The National Reining Breeders Classic features two slates of qualifying classes for the US Equestrian Youth Championships in its lineup. The first will be held on Friday, April 20 in the Wheless Arena at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. The second will be held the following day in the Tellepsen Arena.
Spanning from January 1 – August 1, 2018, the US Equestrian Youth Championships Qualification period has begun. Interested youth must earn a score above 0 in a USA/USEF Reining class during this qualification period to be eligible to compete at the 2018 US Equestrian Youth Championships held at the Tulsa Reining Classic on Friday, August 31 at 5:30 p.m. in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The rider, horse, and horse’s owner must have current USEF and USA Reining memberships in order to qualify. The 2018 Qualifying Competitions are as follows:
If the title isn’t enough, the prizes are. All competitors placing 1-10 at the USE Youth Championships will receive a ribbon. The reserve champion in each age group will be given a monogrammed cooler for their horse. The champions will receive a monogrammed cooler and a custom trophy belt buckle. Each class also features added money: the 19-21 class has $7,500 added, ages 14-18 has $5,000 added, and the 13 & Under class features $2,500 added.
For more program information, visit USEF.org/reining or contact Bryn Wells at PBWells@usef.org. For more information about NRBC, including the event schedule and entry forms, visit NRBC.com.
Deary Performance Horses returns to sponsor the 2018 National Reining Breeder’s Classic Open Finals Reception, which is slated for 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 in the Sponsor Pavilion at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. The Open Finals Reception is the premier place for viewing the Open Finals action while enjoying great food and refreshments.
NRBC Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Magoteaux Cody noted “We are proud that the Casey and Nicole choose to be a part of the NRBC. They are committed to giving back to the reining industry and their support is so important in making the NRBC special.”
The Dearys were quick to add their praise for the event. Casey said, “The NRBC show in Katy, Texas is outstanding in every way! The show provides excellent prize money payouts at the horse show and numerous parties and activities for exhibitors and owners! We appreciate the organized show management that facilitates the large ancillary classes and Derby.”
Nicole added, “There is something for everyone at the NRBC and it is a privilege to sponsor and give back to an organization that has improved our Reining industry in such a dynamic way.”
NRHA Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary is a two-time National Reining Horse Association Futurity Champion, with a host of other prestigious wins and finals qualifications to his credit. Deary Performance Horses is located in Weatherford, Texas and its mission is to breed, train, show, and sell quality horses for the reining horse industry.
Casey’s wife, Nicole, serves as ranch manager and the staff currently includes Josh Tishman, Abby Lengel, Kaci O’Roarke, Edward Harrison, Leslie Bingham, Oscar Viveros Vargaz, and Nestor Viveros Vargas. For more information on Deary Performance Horses, visit the website at DearyPerformance.com. Since its inception, the National Reining Breeders Classic has grown to include more than 220 subscribed stallions. For information on the NRBC, visit the website at NRBC.com or call 580-759-3939.
Matt Mills Reining Horses returns to sponsor the 2018 National Reining Breeder’s Classic Victory Party following the completion of the Open Finals Competition on Saturday, April 21 at the in-gate in the Coliseum at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center.
This highlight event makes for a great way to end an exciting Saturday night with hors d’oeuvres, drinks and dancing to the live music of The County Line Band. “We appreciate the support of long-time sponsors like Matt Mills,” said NRBC President Tom McCutcheon. “It’s great to have elite reiners from across the country be a part of this event and this program.”
Matt Mills is glad to be part of the annual show. “We support the NRBC every year because it has it all! Large payouts, exhibitor-friendly schedule, and genuine appreciation from management for our participation!”
Mills likes the idea of highlighting the Classic riders and giving them a special event to celebrate their accomplishments. He added, “We’ve been fortunate enough to win titles here at the NRBC, so sponsoring the Victory Party is an easy decision for us! Born and raised in Southern California, Matt began riding horses at an early age. He enjoyed a successful career as a youth rider, earning multiple championships throughout California in a variety of disciplines including western pleasure, horsemanship and trail.
In 1996 he switched his focus to reining and a few years later established his own training operation in Scottsdale, Arizona. He trains and shows futurity and derby horses and also coaches several successful non-pro and youth riders. One of his most memorable accomplishments was winning the 2006 USEF Open Reining Championship on Easy Otie Whiz in Lexington, Kentucky. With a career-high score of 231.5 that qualified him to be a member of Team USA that proudly brought home the gold medal from the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany.
Matt has NRHA lifetime earnings of more than $500,000. He is regularly a finalist at major NRHA events and has received several titles including NRHA Intermediate Open Futurity Reserve Champion as well as multiple titles at the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC). He has also earned several large futurity and derby titles including RMRHA Summer Slide, High Roller Reining Classic, SWRHA Futurity, and NRHA Cowtown Classic.
