a $600 late fee, and those made between August 1 and October 1, will incur a $1,000 late fee.
The deadline to be included in the draw for both the Open and Non Pro Futurity is November 1.
All entry forms can be found at NRHAFuturity.com, and entries can be made online or mailed.
A 12-day stretch of continuous competition at Oklahoma State Fair Park wrapped up on Sunday, June 26. The final day of the 2022 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel showcased Non Pro and Youth ancillary riders, with several Montana Silversmiths high point buckles being presented.
8 & Up Maturity Levels 4, 3, 2, & 1 Champion/Non Pro (2) & Int. Non Pro (2) Champion – Emma Lane & Gunner Gump
The 2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel competition wrapped up in the Jim Norick Arena Sunday morning, and Emma Lane cleaned house. She won first place in the 8 & Up Maturity Levels 4, 3, 2, 1, Non Pro (2), and Intermediate Non Pro (2). She showed Gunner Gump, a 14-year-old gelding by NRHA 13 Million Dollar Sire Gunner out of Little Patrasha Gump, who is well versed in the show ring.
“We went to Switzerland twice on the FEI team, and he’s just been so great for us,” Lane said. “He only gets shown like once a year.”
Gunner Gump makes it count when it is his time to shine, scoring a 216.5 Sunday morning. This year’s Derby might very well be his last show.
“We were late in the draw, so I was trying to find good dirt. He was so good everywhere,” Lane said. “He’s an older gelding, so he’s going to want to set up. It’s been great to be out here all week with him and have fun.”
Gunner Gump is owned by Lane’s dad, Bundy.
“My dad has taught me everything I know,” Lane said. “It’s just me and him here, and we’ve had an amazing time.”
Non Pro, Int. Non Pro High Point – Melissa Wigen & Starlight Escalade
Melissa Wigen wrapped the 2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel on a high note. She scored a 214 on her horse, Starlight Escalade, to win the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro High Point Montana Silversmiths buckle. The eight-year-old gelding is by Starlights Wrangler and out of Escalante Chic.
“He felt awesome,” Wigen said. “I had so much fun, and he was right there with me. We came earlier for the novice horse stuff, and this was a bonus. There was almost a runoff, and I was thankful Emma pulled ahead of us, so he could rest for the long trailer ride back home.”
Wigen and Starlight Escalade will make the trip back home to Joseph, Oregon, where they will enjoy a few weeks of rest before the Summer Slide in Denver, Colorado. Wigen thanked her husband, Travis, traveling partner, Lindsey, and her kids.
“There’s a lot of good people that help me back at home to get here and to be here, and I know they’re picking up the slack for me,” she said. “I have a lot of people to be thankful for, and I appreciate all of them.”
Prime Time Non Pro (2) Champion and Highpoint – Nancy Murfin-Moxley & Mega Mag
With a score of 214, Nancy Murfin-Moxley and “sports car” Mega Mag earned the Prime Time Non Pro (2) Championship and High Point Montana Silversmiths buckle, winning $249.
“He’s new to my program this year, I’m just getting with him, and I love him. Every ride I show on him is so fun,” Murfin-Moxley said.
The eight-year-old gelding, by NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Big Gold Chex, has earned more than $100,000 in his lifetime. Now with Murfin-Moxley at the reins, he’s taking on the ancillary classes.
“He’s a character. He’s busy, he’s fun. I love his honesty; he’s a little sports car and he takes good care of me,” Murfin-Moxley said. “He’s great in his circles, great in his stops, he’s just wonderful. There are so many things.”
Murfin-Moxley took things a little cautiously in the Jim Norick Arena Sunday morning, June 26, but was pleased with how attentive Mega Mag was with her.
“I thank Casey and Kathy Hinton, everybody in the barn, my husband, family and all of my support,” Murfin-Moxley said.
TRFAM Non Pro Qualifiers
Five riders advanced from the second slate of Non Pro The Run For A Million Qualifier Sunday morning in the Jim Norick Coliseum at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Long rosettes in hand, the riders joined the ranks of non pros vying for the $50,000 TRFAM Non Pro purse, which will be held in August at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kalicia Walters
Marieta, Oklahoma – Pale Faced Whiz (Pale Face Dunnit x Lady Naskiia Whiz)
Kalicia Walters
Marieta, Oklahoma – Raisinthebar (PS Mega Shine Chic x Chic In The Bar)
Lindsay Lee Kovick
New Plymouth, Idaho – The American Colonel (Wimpys Littlecolonel x Miss Sugar Whiz)
Dana Pastorino
Half Moon Bay, California – Shining Like Flinn (In Like Flinn x Lil Shinin Suzana)
Rhea Pole
Gainesville, Texas – Leavetherestspooked (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Leave The Rest)
Qualification for TRFAM is based on rider, not horse. Riders do not have to compete on the horse they qualified on but are required to lease or own their TRFAM the horse based on NRHA rules.
