Kim Muehlstaetter has had a summer of success competing as a non professional in the show pen. Now, she adds National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Million Dollar Owner to her list of accomplishments.
Muehlstaetter first became an NRHA member in 1991 and competed in youth classes. Since then, she has climbed the ranks of competition and has won two NRHA Derby Championships, including the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Non Pro Co-Championship on Smoky Mountain Rein.
Muehlstaetter said she and husband Martin, an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, found Smoky Mountain Rein as a yearling. Martin trained the Texas Horse Power Ranch LLC-bred horse, who they purchased from Sleipner LLC in 2023 so his wife could take over the reins to prepare for the NRHA Futurity.
“It is special when we get to raise them, and we try to buy a few, too,” she said. “It has been a journey for our family, and now our 13-year-old daughter, Sydney, is also part of it. It has become a passion for our whole family. It is fun that we can all share in it and enjoy doing every part of it.”
She has co-owned many horses that she and her husband have earned top honors on, including the Bobby Lewis-bred and -nominated Spooks Grand Slam (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Shiney Diamond Lady).
“We keep a handful of broodmares—a lot of them have been mares Martin and I show,” she said. “We breed, train them, and take them through the whole program. The really special ones are ones where we also rode their mom. Spooks Grand Slam would show for me and step up and be a 230 [score] for Martin in the open. His babies will be started at the end of the year.”
The first horse that hooked Muehlstatter on reining was Remedys Magic Potion (Remedys Reply x Remedys Magica.
“This was before there was a lot of money added. She got me hooked in reining,” she said. “Her son, Chics Magic Potion, was the highest-earning National Reined Cow Horse Association horse for years and won the NRCHA Futurity with Bob Avila. She was special and would still be special today.”
Muehlstaetter has had consistent success in the show pen and is $56,587 shy of becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider herself, with the goal of achieving that milestone by the end of the year.
Significant performers owned by Kim Muehlstaetter:
- Spooks Grand Slam (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Shiney Diamond Lady), owned by Kim and Martin Muehlstaetter, bred and nominated by Bobby Lewis, $150,458 NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE)
- Smoky Mountain Rein (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Sprats Electricspark), owned by Kim and Martin Muehlstaetter, bred and nominated by Texas Horse Power Ranch LLC, $63,479 NRHA LTE
- Wimpys Little Buddy (Wimpys Little Step x All Thats Dun), currently owned by Madalyn Roberts, bred by Jenny Bertolini, earner of $285,358 NRHA LTE
- TR Baby Blues (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Spooks N Sparks), currently owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, bred and nominated by Tamarack Ranch LLC, $107,461 NRHA LTE
- Smokin Dually (Gunner x Diddy Boppin Dually), bred and currently owned by Allison Oseid, $68,567 NRHA LTE
- Daddy Day Care (Nic It In The Bud x Shiners Pretty Woman), currently owned by Copus Performance Horses Inc., bred and nominated by Carol Rose, $101,081 NRHA LTE