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Our Condolences – Kelle Smith

While in Oklahoma City for the NRHA Futurity, one of the Association’s most accomplished riders, Kelle Smith, passed away.

Kelle was fierce in everything she did, and that tenacity helped her win countless titles, including two NRHA Futurity Non Pro Championships. On Sunday, she competed on her horse, See Ya Seven, and advanced to yet another NRHA Futurity Finals.

“On behalf of NRHA Board of Directors and Staff, I extend our most sincere condolences to Kelle’s husband Sam, her loved ones, the members of their team, and her friends throughout the reining industry. This is a loss that has hit so many of us hard,” shared NRHA President Rick Clark, who’s known Sam and Kelle for nearly 30 years. “Kelle was a tremendous competitor, and I always thought a lot of her.”

He added, “We plan to recognize Kelle this weekend during one of the Finals, and we will share details once they are finalized.” Arrangements for a memorial service will be made in the coming days, and a memorial will be planned for mid-December so that her family and friends can attend.

Sam Smith designated the Reining Horse Foundation for gifts in Kelle’s memory. Donations can be made at reiningfoundation.com/kellesmith

We’ll share memorial information when we have details.

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Gentile, Asmussen, and Rafacz Claim NRHA Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Championships

With Monday’s classes in the books, the 2022 National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship has passed the halfway point. The Adequan® NAAC titles have grown over the years to be one of the most prestigious awards a reiner can win, with competitors traveling hundreds of miles to compete at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 Champion, NAAC Non Pro Level 2 Co-Champion – Stephanie Gentile and Joes Lil Wrangler

After taking a few months to get acquainted, Stephanie Gentile and Joes Lil Wrangler have hit their stride together. The pair garnered their second, third, fourth, and fifth title of the week in the Adequan® Arena – this time, an NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 Championship, an NAAC Non Pro Level 2 Co-Championship, and they finished in the same placings for the ancillary divisions of those classes. The duo also split a reserve title in the ancillary Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3.

“I’ve only been riding this horse since about August, and it’s taken us a while to click, but we’re finally getting there – and it’s perfect timing,” Gentile said.

The pair scored a 218 to garner the titles, earning a total of $4,552. The win comes on the heels of their NAAC Limited Non Pro Championship on Friday.

“He felt really good today. He was with me the whole time, and he’s a very consistent horse. I just trusted him and went with it. We had a couple of tiny little spots that could have been a little better, but he was super solid, and I was very happy with him,” Gentile said.

According to Gentile, Joes Lil Wrangler’s (Lil Joe Cash x A Chic In Wranglers) best maneuver is his spins. But she said the gelding’s stops are hitting a new gear.

“I thank my husband Jesse Gentile, he’s always there to help me, and I thank Lori Baker, who owns [Joes Lil Wrangler], as well as all my family and friends,” Gentile said.

NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 Co-Champion, Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 Co-Championship and Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3 Champion – Rebecca Asmussen, TR Hot Dream, and The Crowd Goes Wildd

Family favorite TR Hot Dream brought home the bacon with Rebecca Asmussen in the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2, nabbing a Co-Championship with a score of 218. In the ancillary divisions, the pair tied for the win of the L2 and the reserve of the L3.

“We got him as a 3-year-old from Tamarack Ranch, and he’s a super sweet gelding. My husband has shown him and done really well on him,” Asmussen said. “My kids ride him. He’s a great little horse and a lot of fun.”

Adding to the bounty was mare The Crowd Goes Wildd (Not Ruf At All x Check Yer Gun Lady), who won the ancillary Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3 Championship with a 218.5.

Asmussen earned $2,663 for the day on TR Hot Dream and an additional $784 for the win on The Crowd Goes Wildd.

“The Crowd Goes Wildd is 15.2 [hands] and 1400 pounds. She’s a big, strong mare who is a lot of fun to run and stop. She’s super aggressive everywhere and just a nice mare to go show,” Asmussen said.

Asmussen thanked her family, husband, children Layne and Owen, Kelsey and Kole Price, as well as their vet and farrier. “Everybody who keeps our horses rolling,” Asmussen said.

NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 Co-Champion – Madison Rafacz and Got Twisted In Vegas

Got Twisted In Vegas is often referred to as the little mare that could. Started and trained by Madison Rafacz and her father, Mark, it was initially uncertain if the mare would grow large enough to be a show horse.

