The Open preliminary round of the 2021 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel is in the books. The Derby has seen record payouts for Levels 4 through Level 1, Open Prime Time and the Level 4 Open Novice Horse. The Level 4 also saw record entries with 253, surpassing the previous record of 238 set in 2018. Levels 3 through 1 also saw high entries coming close to record numbers. Total entries across all levels and classes reached 2,059 and total payout of $1,238,449.

The large field of competitors were narrowed down to the top 30 in the Open Levels 4, 3, 2, and 1. Those entries advanced to the clean-slate finals, which will be held Saturday, June 26. The Open preliminaries also decided the champions of the Open Prime Time, the GlycoGuard Novice Horse Open Derby, and the inaugural Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes.

Unofficially the bubble for advancing to the finals were:
Level 4 – 218.5
Level 3 – 215.5
Level 2 – 212
Level 1 – 206

Winning each division of the Open preliminaries were:

• Level 4 – Dany Tremblay & Tinker With Dreams (Tinker With Guns x This Chicsdundreamin) – 224
• Level 3 – Justin Mathison & Shes Reddy On Line (Shine On Line x Guns R Reddy) – 222.5
• Level 2 & 1– Franky Vazquz & Whizin Off With Guns (Tinker With Guns x Whizin Off Sparks) – 217
• Open Prime Time – Casey Hinton & Mega Mag (Magnum Chic Dream x Big Gold Chex) – 220.5
• GlycoGuard Novice Horse Open Derby – Craig Schmersal & Xtra Vintagemahogany (A Sparkling Vintage x Custom Mahogany) – 219
• Tamarack Ranch Reiners Open Stakes – Kole Price & Trendsettter (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Timed To Shine) – 222

The draw for the Open finals was held during the Platinum Performance Virtual Open Draw Party. Jenny Redig of Platinum Performance, Frank Costantini of Markel Insurance, and NRHA President Rick Clark were on hand to help with the draw.

Complete results, draws, news and more can be found at NRHADerby.com.

The 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel is in full swing and ancillary classes are heating up in the Adequan Arena at the Oklahoma State Fair Park.  Champions were crowned and high point winners recognized on Thursday.

Three-Way Tie for Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1

Lisa Bricker and Lotta Mobster, Brianna Anthony and Boujee, and William Clutter and Shiney Spooky Whiz shared the win in the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 with scores of 144.

Bricker also took home the Level 1 high point title added to her success at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Lotta Mobster (HF Mobster x Alottachic N Lilwhiz) aka “Kevin” and Bricker have only been partners for about a year but have been proving themselves in Oklahoma City after taking home a win in Sunday’s first slate of the Novice Horse Non Pro.

“He was really good today,” she said. “We went in and started off with our circles, which are really fun to start off on him, just because he really lets you guide him through them and he really locks in on them, so it’s fun to start off with his circles. He’s always really focused going into his spins, and he always stops really hard, so it’s fun to run him down and stop him.”

Anthony and Boujee have been partners for about a year after trying the 4-year-old mare out at the 2020 NRHA Derby. Boujee is by $6 Millon Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Chexanicki.

“It’s taken me a little while to get with her. We kind of had a rocky futurity year last year and we actually just went in this class to try to put something together and it all worked for us,” Anthony said. “It’s nice to be able to go home on a win.”

Also tying for the win was William Clutter and Shiney Spooky Whiz (Smart And Shiney x Spooky Whizabella x Smart Spook) in the Novice Horse Non Pro with a score of 144.

Jesse Asmussen and The Crowd Goes Wildd Win Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 2 & 3; Kyla Thrulow Wins High Point

Jesse Asmussen and The Crowd Goes Wildd (Not Ruf At All x Check Your Gun Lady x Dun It Gotta Gun) topped the Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 2&3 with a score of 146.5. Asmussen and The Crowd Goes Wildd have had a good season so far beginning with last year’s NRHA Futurity and moving into 2021. Asmussen admits the Novice Horse Non Pro win was redemption for them this week.

