The Non Pro preliminaries of the National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel Insurance wrapped up Tuesday, June 18. The field of 208 was narrowed down to the top riders who would advance to the clean slate finals on Friday in the Jim Norick Coliseum at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.
With final entry numbers, the NRHA announced that the 2019 payout for the Non Pro Derby would be slightly larger than in 2018. In fact, the 2019 Non Pro payout will be the third largest in NRHA Derby history.
Finishing with the Non Pro Level 4 preliminary round win was Mandy McCutcheon and Party Nite with a 222.5. Party Nite is by Gunners Special Nite out of Topsail Survivor (by Topsail Whiz), and was bred and raised by Sarah Willeman of Turnabout Farm, Inc. The win came with a check for $1,280.
Sam Flarida and Hollywooddirtysecret marked an incredible 222 to finish second in the Non Pro Level 4 preliminaries, and top Levels 3, 2, and Non Pro Youth. Hollywooddirtysecret, owned by Shawn Flarida, is by Hollywoodstinseltown out of Maximum RPM. All totaled, preliminary earnings exceeded $2,500.
Jennifer Neudorf and Shining In Town, by Hollywoodstinseltown out of Shine Ann, finished atop the Non Pro Level 1 leaderboard with a 219. Neudorf and Shining In Town also qualified for the finals of the Non Pro Levels 4 – 2 and Youth.
Morris Kulmer and NVR What A Lucky Joe, by Lil Joe Cash out of What A Lucky Hit, topped both the Non Pro Prime Time and Non Pro Masters with a 219, also making the finals in the Non Pro Levels 4 – 2.
Winning the Bob’s Custom Saddles Novice Non Pro Derby Championship was Lindsey McCutcheon on Spooky Vortex with a 217. Spooky Vortex, by Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Smart Sugar Pop, is owned by Lindsey’s parents Kathleen and Scott McCutcheon.
Look for the detailed recap of McCutcheon and Spooky Vortex’s win in Wednesday’s event coverage.
The top 30 in the Non Pro Levels 4 – 1 will compete in the clean-slate finals on Friday, June 21, as well as the top 20 in the Prime Time and Youth divisions.
Unofficially, it took a 215.5 to make it back in the Non Pro Level 4 and 214.5 in the Non Pro Level 3. In the Non Pro Level 2, the magic number was a 213.5, and in the Non Pro Level 1, contestants needed a 210 or higher. Non Pro Prime Time competitors with a score of 213 (adjusted), Masters riders with a 203.5 (adjusted), and Youth riders with a 208, also earned finals’ berths.
Draw positions for the finals will be determined on Wednesday, June 19, at the Platinum Performance Non Pro Draw Party. The Draw Party will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Platinum Zone of the Coliseum Arena.
The NRHA Derby presented by Markel Insurance continues Wednesday with the first set of Open Preliminaries in the Jim Norick Coliseum arena. Please visit www.NRHADerby.com for a complete schedule of events, as well as complete results from the show.