The competition in the Affiliate Regional Championship and ancillary classes continued at the National Reining Breeders Classic, with several more winners being crowned on Friday. The crown jewel of the day was the NRBC Open Classic Challenge, which ran concurrently with the $25k Open.
Andrea Fappani Sweeps Open and Open Classic Challenge with Modern Gun and Platinum Vintage
Friday night’s Open Classic Challenge and $25k Open featured 17 exemplary horses and riders that had the crowd at the edge of its seat from the beginning. Whoops and hollers emanated from the Ford Truck Arena, with some of the loudest being for Andrea Fappani. Fappani made the most of it, winning the $25k Open on Modern Gun, and taking second in the Open and winning the Open Classic Challenge with Platinum Vintage.
Modern Gun, a former NRBC Open Champion who had lifetime earnings exceeding $213,000 prior to the event, earned $7,166, while Platinum Vintage, with more than $308,000 in lifetime earnings, took home $15,438.
“I feel great. I can’t be asking for much more than what we had tonight. These are two amazing horses,” Fappani said. Platinum Vintage, owned by Silver Spurs Equine, is by A Sparkling Vintage out of Starjac Miss. “Platinum Vintage has been on the top of my list of all-time favorite horses for a long time. Todd Bergen showed him early on, and I’ve loved this horse since I’ve had him,” Fappani said. “The plan this year was to go for the Run for a Million. We finished third last year and that did not settle very well with me. It was one little rider mistake that cost me, so we were so excited to go back. When that went away, we were disappointed, but we decided to bring him to the Open here at NRBC because it’s always one of our favorites.”
Platinum Vintage proved he was a crowd favorite, as there were cheers the entire run. “I loved the fact that the crowd supported him so much. We did some amazing circles. They were probably the best circles I’ve had in a long time,” Fappani shared.
The only bobble on the run came during a rollback, which was reviewed. “They thought it might have been a break of gate, but it wasn’t. It cost us a little there, but other than that he was amazing,” Fappani said. “He will probably be done for the year, but I don’t know. I may want to come back one more time. He’s pretty cool.”
Modern Gun, by Gunners Special Nite out of Taris Modern Design, is owned by MS Stables. For Fappani, the $25k Open was a chance to show for good money one more time. “We had a bobble in the go-round, so we missed the finals. We did the same thing at the Derby, so I just wanted to make it up. I know this is not as big as winning the NRBC Classic, but I wanted another run under our belt. He stepped up, even with having a run in the preliminaries yesterday,” Fappani shared. “It gave me the answer that I had him ready, it was just that bobble that kept him out.”
Fappani noted that he loves to hear the crowd while showing. “It’s a lonely place in the arena, and when the crowd is not behind you, it’s even more so. When you have the crowd, it pushes you to do more. I love the pressure of that. If you make a mistake, they let you know,” he said. “I thank my whole team. I also thank the owners, who are the backbone of our job. Without them, we wouldn’t be here. The owners of these two horses have been especially great. They have always trusted me and my program, and that means so much to me.”
Tara Podkrajsek & Shake Em Down – ARC Nov. Horse Open Levels 1 & 2 Champion
When Tara Podkrajsek got the opportunity to show Shake Em Down, she took full advantage. She and the mare won the ARC and ancillary sections of the Novice Horse Open for Levels 1 and 2 with an impressive score of 147.
“I walked in and this mare felt like she was with me. She was very honest on the circles, and I knew I could push her. She stayed with me. The turns could have been a little bit better, but she stopped great and everything was super nice. I was so happy with her,” she shared.
Podkrajsek typically prepares Shake Em Down, a six-year-old mare by Wimpyneedsacocktail, for owner Addie McNeel. A few bobbles kept McNeel and the mare out of the Non Pro Classic finals, so Podkrajsek got to compete with her. “I thank Addie and her husband Bert for letting me show her,” she said. “I actually showed her in Waco before this, and we marked a 70. I felt like I could trust her and push her a little more the next time I showed her.”
Podkrajsek is likely done showing Shake Em Down. “I think we’re done showing here, and Addie will show her some more and take her home to Utah,” she said. “I thank my boss Mathieu Buton for his coaching and guidance. I thank the whole Buton team. They’re such great supporters and the best cheerleaders. I also thank all my friends and fellow trainers, as well as my family. I thank my family, and everyone behind the scenes.”
Jared LeClair & Lime A Rita – Nov. Horse Open L3 Champions
An exciting run-off decided the championship of the Novice Horse Open Level 3, and in the end it was Jared Leclair and Lime A Rita who came out on top. For Leclair, there was no question about running it off. “We’re in the running for a world title, so we need every dollar we can get,” he shared. “Her runs today were good. It’s a really nice pen, and this mare showed really well for me both times. She’s very consistent.”
