The Non Pro preliminary round of the 2021 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel kicked off on Monday, June 21. This year’s Non Pro entry numbers are record-breaking, with 304 runs spread across two days of competition. The staggering increase, up from 249 in 2020, is likely caused by the increase in added money in the new divisions, as well as the Four Sixes Ranch guaranteed champion payout.
The preliminary round not only determines who will compete in the clean-slate finals on Friday, June 25, it also decides the champions of the Story Book Stables Amateur, the GlycoGuard Non Pro Novice Horse Derby, and the Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes.
The current high scores across the many divisions of the Non Pro preliminaries are:
Level 4, Prime Time & Masters – Michael Garnett & Lil Patron (Lil Joe Cash x Miss Rey O Shine) – 221.5
3, 2 & Prime Time – Shaunda Rai Blinzler & Smoke In Whizkey (Whizkey N Diamonds x Suga Suga) – 218.5
Level 1 – Justin Eddy & Xtra Wimpy Voodoo (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Wimpys New Pal) – 216.5
Level 1 – Allison Thorson & Gunner Be Custom (Gunner x Custom Made Dunit) – 216.5
Youth – Luca Fappani & Wimpy Pale Face (Pale Face Dunnit x Wimpys Lil Doll) – 217.5
Currently leading the Story Book Stables Amateur, the Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes, and the GlycoGuard® Novice Horse Non Pro Derby, which will be awarded following the second section of the preliminary round on Tuesday, are:
Story Book Stables Amateur – Tabitha Sternberg Allen & Holly Trashya (Gunnatrashya x Hickorys Holly Cee) – 217.5
GlycoGuard Novice Horse Non Pro Derby – Charles Wiederholt & No Ask Kate (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Twisted Smoking Gun) – 214.5
Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes – Tish Fappani & Joes Genes (Lil Joe Cash x Electric Genes) – 218.5
Non Pro preliminary competition continues Tuesday. The top 30 in the Non Pro Levels 4-1, the top 20 in the Prime Time Non Pro and Youth Non Pro, as well as the top 15 in the Masters Non Pro, will advance to the clean-slate finals on Friday. The draw for the finals will be decided during the Platinum Performance Non Pro Draw and Welcome Party on Wednesday evening. This welcome party also features Reiners Rope, a fundraiser that benefits the Reining Horse Foundation Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund.
The awards for the Story Book Stables Amateur, the GlycoGuard® Novice Horse Non Pro Derby, and the Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes will be presented immediately at the conclusion of the Non Pro preliminaries on Tuesday evening.
For complete results and other information, visit NRHADerby.com.