Youth 13 & Under (2) – Logan Flaherty & Story For You
Reining is a family affair for the Flahertys, and Logan Flaherty kept the tradition alive Sunday afternoon by winning the Youth 13 & Under in Slate 2. He scored a 140 on Story For You, a seven-year-old gelding by Wimpyneedsacocktail out of Surpriseinadarkalley.
“We call him Cruise, and I’ve had him for about six months,” Flaherty said.
Flaherty has had a hectic week, flying back home to Scottsdale, Arizona, for football trials and coming back in time to show.
“I have played football and swim competitively since I was five years old,” he said. Flaherty is also a Dallas Cowboys fan, saying his favorite player is Dak Prescott. He also thanked his dad, Patrick Flaherty, and Arno Honstetter.
Unrestricted Youth High Point – Chloe Cannon & Mr Hollywood Cee
The Unrestricted Youth High Point Montana Silversmiths buckle was won by Chloe Cannon on Mr Hollywood Cee. The pair scored a 140 in Slate 2 to wrap up the competition. The eight-year-old gelding is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodtinseltown and out of Miss Hollywood Cee.
Unrestricted Youth (2) – Mary Riley Cachat & A Smalltown Trick
With a 142.5, Mary Riley Cachat and A Smalltown Trick won the second slate of the Unrestricted Youth, wrapping up their time in Oklahoma City.
A Smalltown Trick is by Tricked Out Spook out of A Smalltown Gal. The 5-year-old gelding, bred by Mark Blackwell, was shown by NRHA Leading Rider Andrea Fappani as a 3-year-old and won the Arizona Best of the West Reining Futurity and qualified for the Level 4 Finals at the NRHA Futurity. Leonardo Kellerman took the reins of the colt as a 4-year-old, and helped bring his lifetime earnings to more than $66,000.
Cachat was unable to stay for the awards; she had to pack up and head south to the American Paint Horse Association World Show.
Youth 14 – 18 (2) Champion & High Point – Justin Eddy & Xtra Wimpy Voodoo
Class-topping scores earned Justin Eddy and his two geldings the $100 Youth 14 – 18 (2) Championship and High Point Montana Silversmiths buckle.
Riding Xtra Wimpy Voodoo (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Wimpys New Pal), Eddy scored a 145.5 in the Adequan® Arena Sunday.
“He’s an older gelding and sometimes older show horses develop some bad habits. My goal today was to go in today and not have any bad habits,” Eddy said.
Some of the improvements Eddy saw in the palomino gelding included waiting for his cue in the rollbacks.
“He did really well for me, and the judged liked and rewarded him,” Eddy said. “He’s a really fun horse to be around. I call him a ‘pretty boy,’ because he is. He has a really long mane, and he likes to be a show horse. When you do watch your run after on the screen, he watches himself.”
Eddy finished Reserve Champion on gelding Not Ruf Nic (Not Ruf At all x Hollynic), marking a 143.
Youth 13 & Under High Point – Addison Coats & Ruf Till The End
In Slate 2 of the Youth 13 & Under, Addison Coats scored a 139.5 to seal the deal on winning the Youth 13 & Under High Point Montana Silversmiths buckle. She rode Ruf Till The End, a nine-year-old mare by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Lil Ruf Peppy out of Remedys Sure Slide.
“Ruffy is a very sweet horse,” Coats said. “You don’t have to ask for much and she gives you a lot.” Coats was awarded several prizes for being high point, including a beautiful buckle, ribbon, bucket and vet wrap. Practice paid off for horse and rider, after spending time working on their spins and stops all week.
“I thank my mom and trainer, Vincinzo Santos,” Coats said.
Short Stirrup High Point – Layla Flaherty & Totally Juiced
After winning the first slate of the 10 & Under Short Stirrup, Layla Flaherty sealed the Montana Silversmiths High Point buckle with a reserve championship Sunday afternoon in Slate Two.
Her partner was twelve-year-old gelding Totally Juiced (Smart Like Juice x Select A Fourty Five).
“Today went really good,” Flaherty said. “He went fast in his stops, and it was fun. Today I kind of just got on, practiced a little and then went to show.”
Flaherty said her goal for the day was to be slow in the corners before her rundowns. While she didn’t feel like she was successful today, it’s still a goal for Flaherty.
“We practice a lot and he’s always ready in the morning when I come to the ranch,” Flaherty said.
Flaherty thanked Scott Pederson for leasing Totally Juiced to her, and her dad/trainer Patrick Flaherty for his help.
Short Stirrup (2) – Lily Forzani & Annies Custom Pistol
In Slate 2 of the Short Stirrup class, Sunday afternoon, Lily Forzani scored a 144.5 to win the championship. She rode Annies Custom Pistol, a 10-year-old gelding by NRHA 13 Million Dollar Sire Gunner and out of KR Anniegityergun.
“I like that I can learn a lot, and I get the opportunity to be here,” Forzani said. She enjoys every aspect of the show, even saddling, washing, and grooming Annies Custom Pistol.
“I thank my trainer, Stefano Calcagnini, my mom and dad, and everyone watching.” The Aubrey, Texas, youth will give the gelding a few weeks off before showing at Reining by the Bay in California.
