The late Peter Phinny will be honored by the National Reining Horse Association with the establishment of the Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award. This honor will remain a fitting representation of the legacy of this longtime NRHA member and supporter’s contributions to the association and the sport.

The perpetual award will be presented each year, beginning in 2022 at the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel in June. The Mehl Lawson Bronze which represents the award will remain in the NRHA office in Oklahoma City.

A member of the NRHA since 1966, Phinny was raised in Fremont, Michigan, and lived most of his life in the Glen Arbor area. He will be remembered as a solid citizen, devoted to family, and always kind and generous with friends, associates, and worthy causes.

But to the reining horse world, he was simply part of the universal family drawn together by their love of the industry.

In 1972, Phinny graduated with a degree in literature from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. Writing was one of his regular pursuits, and books he wrote over the years, one with NRHA Hall of Fame member Jack Brainard, combined his passion for writing with his love of reining.

Phinny’s horse breeding and training properties were located in Maple City, Michigan, and Patagonia, Arizona. He met Tom Pierson, who was working for Jack Brainard during the writing of the book, and Pierson ultimately went to work for Phinny.

Pierson said, “I worked for Peter at his Cold Spring Farm for 10 years, and I can say that this award is a real fit for him. He always studied pedigrees and what was working and wasn’t so that would tie into this. He spent time poring over pedigrees looking for nicks and crosses. It was a big part of him and our conversations – what mares to buy – what stallion to breed to.

 “As soon as AQHA let you ship semen, Peter brought all his mares home, and it was so enjoyable for both of us. I’ve always been a broodmare guy, too, and it was like a winter wonderland full of foals. We’d keep them inside in the heated barn then let the mares and babies out in the heated arena every morning until spring when the weather changed, and they’d get to go outside. We both enjoyed that!”

NRHA Professional Matt Lantz was business partners with Phinny. “We were partners for over 30 years and I stood his stallions the majority of the time. Both Mr Melody Jac and Brennas Kid had won the NRHA Futurity. He loved the breeding business,” Lantz recalled.

NRHA Three Million Rider Tim McQuay had ridden Mr Melody Jac to the Futurity title and had some horses for Peter over the years. “He was just a very good guy and a dedicated promoter of our industry,” McQuay recalled.

Lantz added, “He was good to everyone. His kindness was very real – not a façade.”

Phinny’s cousin, Frank Merrill, who partnered with him as breeder partners on Gallo Del Cielo (Rooster), agreed.  “He was the kindest person. He loved the reining futurity and looked forward to it every year,” Merrill said. “He never missed it as long as he was able. He and his wife, Molly, gave a trophy every year to the Futurity champion in the name of Cold Spring Farm.”

That involvement has come full-circle and Peter Phinny’s legacy will live on with the annual sire recognition beginning in 2022 when it will be presented to Gunnatrashya owner Arcese Quarter Horses USA.  

In 2012, the National Reining Horse Association created the Professionals of the Year awards to recognize those members who go above and beyond to advocate for the sport, fellow members, and of course, the horses.

NRHA affiliates may nominate NRHA Professionals for the awards, which include the NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, the NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, the NRHA Youth Coach of the Year, the NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year, and the NRHA Up-and-Coming Trainer of the Year.

“These are really special awards. Not only is it great to be nominated by the affiliate, but it’s unique in that they are voted on by their peers,” noted Nick Valentine, Chairman of the NRHA Professionals Committee. “It’s been great to be able to recognize the people who are committed to NRHA and are dedicating their lives to it.”

According to Valentine, the class of 2022 is truly impressive. “I think each year we have a lot of really deserving nominees, and it’s always a hard thing when it’s time to vote because it is so hard to pick. This year, I think the winners truly are ambassadors of the NRHA. It’s not just about success in the show pen, which they all have, but about giving their time. They also all demonstrate that taking care of the horse is one of their top priorities,” he said.

Valentine added that notifying the recipients is one of his favorite tasks as Professionals Committee Chairman. “It’s really fun for me to call and congratulate them. Most of these people I know quite well, and I consider it a privilege and honor to be the one to surprise them with the news,” Valentine said.

The 2021 NRHA Professionals of the Year will be honored with custom spurs from NRHA Corporate Partner Montana Silversmiths and will be featured in the NRHA Reiner Magazine.

Professional Horseman: Trevor Dare

Trevor Dare banked the most prestigious win of his career in 2021 when he piloted Jerseys Baby Driver (Yellow Jersey x Wind Her Up Chic) to the Open Level 4 Championship of the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

Dare comes from a family that has been involved with raising horses for decades, and his uncle, Rocky Dare, is a member of the NRHA Hall of Fame. Originally from Ohio, Dare began showing horses when he was just four years old and transitioned to reining at eight. He made the move to Oklahoma more than 15 years ago, and now operates Trevor Dare Reining Horses out of Silver Spurs Equine in Purcell, Oklahoma. Trevor, his wife Laura, and their son live in Lexington, Oklahoma.