“She was really good, I had some bobbles in the Derby, so I showed her in the Non Pro and I had another bobble and I was like ‘Man, I have to get my act together,’” he said with a laugh. “So I showed her in the Novice and she was really good. I finally got shown clean with no penalties. It will make the trip going home a little bit better.”

Finishing second in the Level 2 and Level 3 was Kyla Thurlow and Kachina Olena Tag with a score of 146. Thurlow also claimed the Levels 2&3 high point award. Thurlow and the now-8-year-old gelding have been partners since his 4-year-old year and Thurlow says “Facebook” continues to impress.

“He’s a show horse through and through. He’s always there for me. His bad day is another horse’s good day,” Thurlow said. “This is a long pattern for a lazy horse, but he was with me everywhere today. I hit a little bit of bad ground on my second stop, but he was wonderful today. I couldn’t ask any more of him.”

Tristan Bagby Wins Non Pro High Point 

Tristan Bagby and Shina Gun (Colonels Smoking Gun x Shiner Light) earned the ancillary Non Pro High Point award. Bagby said the win was memorable because of her connection and history with the 8-year-old stallion. 

“We raised him, so we’ve had him since he was a baby and he’s so special to our family,” Bagby said. “So, it was cool to get the high point on him.”

Bagby had a consistent showing at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel in order to gain top honors in the high point, but she admits it’s been a long road to consistency with Shina Gun. With that in mind, Bagby didn’t come into Oklahoma City with any expectations but was thrilled with the results and her equine partner. 

“He’s been difficult, it’s taken me a long time to finally figure him out, but now that I have he’s been really good for me,” she said. “We’ve got some things we still need to work on, but he was still pretty consistent in order to win the high point.”

During the first section of the Open preliminary round of the 2021 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel, 151 entries stopped, slid and circled for a chance in the finals. Those runs, combined with the 126 entries in Thursday’s section two, pushed the Open Derby up more than entries from 2020.

Contestants in the prelim round are competing for a spot in the clean-slate finals. The current high scores across the divisions of the Open preliminaries are:

• Level 4 – Andrea Fappani & Starjac Vintage (A Sparkling Vintage x Starjac Miss) – 223
• Level 3 – Justin Mathison & Shes Reddy On Line (Shine On Line x Guns R Reddy) – 222.5
• Levels 2 & 1 – Franky Vazquez & Whizin Off With Guns (Tinker With Guns x Whizin Off Sparks) – 217

New to the Derby this year is a class especially for 4-year-olds, and that, combined with the Four Sixes Ranch guaranteed champion payout, is likely responsible for the increase in entry numbers. Currently leading the Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes and the GlycoGuard Novice Horse Open Derby, which, along with the Prime Time, will be awarded following the second section of the preliminary round on Thursday, are:

• GlycoGuard Novice Horse Open Derby – Craig Schmersal & Xtra Vintagemahogany (A Sparkling Vintage x Custom Mahogany) – 219
• Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes – Casey Deary & Down Right Amazing (Gunner x Shesouttayourleague) – 220.5
• Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes – Franco Bertolani & Blueyedgirl (Gunners Tinseltown x Shining Survivor) – 220.5
• Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes – Craig Schmersal & Xtra Kiss Me Again (Boom Shernic x SS Kiss Me Kate) – 220.5
• Prime Time – Shawn Flarida & Guns And Dynamite (Gunners Special Nite x Chic Olena Starbuck) – 220

The Open preliminaries continue Thursday. The top 30 in the Open Levels 4-1 will advance to the clean-slate finals on Saturday. The draw for the finals will be decided during the Virtual Platinum Performance Open Draw Party on Friday morning.

For complete results and other information, visit NRHADerby.com.

Wednesday, June 23 at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby presented by Markel kicked off in the Adequan arena with the second slate of Non Pro classes and the 8 & Up Non Pro Maturity.