In addition to his youth, skill and natural riding ability, he is well known for his professionalism, showmanship, and charismatic personality. Consequently, he is in high demand for clinics in the United States, Europe and Mexico. For more information on Matt Mills visit the website at mattmillsreining.com.
The National Reining Breeders Classic will feature an unprecedented three CRI3*’s in 2018! As excitement builds at the approach of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, so does the need for exhibitors hoping to represent their respective countries to attend qualifying events. NRBC offers these CRI3* classes as a courtesy to help athletes from all over the globe meet their eligibility requirements.
In order to qualify to compete at the World Equestrian Games, each athlete must be qualified as an FEI 3* Athlete and achieve a minimum average score of 70 at two out of three different non-championship CRI3*’s. All must be completed with no elimination, disqualification or withdrawal, during the qualification period of January 1, 2017 to August 13, 2018. One of the qualifying results must be achieved no earlier than on January 1st of the year in which the Championships take place (2018) and no later than the end date of the qualification period.
Each slate of CRI classes will include CRI3*, CRI2*, and CRI1*. The CRI3* events are scheduled for the last three consecutive days of NRBC: with the first taking place on Friday, April 20th. The jogs will take place at 7 am on each morning. Plus, a CRIYR3* and a CRIJr* class will also be held on Friday, April 20th in conjunction with the other youth classes scheduled. The NRBC is a stallion incentive program. After a stallion becomes part of the program, his foals may be enrolled. Those foals, as 4, 5, and 6-year-olds, can then compete at the prestigious week-long event which has paid out $20 million in its past 20 years. For more information including the event schedule and entry forms, visit www.nrbc.com.
The National Reining Breeders Classic Incentive Program experienced a substantial increase in foal enrollments in 2018. According to the NRBC headquarters office in Byars, OK, the numbers confirmed a 3% increase in foal enrollments from last year.
In 2016, 2,235 foals were enrolled in the program; this year, that number increased by 80 enrollments bringing the tally up to 2,315 enrollments. “In a breeding industry that has continually had its ups and downs in recent years, this is a very positive sign,” said Cheryl Cody, NRBC Secretary-Treasurer.
With the deadline for stallion re-enrollments tomorrow, the numbers are looking good there too. Stallions that are already enrolled in the program must be renewed by tomorrow, but new stallions can enroll for the first time at any time of the year. Many will come in after their foals are on the ground.
The NRBC is a stallion incentive program. After a stallion becomes part of the program, his foals may be enrolled. Those foals, as 4, 5, and 6-year-olds, can then compete at the prestigious week-long event which has paid out $20 million in its past 20 years. For more information including the event schedule and entry forms, visit www.nrbc.com.
Throughout the week the National Reining Breeders Classic has featured some of the toughest competitors and horses alike in both open classes as well as youth and ancillary. Saturday’s champions were crowned in youth, Non Pro, USA Reining, Green Reiner and Novice Horse Open classes.
Madison Rafacz and Owen Deary took top honors in the 10 & Under Short Stirrup, with scores of 71 and 70.5, respectively. Rafacz rode Iboom (Boom Shernic x Bonitas Latin Chic) to the win in Saturday’s class. She received a National Reining Horse Association plaque and other prizes from Nutrena Feeds.
Rafacz has a special bond with the 6-year-old stallion and even though he has his own special quirks, she says he did his best in the show pen. “He’s a little goofy sometimes, but he was really good today,” she said. “Today was the first time I’ve shown him and I marked a 71. My favorite thing about him is that he can turn really big and he can stop really good if you ask him the right way.”
Owen Deary
Deary rode Reeboks Rerun (Reeboks Kid x Worksman Fisty) and with his combined scores from yesterday’s short stirrup class, his combined points earned him the overall 10 & Under Short Stirrup championship. He placed second in today’s class and received a prize bucket from Nutrena Feeds and a Gist Silversmiths championship buckle from the overall win.
Deary says he can count on his equine partner to always do his best. “He’s a really good horse and I really like him,” Deary said of his mount. “On this run, I liked the stops the most, and on my last one I liked my spins.” Ribbons were also awarded to first through sixth place and each entry received Cosequin buckets.
Shauna Larcombe
In the ancillary action, Shauna Larcombe rode Setting Off Smart to a score of 73.5 to win the Novice Horse Open Levels 1 and 2. Setting Off Smart is a 6-year-old mare by Smart Spook and out of Setting Off Sparks and NRBC only served as the mare’s second competition show.
“She hasn’t had a lot of showing yet, so I’m just trying her out and see how it’s going,” Larcombe said. “I was pretty happy [about her run], like I said I haven’t done a whole lot of riding on her lately. So she’s only been ridden the last couple of weeks properly, and then we came down here and each day she’s gotten a little bit better. Today I thought I would see what she could do and she was really good for me.”
Jared Leclair
Jared Leclair rode The Dun Gun, who’s by Gunner and out of Fabulous Footwork, to the high point win in the Novice Horse Open Level 1. He also picked up second place in Level 1 and split-second in Level 2 with a score of 73.
