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The 2023 NRHA Sire & Dam Stallion Auction Is Underway

Everyone loves a win-win, and the NRHA Sire & Dam program is one of the best! The 2023 Sire & Dam online auction features 100+ of the top stallions in the industry and is the only stallion program that grants resulting offspring automatic eligibility, reduced entry fees, and later entry deadlines to the NRHA Futurity and Derby.

Since 1966, the Sire & Dam program has provided significant value to participants while helping to support the NRHA. Featuring benefits for stallion and mare owners alike, 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 before they even hit 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 and Derby
  • Sire & Dam offspring eligibility remains with the foal even if it is sold

Stallion owners who donate a breeding to the Sire & Dam auction reap the benefit of enhanced promotion through program advertising and a listing 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, whether through the auction or as a private sale, 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.

“We are so excited to be able to offer these incentives to those who purchase a breeding through the Sire & Dam program,” Carmen said. “The added value and benefits to the resulting foals are unparalleled in the industry.”

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 and agents to ask about additional fees before purchasing. Winning bidders will be notified by email after the auction closes on January 10.

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Colonels Shining Gun Honored as NRHA Million Dollar Sire

In 2010, a flashy young colt burst onto the reining scene. By National Reining Horse Association Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Gunner, and out of Shining Little Peach (by Shining Spark), Colonels Shining Gun was poised to do great things. In early November, the stallion, affectionately known as Jojo, added another line to his resume when he became a Million Dollar Sire. While he’s now known for his prepotency, he proved his prowess in the show pen early on.

The stallion, bred by KC Performance Horses, was shown to a third-place finish at the 2010 Scottsdale Classic Futurity by All Time Leading Rider Andrea Fappani. Fappani and the colt then traveled to Oklahoma City for the NRHA Futurity, where they finished in the Top 10 of the Futurity Finals.

As fate would have it, reining enthusiast Katarzyna Roleska was in the stands during the first round of the Futurity, and Colonels Shining Gun immediately caught her eye.

“I saw him show in the first go of the Futurity with Andrea in the saddle, and I couldn’t stop thinking about him. He stole my heart,” Roleska recalled of watching Jojo show.

The very next year, Jojo was in his new home, Roleska Ranch, located less than an hour’s drive from Krakow, a southern Poland city. While Fappani continued to show Roleska’s horses in the United States, Jojo found success in Europe with a multitude of trainers, including Clint Ramsey, Million Dollar Rider Gennaro Lendi, Alessandro Frassa, and Million Dollar Rider Cira Baeck.

With Baeck at the reins, Jojo accumulated numerous wins, including the NRHA European Open Derby Championship. The pair was also on the Silver-medal winning team for Belgium at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, and Baeck posted her highest score ever – a 231.5 – at the 2013 Reining International de Lyon.

Roleska eventually elected to move the stallion back to the United States, and he now stands at Brent and Paula Loseke’s Colt Company. “In the United States, he has the opportunity to breed more mares, and I know that Paula and Brent love him. What makes me proud is that his offspring in Europe contributed incredibly to him reaching the million-dollar mark,” she said.

Jojo’s first foals arrived in 2013 and began dominating on both continents. A prime example is his leading money earner, NF Shining Whiz, a 2015 mare out of Whowhizthispeppychic. The mare, bred by David Perneel, was shown initially by Baeck and took reserve honors at both the Italian Reining Horse Association Futurity and the European Futurity. In 2019, she was purchased by Tamarack Ranch and shown to numerous wins in the United States by NRHA Professional Gabe Hutchins. The talented mare has now earned more than $97,000.

“My goal is for him to be a healthy and happy horse. His foals will do the rest,” Roleska said.