Nearly 100 riders came out to try their best for a title, and in the end, Mike Hancock and Nics Custom Dually took home the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Prime Time Non Pro and 8 & Up Maturity Level 2 Non Pro championships. They were also Reserve in the 8 & Up Maturity Levels 4 and 3.
 
Hancock only decided to bring Nics Custom Dually to the Derby the week before, and Barbara Williams, Hancock’s longtime trainer and friend, legged the gelding up during the days prior. Even with the short amount of prep time, the duo scored a 146 for their wins.
 
For Hancock, an NRHA Past President, it was great to be back in the show pen after a couple years hiatus.
 
“I took off showing for the most part in 2019 and 2020 because of my duties as NRHA President,” Hancock said. “I showed a little bit but then got back into it more seriously this year.”
 
He started by bringing home Nics Custom Dually (Mister Nicadual x Custom Whizper), who he has owned since the horse was 3, back in February. He showed him twice while there, then decided to bring the gelding out to Williams to finish out some shows in Oklahoma. The 8-year-old gelding has lifetime earnings of $51,944, and Hancock said he can always count on him to spin and circle well.
 
“Today, he was awesome,” Hancock said. “Maybe being a pasture pony was a good thing.”
 
Hancock thanked his wife, Bryan, for her support, and Williams for taking care of his horses and being a good friend. He was excited for the chance to show at the NRHA Derby.
 
“I think where we were about 15 months ago when COVID first started, we weren’t even sure we were going to have a Derby,” Hancock said. “We had some brave souls and some stout-hearted people and had a good Derby last year, and then this year is phenomenal. We’ve survived, and I’m proud to be here.”
 
The Non Pro and Prime Time Non Pro Reserve championships went to Kim Niven and Pale Face Gunslinger (Pale Face Dunnit x Lost In Tinseltown), who is owned by Tim Anderson. The pair scored a 145.
 
In the Intermediate Non Pro, Raeanna Thayn and Roseswhiz (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Rose Electric Step), along with Bill Rhoads and Mega Maggie Mae (Magnum Chic Dream x Cinco De Mega), each scored a 143.5 to tie for Reserve.
 
Emily Morris rode Cross Step Wrangler (Starlights Wrangler x Hollywood Two Step) to Reserve in the 8 & Up Maturity Level 2 Non Pro with a score of 144.5.

McKinnon Larcombe & Designed With Shine – 8 & Up Levels 4 & 3 Champions

Some of the best horses often come out for the 8 & Up Non Pro Maturity, and the 2021 Derby was no different. During the Maturity, powerhouse mare Designed With Shine carried McKinnon Larcombe to the Levels 4 and 3 Non Pro championships.
 
Designed With Shine (Smart And Shiney x Taris Designer Genes) has lifetime earnings of more than $102,000. She had only been back under saddle about a month-and-a-half after giving birth to the first baby she’s carried herself.
 
“It’s a good feeling to win here,” Larcombe said. “She had a year-and-a-half off for maternity leave, so it was a special win. I was glad she got to have the time off.”
 
Larcombe didn’t try to run hard during the Maturity. Her main goal is the upcoming Run For A Million in September, so she used the Maturity to see how her mare would respond to pressure before it.
 
“She’s very talented and she has the biggest heart ever,” Larcombe said. “She’s the same, consistent horse every time you show her.
 
“I was second in The Run For A Million on her in 2019,” Larcombe added. “I actually won about $40,000 on her that year in ancillary competition. She’s a very, very special horse.
 
“Daisy” is owned by Larcombe’s aunt, Shauna. Larcombe thanked her for letting her show, along with the rest of her family.
 
“I have been working away from home, and so they have made sure she was legged up,” Larcombe said. “It’s not just me; it’s a crew. Thanks to my support system at the barn.”
 
