The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity continued Sunday, November 29, with the first section of the CINCH Non Pro Futurity preliminary round. The preliminary round is spread across three days of competition, with all vying for a spot in the clean-slate finals on Friday, December 4.

Currently leading the Level (L) 4 Non Pro preliminaries is Gina-Maria Schumacher and CS Tosmarttoberuff with a 219.5. Owned by XCS Ranch, CS Tosmarttoberuff is by Not Ruf At All and out of Smartest Sister.

Topping the L3 leaderboard is Kelsey Price and Alpha Onespecial Nite with a 218. Alpha Onespecialnite, owned by Kelsey and Kole Price, is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Gunners Special Nite and out of One Last Corona.

Holding on to the high score of Levels 2 and 1 is Hannah Mitchell. Mitchell rode Stars N Stripes, owned by Steven Mitchell, to a score of 217.5. Stars N Stripes is by Star Spangled Whiz and out of Chick N Squirt.

Kathy Thompson and Savethlastdanceforme hold on to the top spot of the Non Pro Prime Time with a 218.5 (includes handicap). Savethlastdanceforme is by In Like Flinn and out of ARC Gunna Mark Ya.

Leading the field of youth competitors is Ariana Kate Dejong and her horse Whizkey Or What. Dejong and Whizkey Or What, by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Whizkey N Diamonds out of Crunchy Or Creamy, marked a 217.

The CINCH Non Pro Futurity preliminaries continue through Tuesday, with the top 25 in Levels 1-4, as well as the top 20 in Prime Time and 10 in Youth, earning a spot in Friday’s finals. Those not making the finals in Levels 1-4 will have one more shot to make the finals during Wednesday’s Non Pro Futurity Consolation. The top 5 from each level will then advance to Friday’s finals.

For complete results, visit NRHAFuturity.com

On Saturday, October 28, the Limited Open and Rookie Pro divisions of the National Reining Horse Association Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC) took place in the Adequan® Arena at State Fair Park. In addition to the aged event taking place in the Jim Norick Coliseum, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity features exhibitors from across North America who qualify to compete here in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

In addition to incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners, the champion of each of the 17 NAAC classes will be presented an Adequan® Championship vest the following day in the Jim Norick Coliseum as a show of support for these successful affiliate riders.

Derek Heitland Wins Adequan® NAAC Limited Open With Spooks Gotta Spark

With an impressive 221.5 score, Iowa’s Derek Heitland topped the Adequan® NAAC Limited Open on Spooks Gotta Spark. The pair also won the concurrently run Limited Open ancillary, bringing the day’s paycheck to an impressive $1,128.

“He turned pretty good in today’s run, and when I circled him, he was with me, but his best thing today was his stops. He stopped three times, and he stopped big,” Heitland shared. “That’s his strength.”

Heitland just began riding the 7-year-old stallion, by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Dolittle Lena. Just last year the horse, nicknamed Yellowstone, carried NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida to a fourth-place finish in the Run for a Million. The colt was a graduate of the 2015 NRHA/Markel Futurity Prospect Sale.

“We just got him a couple months ago and I started showing him, and he’s been a fun horse,” he said. “I thank the owner Kevin Truax and his daughter and family, and my wife and kids. I also thank Mike Davis who has helped me a lot.”

It wasn’t the only time for Heitland and Spooks Gotta Spark to win good money in the Adequan® Arena. Earlier in the week, the pair earned $4,998 for taking Reserve in the NAAC and ancillary Intermediate Open and placing in the NAAC and ancillary Open class.

“I liked the money they had here,” Heitland said with a laugh, referencing the NAAC’s doubled added money from the previous year. “I thought it was a good day. This was my last time to show this week, and it was a great way to end it.”

Heitland added, “Showing reiners has been my dream since I was 12 years old. To be able to come down here with everything going on is a dream come true. I couldn’t be any happier.”

Heitland will take a bevy of first-class awards home to Iowa for the NAAC Limited Open win, including a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feed gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Nikki Tyndall and Stars At Midnite Win NAAC Rookie Pro and Ancillary Rookie Pro

Taking top honors in the Rookie Pro division of the NRHA’s Adequan® NAAC, as well as in the ancillary Rookie Pro class, was Nikki Tyndall riding Stars At Midnite.