“She’s a really nice mare and shows really well. She’s a big stopper and a big turner,” Leclair said. “It’s exciting [to win the high point], it’s really cool and it’s a great horse show and they give away great awards and I was happy to be a part of it.”
Dany Tremblay
Dany Tremblay rode Misters Temptress (Mister Dual Pep x Colonel Pepinic) to the high point Novice Horse Open Level 2, for owners Brad and Amanda Kelly of Adh Mor Big Luck Ranch. In Saturday’s action, Tremblay rode the 5-year-old mare to a score of 73 to tie for second with Leclair in Level 2. Tremblay and Misters Temptress have had a big week in Katy, Texas, and the mare has continued to show up and prove her worth for both her rider and owners.
“All of this is all about a team effort and I think we have such a good team going and that’s why our week has been so successful,” Brad Kelly said. “So, kudos to everyone involved with our team, back home in Canada and here as well.”
Jeff Sizelove
The Green Reiner Levels 1 and 2 Champion was Jeff Sizelove with a score of 71 riding Bit Of Magnum. Sizelove and “Chico” have only been partners for eight months, however, he says the well-rounded equine athlete knows his job in the show pen.
“We call him ‘The Professor,’ because he knows what to do,” Sizelove said with a laugh. “It’s been a good journey here, an early journey, but it’s been great.” Bit Of Magnum is a 2003 gelding by Magnum Chic Dream and out of Bitsy Bye Remedy and led Sizelove to a score of 71 in Saturday’s class. Sizelove thanked Cedar Ridge Ranch and Casey Hinton for all of the support.
Sandra Martin
To win the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro ancillary classes, Sandra Martin rode Diamond Dappled, who’s by Shining Spark and out of Sun Dappled, to a score of 146.
Martin and her mount have been long-time partners and the win at the NRBC was extra special for the champ. “I still can’t believe it,” Martin said of her win through tearful eyes. “To come here and win the class, I was hoping just to place well not even win with some of the people who were in the class.”
In the youth classes, two tough riders dominated the competition. Madison Gustin took home multiple championships in the NRHA Youth 13 & Under, the NRBC Youth 13 & Under Classic Challenge, Unrestricted Youth, the American Quarter Horse Association Youth 18 & Under Reining and the USA Reining Youth 13 & Under. Emilia Reutimann was the other multi-time champion of the youth classes taking home the championships in the NRHA Youth 14-18, the NRBC Youth 14-18 Classic Challenge and the USA Reining 14-18.
Madison Gustin
Gustin rode Guns R Spooky, who’s by Smart Spook and out of Berry Yer Guns to mark a 145.5 for the win. She received an NRHA Trophy, Nutrena Feed gift certificate, Cosequin bucket and NRBC commemorative prizes for each championship. Gustin also took home the youth 13 & Under high point championship, for which she received a Gist Silversmith trophy buckle. The 7-year-old gelding has been in Gustin’s hands for two years and the pair has won several championships together.
Emilia Reutimann
Gustin says she will always remember the NRBC, because of the huge personal redemption. “It’s been so much, after coming back from falling off in our run yesterday it was a lot of fun and we did so well,” Gustin said. “This was our highest score ever and I am so proud of him.”
Reutimann rode Black Hails Gold, who’s by Shine Like Hail and out of Dun Its Black Gold, to the score of 145 for the wins. She received an NRHA Trophy, Nutrena Feed gift certificate, Cosequin bucket and NRBC commemorative prizes for each championship. Reutimann also took home the youth 14-18 high point championship, for which she received a Gist Silversmith trophy buckle.
Reutimann said although she and Black Hails Gold have only been partners for a short while they continue to improve in the show pen. She was proud of her mount for leading her to multiple wins, especially the high point award.
“I’ve only had him since October, so this is only my second show with him, so I was really happy with him. He was really honest with me and he was really good,” Reutimann said. “He walked in and he was a little bit looky, which I was nervous about, but we got to the middle and he turned and circled really good. His first stop wasn’t as good as I would have liked it to have been, but he stopped huge on the other two, so I was really happy.”
Luca Fappani
Each year at the NRBC the highest-scoring competitor in the youth competition is awarded the Curtis Burlin Perpetual Youth Award. This year, Luca Fappani took home the honor. Fappani rode the standout gelding, Custom Spook, who’s by Smart Spook and out of Custom Spinderella to a score of 144.5 in today’s Youth 13 & Under classes, combined with yesterday’s winning score of 72 to win the honor.
Custom Spook is owned by Rancho Oso Rio and was under the direction of his father, Andrea Fappani in his earlier career. Fappani was lucky enough to be given the honor of exercising the gelding on his off days and as such has formed a special connection with the gelding, which made his transition to full-time rider easy.
