The National Reining Breeders Classic is back in Katy, Texas, and is set to officially begin on Monday, April 18.

The Non Pro Classic preliminaries kick off the event at 8 a.m. Monday morning, with a record-breaking 212 entries contending for a spot in the Finals on Friday. The Open Classic competition gets underway on Wednesday with the first section of the preliminary round, and the Open Finals will be Saturday.

There are numerous parties scattered throughout the week that are open to everyone, and include the Hygain Welcome Party (Tuesday), the Markel Insurance Non Pro Draw Party (Wednesday), and the Matt Mills Reining Horses Open Draw Party (Thursday).

While the Classic is the marquis event of the show, opportunities to compete in the world-class setting abound. There are two complete slates of horse show classes, and riders can win not only the daily championships, prizes, and money, but also beautiful Skyline Silversmiths high-point buckles if they choose to compete in both slates.

One of the highlights of the horse show classes is always the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout, held Friday evening in the Coliseum Arena. Rookie riders who compete in both slates of Rookie classes can compete for even more prizes – including a custom trophy bench from MyTCoat – if they have one of the top five composite scores from the two slates.

Thanks to increased support from NRBC Platinum Sponsor Toyon Ranch, all Rookie entry fees and judges fees are paid in 2022 with the Toyon Ranch Rookie Free For All. NRBC Gold Sponsor Adh Mor Ranch/PS Mega Shine Chic does the same with Crushing the Youth Fees for all Youth ancillary classes.

For those not in Katy or who just want more behind-the-scenes content, the Million Dollar Show has several social media channels that are updated multiple times daily. Follow along on Facebook @NationalReiningBreedersClassic, on Instagram @NRBC2022, Twitter @NRBC2022, SnapChat @NRBC2022, and TikTok @NRBC2022.

“This is an exciting year for the NRBC, and we look forward to sharing what is happening down here in Katy with reining fans around the world,” noted NRBC Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Cody.

Draws and results are posted daily at www.NRBC.com, and the Equine Promotions live webcast of all three arenas from can also be accessed from the NRBC home page. 

For years, the National Reining Breeders Classic has awarded its Level 4 Open Champion a check for $75,000. While the money is incredible – the show has paid out more than $24 million in its first 24 years – the prestige of earning an NRBC Championship can bolster a career to new heights.

With that in mind, it’s a given that the event, held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, draws the crème de le crème of the reining industry.

In 2021, National Reining Horse Association Two Million Dollar Rider Jason Vanlandingham tied for the L4 Championship with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Dany Tremblay. The two men elected to remain co-champions, with each taking home checks for $63,000. Vanlandingham rode Diane Mesmer’s A Vintage Smoke (A Sparkling Vintage x Lady Smoke Pepper), while Tremblay showed Tinker With Dreams (Tinker With Guns x This Chicsdundreamin) for owner Diamond Dub Quarter Horses.

Both Vanlandingham and Tremblay return to the 2022 NRBC, slated for April 17-24, with three entries each.

Vanlandingham is a three-time NRBC Level 4 Open Champion, having also won it in 2016 on NRHA Million Dollar Sire Not Ruf At All and then tying for the win in 2019 on A Vintage Smoke.

Vanlandingham is entered on Best Shine (Shine Chic Shine x Best Stop), owned by Robert Santagata, Excessive Rufness (Not Ruf At All x Smokin Lady Gunner), owned by Vaughn Zimmerman, and One Ruf Kid (Not Ruf At All x Surprise Easter Kid), owned by Vaughn Zimmerman.

Tremblay will ride Spent It On Mylashes (Pale Face Dunnit x Chex To Cash N Spend), owned by Kelsey Flessner, Pale Faced Whiz (Pale Face Dunnit x Ms Maggie Whiz), owned by Diamond Dub Quarter Horses, and All Guns On Crush (PS Mega Shine Chic x All Guns On Deck), owned by Adh-Mor Ranch.

Last year’s Level 3 Open Champions, Gunny Mathison and Shes Reddy Online, will return to the Coliseum Arena. Due to Mathison’s recent success, he and the mare are only eligible to compete for the Level 4 title. Shes Reddy Online (Shine On Line x Guns R Reddy), is owned by Mary Jansma. Mathison, who’s less than $26,000 from passing one million dollars in lifetime earnings, will also show his own horse, Alpha Taris Chic (Wimpy Chic x Taris Attraction).

Another reigning champion that’s moved up in eligibility is Leonardo Kellerman, who piloted Blazed By Magnum (Magnum Chic Dream x Blazed By Commander) to the Level 2 Co-Championship in 2021. Kellerman and Blazed By Magnum, owned by Diane Yoder, look to build on the success they had in the Coliseum arena.