Mike Hancock and Nics Custom Dually (Mister Nicadual x Custom Whizper) took Reserve in both Levels 4 and 3 with their score of 146. The pair also swept the ancillary Non Pro classes and won Level 2.
 
Bo Van Duys & Voodoo Smokin Annie – 8 & Up Level 1 Co-Champions

When Bo Van Duys rode Voodoo Smokin Annie to a 142 in the 8 & Up Maturity, winning the Level 1 Non Pro Co-Championship, it was extra sentimental. The NRHA Derby is one of Van Duys’ last shows before she leaves for college at Oklahoma State.
 
“We are just really clicking now, and it means a lot to finally get on her level,” Van Duys said. “We went in there nice, calm and cool. We tried to fix some things from yesterday. She went in and did what I asked, and it worked out.”
 
Voodoo Smokin Annie and Van Duys also tied for seventh in Level 2 and 10th in Level 3. The nare, who is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Caleys Smokin Peppy, is 8 years old. Van Duys’s mom, Holly, owns the mare, who was purchased from Sam Smith three years ago.
 
“Thanks to my trainer, Shane Brown, and my parents,” said Van Duys, who is 18.
 
Lisa Klaus & Dun Its Red Berry – 8 & Up Level 1 Co-Champions

Lisa Klaus and Dun Its Red Berry rode from early in the draw, marking a 142 which topped the 8 & Up Maturity Level 1 Non Pro. They had a long wait after that, ultimately tying for the Co-Championship.
 
“I wanted to go a little harder today than I did earlier in the week,” Klaus said of her game plan. “We tried to step it up a little more and lay it out there. I always try to be smooth and slow things down.”
 
Klaus and Dun Its Red Berry, who is by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Hollywood Dun It and out of Great Red Berry, also tied for seventh in Level 2, 10th in Level 3, 13th in Level 4, fifth in the Intermediate Non Pro and 13th in the Non Pro. Klaus was proud of her 12-year-old gelding, who she said carries her through the pattern without complaint.
 
“I have four little kids at home. I used to ride and show a bit more, but it’s a bit harder for me, so I need one like him that can be there and be solid for me,” Klaus said.
 
She thanked trainer Abby Lengel, who she’s been riding with for a little over a year, and Lengel’s team. She also thanked her husband, Chris, who stayed home with the kids, and Melanie and Sebastian Petroll for finding Dun Its Red Berry for her.
 
Molly Cherry & Guaranteed A Magnum – 8 & Up Level 1 Co-Champions
 
As a two-time NRHA Derby Level 4 Open Champion, Guaranteed A Magnum needs no introduction. At this year’s Derby, he did something new, carrying his owner, Molly Cherry, to the 8 & Up Maturity Level 1 Non Pro Co-Championship after scoring a 142.
 
“It’s a blast to show a horse of this caliber, but it’s a lot to learn,” Cherry said. “I have to stay out of his way. I have been trying this year to show this horse more and get him dialed down to Rookie speed. We’re getting a little better each time.”
 
Cherry normally competes in the Rookie, and the Derby was her first time to show in the Non Pro. She tried to be smooth since she sometimes has trouble guiding her horse. Her efforts paid off, as in addition to the championship, she and the gelding tied for seventh in Level 2 and fifth in the Prime Time and Intermediate Non Pro.
 
Guaranteed A Magnum, an 8-year-old gelding by Magnum With A Dream and out of Guaranteed By Amos, is good at everything, Cherry said.
 
“I’m pretty blessed with him,” she added. “Thanks to my trainer, Arnaud Ferret, and his girlfriend, Lauren Love. They take such good care of him. Arnaud has done an awesome job getting him to adapt to my level. And thanks to my friend, Eric Mendrisa, who rides in the barn. He’s been supportive and helpful.”
 
Intermediate Non Pro and Prime Time Non Pro High Point

After the second slate of Non Pro ancillary classes wrapped up on June 23, Paul Queen and Outta Dough were named the Intermediate Non Pro and Prime Time Non Pro High Point winners. Queen said it was a great feat for Outta Dough, a stallion who is 16 years old.
 