“I just started showing him this year… his owner, Pat Warren, rode him and showed him after my dad rode him in his derby years, and then she didn’t want to show him anymore, but she didn’t want to sell him, so she let us lease him and I’m really thankful for that,” Fappani said. “When Pat told me I could go show him, I was really excited. He’s really nice to ride. He’s so quiet and just lopes around and he stops huge. “I’ve never shown here, and it feels good to win the first time I’ve been here,” he continued.
For information and complete results from the National Reining Breeders Classic, follow updates from NRBC on Facebook, Twitter and www.nrbc.com
The long miles, hard work and hours spent putting the finishing touches on some of the toughest reining horses in the country culminated inside the Great Southwest Equestrian Center at The National Reining Breeders Classic with a crowd-raising performance. The focus of the night was the Open Classic Finals where competitors showed up to battle it out for championship prizes, bragging rights, and $75,000. Finishing the night on top of the field was Andrea Fappani riding Chic Dreamin (Magnum Chic Dream x Skeets Red Dunit) to a score of 229 to top Level 4 and be crowned the NRBC Open Classic champion.
“It never gets old to win anywhere, but especially here,” Fappani said. “It’s a special place. I have a special place in my heart because this is where I marked a 236, which is still today the highest in NRHA history, so it’s a great place where you can really showcase your horse.”
Fappani and the 5-year-old stallion owned by Silver Spurs Equine wowed the crowd with a stellar performance, proving why the NRBC is one of Fappani’s favorite shows and why he had such confidence going into the finals aboard the flashy sorrel. “I was waiting for something to maybe not go as planned,” Fappani said with a laugh. “It kept going as I planned it, everything was just right on. I was having fun to be honest. It was one of those runs where they award a high score, but it’s not like I was trying that hard. I just let it be. A lot of times you get to some of these finals and you know you have to have a big score to win and you almost try too hard then you get into the penalties or you override your horse.
“I knew I had a horse that could really mark in the stops,” he continued. “I had a pattern with four stops so I said as long as I nail my stops and stay out of the penalty box I should be in good shape.”
This year marked the fourth time Fappani has claimed the NRBC Open Finals championship, and he says it’s taken a lot of hard work to get here. “Hard work pays off, that’s what I tell everybody,” Fappani said. “[Some people] think it’s luck and it’s really not. You have to put your head down and work, no matter what you win, the next one’s not going to win itself. You have to go home, go to work and do the best you can.”
Fappani also had success on two other horses in tonight’s finals finishing fourth aboard Smart Shiners Spook (Smart Spook x Ebony Shines) owned by Silver Spurs Equine with a score of 224.5. Aboard Thebettertohearuwith (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Chex Out The Cowgirl) owned by Bill Coburn he marked a 220.5 to split 15th place. For some, the fast change between horses in such a high-pressure situation could be nerve-racking; however, Fappani says the many years of practice has prepared him.
“It’s easier now because I’ve done it enough,” Fappani said of how he prepares mentally for each horse. “I have a plan the day before [I show] and then I separate all the horses and think one horse at a time. When I got on my first horse tonight, I knew what I had to think about with that horse and that’s all I focused on. Then when I get off that horse, I think about the next one and don’t remember the last one I rode. I erase it from my memory pretty much.
“I’ve learned that along the way because you just never know what’s going to happen next,” he continued. “I’ve learned to focus on one horse at a time and just go with it.” Along with the $75,000 for the title, Fappani took home one year’s use of a deluxe two-horse horse trailer from Twin Cities Trailer Sales, a custom championship saddle sponsored by Bob’s Custom Saddles, a Gist Silversmiths championship buckle sponsored by NRBC, a crystal trophy from NRBC, Anderson Bean boots, Whisper Bit from M3 Products, Ultra Cruz Equine Wellness and Joint Care plus other NRBC sponsored products like a custom embroidered cooler, a commemorative champion medal, and champion ribbon collar and roses.
Dany Tremblay
Brian Bell and Dany Tremblay each marked a 225.5 to share the reserve championship in the Level 4. Bell rode Turn Down For What (Einsteins Revolution x My Way Marla) owned by Crews Reining Horses. Tremblay rode Adh Mor Big Luck Ranch’s PS Mega Shine Chic (Shine Chic Shine x Megas Sugar Baby).
They each received $41,000 for the reserve co-championship, a Gist Silversmiths reserve champion buckle sponsored by NRBC, a custom embroidered cooler from NRBC, a commemorative reserve champion medal from NRBC, and a 30 day supply of Cosequin ASU Plus from Nutramax.
Tremblay also took home the Level 3 championship aboard PS Mega Shine Chic, worth $20,589. Tremblay has had a big week in Katy, Texas, taking home a myriad of awards and championships over the course of the event. “It’s amazing,” Tremblay said of his win.
“We had the lead for a little bit and then Andrea had a great ride and what a great horse (Chic Dreamin), but ‘Crush’ is really special, and he gave me a lot tonight and I’m really proud of him. I think the best of him is coming in the next few years.”
