The Tulsa Reining Classic, held at Expo Square Aug. 28 – Sept. 3 featured stylish reining horses in Thursday’s ancillary classes held in the Super Duty Arena.
Mirjam Stillo riding Ruff Spook, who’s by Smart Spook and out of Ruffle Me Up, scored a 146 to top the NRHA Open for owners Shannon and Hershel Reid. The team has been together for several months this year and Stillo’s goal is to ride in the FEI World Equestrian Games aboard Ruff Spook. Today’s performance inched them one step closer to the end goal.
“He was really good today and we just had a smooth ride,” Stillo said adding that they will show again in tomorrow’s CRI class. “[Today’s run helps keep] building confidence more and more. I tried to push him a little harder on some things and he was with me all the time. I think we are becoming a team.”
The NRHA Open championship was shared between Fred Thomsson and Josh Murphy with a score of 145.5.
Thomsson rode Arlosa Whiz, owned by Euro Vets Inc. to the co-championship. Thomsson and Arlosa Whiz have been a part of each others’ lives since he was a foal, which Thomsson said made the day extra special.
“I was really happy with the horse, he was right on. I should have showed him a little better in one maneuver, but other than that we were real pleased with how today folded,” Thomsson said.
Thomsson and Arlosa Whiz have been a part of each others’ lives since he was a foal, which Thomsson said made the day extra special. Arlosa Whiz is the 8-year-old son by Topsail Whiz and out of Dream Olena Chic.
“We do this for the love of the horse and when the horse gives you everything he can it’s a special feeling, no matter how you acquired him,” Thomsson said.
Josh Murphy rode Got That Iowa Shine, who’s by Smart And Shiney and out of SLJ This Is My Juice, to the co-championship. The now-4-year-old has been with Murphy since his 2-year-old year and has shared success in the show pen already in his young career. The journey hasn’t been easy however. Got That Iowa Shine colicked this spring and has come back to win today’s class.
“He’s come back really strong for me,” Murphy said. “[Today] he went out there and did his thing. He’s just a pretty great horse to show.”
ell Edgmon topped the Intermediate Open and Intermediate Open affiliate finals riding Show Your Guns (Colonels Smoking Gun x Good Time Show Girl) with a score of 143.5. The pair have been partners for five years and they have developed a working relationship fortifying their success in the show pen.
“Usually I have trouble getting him to turn and he went in there and fired off both ways, after that I felt good about the rest of the run,” Edgmon said.
Winona Walker rode BOS Peppy And Smart, owned by Michelle Young, to the Limited Open and Limited Open ancillary championships. The duo turned in a score of 143 for the win. They also earned second in the Intermediate Open and Intermediate Open ancillary classes.
“I think he had a really good run,” Walker said. “We [played it safe] in our stops, but he really gave me a good run.”
Leslie Bingham and Who Dat Hot Chic (Wimpys Little Step x Smart Chic Aloha) topped the Rookie Professional. Who Dat Hot Chic is owned by Neiberger Performance and earned Bingham the title with a score of 142.
“I realized this morning that she hadn’t been in the pen yet,” Bingham said with a laugh. “She was kind of looking around checking things out and cost me a little bit in the circles, but other than she was great.”
Josh Tishman riding Chics Love Me Wimpy (Wimpys Little Step x Dream About Magic) topped the Rookie Pro affiliate finals and second in the Rookie Pro with a score of 141.5 for owners DAG Ventures LLC.
“We’ve been pretty competitive this entire year, I think we are sitting first or second in the year-end standings,” Tishman said. “We thought we would go for the year-end title in the affiliate and he’s been very consistent.”
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