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SG Frozen Enterprize Recognized as NRHA $2 Million Sire

With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a legacy defined by exceptionalism, SG Frozen Enterprize has consistently showcased immense talent and athleticism, passing down his abilities to the next generation of reining athletes. His progeny’s outstanding performances across various competitions have been a testament to his enduring legacy and have resulted in the stallion achieving recognition as the newest National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) $2 Million Sire.

Marco Franchini was the mastermind behind SG Frozen Enterprize’s pedigree. The 2009 stallion is by Frozen Sailor and out of RS Rose SJ. After achieving success in Europe, “Iceman” was eventually brought to the United States and purchased by Silver Spurs Equine, who still owns the phenomenal sire today.

During his career in the show pen, Iceman amassed nearly $275,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE) with three NRHA Professionals at the reins: NRHA All-Time Leading Rider Andrea Fappani, Thiago Boechat, and Mirko Midili. His top win came with Fappani during the 2015 National Reining Breeder’s Classic, where the duo took the Level (L) 4 Open Championship. He went on to compete in the World Equestrian Games before finally retiring to the breeding shed full-time.

The stallion produced his first foal crop in 2015. Since then, he has sired 200 NRHA money-earning offspring who have consistently displayed the same unparalleled skill, finesse, and competitive spirit that define their illustrious sire. Two of those offspring played key roles in helping Iceman cross the $2 million mark at the 2023 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships: Froze (out of Electric Cha Ching) and Savage Love (out of Miss Whizzletown). Together, the two equine athletes added nearly $130,000 to their sire’s earnings when Allison Thorson and Thorsport Inc.’s Froze were crowned CINCH L3 Non Pro Futurity Champions and CINCH L4 Non Pro Futurity Reserve Champions, and Marco Ricotta and Savage Love (owned by Marco and Jenny Ricotta) earned 3rd place in the L3 Open Futurity and 9th place L4 Open Futurity.

SG Frozen Enterprize’s top-earning offspring include:

  • Icecube (out of Taris Designer Genes) owned by Teton Ridge Ranch, bred by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, earning $176,759
  • Ice Face (out of Dun Painting My Face), owned by Haras Bellini Inc., bred by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC, earning $143,732
  • Whizsicle (out of Miss Whizzletown), owned by Diane Yoder, bred by Jenny Ricotta, earning $118,229
  • Savage Love (out of Miss Whizzletown), owned and bred by Marco & Jenny Ricotta, earning $84,510
  • PS Whiz On Ice (PS A Whizzen Chic), owned by Cadence Eger, bred by Patsy Shutz, earning $75,445

NRHA extends heartfelt congratulations to SG Frozen Enterprize, his owners, breeders, trainers, and all those who have contributed to this remarkable journey.

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2024 NRHA Sire & Dam Stallion Auction

What could be better than access to the top stallions in the industry starting at just 60% of their advertised breeding fees? Automatic eligibility to enter the NRHA Futurity and NRHA Derby (no nomination required), reduced entry fees, and later entry deadlines!

There is no better opportunity for a Futurity-bound foal than Sire & Dam. With a lineup of over 100 premier stallions, Sire & Dam is the only stallion program offering NRHA major event benefits. 

Since 1966, the Sire & Dam program has delivered substantial value to its participants while contributing to the support of NRHA. It’s the perfect addition to any breeding program. Mare owners can purchase breedings they may not otherwise have access to, often at reduced rates.

Offspring produced from the program have added value even before hitting the ground. Some of those benefits include:

  • No nomination to the NRHA Futurity and Derby required; resulting foals are automatically eligible
  • Reduced entry fees (up to 50%) to the NRHA Futurity and Derby
  • Later entry deadlines for the NRHA Futurity
  • Sire & Dam offspring eligibility remains with the horse even if it is sold

Stallion owners who contribute a breeding to the Sire & Dam auction receive promotion through program advertising and inclusion in the NRHA stallion directory. They also become eligible for NRHA Futurity and Derby sire incentives including cash awards.

There’s still time to enroll a stallion in the Sire & Dam program for 2024, whether through the auction or as a buyback, and anyone interested in participating can contact NRHA Sire & Dam program director Haley Carmen at hcarmen@nrha.com or visit the Sire & Dam page for more information.

To view and bid on participating stallions, visit the Sire & Dam auction at reiningauction.com.

Mare owners are encouraged to contact the participating stallion owners or agents to ask about additional fees before purchasing. Winning bidders will be notified by email after the auction closes on January 8. After the conclusion of the auction, stallions will be available through the breeding season at 60% of their advertised fee (minimum of $500).

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2023 NRHA World Champions Are Announced

After a rigorous season of competition spanning the globe, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) concluded 2023 by honoring the horses, riders, and owners who earned one of 16 NRHA World Championships.

“These riders demonstrated unwavering commitment to their equine athletes, the sport, and its rich traditions,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith.

A ceremony to honor the 2023 NRHA Top Ten will be held at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel June 11–26 in Oklahoma City. This event will also acknowledge the Top 20 Professionals, Top 20 Non Pros, and Top 20 Owners along with the Top 10 in the following divisions: Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Rookie Professional, Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Limited Non Pro, Prime Time Non Pro, Novice Horse Open Level 1–3, Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1–3, Youth 13 & Under, and Youth 14–18. Members from around the globe are invited to join us in the celebration.

