Gunnatrashya’s Record-Breaking Rise to NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Status

In what might be one of the quickest jumps to the next tier on the National Reining Horse Association’s Million Dollar Sire roster, Gunnatrashya sailed past the Six Million Dollar mark during the NRHA Futurity. As the year comes to a close, the stallion, by NRHA 13 Million Dollar Sire Gunner and out of Natrasha, sits at No. 7 on NRHA’s Leading Sire list with $6,788,072 in offspring earnings.

Gunnatrashya, owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, first became an NRHA Million Dollar Sire in 2017, less than three years after his first foal crop entered the show pen. In every subsequent year, the stallion, owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, has passed another million-dollar milestone. Thanks to major event championships, Gunnatrashya actually surpassed two in 2021.

The stallion, a former Open Futurity Champion himself, sired Ten Thirty, who won the historic $350,000 Level 4 Open Futurity Championship check with Casey Deary at the reins.

Gunnatrashya also sired Trashinyurdreams, who won Open Levels 3 and 2 and finished fourth in the Open Level 4 with Jesse Beckley, worth $120,652.

There were 18 Gunnatrashya offspring competing in the Open Futurity Finals, for total earnings of $671,856. The stallion was also well-represented in the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finals, with eight entries earning $93,690. All totaled, Gunnatrashya foals were responsible for more than $765,545 in the aged event alone.

Gunnatrashya offspring also made waves at The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge. Kole Price piloted Gunna Stop (Stop Little Sister) to the $500,000 championship check, making Gunna Stop the highest-earning reining horse in history.

Gunnatrashya, bred by Katarina Dorminy, had just as successful a show pen career as he has had in the breeding shed. With NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider and Hall of Fame Inductee Shawn Flarida at the reins, Gunnatrashya was the 2009 NRHA Open Futurity Champion, the 2010 NRHA Open Derby Champion and the 2009 All American Quarter Horse Congress Open Futurity Champion. Even with limited showing, he accumulated more than $218,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings.  

Gunnatrashya’s top-earning offspring are:

  • Ten Thirty (out of Dainty Little Step): $369,059
  • ARC Gunnabeabigstar (out of Wimpys Little Chic): $298,999
  • Super Marioo (out of HA Chic A Tune): $290,267
  • Inferno Sixty Six (out of Snip O Gun): $205,690
  • Gunna Stop (out of Stop Little Sister): $172,762
  • ARC Gunna Mark Ya (out of Shiney Miss Marker): $163,877
  • Gunnabebigtime (out of Big Time Jazzy): $147,486
  • Gunnarickashay (out of Rondas Tio): $147,229
  • Loveya (out of Love Em N Lena): $131,861
  • Trashinyurdreams (out of This Chicsdundreamin): $124,986

Gunnatrashya now stands at NRHA Corporate Partner Oswood Stallion Station in Weatherford, Texas. You can learn more about Gunnatrashya at ArceseQuarterHorses.com, or at OswoodStallionStation.com/Gunnatrashya

Congratulations to Gunnatrashya and Arcese Quarter Horses USA.

Photo (first) by Cam Essick 
Photo (second) by Waltenberry

Mandy McCutcheon Joins Elite Group of NRHA Three Million Dollar Riders

With earnings of $23,014 at this year’s National Reining Horse Association Futurity, Mandy McCutcheon became only the fifth rider in reining history to earn more than $3 million in the show pen.

McCutcheon, of Aubrey, Texas, joins a very small group of riders, including Seven Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani, Six Million Dollar Rider and Hall of Fame inductee Shawn Flarida, Four Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal, and her father, NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider and Hall of Fame inductee Tim McQuay.

“I didn’t realize there were only four others to win that much. That’s pretty cool,” she said. “It’s so special to be there with my dad. I can say, 100 percent, that’s the most important part to me.”

McCutcheon, also an NRHA Million Dollar Owner, is the glue that holds one of reining’s dynasties together. Her husband, Tom McCutcheon, is an NRHA Million Dollar Rider and Owner. Their children are following in their parents’ well-worn footsteps. Cade McCutcheon is now an NRHA Million Dollar Rider with an NRHA Futurity Championship and a The Run For A Million Co-Championship under his belt. Carlee McCutcheon competes in both English and reining, where, at just 16 years old, she’s won more than $125,000.

McCutcheon is quick to thank those who helped her reach this new level. “The list of people to thank is so long. I obviously thank my parents, Tom, and Cade, and all our help. My team is so big and large, and we have great people that work for us. There have been people who have been in and out of our program over the years who are longtime friends and supporters, and they’ve all had a hand in this,” she said.

When asked what, aside from her incredible support staff, has made her career so incredible, McCutcheon recalled something her father once told her. “My dad always says that the good Lord just blessed him with the ability to do this, and I think that there is something to be said for that,” she shared.