Eduardo Salgado was the second part of the Level 2 Co-Championship, having ridden Isnt She Dreamy (Magnum Chic Dream x Miss Silver Gun) to the title. This year he returns with two horses, Late Night Doll (Late Night Stopper x Walla Walla Doll) and Gunna Electrafiya (Gunnatrashya x Sheza Electric Star), both owned by Marc and Kathy Gordon.

NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida claimed the 2021 Prime Time Championship on Shine Colt Shine (Shine Chic Shine x Gunners Miss Oak), owned by Gaynia Revenberg. He has won the coveted NRBC on four different horses: Spooks Gotta Whiz (2012), Shine Chic Shine (2011), Wimpys Little Chic (2008), and Einsteins Revolution (2006).

Flarida has three horses entered this year, including Gunna Go Bix (Gunnatrashya x Wimpys Little Chic), owned by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Arcese Quarter Horses USA, Shiner On My Eye (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Flashy Lil Step), owned by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Robert Santagata, and Alpha Jac Sparrow (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Chexanicki), owned by Fritz Leeman.

All but three former NRBC Level 4 Open Champions are entered in this year’s Classic, and every single one entered has surpassed more than one million dollars in lifetime earnings.

In 2020, NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary piloted Americasnexttopgun (Walla Walla Whiz x Americasnextgunmodel) to win the Championship. In 2021, the pair marked a 226 to finish fourth. Deary and Americasnexttopgun, owned by Puno Performance Horses LLC, are giving it a go once again in 2022.

Deary is also entered this year on reigning NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Champion Ten Thirty (Gunnatrashya x Dainty Lil Step), owned by Rancho El Fortin, and Down Right Amazing (Gunner x Shesouttayourleague), owned by DAG Ventures LLC.

NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Rider, Nathan Piper, just has one bullet for this year’s Classic, but it’s a good one. He’s entered on Patriot (Smart Spook x Dunit A Lil Ruf), owned by Shannon and Hershel Reid. In 2019, the duo tied for the Level 4 Open Championship.

NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Duane Latimer won his first NRBC title in 2000 on Conquistador Whiz, and then his second in 2018 on Modern Gun. This year Latimer will show two entries for Roxanne Koepsell, Ziggy Rocks (Whizkey N Diamonds x Shes Got Good Guns), and Hesa Rockin Whiz (Topsail Whiz x A Bueno Poco Dunit).

Andrea Fappani, who holds court as NRHA’s All Time Leading Rider and only Seven Million Dollar Rider, has won the NRBC on four horses: Chic Dreamin (2017), Frozen Enterprize (2015), Cromed Out Mercedes (2009), and Custom Legend (2007). Fappani has three entries this year, including Icecube (SG Frozen Enterprize x Taris Designer Genes), a horse he owns with wife Tish. In 2021, the Fappanis’ son, Luca, piloted Icecube to the NRBC Level 4 Non Pro Reserve Championship.

Fappani is also entered on Whizsicle (SG Frozen Enterprize x Miss Whizzletown), owned by Diane Yoder, and Starjac Vintage (A Sparkling Vintage x Starjac Miss), owned by Teton Ridge.

In 2014, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Martin Muehlstaetter piloted Blue Collar Tag to the Open Championship. This year Martin has two entries, Alpha Gun Chexy (Spooks Gotta Gun x Chexy Dun It) and Seven On Seven (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Anne Get Your Gunner), both owned by Sleipner LLC.

Craig Schmersal, NRHA’s third All Time Leading Rider with nearly five million dollars in lifetime earnings, won the 2010 NRBC on Boom Shernic. This year he has three entries: Hey Roy (Star Spangled Whiz x Dun It For Chex), owned by Hey Roy Partners, Setting Off To Town (Gunners Tinseltown x Setting Off Smart), owned by Taylor Sheridan, and Surprizedya (Gunnatrashya x Dun With Surprises), owned by Schmersal/ThorSport Inc.

Tom McCutcheon won the 2001 NRBC on Smartest Chic Olena. McCutcheon, who is less than $30,000 from surpassing two million dollars in lifetime earnings, has three entries this year. McCutcheon is entered on Gunners Rockstar (Gunners Special Nite x Belle Starr Dun It), owned by White River Ag Products Inc., Gunners Nite Train (Gunners Special Nite x Belle Starr Dun It), owned by Tom and his wife, Mandy McCutcheon, and Gonna Outbid U (Wimpys High Bid x Ms Dreamy), owned by Story Book Stables.

The Open Classic Preliminaries kick off at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 20. Find more information about the event, results, draws, and more at www.NRBC.com.

Also, make sure to get social with NRBC on Instagram @nrbc2022 and on Facebook.com/NationalReiningBreedersClassic.