With more than $811,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings, Dare finished as the No. 7 money earner for NRHA Professionals in 2021. In addition to his Derby championship, Dare piloted Old Time Roknroll to a Top 10 finish at the 2021 NRHA Futurity.

Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year: Kaci O’Rourke

Talented might be an understatement when describing Kaci O’Rourke. The 2021 Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year is not only great with a horse; she’s also a gifted artist.

O’Rourke was born and raised in Castleton, Vermont, on her family’s Pond Hill Ranch, which, at any time has hundreds of horses. That upbringing now doubt helped O’Rourke grow as a horsewoman. She began reining at just 13 years old and became an NRHA Professional at 18. She worked with NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary for five years and then continued with NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal.

Since beginning her professional career, O’Rourke has made the Open Finals at the NRBC, NRHA Derby, and NRHA Futurity – along with multiple Derby and Futurity wins and placings. Her lifetime earnings now exceed $138,000.

O’Rourke and her husband, fellow NRHA Professional Jack Daniels, own and operate Pond Hill Performance Horses out of Pilot Point, Texas.

Youth Coach of the Year: Bud Lyon

Spend a few minutes with Bud Lyon, and it’s quickly apparent why the charismatic NRHA Professional was voted as the Youth Coach of the Year. As a youth, he competed in all-around events, and become a well-rounded horseman by riding with and learning from legendary trainers including Todd Crawford, Don Murphy, and Randy Paul.

Now, Lyon and his wife, Kim, live in Whitesboro, Texas, where they focus on reining and ranch riding horses.

Lyon has won more than $183,000 in NRHA earnings, including top finishes at major events including the National Reining Breeders Classic and NRHA Derby. He’s also been successful in other associations. He won the 2018 AQHA World Championship in Senior Ranch Riding and took the 2019 NSBA Breeders Championship Senior Ranch Riding and Junior Ranch Riding Championships. In 2019, he also won the APHA Junior Reining World Championship.

Up-and-Coming Professional of the Year: Josh Tishman

Raised in Maine, Josh Tishman began riding horses as just three years old. The only horseman in his family, Tishman tried a variety of disciplines, ranging from team roping to jumping. He eventually moved to Billings, Montana, where he competed on the Rocky Mountain College IHSA Equestrian Team.

He began riding reining horses, and in 2014, his first year to enter the NRHA Futurity, he made the Level 1 Open finals.

Now Tishman is one of NRHA’s Top Professionals, finishing 2021 as No. 9 in the list of money-earning riders. It was a big year for Tishman. At the NRHA Derby, Tishman and Gunnarickashay won the Level 3 Open and took reserve in the Level 4 at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Just months later, the pair won The Run For A Million Shoot Out, earning a spot in the 2022 The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge Million Dollar Competition.

Tishman, his wife Layton, and their daughter live in Weatherford, Texas, where he works for NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary.

Non Pro Coach of the Year: Martin Larcombe

Martin Larcombe’s steady demeanor not only helps him win in the show pen; it also has helped him become a great coach for non pro riders.

Growing up in Australia, Larcombe began his career competing in rodeos and quarter horse shows. He eventually began to focus on reining and has trained and competed on great reining horses in Australia, Europe, and the United States.

Larcombe, alongside his sister, Shauna Larcombe, was part of the first Australian reining team to compete at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.

Larcombe has lifetime earnings of more than $937,000. He’s a two-time NRHA Open World Champion, an NRHA Level 4 Open Derby reserve champion, and is a multiple finalist at all major NRHA events.

He and his wife Sam now live in Whitesboro, Texas.

For more information about the NRHA Professionals program or to find a professional in your area, visit nrha.com/professionals.

National Reining Horse Association Million Dollar Sire Chocolate Chic Olena was laid to rest on January 22.

The 29-year-old stallion, by Smart Chic Olena out of Jae Bar Felcia, left his mark on the industry. With his owner Carter M Smith, he finished third at the 1996 NRHA Futurity, then the pair came back the following year to win the NRHA Derby and Super Stakes. NRHA Professional Darren Stancik and NRHA Seven Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani also piloted the stallion to numerous titles. Those included an American Quarter Horse Association World Championship in Senior Reining, and four AQHA Reserve World Championships in Amateur and Junior Reining.

Chocolate Chic Olena’s offspring passed the million-dollar mark in earnings in 2017, with his highest money-earner, Chic Magnet, accounting for more than $139,000.