Tremblay also qualified Magnums Guns R Reddy (Magnum Chic Dream x Guns R Reddy), owned by Ruth Hamlin and marked a 217 aboard the mare.
Abby Lengel rode ARC Gunna Mark Ya (Gunnatrashya x Shiney Miss Marker) to a score of 223.5 to win Level 2 as well as second place in Level 3. Making her win even more impressive was the fact Lengel competed with a tack malfunction.
Abby Lengel
“On my way to my first stop, I felt my stirrup break. My Blevins buckle came undone and I lost my stirrup and so I just held my right leg in there really hard and she’s a nice enough horse and broke enough that she just took me through it. It wasn’t a good feeling when it happened, but after the first stop I thought maybe I can do this,” she said with a laugh.
Lengel has been working hard to claim a title at this show and this year, all her hard work paid off. “It feels fantastic [to win the NRBC Level 2],” she said. “I’ve been wanting to do well at this show for a long time. It’s kind of been a long process getting [ARC Gunna Mark Ya] ready for this show, but she finally started feeling locked in here and she did really, really well. I’ve wanted to put a run down here for a while and I’ve been praying about it and God said yes tonight.”
Lengel pocketed $8,128 for the first place win, plus $12,533 for the second place Level 3 finish. She also received a custom saddle sponsored by Deshotels and Luke Gagnon, a Gist Silversmiths championship buckle sponsored by NRBC, Whisper Bit from M3 Products, Ultra Cruz Equine Wellness and Joint Care. Plus, other NRBC sponsored products such as a crystal trophy, a commemorative champion medal, a custom embroidered cooler and champion ribbon collar and roses.
Alejandro Ortiz Vazquez
Barak Gibori
A tie in the Level 1 saw Alejandro Ortiz Vazquez and Barak Gibori share the co-championship each with a score of 217.5. Ortiz Vazquez rode She Is A Chexinic (Smart Like Juice x Muskegs Chexinic) for owner Smart Like Juice Inc., and Gibori rode Pearl Haggard (Hollywoodstinseltown x Gunners Pearl) for owner David Silva Sr.
Ortiz Vazquez has had a long journey getting to this point and She Is A Chexinic’s owner, Jose Vazquez said he expects even bigger things for his future. Originally from Mexico, Ortiz Vazquez tried coming to work for Vazquez in the United State as a trainer, however, the long process of getting a work Visa made the transition difficult. Therefore, Vazquez sent six 3-year-olds to Ortiz Vazquez in Mexico to train, She Is A Chexinix being one of them. When he was finally granted his Visa, he moved to the United States and started working for Vazquez full-time.
“[The win] is great as an owner, but for Alejandro, he’s been working really hard and put in a lot of effort and I think he has a bright future as a trainer,” Jose Vazquez said. “He’s been working for me two and a half years and day one he stepped up and he’s getting better and better in the show pen. He has a lot of talent and a lot of respect for the sport.” Ortiz Vazquez pocketed $2,457 for the win.
Gibori and Pearl Haggard had a great showing in Katy, Texas, with the 4-year-old, who has led him to other wins such as the 2016 Tulsa Reining Classic Level 1 futurity champion. Stamina in the show pen continued to shine tonight in the Open Classic Finals.
“I feel great,” Gibori said. “He’s a great horse and he showed really well for me. This is a great show and some of the best horses come here, so it’s nice to get a win here.” Gibori also finished 16th in the Level 3 to tie with Mathieu Buton, Ortiz Vazquez and Matthew Armenta to pick up an extra $750. All totaled Gibori banked $3,207.
Martin Larcombe
Martin Larcombe rode Hang Ten And Shine, who’s by Hang Ten Surprize and out of Ebony Shines to a score of 224 for owner Christine Brazeau to top the Open Prime Time, worth $1,950. “There’s an advantage to being old sometimes I guess,” Larcombe said with a laugh. “It’s good though. [During my run] I was thinking I needed to do as good as I could, to go as hard as I could, and the horse stayed with me pretty well. We just had one little problem coming around a loop where we popped out of lead and that hurt us quite a bit. Other than that, he was very good.” The 6-year-old has been with Larcombe since he was three and has continued to do well for Larcombe qualifying for the Level 4 finals at many shows over the course of his career. This year, Larcombe admits the stallion stepped up his game, which made the NRBC even more special for the pair. “Tonight was the best run I’ve probably ever had on him, just that little bobble that cost us,” he said. “This event here is where the best horses come and the best competitors and if you can just be in amongst it somewhere it’s something to feel great about.”
Tom McCutcheon and Martin Muehlstaetter took home big wins in Friday night’s NRBC Open Reining Night presented by Kimmel Reining Horses. McCutcheon and Muehlstaetter each turned in big scores of 224.5, which wowed the crowd with the big stops and flawless circles to split the win in the National Reining Horse Association $25,000-added Open, as well as the NRBC Open Classic Challenge.