McCutcheon was born into the quintessential horse show family. Her parents, NRHA Hall of Fame members Tim and Colleen McQuay, both excelled in different arenas. Colleen focused on the hunter/jumper world, while Tim concentrated on reining.

“The best advice I ever received was from my parents, they’ve always said that the main thing is to just show the horse you have under you. That horse might not have the ability to win it that day, but if you show that horse to the best of its ability, you’ll get the best results that day.” She added, “You might just get the best ride out of that horse, and sometimes you might even win because you rode the horse the way it needed.”

For years, McCutcheon split her time between the two disciplines. In the English arena, she won championships at some of the most elite hunter and jumper shows in that world. She was the reserve junior hunter champion at the Harrisburg National Horse Show, and also won the Winners Stakes there. She won the United States Equestrian Team Youth Talent Derby at Gladstone, New Jersey, and came back a few years later to win the USET Futures Championship there. She also won two AQHA jumping world championships.

Eventually, McCutcheon decided to focus on reining, an event in which she began to compete at just 10 years old.

She won her first NRHA Futurity Non Pro Championship in 1993 on Hollywood Striker (Hollywood Dun It x Strike Zone), and to date has won 10 Non Pro Futurity championships.

She’s also won the National Reining Breeders Classic Non Pro Championship eight times and has five NRHA Derby titles to her name.

She became the first non pro and first female Million Dollar Rider in 2007 and passed $2 million in 2014.

With more than three decades of reining in the books, McCutcheon added there are a few runs that stand out above the others. “I can’t forget when I won the (2012) NRBC on Always Gotyer Gunsup up. We marked a 231 or something crazy like that. Also, my run on JLosa at this year’s NRBC stands out, not because it was out of this world, but because that mare tried to be so good for me and it was so much fun,” she said. “There are all different runs and horses that are memorable. This year I was riding one of Cade’s horses, and he showed so good for me after having a bad day before. It’s the little things like that that are special. It’s not always about the win – sometimes it’s the small, personal victory that means the most.”

Even with a lifetime of world-class competition under her belt, McCutcheon admits to still feeling the nerves when it’s time to ride into the arena. “Why would I do this if I didn’t get nervous and excited about it?” she asked. “The adrenaline rush and the thrill of it are two of the things that keep me coming back every year.”

What else drives McCutcheon? “It’s the horses. The love of those horses is the main thing, but so are the people. This is what we do. This is our life,” she said.

McCutcheon’s next goal? “I guess four million,” she quipped. “Actually, now the more important and most fun thing to me is to watch my kids be successful. Whatever I can do to help them be successful in either arena – Cade in reining and Carlee in reining and jumping – that’s my priority in life. When Tom and I do well, that’s just icing on the cake,” she said.

NRHA Sire & Dam Auction Open for Bidding

Overflowing with benefits for stallion, mare, and offspring owners, the Sire & Dam Program Online Auction is a win-win for all involved. This auction features 70+ of the top stallions in the industry, but the opportunity to purchase a breeding ends on January 10.

Created in 1966, the NRHA Sire & Dam program provides significant benefits to participants while helping support the NRHA. Featuring benefits for both stallion and mare owners, this program is the perfect addition to any breeding program. Mare owners have the opportunity to purchase breedings that they may not otherwise have access to at reduced rates.

The Sire & Dam Auction is a valuable asset for mare owners, who can purchase breedings to an impressive lineup of stallions, often at reduced rates. Resulting offspring from the program have quite a bit of 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%) for the NRHA Futurity and Derby, as well as later entry deadlines.
  • Sire & Dam offspring eligibility remains with the foal even after it is sold.

“The NRHA Sire & Dam Program is the greatest thing going. It’s cost-effective and benefits everyone involved. From a mare owner’s point of view, the money we save for the resulting foal is worth its weight in gold. It’s the only deal in town,” shared Clint Haverty.

Stallion owners donate a breeding to the Sire & Dam Auction and reap the benefit of enhanced promotion through program advertising. They also become eligible for NRHA Futurity & Derby Sire incentives, including cash awards. There is still time to enroll a stallion in the Sire & Dam Auction, and anyone interested in doing so should contact NRHA Sire & Dam Program Director Haley Carmen at hcarmen@nrha.com.

“We are so excited to be able to offer these incentives to those who purchase a breeding through the Sire & Dam stallion auction,” 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. You must be registered to place a bid, and that can easily be completed by clicking the “My Account” link.

There may be additional fees for the mare owner, and mare owners are encouraged to contact the participating stallion owners and agents to ask about such fees prior to purchasing the breeding through the Sire & Dam Auction. Winning bidders will be notified by email after the auction closes on January 10.

To see the stallions still available, go to nrha.com/stallions, and visit the Sire & Dam Auction at reiningauction.com.

For more information on the program, including how to purchase a breeding, visit the Sire & Dam page or contact Haley Carmen at hcarmen@nrha.com.

