For the second consecutive year, the 6666 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby presented by Markel has broken payout records in the Open Derby. Due to the high number of horses in the NRHA Nomination Program from 2020, the purse payout for the Open Levels 1-4 has again set a record in each level.
The record-breaking news was augmented by an electrifying series of performances from reining professionals during the second section of open competition in the Jim Norick Arena. Excitement continued building throughout the day with continual changes to a competitive leaderboard.
Level 4 Open Derby, Tamarack Ranch Open 4-year-old Stakes and APHA Chrome Cash Leaders – Casey Deary and Custom Dreams
At the end of section two, it was NRHA $4 Million Rider Casey Deary who rose to the top of the Level 4 leaderboard on Custom Dreams with a huge score of 229. The 4-year-old stallion, owned by Custom Dreams Brazil, is by NRHA Hall of Famer Magnum Chic Dream and out of Gunna Be Custom.
It is no surprise Deary and this horse are a perfect fit, as Custom Dreams is a full sibling to Customize My Dream, who won the 2022 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Reserve Championship with Deary at the reins. Both stallions were bred and nominated by NRHA Professional Devin Warren.
Deary and Custom Dreams also lead the Tamarack Ranch Open 4-year-old Stakes and the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Chrome Cash division.
Level 3 Open Derby Leaders – Jordan Larson and Need I Say Mor
Jordan Larson, chair of the NRHA Professionals Committee, took the lead in the Level 3 Open riding Need I Say Mor with an impressive 225.5.
The Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC-owned stallion was bred by Curtis Performance Horse LLC and nominated by Brooke Wharton. Larson took over the reins of the 4-year-old stallion earlier this year.
Level 1 and 2 Open Derby Leaders
Fabio Russo and Gunna Chic Dream led the Level 1 and are in a three-way tie for the lead in the Level 2 with a score of 221.
Gunna Chic Dream is a 5-year-old gelding with nearly $123,000 NRHA LTE. By ARC Gunna Sparkya and out of Magnum Chic Dunit, he was bred and nominated by Rabboni Reining Horses and purchased by Diane Yoder in 2023.
The other two NRHA Professionals atop the Level 2 Open Derby leaderboard are Nicole Renick and Jimmy van der Hoeven.
Renick rode TR Dream About Me, a 7-year-old gelding bred and nominated by Tamarack Ranch. Steven Sandvig purchased the gelding by Magnum Chic Dream and out of Redhot Walla in April of this year.
Van der Hoeven rode Shinetime Spook, a 5-year-old stallion bred by Buck Hazledine, nominated by Cinder Lakes Ranch and owned by Amanda Johnson. Shinetime Spook is by NRHA Hall of Famer Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Timed To Shine.
Prime Time Open Leaders – Franco Bertolani and Sixty Six Secrets
Besting his lead from the first section, Franco Bertolani and Sixty Six Secrets stand atop the leaderboard in the Prime Time Open. The Slide or Die LLC-owned 6-year-old stallion by NRHA $2 Million Sire Inferno Sixy Six and out of Wimpys Lil Secret was bred and nominated by Tammy Brown.
Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby Leader – Arno Honstetter and McNastyy
NRHA Professional Arno Honstetter and McNastyy’s lead held after the second section of the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby with a 223.5. The Sarah Christen-owned stallion by NRHA Hall of Famer Gunnatrashya and out of Miss Mcdreamy. Honstetter is the head trainer at Story Book Stables, the nominator of the 4-year-old stallion.
As the competition intensifies, riders and their horses are pushing the limits, delivering spectacular displays of skill and synergy that have the audience on the edge of their seats. This year’s 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel is proving to be a showcase of exceptional talent, unforgettable moments and record-setting milestones in the sport of reining.
At the conclusion of tomorrow’s section of open competition, the winners of the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby, the Tamarack Ranch 4-year-old Open Stakes and the Prime Time Open Derby will be announced and awarded in the arena.
Join us at the OKC Fairgrounds or through our free livestream at nrhaderby.com to cheer on the final section of the open prelims as the remaining professional horse and rider teams vie for a spot in a record-breaking finals to be held on June 22.