McCutcheon rode the standout mount, The Wizster, who’s by Gallo Del Cielo and out of Miss Whizard Jac and owned by Turnabout Farm Inc. Aboard the 2010 gelding McCutcheon also won the USA Reining Open, and the CRI Reining.
“I feel great,” McCutcheon said of his wins. “It is really a humbling experience to be able to show a horse like this; it’s really a sigh of relief to be able to show him in a way that he is well represented because with this caliber of a horse, you’re just along for the ride.”
Although the big check was a welcomed reward McCutcheon said being able to represent the United States is always a noble and humbling moment. “It’s always an awesome feeling to be on that podium and sing along to the National Anthem,” McCutcheon said.
Muehlstaetter shared the co-championship aboard Michael Garnett’s Blo Gun. Muehlstaetter says he enjoyed showing the 2010 stallion by Colonels Smoking Gun and out of The Hot Jewel and hopes to show him again in the future.
Martin Muehlstaetter
“I was really excited, it’s the first time I’ve shown the horse,” Muehlstaetter said.”[Michael] is a long-time client of mine and I [asked] if I could ride the horse and he told me ‘go for it,’ so here we are,” Muehlstaetter said with a smile.
In youth action, the kids of reining were turning in their own sharp maneuvers. Bo Van Duys riding Aim Your Pistol, and Emilia Reutimann riding Black Hails Gold, shared the win in the CRI Junior with scores of 69.5. Aim Your Pistol is by Custom Pistol and out of Topnotch Melody and Black Hails Gold is by Shine Like Hail and out of Dun Its Black Gold.
McKinnon Larcombe rode My Nu Mercedes Rox (Cromed Out Mercedes x Roxana Chex) to a score of 71.5 to win the Youth 14-18. She also split the win in the Unrestricted Youth and the American Quarter Horse Association Youth 18 & Under with Raeanna Thayn.
Larcombe took over the reins of My Nu Mercedes Rox from her mom about a year ago and has had a lot of success in the show pen. She’s taken home wins at the Southwest Reining Horse Association as well as the Tulsa Reining Classic. “I’ve been showing him here, there, everywhere and recently, we were a 215 at the derby in Tulsa, so that was a good confidence booster,” Larcombe said. “He showed really well today, he’s getting better and better and so am I showing him.”
McKinnon Larcombe
Thayn has a special bond with her mount and a few of her favorite things are his mane and his heart.
Raeanna Thayn
Thayn has already earned titles on him this week in the Limited Non Pro and hopes to continue her winning streak in tomorrow’s youth classes. “He tries really hard,” Thayn said. “Our run was really good today and he stayed with me in the pen.”
Luca Fappani rode Custom Spook (Smart Spook x Custom Spinderella) to a score of 72 to top the Youth 13 & Under.
For information and complete results from the National Reining Breeders Classic, follow updates from NRBC on Facebook, Twitter and www.nrbc.com.
The National Reining Breeders Classic has seen top-shelf competition throughout the week. Reiners from across the country have traveled the miles, put in the hard work and showed up in Katy, Texas, in top form to battle it out for championship prizes and bragging rights.
Jack Medows
Friday, Jack Medows rode Chicsdreamofdiamonds (Magnum Chic Dream x Princess In Diamonds) to a score of 223.5 to top the Level 4 and be crowned the NRBC Non Pro Classic champion. Medows has had a lot of success with the mare having won the 2016 National Reining Horse Association Non Pro Futurity championship along with other big wins, but Medows says the $30,000 NRBC win is special.
“Between the prelims and here she really stepped up her turns. She’s a really good turner, but for some reason she goes in the show pen and she’s so relaxed that she almost dulls up a little bit, but today she really sparked in her turns, and when I loped her off, she was so slow and so collected it was a really cool feeling,” Medows said. “[The win here at the NRBC] is so special and she deserves it, she’s such a good mare. I’m glad I stayed out of her way and let her do it.”
Although Medows’ win in the Level 4 was his most special moment, he rode two other great mounts to top finishes today making the day even more special. The 19-year-old rode Frame Draggin (Einsteins Revolution x Coronas Major) to fifth place in the Level 4 Non Pro, worth $8,500 with a score of 219.5. He also rode Wimpys Show Stopper (Wimpys Little Step x Pinesail) to the CRI Youth Reining win with a score of 72.5. “It was a really, really good day. All three of my horses were good, so I’m very lucky,” Medows said.
Along with the cash, Medows took home one year’s use of a deluxe two-horse Horse Trailer from Twin Cities Trailer Sales, a custom championship saddle sponsored by Bob’s Custom Saddles, a Gist Silversmiths championship buckle sponsored by NRBC, a crystal trophy from NRBC, Anderson Bean boots, Whisper Bit from M3 Products, Ultra Cruz Equine Wellness and Joint Care plus other NRBC sponsored products like a custom embroidered cooler, a commemorative champion medal, and champion ribbon collar and roses.