2021 NRHyA Buy-A-Pro Auction is Open for Bidding

For immediate release — December 11, 2021 — Oklahoma City, OK — The National Reining Horse Youth Association recently kicked off one of the biggest fundraisers of the year, the 2022 Buy-A-Pro Auction. This year the auction runs through 9 a.m. CST on February 1 and offers buyers a chance to purchase a two-lesson package with their choice of nearly 60 NRHA Professionals.
 
The all-star lineup includes several 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. From beginners to accomplished riders, everyone can gain from acquiring one of these private training packages.
 
“Dave Moore was so awesome, and it was great to have the opportunity to take a couple lessons from him,” said 2021 Buy-A-Pro participant, Heather Maxwell. “My husband owns a home not too far from Dave’s barn in Florida and the two of them really hit it off. Charlie will be bringing his horse down to Dave for the winter so he can train year-round. All in all, I have to say winning your auction was truly fantastic for all of us!”
 
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 are allotted directly to NRHyA to provide scholarships and other opportunities for young reiners.
 
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 hook-ups.
 
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/2022BuyAProAuction.

Smart Spook & Shiners Voodoo Dr Pass NRHA Million Dollar Sire Milestones at NRHA Futurity

With a record payout exceeding $2.8 million, the National Reining Horse Association Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships made history. Thanks to that historic payout, it also unofficially pushed multiple horses and individuals into new tiers of earnings, including sires Smart Spook and Shiners Voodoo Dr.


Smart Spook – Seven Million Dollar Sire

With Daniel Schloemer and Tracy Burmley’s earnings in the first section of the NRHA Futurity Open Finals, Smart Spook unofficially became NRHA’s newest Seven Million Dollar Sire. Prior to the Open Futurity Finals, Smart Spook was approximately $5,000 away from that achievement, then Schloemer and Bar Hoppin Spook (out Gunners Bar Fly) and Brumley and Spy Games (out of Little Lectric Spark) won more than $10,000 across three Levels.

Smart Spook, a 20-year-old stallion, is by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire and Hall of Fame inductee Smart Chic Olena and out of Sugarplum Spook. Owned and bred by Rosanne Sternberg, the sorrel stallion was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2015.

Before entering his career in the breeding shed, Smart Spook enjoyed a successful career within the show pen, earning more than $403,149 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings. The stallion’s top finishes include:

  • 2004 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Champion ridden by Shawn Flarida
  • 2005 NRHA L4 Open Derby Champion ridden by Flarida
  • 2005 AQHA Junior Reining World Champion ridden by Flarida
  • 2007 & 2009 FEI World Reining Masters Gold Medalist ridden by Rudi Kronsteiner

The stallion’s first class of money-earning offspring was foaled in 2006. Since then, the sire has produced 15 foals with more than $100,000 in NRHA LTE including five NRHA Futurity Champions and one NRHA Derby Champion.
Smart Spook’s top-performing offspring include:

  • Custom Spook (Custom Spinderella) $235,749
  • Patriot (Dunit A Lil Ruf) $232,998
  • Shine N Spook (Ebony Shines) $219,826
  • Spooks N Jewels (Whiz Jewels) $200,115
  • Red Stripe Spook (Ms Red Capri) $179,766

Shiners Voodoo Dr – Two Million Dollar Sire

Shiners Voodoo Dr became an NRHA Million Dollar Sire during the 2019 NRHA Futurity, and his offspring have continued to perform and win in reining competition. Prior to the MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Futurity Finals, the flashy palomino stallion was $36,000 from reaching the next rung on the Million Dollar Sire ladder.

While four Shiners Voodoo Dr offspring competed in the first section, there was only one who would compete in the Level 4 Finals – but it was a good one.

The foal, Shiner On My Eye (out of Flashy Lil Step), was trained and shown by NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida. The pair had already earned more than $31,000 for the year, including the All American Quarter Horse Congress Open Futurity Reserve Championship. When the results were tallied, Flarida and Shiner On My Eye (owned by Robert Santagata) had tied for fourth in the Level 4 and took reserve in the Prime Time for total earnings of $72,205. The pair’s success secured Shiners Voodoo Dr’s spot on the Two Million Dollar Sire list.

By NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Shining Spark and out of Voodoo Chic, Shiners Voodoo Dr, fondly referred to as “Voodoo,” earned more than $85,900 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings during his show career. The stallion, bred by Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch, is owned by Silver Spurs Equine.

Shiners Voodoo Dr’s top-performing offspring include:

  • Shiner On My Eye (Flashy Lil Step) $106,609
  • Xtra New Pal Voodoo (Wimpys New Pal) $81,893
  • Warlocks Last Step (SDP A Lasting Step) $81,432
  • Shiners Voodoo (BR China Rose) $75,354
  • Smart Voodoo Doctor (Smart As Sister) $62,376

Researching sire records is easy, just go to ReinerSuite.NRHA.com to sign up or log in.