Winning the Adequan® NAAC Rookie Pro paid Tyndall $429, while the ancillary Rookie Pro class paid an additional $289. Tyndall also finished Reserve in both the Adequan® NAAC Limited Open and ancillary Limited Open for another $515.

Stars At Midnite is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Gunners Special Nite and out of Chic Olena Starbuck. The 2013 mare is owned by Edward Frawley. “She’s just a superstar mare,” said Tyndall. “I showed her a bit over the summer but we’ve had her in the barn for about three years.”

Tyndall drew on the mare’s strengths today to clinch the win. “Both runs were awesome,” said Tyndall, who won in a runoff against Taylor Davis riding Missin Walla Whiz (Walla Walla Whiz x Missin My Friend) for Donald Burgy. “When I went to get her [for the runoff] she was practically sleeping in the corner. She’s a low energy gal so she was just awesome, she’s a super solid horse. She’s a huge stopper, great turner and she circles nice too.”

Tyndall originally hails from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, but currently lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she works for Dave Moore.

“I’d like to thank her owner Ed Frawley for letting me show his horse,” said Tyndall. “Also, my boss, Dave Moore and his wife Kim Moore, as well as the whole Sheridan Oaks team, and everyone who put this show together. I’m so excited!”

Tyndall earned a plethora of awards for the NAAC Rookie Pro championship, including a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feed gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

An elite field of entries has been whittled down to the top 75 of each division after the first go-round of the 2020 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Open Futurity.

Competition began Thanksgiving Day at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, with the top 3-year-old reining horses in the nation competing not only for the prestige but also for some big paychecks.

This year, the NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Champion will be decided during the clean-slate MS Diamonds TX Level (L) 4 Open Futurity Finals on Saturday, December 5. Then, for the first time in NRHA history, the champion will receive a check for $250,000.

Now, many are one step closer to that goal.

Unofficially, it took a score of 217 to advance to the semi-finals of the Level 4 Open, which will run Wednesday, December 2.

Currently leading the Level 4 Open are Brian Bell and Fernando Salgado, who both marked a 223.5.

Bell, who competed in the first section on Thursday, rode Gunnabebigtime to the high score. Gunnabebigtime, owned by Tami Nelson, is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of Big Time Jazzy.

Salgado rode Vinny Gun, owned by Guillermo De Anda Martinez, during the second section on Friday. Vinny Gun is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage and out of Dolled Up Gunner. The talented colt is a graduate of the 2018 NRHA/Markel Select Yearling Sale.

It took a 213.5 to advance to the semi-finals of the L3, and Kole Price and Trendsettter topped the level with a score of 223, which was good enough for a third-place tie in the L4. Trendsetter, owned by Price and Thomas Moffitt, is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Timed To Shine.

A 210.5 was the score to have or beat in the Level 2, and Arno Honstetter and Sean Johnson, who each marked a 220.5, lead the field going into the semi-finals round.

Honstetter rode Blue Inferno, while Johnson showed River Of Diamonds. Blue Inferno, by Inferno Sixty Six out of Showtimes Lil Step, is owned by Story Book Stables. River Of Diamonds, by HF Mobster out of Starlight N Diamonds, is owned by Denise and Terry Martin.

Level 1 exhibitors with a score of 203 or better earned a semi-finals berth. Dalton Cunningham piloted RFR Voodoos Fuego to a 219.5 to lead the division. RFR Voodoos Fuego, owned by Peter Smith, is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Show N Tag.

Duane Latimer riding CSboomboomwalla, and Casey Hinton on Magnum Custom Dream, both have a score of 221 (including handicap) to top the Prime Time Open division. CSBoomboomwalla, owned by XCS Ranch LLC, is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz out of Cheeky Boom. Magnum Custom Dream, owned by Nancy Murfin-Moxley, is by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Gunna Be Custom.

The semi-finals for Open Levels 1 – 3 will be held Monday and Tuesday, while the Level 4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All and Tamarack Ranch will be held Wednesday, December 2. The top 30 from the composite of the first go and semi-finals in Levels 1 – 4 will earn a spot in Saturday’s clean-slate finals, as will the top 10 in the Prime Time Open.

Complete results can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.