Cade McCutcheon marked a 223 aboard Custom Made Gun (Colonels Smoking Gun x Custom Made Dunit) for McQuay Stables for a reserve championship Level 4 finish, worth $15,750. McCutcheon also received a Gist Silversmiths reserve champion buckle sponsored by NRBC, a custom embroidered cooler from NRBC, a commemorative reserve champion medal from NRBC and a 30-day supply of Cosequin ASU Plus from Nutramax.
Tish Fappani
Tish Fappani rode Spooks N Jewels to a score of 220 to win the Non Pro Level 3, plus finish fourth in the Level 4. Along with the $8,400 Fappani picked up for winning the Level 3, her Level 4 finish gained her an extra $10,000.
Spooks N Jewels is by Smart Spook and out of Whiz Jewels, who was shown at the end of her career by Fappani’s husband, Andrea Fappani. The family relationship with Spooks N Jewels’ dam has made the connection special for Fappani. “Coming off of the futurity with [Spooks N Jewels], I didn’t have a good futurity, so it felt good to get in there and have him be solid and consistent in both goes,” Fappani said. “He was right there with me. He’s a big stopper, so we hit all of our stops and I made sure I got shut off in my turns, so there were no turn penalties. In the circles he went the speed he can handle right now. After the futurity, he hasn’t been shown, he hasn’t even been schooled or anything, we rested him quite a bit. He’s four, so he’s still got quite a few more years. I feel comfortable on him.”
Fappani received a custom saddle sponsored by Continental Saddlery, a Gist Silversmiths championship buckle sponsored by NRBC, Whisper Bit from M3 Products, Ultra Cruz Equine Wellness and Joint Care from San Juan Ranch and Santa Cruz Biotechnology. Plus, other NRBC sponsored products such as a crystal trophy, a commemorative champion medal, a custom embroidered cooler and champion ribbon collar and roses.
Veronica Williams
Veronica Williams rode Singing In The Rein (Master Snapper x Shiners Mistress) to a score of 217.5 to win the Level 2 and well as second place in the Level 3. Up to this point, the NRBC Non Pro Finals had been Williams’ Achilles Hill, having qualified multiple times to the finals to only, admittedly, let the pressure get the best of her nerves.
“It was a personal goal of mine to do better in the finals,” Williams said. “I’ve always come here and made into the finals and then chickened out in the finals and if felt so good to go finally go in there and just trust her and do it and she was just with me every step of the way.”
This year, however, she achieved her goal and claimed her first NRBC championship title. “It feels amazing,” Williams said of her win. “It hasn’t really even sunk in, yet I don’t think. [This win at the NRBC is extra special] because this is a huge horse show, and the best of the best horses are here and the best of the best riders are here. It’s so cool to come here and get to show and then to do well here is just the coolest. The coolest thing of all.”
Williams pocketed $4,000 for the first-place win, plus $5,150 for the second place Level 3 finish. She also received a custom saddle sponsored by Deshotels and Luke Gagnon, a Gist Silversmiths championship buckle sponsored by NRBC, Whisper Bit from M3 Products, Ultra Cruz Equine Wellness and Joint Care. Plus, other NRBC sponsored products such as a crystal trophy, a commemorative champion medal, a custom embroidered cooler and champion ribbon collar and roses.
Nancy Murfin-Moxley
Nancy Murfin-Moxley rode Who Whiz Hot Choclat to a score of 216 to win both the Level 1 and Prime Time, plus finish second in the Level 3. Her success in the show pen was made extra special considering it’s only her first time to show with her mount competitively.
“[Winning this championship] is wonderful,” Murfin-Moxley said. “My run felt great. [Who Whiz Hot Choclat] is so great minded and I just trusted him, and I knew he was prepared and I did the best I could do. He just took great care of me.”
Who Whiz Hot Choclat is by Who Whiz It and out of Choclat Almond Chic and led his rider to a total haul of $5,697. The competition continued with tough competition in the ancillary classes, plus the start of the youth classes.
Paul Queen
In the ancillary action, Paul Queen rode Outta Dough (Gallo Del Cielo x Dough Olena) to a score of 146.5 to top the Limited Non Pro, plus take home the overall championship. Queen took home a National Reining Horse Association championship trophy, a Nutrena Feed gift certificate and Cosequin Bucket. Queen has had the now-12-year-old stallion for 10 years and over the years they’ve formed a special bond, which reflected their abilities in the show pen during his run at the NRBC. “I look out for him and he looks out for me,” Queen said. “My run felt really good. I know he can do those fast circles and I knew when we got in there we’re going to get them, and I know he can plant it in the ground when it’s time. So, we had a good time.” In second place was Hannah Loverien riding Tom and Mandy McCutcheon’s That Kind Of Nite (Gunners Special Nite x Doc Santa Belle) to a score of 142.5.