2021 Open Champions

L4 Co-Champion – Jason Vanlandingham & A Vintage Smoke (A Sparkling Vintage x Lady Smoke Pepper), owned by Diane Mesmer

L4 Co-Champion – Dany Tremblay & Tinker With Dreams (Tinker With Guns x This Chicsdundreamin), owned by Diamond Dub Quarter Horses

L3 Champion – Justin Mathison & Shes Reddy On Line (Shine On Line x Guns R Reddy), owned by Mary Jansma

L2 Co-Champion – Leonardo Kellerman & Blazed By Magnum (Magnum Chic Dream x Blazed By Commander)

L2 Co-Champion – Eduardo Salgado & Isnt She Dreamy (Magnum Chic Dream x Miss Silver Gun), owned by Renata Lemann

L1 Champion – Lucio Pontes Cassalecchi & Ruffed Up Spooks (Spooks Gotta Gun x All Ruffed Up), owned by Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC

PT Champion – Shawn Flarida & Shine Colt Shine (Shine Chic Shine x Gunners Miss Oak), owned by Gaynia Revenberg

It’s less than 90 hours from the start of the 2022 National Reining Breeders Classic Non Pro preliminaries, and it’s only fitting that during its 25^th Anniversary event, the Million Dollar Show is setting records once again.

Although entries for this year’s Non Pro Classic won’t completely close until noon on April 17, this edition already boasts a record number of entries at 212 (as of 4/14/2022), up from 191 which in 2021. In addition, the added money for this year’s Open and Non Pro Classic is up by more than $65,000.

With so much on the line, it’s no surprise that the heavy hitters have already begun arriving in Katy to prepare for one of the most exciting shows of the year.

Reigning NRBC Level 4 Non Pro Champions Mandy McCutcheon and JLosa (Arlosa Whiz x Spook N Jessie) will return to the Great Southwest Equestrian Center’s Coliseum Arena on the first day of competition. McCutcheon, of Aubrey, Texas, is the National Reining Horse Association’s All Time Leading Non Pro, All Time Leading Female Rider, and boasts more than $3 million in lifetime earnings. She’s won the NRBC eight times with Dont Miss This (2002), Rawhides Banjo (2006 & 2007), I Spin For Chics (2008), Always Gotyer Gunsup (2012), Ms Whiz Dunit (2014), Party Nite (2019), and JLosa (2020).

In addition to JLosa, McCutcheon brings two other mounts to Katy. She’ll also show her 2020 NRHA L4 Non Pro Futurity Champion Shining At Nite (Gunners Special Nite x A Shining Sidekick), and Bewitchin Bella (In Like Flinn x Boomernic Bewitched).

Another 2021 Champion team, Carlee McCutcheon and Dun With Guns, returns this year. McCutcheon and Dun With Guns (Gunners Special Nite x Belle Starr Dun It) took top spots in last year’s Level 3 and Level 2. Those wins helped push 16-year-old McCutcheon up in eligibility, so she’ll only be vying for a Level 4 title this year.

McCutcheon will also show Starlights Voodoo (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whizen Starlight) and Johnny Loves June (Lil Joe Cash x Whiz N Chexy Chic).

2021 Level 1 Champions Anna Harris and Ready N Willing (Walla Walla Whiz x Dainty Dunit) grace the roster this year, and are eligible for Non Pro Levels 1 – 4.

Reigning Non Pro Prime Time Champions Shaunda Rai Blinzler and Tagin Stiletto Chics (Gunners Special Nite x Stiletto Tag) are once again in the draw. Blinzler, who won the 2011 NRBC Level 4 Non Pro Championship on Rufanicki, will also show Smoke In Whizkey (Whizkey N Diamonds x Suga Suga) in the Non Pro Classic.

Last year’s Level 3 and Level 2 Reserve Champion Horse, Gotta Connection (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Smart Connection) returns to the GSEC with a new rider, Rylee Butler, and owner, Dawn Butler. Gotta Connection was shown in 2021 by Shelby Clausen.

2021 Level 1 Co-Reserve Champion with Rebecca Asmussen, Four Oh One Kay (Smart Spook x Miss Poco Whizard), now owned by Bur Oak, LLC, will also be competing with new rider Cappy Dryden.

In 2020, Indy Roper claimed the Level 4 title on Spooks Show Time (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Dolittle Lena). Roper has entered three horses this year, including Gals Love A Spook (Smart Spook x Wimpys Little Gal), MR Boaz (Not Ruf At All x Juicy Red Berry), and Wally Wonka (Walla Walla Whiz x Wimpys Coco Step).

Two time (2018 on Like Shiner & 2009 on Wound By Juice) NRBC Non Pro Level 4 Champion, Jose Vazquez, brings three bullets to Katy. The NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner and recent NRHA Hall of Fame inductee will ride Mr Chexy Dream (Magnum Chic Dream x Miss Chexy Lass), Xtra Smart Shiner (Shiners Voodoo Dr x SLJ Smartlikewhinny), and SLJ Corazon Valiente (Smart Like Juice x Wind Her Up Shiner).

