Category: Shows

The 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel is the second richest event in reining, with more than $1.3 million paid out in 2021. Once again, the Level 4 Open Champion will win $75,000, the Level 4 Non Pro titlist will pocket $30,000, and there are guaranteed payouts for the rest of the regular divisions in the Non Pro and Open. Special division sponsors, including Story Book Stables, Colston Paving, Tamarack Ranch, and Clark’s Pump-N-Shop account for an additional $110,000 in added money.

With so much cash on the line, it’s obvious that earning a check during the 12 days of competition is quite an accomplishment, and in some instances can push an owner, rider, sire, or dam past a career milestone.

Surpassing one million dollars in earnings in any of those categories is cause for celebration, and on the eve of the preliminary rounds for the Derby, several are in striking distance of their next—or first—million.

Although there are a few shows still outstanding, current earnings were pulled Thursday morning. The following lists show those closest to the next million.  

Potential Million Dollar Riders

• Justin Mathison – $975,285
• Martin Larcombe – $957,263
• Arno Honstetter – $928,666

Multi-Million Dollar Riders

• Shawn Flarida – $6,900,544
• Casey Deary – $2,981,233
• Tom McCutcheon – $1,971,303

Potential Million Dollar Sires

• Smart And Shiney – $999,811
• Electric Code – $949,950
• SG Frozen Enterprize – $898,106
• Colonels Shining Gun – $852,341

Multi-Million Dollar Sires

• Walla Walla Whiz – $3,982,323
• Jacs Electric Spark – $3,743,878
• A Sparkling Vintage – $2,881,132
• Whizkey N Diamonds – $1,996,939
• Lil Joe Cash – $1,845,373

Potential Million Dollar Dams

• Wind Her Up Shiner – $969,614
• Wind Her Up Chic – $842,736

Multi-Million Dollar Owners

• Mandy McCutcheon – $1,917,449
• Tom McCutcheon – $1,753,748

*Please not that these lists are unofficial. To check earnings, login at ReinerSuite.NRHA.com

6.25.22: Action Wraps Up at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.25.22: Deary and Americasnexttopgun Win Level 4 Open Championship at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.25.22: Weekend Ancillary Action Continues at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.24.22: Jack Medows & Tribbiani Win Level 4 Non Pro Championship at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.24.22: Friday Ancillary Champions from 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.24.22: Wigen, Rapp, and Peplowski Take Nov. Horse Non Pro Titles at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.23.22: Hava Vital & Gunna Chic This Win Invitational Freestyle presented by OKCVB

6.22.22: Leclair and Larcombe Win Novice Horse Titles at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.22.22: Flarida & Brant End Open Prelims with Championships at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.22.22: Open Finalists Decided for 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.21.22: Triple W – Wigen, Williams, and Warren Win Novice Horse Non Pro Classes at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.21.22: Deary and Americasnexttopgun Maintain Preliminary Lead at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.21.22: Reigning Open Derby Champion Jerseys Baby Driver to Make Special Appearance at “Hercules” Reception

6.20.22: Ancillary Action Continues at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.20.22: Americasnexttopgun & Casey Deary Lead Open Preliminaries at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.19.22: Medows and Trautman Win Early Titles at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.19.22: Rookie and Green Reiners Win Ancillary Classes at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.19.22: Schumacher and Medows Top Non Pro Prelims at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.18.22: Medows & Tribbiani Lead Non Pro Preliminaries at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.18.22: Ancillary Action Continues at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.17.22: First Ancillary Winners Crowned at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.17.22: Flarida & Hollywooddirtysecret Lead Non Pro Preliminaries at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.16.22: Million Dollar Watch at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.13.22: Competition Begins Wednesday at 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

6.7.22: TRFAM Qualifiers to be Held at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.6.22: $20,000 Freestyle Reining to be Featured at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

5.13.22: Reiners Rope Returns to Benefit the Reining Horse Foundation During the 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

5.9.22: 2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel adds to its Lineup of Youth Activities

5.4.22: Toyon Ranch Rookie Free for All to Debut at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

The State Fair Park in Oklahoma City is bustling with activity in preparation for the reining industry’s second-largest event. This year’s 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel is predicted to break entry records, and the payout should once again exceed $1.3 million.

Move-in for the Derby begins at noon on Tuesday, June 14, but NRHA Show Staff members are already on-site to begin setup for this year’s event. “The Oklahoma State Fair Park staff have been working diligently to ensure the grounds are ready to receive horses on Tuesday,” noted Cheryl Cody, NRHA Events Manager. “This year OSF officials allowed reining exhibitors from the Redbud Spectacular to leave their stall set up in place if they would be in the same location for our event. This is the first time our exhibitors have had this opportunity, and we appreciate OSF for making this happen.”

Ancillary competition begins Wednesday in the Adequan® Arena, then the first section of the Non Pro Derby preliminaries kicks off Friday in the Jim Norick Coliseum, while the first section of the Open starts June 20. Although final entry numbers for the ancillary classes won’t be known until competition ends on Sunday, entries for the aged event alone already exceed the record set in 2021.

The Non Pro Finals will be held Friday, June 24, and the Open championships will be decided during the Finals on Saturday, June 25. Continuing the tradition that started in 2021 with the naming sponsorship from the historic 6666, the champions for all levels of the Open and Non Pro derbies are guaranteed big checks. This year’s Level 4 Open Champion will win $75,000, while the Level 4 Non Pro Champion is guaranteed $30,000.