Chocolate Chic Olena’s highest money earners include:

• Chic Magnetic (out of Shiners Crystal) $139,507.25
• Ghirardelli Chic (out of Full Sail Sue) $75,313.57
• Mr Chocoholic (out of Lady Bee Great) $65,889.98
• Mistresses Milky Way (out of Shiners Mistress) $62,615.91
• Smart Coco Chic (out of Star Dust Dun It ) $45,785.77

On January 29, Smith posted on social media, saying,

One week ago, Chocolate Chic Olena was laid to rest at the age of 29. I’ve been trying to find the words all week to express what this horse means to me. He was my heart horse…. My once in a lifetime horse. He was my first real reining horse and he set the bar very high. He had a huge heart and the athletic ability and mind to match. Max, I hope you are up in heaven with Darren. He will be happy to see you.

Thank you, Tish, Jeremy, Luca, and Andrea Fappani, for taking care of Max for almost two decades. He was able to live out retirement being treated like the King he was.

Chocolate Chic Olena meant a lot to so many people. I want to thank everyone that helped us along the way. XOXO

The NRHA family sends our sincerest condolences to Carter and all of Chocolate Chic Olena’s connections.

The reining and equine industry lost an incredible horseman on January 18. Clark Bradley, Ohio, was a two-time NRHA Open Futurity Champion, winning those coveted titles in 1968 and 1974. He was inducted to NRHA’s Hall of Fame in 1994.

Clark also served as President of NRHA, as President of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association and as a National Director for the American Quarter Horse Association.

The accomplished horseman collected numerous All-American Quarter Horse Congress wins in western pleasure, reining, roping and cutting, and was an AQHA, NRHA and NSBA judge.

Bradley was an instructor at the University of Findlay for 26 years, and became an active coach with the University’s western equestrian team in 1996. He has helped coached several national championship teams and two reserve national championship squads.

The NRHA family sends our sincerest condolences to Clark’s loved ones and friends.

Full Obituary:

Clark Rickard Bradley

July 30, 1945 – January 18, 2022

Clark passed away at his home in Newark, Ohio, where he and his wife of 25 years, Bonnie Bradley, had recently moved.

Clark was born in Hilliard, Ohio to Bailey “Stretch” Bradley and Betty Rickard Bradley. He graduated from Hilliard High School and from the Texas Christian University Ranch Management Program. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, completing boot camp training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC.

He spent his life dedicated to the training of horses, showing horses, teaching, judging and mentoring future horse trainers.

For over 30 years Clark was an instructor in the University of Findlay Western Equestrian Studies Program and was Assistant IHSA Coach, winning multiple IHSA National Championships. He represented AQHA, NRHA and NSBA as he judged horse shows all over the world. He judged the AQHA World Championship Show 4 times and the NRHA Derby 3 times. He conducted horse training clinics throughout the US and Canada as well as youth and adult horsemanship and reining schools for over 40 years.

Clark was honored by the horse industry as the 2001 AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year, NRHA Hall of Fame in 1994, All American Quarter Horse Congress Hall of Fame in 2008, the recipient of the Southern Belle Living the Mission Award in 2013 and in 2015 was presented the AQHA Most Valuable Professional by the Ohio Quarter Horse Association.

Clark served the NRHA as President, member of multiple committees, was on the board of Directors for over 25 years and a NRHA Futurity Live Webcast commentator. He won the NRHA Reining Futurity 2 times. He served the OQHA with 2 terms as President, Director for over 40 years and became an Honorary Director in 1988. AQHA was a large part of Clark’s professional life. He served on the Show and Contest Committees for 31 years and was past Chairman for the Show Committee and the Show Council. He was a member of the Professional Horsemen Council and Chairman for the Animal Welfare Committee.

Over the course of Clark’s career, he and his clients showed horses to wins in NRHA, the All American Quarter Horse Congress and AQHA from reining to cutting to ranch riding and many other disciplines. Clark was highlighted in several publications through the years such as the AQHA Journal, NRHA Reiner, Western Horsemen, OQHA News, Quarter Horse News, Performance Horse and University of Findlay Publications.

Clark is survived by his wife, Bonnie, son CR Bradley of Collinsville, Texas (wife Rose), stepdaughter Brianna Stone of Newark, Ohio (husband David), grandsons Cooper, Tanner and Austin. Sisters, Coralie Davis of Tyler, Texas, Mary Bradley of Granbury, Texas, Marilyn Kay Crowson of Louisville, Mississippi, and brother Bill Bradley of Mt Vernon, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family is honoring Clark’s request that donations be made to the AQHA Professional Horsemen Endowment. Gifts can be made securely online or be mailed to:

American Quarter Horse Foundation

Professional Horsemen Endowment

Memory of Clark Bradley

PO Box 32111

Amarillo, TX 79120

Celebration of Life for Clark Bradley

Tuesday, April 5, 2022 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Ohio Quarter Horse Association

6325 Quarter Horse Drive

Columbus, Ohio 43229