Congratulations to the following 2023 NRHA World Champions:

Open
Horse: CSG Piggiemove
Rider: Lukasz Czechowicz
Owner: Katarzyna Roleska
Location: Zglobice, Poland

Intermediate Open

Horse: Katies Whizzn Gun
Rider: Valerie Siegel
Owner: Sharon Gelhaus & Valerie A Siegel
Location: Wilsall, Montana

Limited Open
Horse: Hope N A Prayer
Rider: Liam Sykes
Owner: Teddy & Summer Gerrald
Location: Horatio, Arkansas

Rookie Professional
Horse: Big Niccy
Rider: Palmer Barnett
Owner: Celeste Elizabeth Golland
Location: Baroda, Michigan

Non Pro
Rider: Nikolai Stiller
Horse: Hollywood Gunrunner
Location: Bergheim, Germany

Intermediate Non Pro

Rider: Ashley Weaver
Horse: Platinum Per Se
Location: Morgan, Utah

Limited Non Pro
Rider: Jeremy Zangl
Horse: Moonstone Princess
Location: Pilot Point, Texas

Prime Time Non Pro
Rider: Lucinda Human
Horse: Made By Magnum
Location: Advance, North Carolina

Novice Horse Open Level 1, 2 & 3
Horse: Keep On Th Sunnyside
Rider: Peter DeFreitas
Owner: Carlton & Khris Crowe
Location: Gainsville, Texas

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1
Rider: Mason McDowell
Horse: Xtra Fugged About It
Location: Enterprise, Oregon

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2
Rider: Ashley Weaver
Horse: Platinum Per Se
Location: Morgan, Utah

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3
Rider: Stephanie Porath
Horse: Gunna Be Expensive
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho

Youth 13 & Under
Rider: Lily Forzani
Horse: Annies Custom Pistol
Location: Crossroads, Texas

Youth 14-18
Rider: Reed Selner
Horse: JL Pistol Pete
Location: Plymouth, Indiana

The full list of the 2023 NRHA Top 10 Standings are listed here.

This achievement is a testament to the dedication of these riders, the exceptional training of their equine partners, and the unwavering support of their teams. We look forward to celebrating with each of you in June.

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The 2024 American Performance Horseman Athletes Announced

Five of the National Reining Horse Association’s most accomplished professionals will compete for $1 million in prize money at The American Performance Horseman (TAPH) presented by Teton Ridge.

The top five riders who qualified to represent the reining community are NRHA $8 Million Rider Andrea Fappani, NRHA $2 Million Rider Brian Bell, NRHA $4 Million Rider Casey Deary, NRHA $2 Million Rider Cade McCutcheon, and NRHA $3 Million Rider Jason Vanlandingham.

These NRHA Professionals will join the top five riders from the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) and National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) to compete for a $1 million payout in a first-of-its-kind competitive exhibition format.

“This is an event that’s showcased in the same venue as Major League Baseball’s World Series. Let that soak in,” said Billy Smith, NRHA Commissioner. “It’s a rare and splendid opportunity to tell our story to a worldwide audience.”

The American Performance Horseman debuted in 2023 and was the largest event of its kind. In 2024, TAPH will again join The American Western Weekend on Friday, March 8th, 2024, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

For more information and to purchase tables or tickets, please visit americanrodeo.com.

Notes related to other year-end standings and rankings lists:

  • The reiners selected will be the top five NRHA Professionals determined by total 2023 earnings in NRHA Categories 1-10 and does not include nominator incentives. TAPH will utilize a modified version of an NRHA pattern. Earnings for the event will be recorded in NRHA as Category 11 money.
  • NRHA Top 20 Professionals, Non Pros, and Owners lists for 2023 will be published on nrha.com/results. (These include Category 11 earnings.)
  • NRHA World Title Top 10 Standings for 2023 are published on nrha.com/results
  • At present, the ReinerSuite team is testing the 2024 Eligibility Tool so it can be released by the second week of January
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Wimpys Little Step Jumps to $13 Million

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce a historic milestone in the world of reining, as the legendary stallion Wimpys Little Step becomes the second stallion to reach $13 million in offspring earnings. This remarkable achievement underscores Wimpys Little Step’s enduring legacy as a preeminent sire in the reining industry and further solidifies his impact on the sport.

Wimpys Little Step is by NRHA Hall of Famer Nu Chex To Cash and bred by Hall of Famer Hilldale Farm. He was destined to follow in the footsteps of greatness from the very beginning. The stallion, out of Leolita Step, is now owned by Silver Spurs Equine.

Wimpys Little Step only entered the show pen six times, yet the stallion earned $185,757 with NRHA $7 Million Rider Shawn Flarida at the reins. The pair won the All-American Quarter Horse Congress Level 4 (L4) Open Futurity and the 2002 NRHA Futurity L4 Open Championship.

The stallion’s offspring show great talent in the show pen with NRHA professionals and non pros alike and stay consistent as they age. At the 2023 Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships, Courtney Battison and Xtra Little Balou (out of Lil Chic Balou) took home Reserve Championships in both the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro bringing the 10-year-old stallion’s earnings to $58,037. The pair has earned $56,333 together in non pro classes.

As the second all-time leading sire for NRHA, Wimpys Little Step’s legacy will undoubtedly endure, shaping the future of the sport and contributing to the ongoing success of reining horses and their riders.

Wimpys Little Step’s top-earning offspring include:

  • Wimpys Little Chic, out of Collena Chic Olena, owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, bred by Double Run Farm, NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) $516,556 RC Fancy Step, out of Sonita Wilson, owned by Molly Morgenstern, bred by Bernie Paetzel, NRHA LTE $364,455
  • Wimpys Little Buddy, out of All Thats Dun, owned by Madalyn Roberts, bred by Jenny Bertolini, NRHA LTE $285,358
  • Wimpyneedsacocktail, out of Seven S Mimosa, owned by Silver Spurs Equine, bred by Sherry Thompson, NRHA LTE $280,379
  • Xtra Dun Step, out of All Thats Dun, owned by Jennifer Groehn and Jerry Douglas, bred by Xtra Quarter Horses LLC, NRHA LTE $195,565