Limited Open [2] & (tie) Limited Open High Point – Nikki Tyndall & Mercedes Shines

Topping the second slate of the Limited Open and tying for the high point buckle was Nikki Tyndall, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, aboard Mercedes Shines. Sired by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Cromed Out Mercedes and out of Shining Maid, Mercedes Shines is owned by Deborah Ackley. The team posted a score of 70, which earned $280.

The NRBC is Tyndalll’s first show with Mercedes Shines. “He’s been in our barn for a couple years now,” she said. “This is my first show with him, but I work with him and his owner a lot. It’s super awesome [to win the high point] at a show like this that’s so competitive. I would like to thank the owner of the horse, Deborah Ackley. It has been so much fun to ride him here, and I’m just grateful for the opportunity. Also, I thank my boss Dave Moore and Kim Moore, and the whole team at Sheridan Oaks Stable.”

(tie) Limited Open High Point – Patti Brownshadel & I See Starzz

Co-champions of the Limited Open High Point, Patti Brownshadel and her 6-year-old stallion I See Starzz overcame what some might consider insurmountable odds to achieve success at the NRBC. I See Starzz got a late start to stardom, but for good reason. “This is his fourth show ever,” Brownshadel said. “He broke his shoulder as a 3-year-old and lost a year, but thanks to Dr. McCarroll, who pieced him back together for me, he’s whole now.”

Brownshadel, of Hempstead, Texas, has a deep appreciation of I See Starzz’ bloodline, having ridden his sire Im The Chic Magnet, as well as his grandsire, NRHA $6 Million Sire Magnum Chic Dream. “I’ve ridden all three of them, so I’m familiar with the way they feel,” she said. I See Starzz is out of the mare Starzz In Hollywood.

Brownshadel will show once more here at NRBC in the Novice Horse and plans to enter some smaller derbies before returning for the NRBC [Open Classic] next year. Her gratitude for the opportunity to compete successfully runs deep. “Number one, [I thank] God,” she said. “Number two my husband, Elton Brownshadel, who is so incredibly patient and supportive and helpful. He keeps everything going. In these trying times, he’s been right there to help me get through everything.”

Rookie Professional [2] & High Point – Katie Davis and Chicsdundreamin

Chicsdundreamin and Katie Davis are two for two in Katy, having won both slates of the Rookie Pro division. Davis and Chicsdundreamin marked a 71.5 to top Thursday’s class, earn $249, and win the high point buckle. “I’m very thrilled, excited, thankful; it’s my first ever belt buckle I will have won, and I’ll wear it proudly for quite a while,” she said.

The 2007 gelding, by NRHA $6 Million Sire Magnum Chic Dream out of Goody Goody Gum Drop, is owned by Nancy Stillwell, of Weatherford, Texas. Davis, who works for Deary Performance Horses, is grateful to Nancy and Allen Stillwell for the opportunity they’ve given her to show Chicsdundreamin. “I also thank Casey and Nicole Deary, the whole Deary Farm, and our farrier Glen Spalding, who is the primary reason that ‘Newt’ can have longevity in the show pen. [I thank] our vets and the whole team at Deary Ranch.”

The week is not quite over for Chicsdundreamin as the next generation at Deary Ranch is gearing up for Friday’s event. “Next up he is going to show in the Short Stirrup [class] for Joy Deary,” Davis said. “She’s very excited and we’ll get him ready for that tomorrow morning.”

Limited Non Pro Slate 2 – Allison Chappell and Trashysara

Trashysara and Allison Chappell, of Collinsville, Texas, took top honors in the second slate of the Limited Non Pro with a score of 144.5.

By NRHA $4 Million Sire Gunnatrashya and out of Sara Goes To Hollywood, Trashysara is a 2014 mare that Chappell and her husband, Alan, recently acquired. “I’ve actually only had a month on her of riding, and I messed it up in the Derby so I wanted to come redeem myself [today],” she said.

Proud of the run she made today, Chappell said she was pleased with the outcome. “She was really good. I had a messy roll-back, but aside from that she did everything I asked. She’s a really good stopper, which is my worst part, so it’s nice that she makes up for me a little bit.”

Chappell credits Gunny Mathison for his guidance as her trainer, as well as thanking her husband for buying the mare. Chappell and “Sara” will be taking a break from the show pen following the NRHA Derby because she is pregnant.

Limited Non Pro High Point – Tamara Bush and Little Joe Vintage

Although it had been five years since Tamara Bush entered the NRBC, in 2021 she’s returned to the show pen in top form. In 2016, the native of Kentucky who now hangs her hat in Hempstead, Texas, sustained an injury which caused her to undergo spinal fusion and a subsequent hiatus from horses.

“This is my first show in five years. In 2016 after this show I had spinal fusion and kind of quit riding, stopped showing, and sold everything except for my hat and my chaps,” she said.

About a month and a half ago, Bush decided it was time to gear up for a comeback, and so far she is thoroughly enjoying the ride. “It’s been fun! It’s surreal,” she said. “I never thought in a million years that I’d do this well but it’s the horse.”

Bush’s equine partner is an 11-year-old gelding by NRHA $2 Million Sire A Sparkling Vintage out of Snappy N Smart Chic. “Harper [Connor] raised him and he’s just a cool little dude. ‘The little engine that could’ is what we call him.”

Bush will show again on Sunday in the Non Pro Classic/Challenge and thanked Harper Connor and Lorenzo Concarella.