Now, the 5-year-old mare has proven herself capable in the reining pen, gathering affiliate and derby titles from across the country. The pair added another two co-championships to their list on Monday, November 28, in the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2, as well as the ancillary division of that class, with a score of 218. The pair also tied for reserve in the ancillary Novice Horse Non Pro L3, winning $2,663. The win comes after a stressful ride the night before the class, which left Rafacz a “wreck.” Luckily, Got Twisted In Vegas (High Roller Whiz x Wimpys Dun Twistin) came through.

“Today, I went in, and she was there like she always is,” Rafacz said. “I thank my mom and dad, of course. They’re my biggest supporters and allow me to do this. All the people in my barn are super great supporters. They’re like family.” 

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Jack Medows Tops CINCH Non Pro Futurity First Round on Fire N Rein

Over the past several days of competition, the top 3-year-old reining horses and riders from across the country have vied for a spot in the finals of the National Reining Horse Association Futurity. With the conclusion of Monday’s preliminary round, most of the field is set for the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finals, which will be held on Friday, December 2.

Topping the Level 4 of the CINCH Non Pro Futurity first round with a 221.5 is Jack Medows and Fire N Rein. The 3-year-old mare is sired by 2022 NRHA Hall of Fame inductee and NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Chicsdreamofdiamonds. Earlier this year, Medows and Fire N Rein, who is owned and was nominated by Amy Medows, won the L4 Non Pro Futurity Reserve Championship at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.

Medows and Fire N Rein also won the American Paint Horse Association’s Chrome Cash incentive, which was paid out in the preliminary round.

William Clutter and Smokinintheboyzroom (Magnum Chic Dream x Green Smokin Jacket) marked a 221, the second-high score of the round. It also topped Levels 3, 2, and 1. Owned by Jay Clutter, Smokinintheboyzroom was nominated by Alicia Rapp.

Marking the high score of the Non Pro Prime Time was Steven Mitchell and Wimpys Voodoo Dr with a 220.5 (includes handicap). The pair also qualified for the CINCH Non Pro Finals in Levels 2, 3, and 4. Wimpys Voodoo Dr, by Two Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of Wimpy Cee Wimpy Do, was nominated by Hannah Layman.

Topping the Youth and tying for sixth in the Level 4 was Samuel Flarida and PS Whiz On Ice with a 218. P Whiz On Ice, by Million Dollar Sire SG Frozen Enterprize and out of PS A Whizzen Chic, is owned by Flarida’s father, Shawn, and was nominated by Patsy Shelton Schutz.

To secure a spot in the CINCH Level 4 Non Pro Futurity, it took a score of 214.5, while a 212 was the magic number for the Level 3. Riders with a 211 or higher earned a place in the Level 2, as did those in the Level 1 with a 207.5 or higher. The bubble for the Prime Time is a 211 (including handicap), while the one for the Youth is 200.

For those not advancing directly to the finals from the first go, hope is still alive. That’s because of the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation Round on Wednesday morning. The next 30 horses (plus ties) in the Level 4, next 12 in the Level 3, and next 10 in Levels 1 and 2, will compete for a spot in the finals. The top five in each of the four Levels will earn a spot in Friday’s finals.

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Medows and Fire N Rein Lead CINCH Non Pro Futurity Preliminaries After Day One

The National Reining Horse Association CINCH Non Pro Futurity kicked off Sunday, November 27, with fierce competition from the more than 100 riders in the first section of the first go. In the end, Jack Medows of Cuba, Missouri, led the group with a score of 221.5.

Riding Fire N Rein, a mare sired by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire and 2022 Hall of Fame inductee Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Chicsdreamofdiamonds, Medows cruised moved through the NRHA Pattern 8. The two are no strangers to success, finishing as Reserve Champions in the All American Quarter Horse Congress L4 Non Pro Futurity. The mare was nominated and is owned by Amy Medows.

Medows and Fire N Rein also lead the American Paint Horse Association’s Chrome Cash incentive, which will be paid out following the preliminary round.