Round One Open Champs; Novice Horse Open, Limited Open and Rookie Pro Champs Named
The competition continued at the National Reining Breeders Classic on Thursday with the second section of the Open Classic Prelims. The tough competition featured big stops and smooth maneuvers inside the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. The ancillary classes also saw big scores with the Novice Horse Open, Limited Open, Rookie Professional and American Quarter Horse Association classes.
In Thursday’s second section of the Open Classic Prelims, Dany Tremblay scored a 223.5 riding PS Mega Shine Chic (Shine Chic Shine x Megas Sugar Baby), owned by Amanda and Bradley Kelly of Adh Mor Big Luck Ranch to tie the Level 4 high score put in by Tom McCutcheon on Smart Little Dunnit, who’s by Smart Spook and out of Jan Van Bar B Dun It, for owners Turnabout Farms Inc. With his high score, Tremblay bumped himself out of the Level 3 lead and took first and second places in the Level 3. Aboard Magnums Guns R Reddy (Magnum Chic Dream x Guns R Reddy), Tremblay took second with a score of 221.5 for owner Ruth A. Hamlin. Bud Lyon rode Einsteins Top Whiz (Einsteins Revolution x Kr Samantha) to a score of 220 to win the Level 2 first go-round and Alejandro Ortiz Vazquez riding She Is A Chexinic (Smart Like Juice x Muskegs Chexinic) scored a 218 to top the Level 1. The Prime Time go-round winner is Martin Larcombe riding Hang Ten And Shine (Hang Ten Surprize x Ebony Shines) to a score of 223.
The Open Classic Finals will kick off inside the Coliseum Arena Saturday, April 22, and the champion will receive $75,000.
For complete results from the Open Classic Prelims visit www.nrbc.com.
Josh Tishman
The ancillary competition continued today in Katy, Texas, with the Limited Open and Rookie Professional classes in the Wheless Arena where Josh Tishman took top honors. Tishman rode Chics Love Me Wimpy, who’s by Wimpys Little Step and out of Dream About Magic, to a score of 73. “Duke” is owned by Deborah Good, who wasn’t able to make the NRBC and sent “Duke” for Tishman to show in her place.
Tishman has had a great week with the gelding, winning Tuesday’s Limited Open and Rookie Professional classes as well, for which he became the overall NRBC Limited Open and Rookie Professional champion. “He’s really fun to show. That’s probably the best run we’ve had, he’s just really easy and fun so it just worked out well,” Tishman said. “He followed me right around and went as fast as I asked and as slow as I asked and just did everything as hard as he could.”
Troy Koehl riding A Ruf Master (Lil Ruf Peppy x Shiners Mistress) to a score of 71 took second in the Limited Open while Lindsey Seewaldt riding Katy Dun It (Dun Gotta Gun x Dun Kissed Peaches) took second in the Rookie Professional with a score of 71.5. In the Novice Horse Open Level 2, a tie between Dany Tremblay and Peter DeFreitas took the first-place win, with a score of 147.
Dany Tremblay
Tremblay rode Misters Temptress, who’s by Mister Dual Pep and out of Colonel Pepinic, while DeFreitas rode Colonel Missile, who’s by Hang Ten Surprize and out of Sweet Ginger Chic. Tremblay has been riding and showing Misters Temptress with much success this year and says the mare continues to improve with each ride.
“Every time I show her she scores 73s and 73.5s, so she’s consistent and she likes to go in the show pen now and I love it,” Tremblay said.
DeFreitas also took the win in the Novice Horse Open Level 1 aboard Colonel Missile with a score of 147. DeFreitas showed the now 4-year-old gelding as a 3-year-old and had success then as well. The duo came to the NRBC with intentions of continuing to improve in the show pen as well as find a potential buyer for Colonel Missile. DeFreitas says showing in the Novice Horse Open was a nice change of pace and made the win memorable.
“He’s very simple, he’s always the same every time I show him. He’s a lot of fun to show because he does his thing and it’s easy,” DeFreitas said. “I was happy to come here and get to show in the Novice too, usually, I just show in the Classic part, but it was fun to show in the Novice Horse and to get a win always helps.”
Peter DeFreitas
Jared Leclair rode The Dun Gun (Gunner x Fabulous Footwork) to a score of 144.5 to take third place in the Novice Horse Open Level 1 and second place in Level 1. In the AQHA classes, Tremblay and DeFreitas were also co-champions in the AQHA Junior and Senior classes with a score of 147 aboard the same mounts.
Nothing entices a crowd more than free food and Thursday night the Tamarack Ranch Open Draw Party pulled together the Open Classic finalists, their friends and family for an evening of great food and entertainment. Along with the food and camaraderie, the Open finalists were given the chance to draw for their running positions in the Open Classic Finals. For information and complete results from the National Reining Breeders Classic, follow updates from NRBC on Facebook, Twitter and www.nrbc.com