Other sponsors have sweetened the pot for exhibitors, with special divisions including the Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes, the Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro 4-Year-Old Stakes, the Story Book Stables Amateur, and the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Open and Non Pro Novice Horse Derbies.

Beginning with this year’s Derby, entry fees for all ancillary rookie classes have been paid by NRHA Global Event Partner Toyon Ranch. That means that rookie competitors in both slates of classes do not have to pay entry or judges fees. Another exciting addition is The Run For A Million Non Pro and Rookie qualifiers, which will be held in both slates of ancillary classes. The top five in each slate will earn a spot in their respective classes at this year’s The Run For A Million in Las Vegas.

Special events at the NRHA Derby are highlighted by the $20,000 NRHA Invitational Freestyle Reining presented by the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau which will be held on Thursday, June 23, at 6 p.m. At 4 p.m. that same day, reining fans will get the exciting opportunity to meet and mingle with 2021 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open Champion Jerseys Baby Driver during the Hercules Kids’ Reception. The reception, which will include photos with the champion, hors d’oeuvres, and more, will be held in the Super Barn warmup arena.

Other special events include the Platinum Performance Welcome Party featuring Reiners Rope benefiting the Reining Horse Foundation, the Platinum Performance Non Pro and Open Draws, the Rider’s meeting, the NRHA Buckle Ceremony, the Markel Ice Cream Social, the NRHyA Dance and the CINCH Youth Gathering, and Cowboy Church. A complete schedule can be found at NRHADerby.com/schedule

There are several ways to follow along with the excitement of this year’s Derby. The live webcast, as well as live scoring, can be accessed on the website at NRHADerby.com. Receive text alerts regarding schedule updates or events here. NRHA Official social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram will be regularly updated not only with up-to-date news but also with additional photos and fun facts.

The 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel, held June 15-26 in Oklahoma City, will host Non Pro and Rookie qualifying events for one of the most exciting events in reining. The Run For A Million, held at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nev., is slated for August 17-20. In addition to the million-dollar competition, there is a $100K Open Shoot Out, a $50K Invitational Freestyle, a $50K Non Pro Championship, as well as a Rookie Championship. The event, created by award-winning screenwriter/producer and NRHA member Taylor Sheridan, debuted in 2019.

Qualifiers are being offered across the United States and Canada and the NRHA Derby is slated to be one of them. “We at NRHA are truly excited to partner with Taylor Sheridan on this impactful event. This is part of a growth trend we are seeing in the sport, and it will continue to send ripples throughout our industry for years,” noted NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter.

The Rookie and Non Pro Qualifiers will run concurrently with the corresponding Ancillary classes (Non Pro and Rookie Level 2). Those wishing to qualify to compete at The Run For A Million must enter the concurrent class, fill out the TRFAM Qualifier form found on the NRHA Derby website, and pay the $200 fee per slate that they wish to enter.

The top five placings, plus ties, in each slate will be able to compete in Las Vegas at TRFAM. Qualification is based on the rider, not the horse, and each rider can only qualify once. Riders do not have to compete at TRFAM on the horse that was used to qualify but must own or lease the horse based on NRHA rules.

For more information about The Run For A Million, go to trfam.com. To learn about the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel and access the TRFAM Qualifier form, visit NRHADerby.com.

A highlight for the 2022 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel will be the $20,000 Invitational Freestyle. Sponsored by the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, the popular event will take place on Thursday, June 23, at 6 p.m.

NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter said, “The OKC CVB has been very loyal to NRHA. We are proud that our events have a substantial economic impact and grateful that Oklahoma City continues to invest in the NRHA Futurity and Derby.”

Freestyle reining has been popular at the NRHA Futurity in the past but was moved to the Derby in 2022 to give it a more prominent position. Often compared to figure skating routines, Freestyle Reining pairs the athleticism and finesse of reining moves choreographed to music, often with clever costuming and props.

NRHA Professional and Executive Committee member Shane Brown said, “By being held during the Derby, the Freestyle is returning to its roots. The freestyle event was created and began at the NRHA Derby in St. Paul, Minnesota. We are happy to have it as a crowd favorite in Oklahoma City to showcase our sport.”

Brown noted that the invitation-only lineup will feature some of the top freestyle performers from around the country. He said, “It should really be a showcase of entertaining performances.”

Confirmed Freestyle contestants include Shane Brown, Randy Dooley, Abby Bud, Tanya Jenkins, Jessicah Keller, Madison Rafacz, and Troy Heikes.

While the Freestyle Reining starts at 6 p.m., the excitement of Thursday night kicks off even earlier, beginning with the Hercules Reception at 4 p.m. in the Super Barn Warmup Arena. There, 2021 Derby Champion Jerseys Baby Driver, known as Hercules, will be available to meet fans and take pictures.

“We are excited that Janice Laney has chosen to bring her great stallion Hercules to the Derby for this reception. He is known for his great demeanor and love of kids, so this is a great opportunity for kids – both in reining and from the local area – to learn about horses and meet a great one,” noted NRHA Events Manager Cheryl Cody. “While this particular reception is geared towards the younger crowd, there will be plenty for adults to enjoy as well.”

Prior to the start of the Freestyle, the Derby Level 4 Non Pro Finalists will be introduced in the Coliseum Arena.

To keep up with the latest news and updates from the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel, visit NRHADerby.com, or follow NRHA on Facebook at Facebook.com/nrhareining