Lime A Rita is owned by Susan Meyer. “I’ve shown this mare all year and she’s been really good for me. She’s a great show horse and tries really hard. She goes and gives it her all every time,” he said.
Leclair and Meyers are excited about Lime A Rita’s future, especially as a producer. “We have three foals on the ground and more coming next year,” Jared said. Leclair is finished showing, although he has several non pro riders showing over the weekend, and his assistant trainer competing in the Open finals.
“I have a great team behind me, and I couldn’t do it without them,” he said.
Congratulations to the Yellowstone Paramount Network Rookie Shootout Qualifiers
The large field of contenders for the Yellowstone Paramount Network Rookie Shootout has been narrowed down to the top five. The riders with the top five composite scores earned a spot in the Shootout, which will run Saturday night at 5 pm, prior to the Open Level 4 Finals. We wish the following qualifiers the best of luck. Dana Wetherell & Lil Ruf Cash Debbie Conway & Chex Out My Dough Ari Mischo & ARC Electrical Storm Payton Neiberger & Xtra Dun Step Madaline Callaway & Electric Coded Trash Giorgia Medow & Xtra Voodoo Gun.
ARC Rookie Levels 1 & 2 Champion Giorgia Medow and Xtra Voodoo Gun put together a solid run to win the ARC and ancillary Rookie Levels 1 and 2, but the win was bittersweet. “We actually just sold him here. The Pritchett family will be showing him now. I wish them good luck,” she said.
She noted that Xtra Voodoo Gun is the kind of horse everyone wants to be around. “He really is just the sweetest horse. Every single day he comes out and I can trust him to do his job. Today he was perfect everywhere, and he really came through. He is always so dependable, and I have loved being able to show him,” she said.
Medow rides with Kole Price, and shared that the advice he gave her before the run was simply, “Ride him like it’s your last time.”
A college freshman at TCU, Medow is currently a bio major and aspires to be a pediatric dentist. “Horses will always be part of my life. It’s something our whole family does,” she said. “I thank my family, and of course Kole Price and the whole Price Performance Horses crew. I also thank my brother Jack who has done so much helping me prepare this horse and coaching me the whole way.”
Payton Neiberger & Xtra Dun Step – Rookie Levels 1 & 2 High Point Champion
Earlier this week, Payton Neiberger and Xtra Dun Step won the first slate of Rookie Levels 1 and 2, and topped the first round of the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout. On Friday, the won the second round of the Shootout, and tied for second in Rookie Levels 1 & 2, easily claiming the high point buckles for both levels.
“My first run I had a penalty, but my run today was pretty clean. It was really good,” she said. “I’ll show again tomorrow in the Shootout round. After this I will probably show at the World Show.” Neiberger rides with Casey Deary and Josh Tishman. “I thank my trainers and the whole Deary barn, as well as my parents,” she said.
Lisa Neiberger & All About Business – ARC Prime Time Rookie Co-Champion
It was a big day for the Neiberger family. In addition to Payton’s high point championship and qualification for the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout, mom Lisa tied for the win of the ARC and ancillary Prime Time Rookie.
“It was definitely a good day,” Lisa shared. Lisa rode All About Business, a five-year-old mare by Smart And Shiney out of Anne Get Your Gunner. “I ride with Casey Deary and Josh Tishman, and they told me to be brave today,” she said. “I thank Casey and Josh, and for sure my husband who has been such a huge supporter of mine.”
Neiberger is looking forward to showing at the AQHA World Show, as well as the NAAC Finals in Oklahoma City.
Karen Lawrence & Steppin Up Haidas – ARC Prime Time Rookie Co-Champion
Karen Lawrence purchased Steppin Up Haidas about 18 months ago, and in that time the two have been forging a new partnership. “Thankfully, Sebastian and Melanie Petroll have been helping us become a team and today is our team high,” she said following her co-championship in the ARC and ancillary Prime Time Rookie classes. “I’m extremely excited. Today was a lot of fun.”
Steppin Up Haidas is a nine-year-old mare by Wimpys Little Step out of Haidas Cowgirl. “She came from California, and she had some history, and I had my own ways and stuff, but now she’s a really good one,” Lawrence said. “Today she walked in the pen really good and was nice and quiet. She just showed really easy and was a lot of fun.” Lawrence is looking forward to competing at the SWRHA Futurity in October. “I thank Sebastian and Melanie, and I have an amazing group of friends and family who are very supportive.”