On Friday, October 27, the Limited Non Pro competition of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC) took place in the Adequan® Arena at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In addition to the aged event taking place in the Jim Norick Coliseum, the NRHA Futurity features exhibitors from across North America who qualify to compete here in Oklahoma City.

In addition to incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners, the champion of each of the 17 NAAC classes will be presented an Adequan® Championship vest the following day in the Jim Norick Coliseum as a show of support for these successful affiliate riders.

Jenny Ricotta topped the Adequan® NAAC Limited Non Pro riding her horse Miss Whizzletown to a 216 for earnings of $689. Ricotta also won the ancillary Limited Non Pro class that was run concurrently for another $236.

Miss Whizzletown is by Hollywood Tinseltown and out of the mare Rewind N Whiz. The 7-year-old mare was trained by Ricotta’s husband Marco.

“Marco and I raised her, she actually was orphaned so we raised her on a bucket,” Ricotta said. “Marco did all the training and the majority of the showing. After the NRBC this year, I told him, ‘My turn!’ So, I’ve been riding her since then and showed her at the Best of the West in October and got qualified to come here.”

Ricotta says the stunning bay mare navigated the pattern with solid precision today.

“She was really good everywhere, everything I asked of her she did,” Ricotta said. “I had a little bit of trouble with my second lead change, but it was totally rider error. She was really good, she’s honest and she’s always there for me.”

Ricotta will enjoy another chance at a title when she shows Miss Whizzletown again on Tuesday in the Non Pro.

“Then she’s going to be a mama,” Ricotta added. “She’s already got five foals on the ground but now she’s going to carry.”

Ricotta thanked her husband for his support and willingness to share a horse that he considers his prized equine partner.

“I’d for sure like to thank Marco, he told me, ‘I get so jealous when anyone else rides that mare,’ so she’s his baby,” Ricotta said. “So, it’s really awesome that he let me take over.”

Ricotta will take a host of top-notch awards home to Scottsdale, Arizona, including a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feed gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

The National Reining Horse Association Open Futurity preliminary rounds continued Friday, November 27, with the second section of the first go. More than 110 horses walked through the gate of the Jim Norick Coliseum at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

Currently leading the Level 4 Open are Brian Bell and Fernando Salgado, who both marked a 223.5.

Bell, who competed in the first section on Thursday, rode Gunnabebigtime to the high score. Gunnabebigtime, owned by Tami Nelson, is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of Big Time Jazzy.

Salgado rode Vinny Gun, owned by Guillermo De Anda Martinez, during the second section on Friday. Vinny Gun is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage and out of Dolled Up Gunner.

Frank Costantini’s Cee My Special Nite sits atop the L3 Open leaderboard with a 222. Ridden by Justin Michels, Cee My Special Nite is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Gunners Special Nite and out of Cee Dun It Do It. The pair are also tied for fourth in the L4.

There is currently a two-way tie for the lead of the L3 between Arno Honstetter and Sean Johnson, who each marked a 220.5.

Honstetter rode Blue Inferno, while Johnson showed River Of Diamonds. Blue Inferno, by Inferno Sixty Six out of Showtimes Lil Step, is owned by Story Book Stables. River Of Diamonds, by HF Mobster out of Starlight N Diamonds, is owned by Denise and Terry Martin.

Leading the L1 Open preliminaries is Josh Lyons, who piloted CCR Marilyns Joe to a score of 216. CCR Marilyns Joe is by Lil Joe Cash and out of Magnum Marilynmonroe. Making the high score even more impressive is that Lyons is the owner of CCR Marilyns Joe.

Two veteran competitors are tied for the lead of the Prime Time Open. Duane Latimer riding CSboomboomwalla, and Casey Hinton on Magnum Custom Dream, both have a score of 221 (including handicap) in the division. CSBoomboomwalla, owned by XCS Ranch LLC, is by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz out of Cheeky Boom. Magnum Custom Dream, owned by Nancy Murfin-Moxley, is by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Gunna Be Custom.

The first go of the Open Futurity continues Saturday, November 28. Following Saturday’s competition, the top 75 (plus ties) in Levels 1 – 4 will advance to the semi-final round, hoping to earn a spot in the clean-slate finals on Saturday, December 5.