“It feels great,” Queen said. “The old man keeps proving himself. He just keeps going. He’s 16 years old now, and he’s more of a family friend.”
 
Outta Dough, who is called “Ben” because “it cost a lot of Benjamin Franklins to get him,” is owned by Queen’s mom, Dorothy. He was originally trained by Mike Berg after Dorothy purchased him as a 2-year-old. To keep him sound at 16, Queen said he doesn’t overshow him. He keeps him at home and just takes him to the bigger shows.
 
“It’s so fun to ride him because it’s just kind of like a team,” Queen said. “He’s an awesome guy. I’m going to show him until he can’t show anymore.”
 
In addition to competing, Ben, who is by NRHA Four Million Sire Gallo Del Cielo and out of Dough Olena, does double-duty in the breeding shed. Some stallions don’t handle juggling the two jobs well, but Ben has kept his friendly demeanor.
 
“He’s your best friend no matter what,” Queen said. “You come in the barn at night, and he’ll nicker at you for a treat. He’s just everybody’s best friend and a ladies’ man. All the girls at the barn just love him. He’s so much fun.”
 
Queen thanked Dorothy, Berg and his trainer, Jared Leclair, who he’s been working with for a year.
 
“They’ve been right there for me and pushing me to do better and better all the time,” Queen said.

With 110 horses vying for the title, the GlycoGuard Novice Horse Non Pro Derby, held Tuesday, June 22 during the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, was a tough division to master, but Addisyn Schmersal led the field during her second time showing Xtra Vintagemahogany. The pair won the championship and $5,112 with their score of 219.
 
“She was really good for me, and I’m pretty excited,” Schmersal said. “My strategy was just to make sure she and I were both ready, and to keep a positive vibe. I do that by thinking positive thoughts — just keep thinking everything will be good no matter what, and just keep showing.”
 
“Bambi,” who is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage and out of Custom Mahogany, excels at her stops, Schmersal said. The mare, who was bred and nominated by Silver Spurs Equine, and Schmersal also placed second in the Colston Paving Stakes, earning an additional $4,399.
 
Schmersal also qualified for the Level 4 and Youth Non Pro finals, to be held Friday. The 15-year-old high school sophomore hopes to show the mare in the upcoming Run For A Million Non Pro.
 
“Thank you to GlycoGuard for sponsoring this class and giving us another division to show in,” Schmersal said. “It was fun to be entered and have the chance to win in something else other than the regular non pro derby divisions. Also, thanks to my parents for allowing me to show her, and all of the team for helping me get ready and taking care of my horses.”
 
The Novice Horse is an important division that is needed in the industry, said Caitlyn Caldwell, Senior Sales Representative for GlycoGuard.
 
“We’re incredibly happy to sponsor this division, and this is our first year as Corporate Partners for NRHA. We wanted to make sure that everybody has the opportunity to learn about the GlycoGuard products,” Caldwell said. “I’ve always had reiners, and I’ve been in the horse industry my whole life. I started this company seven years ago, and I think it’s so important for gut health from the amount of stress and training our horses go through.”
 
The company, whose slogan is “The official partner of the equine champion,” hopes to help all reiners have healthier horses. The GlycoGuard supplement, a specially formulated direct-fed microbial used to support digestion and a healthy gastrointestinal system, supports overall gut health for all equine athletes.
 
After a great show, Lauren Love and Rebelvintage (A Sparkling Vintage x Wimpys Got Action) finished reserve in the GlycoGuard Novice Horse Non Pro, fourth in the Colston Paving Stakes Non Pro and won the Story Book Stables Amateur with their score of 218. They earned $3,111 in the Novice Horse, $2,828 in the Stakes and $7,487 for winning the Amateur, and they qualified for the finals in Levels 4 and 3.