Colonels Shining Gun’s top money earners are:

  • NF Shining Whiz (Whowhizthispeppychic) $97,937
  • Snips Shining Gun (Snip O Gun) $75,511
  • CSG Copshot (Finest Copyshot) $56,798
  • CSG Kenzo (Shiner Brimolena) $54,749
  • Copyride (Finest Copyshot) $51,225
  • CSG Wisemanfear (Tejana Chic) $49,940
  • Showgirl Shining Gun (Shes A Lil Showgirl) $46,262
  • One Mr JJ (QHR Jamaica Express ) $37,379
  • KL Less Is More (Payin On Time) $37,128
  • CSG Shinethingun (ARC Think Chic) $37,052

For more information about Jojo, visit coltcompany.com/colonels-shining-gun or follow him on social media at facebook.com/ColonelsShiningGun

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2023 NRHyA Buy-A-Pro Auction is Open for Bidding

The National Reining Horse Youth Association kicked off one of the year’s biggest fundraisers, the 2023 Buy-A-Pro Auction. This year the auction runs through 12 p.m. CST on January 18 and offers buyers a chance to purchase a two-lesson package with NRHA Professionals from all over the United States.

Whether you are a reining fan or a current participant looking to polish your skills, everyone can benefit from the all-star lineup, including The Run For A Million Champions, NRHA Million Dollar Riders, stars from The Last Cowboy, NRHA World Champions, NRHA Horsemen and Women of the year, expert non pro coaches, and other proven professionals.

A winning bid grants riders an exceptional opportunity to travel to their chosen professional’s facility and polish their riding skills, their horse’s training or, in some cases, try reining for the first time on a horse provided by the professional. Everyone can gain from acquiring one of these private training packages, from beginners to accomplished riders.

“The buy-a-pro auction was tremendously beneficial to us,” said Logan Whitley. “The initial lessons went very well, and we have continued to make trips to the Dearys’ for more! I used my lessons to receive help in training my first futurity horse, and Casey helped guide us to the finals in all four levels at OKC. I know that without his instruction, we would not have made it so far, and my confidence in my training abilities has increased dramatically!”

Each of the participating NRHA Professionals donates two training sessions per package, with 15% of the proceeds benefiting their designated NRHA affiliate. The remainder of the funds is allotted directly to NRHyA to provide scholarships and other opportunities for young reiners.

“Lori Nelson was awesome! She made sure that she figured out where I was at and how I learned,” said Sandy Holden. “She touched on all the aspects of reining. She had me ride two different horses to feel the difference. Her teaching techniques were great. I would definitely go back to her.” 

Historically, this fundraiser has generated significant funding to support NRHyA. With participating professionals located all over the country, there are options to best suit the needs of each buyer. Before bidding, be sure to check if your selected Professional offers the amenities you need, such as lesson horses, stalls, or RV hookups.

With the interest generated from The Last Cowboy and The Run for a Million, the members and board of NRHyA hope new reining fans from across the country will take advantage of this unique opportunity to take a reiner for a spin while also benefitting a great cause.

To view the NRHA Professionals available and place your bids today, visit 32auctions.com/2023BuyAPro.

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Congratulations to the Top 5 NRHA qualifying athletes performing at The American Performance Horseman, presented by Teton Ridge

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce the top five NRHA Professionals who will compete at the unprecedented The American Performance Horseman (TAPH) presented by Teton Ridge.

The top five riders who qualified to represent the reining community are NRHA Seven Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida, NRHA Seven Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani, NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary, Fernando Salgado and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Matt Mills. 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 event is an unparalleled opportunity to showcase our sport along with other exciting western performance events like fans have never seen before,” said Gary Carpenter, NRHA Commissioner. “We have been here all along with great horses and great riders, this puts it in the front shop window for all to see. What it means to these riders, their careers, and all NRHA riders is something that we could have only dreamed of before.”

The American Performance Horseman will make its debut at The American Western Weekend, Friday, March 10th, 2023, 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 2022 earnings in NRHA Categories 1-10. TAPH will utilize a modified version of an NRHA pattern. Earnings for the event will be recorded in NRHA as Category 11 money.
  • TAPH Reining Qualifiers are being published in advance of the 12/31 official year-end as all events that could affect the top five are published
  • NRHA Top 20 Professionals, Non Pros and Owners lists for 2022 will be published after the official year-end
  • NRHA World Title Top 10 Standings for 2022 will be published after the official year-end
  • At present, the ReinerSuite team is testing the 2023 Eligibility Tool so it can be released by the second week of January