Level 3, 2, and 1—William Clutter and Smokinintheboyzroom (Magnum Chic Dream x Green Smokin Jacket), owned by Jay Clutter, nominated by Alicia Rapp—220

Prime Time—Greg Hall and Not Ruffin Tonight (Not Ruf At All x Miss Whiz Biz), owned by Greg and Mary Anne Hall, nominated by Mary Anne Hall—217

Youth—Emma Vanlandingham and SHR Hollywood Kid (The Kids Gotta Gun x Shinin In Hollywood), owned by Jason Vanlandingham, nominated by Robert Santagata—217

Competition continues Monday with the second section of the Non Pro Futurity preliminaries. The top 25 in Levels 4–1, the top 20 in the Prime Time, and the top 15 from the youth advance directly to the clean-slate finals on Friday, December 2.

Non Pro entries not advancing from the first round have one more shot through the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation, which is held Wednesday in the Adequan® Arena. There, the top five in each level will move on to the CINCH Non Pro Finals.

For complete results, visit NRHAFuturity.com. 

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Our Condolences – Richie Greenberg

On Nov. 19, a pillar in the history of the National Reining Horse Association passed away. Richie Greenberg, 86, passed away peacefully in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Greenberg first became involved with reining in the 1970s, in the early years of the association, and boasted membership number 59. His accomplishments as a non pro were impressive, but his legacy truly lies with a breeding program that is still influencing the sport of reining a half-century later. He was recognized for his impact with induction to the Association’s Hall of Fame in 2000.

As an entrepreneur, Partner in Wexner-Greenberg Associates, and Owner of Mid-North Realty, Inc., he pursued his interests in real estate development, management, and design, Native American Indian History, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera, downhill skiing, and was also a proponent of equine therapy programs for children with special needs.

Greenberg’s love of horses developed in his youth, and he got his first horse at only 12 years old. In 1972, he discovered Hollywood Jac 86, and the pair would make history together.

With “Jac,” Greenberg won his first bronze and his first saddle in 1974 at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, and that year won NRHA’s first Non Pro World Championship. They repeated both feats the following year, and it was the start of a run of six consecutive Non Pro World Championships, with 1976 won on Mr Nifty Bee, 177 Mr Ditto String, 1978 on Miss Doll Pine, and 1979 on Boggies Last.

He also won Non Pro World Championships in 1984 on Miss Yellow Jac and in 1992 on Darlene Dillon. In 1986 he took the Novice Horse Non Pro World Championship in 1986 with Hollywood Bandito.

In total, Richie won nine world championships, one reserve world title, three Non Pro Futurity championships, one reserve world title, three Non Pro Futurity reserve championships, two Non Pro Derby wins, two Superstakes Championships in the Non Pro and Limited Open, and one Superstakes Reserve Championship. At the time of his passing, Greenberg’s lifetime earnings finished just short of $200,000.

An avid businessman, he quickly became involved in the management side of the NRHA, serving on the Executive Board from 1975 to 1977, including a term as President. He was a staunch supporter of opening the NRHA to all breeds and is credited with helping establish the Non Pro divisions.

In the May 2000 Reiner, NRHA Hall of Famer and Three Million Dollar Rider Time McQuay shared, “Richie Greenberg can be credited with making the Non Pro division what it is today. He stayed involved throughout the ups and downs and had a large part in ensuring it was a solid organization.”

While Greenberg and Hollywood Jac 86 made their mark in the show pen, it was the stallion’s prepotency as a sire that ensured his name is still found in the lineage of top horses competing today.

In 1984, Greenberg and Sally Brown created The Jac Pac, centered around Hollywood Jac 86 and his son Mr Boggie Jac. In 1993, Hollywood Jac 86 became the first stallion to sire the earners of more than a million dollars in NRHA money alone, and that same year was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame.

No doubt his most well-known son is Six Million Dollar Sire and fellow Hall of Famer Hollywood Dun It. Hollywood Dun It is also the sire of NRHA Three Million Dollar Hollywoodstinseltown.

While both Greenberg and Jac are gone, the legacy they left in the reining industry will remain in perpetuity.

Memorial donations may be gifted to: “Equestrian Connection,” Equine Assisted Therapy, Not-for-Profit, 501(c)(3). equestrianconnection.org/donate.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Congregation Sukkat Shalom, 1001 Central Avenue, Wilmette, IL. 60091.