Jack Medows won the 2017 NRBC Non Pro title on Chicsdreamofdiamonds, and this year he’s vying for a second title with Tribbiani (Gunnatrashya x Chicsdreamofdiamonds) and Dream On Whiz (Magnum Chic Dream x Ms Sassy Whiz).

Twelve years ago, Kim Muehlstaetter took the NRBC Non Pro title with Country Custom, and in 2022 she’ll be showing Late One Night (Late Night Stopper x Spooked Out Chex) and TR Baby Blues (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Spooks N Sparks).

NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Lance Griffin won back-to-back Non Pro Championships in 2003 and 2004 on Whiz N Tag Chex, now an NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire. This year Griffin will be showing Spooks Gotta Tinsel (Spooks Gotta Gun x Tinsel Tiara).

Rounding out the list of former Champions vying for a title in Katy this year is Marc Wagman, who won the 2000 NRBC Non Pro on Tougher Than The Rest. This year Wagman will show Best Stops Belle (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Best Stop).

The preliminary competition kicks off Monday, April 18, with the first section of the Non Pro preliminaries. Follow along with the action at NRBC.com. Also, make sure to get social with NRBC on Instagram @nrbc2022 and on Facebook.com/NationalReiningBreedersClassic.

At noon, Tuesday, April 12, move-in officially began for the 25^th Anniversary National Reining Breeders Classic. The Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, is a hive of activity. The show crew readies the arena for paid warm-ups that begin on Wednesday, while the Show Office staff is preparing to open on Thursday.

Competition officially begins Easter Sunday in the Tellepsen Arena with a limited-entry warm-up class, and then the action truly gets going Monday, April 18, with the first section of the Non Pro Classic preliminary round in the Coliseum Arena.

On Tuesday, the NRBC will be in full swing, with competition being held in all three rings simultaneously.

The Open preliminaries will kick off on Thursday, April 20. The Non Pro Finals will be held Friday, and the Open Finals on Saturday.
This year’s 25^th Anniversary Show will be a historic event. Not only are entries for the Open and Non Pro Classic up nearly 14 percent, the added money for the Classic alone has increased from the previous year by more than $65,000!

In addition to being one of the most prestigious reining events in the world, the NRBC is also a gathering place where friends old and new can socialize, conduct business, have fun, and more. Numerous parties are spaced throughout the week, including the Hygain Welcome Party, the Markel Insurance Non Pro Draw Party, and the Matt Mills Open Draw Party.

There are also Church services planned for both Sundays of the event, as well as an Easter Egg hunt for the youngest attendees, and a booth set up for photos with the Easter Bunny.

To keep up with the NRBC, check out the website at www.NRBC.com. You can also follow the event at Facebook.com/NationalReiningBreedersClassic.

There are special activities planned for Easter Weekend. Pastor Ed Harrison will be there for church services on Sunday, April 17.
The service is tentatively planned to be held in the Crystal Tent.

Ed will also be holding church services on April 24 at 7 am.

Kids Easter Egg Hunt
For the younger set, an Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 2 pm on Easter Sunday near the Coliseum.

There will be lots of eggs to find and special bonus eggs that get super prizes for the finders! Be sure and bring your cameras! This is always one of the highlights of the show!

If you would like to volunteer to help with the Easter Egg Hunt, please contact Cheryl Cody in the Sponsor/Media Office.

Get your Photo Taken with the Easter Bunny
Kids of all ages (and grownups too) are invited to have their picture taken with the Easter bunny on Sunday,

April 17 at 11 am and 1 p.m. in the Easter Alcove adjacent to the Sponsor/Media office in the Coliseum.

It will be a great time to get some magical images and for kids to model their Easter attire!

The trend of large events looks like it will continue into 2022, as the staff and show management of the National Reining Breeders Classic ready for what looks to be one of the largest shows in the event’s 25-year history. It returns to the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, in early April, with competition beginning Easter Sunday and running through April 24.

The event is highlighted by the Classic, open only to 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old horses by NRBC enrolled stallions. The aged event alone features added money in excess of $775,000 across the Open and Non Pro divisions, with the Level 4 Open Champion guaranteed a check for $75,000!

As the deadline to be in the draw passed on April 6, entry numbers for both the Open and Non Pro Classic surpassed those set from the previous year.According to NRBC Show Secretary Kathy Gould, Open Classic entries currently sit at 219, up from 186 in 2021. The Non Pro divisions also grew, with 212 total entries, up from 191.

“On Wednesday, the final date for late entries to be in the draw, we had more than three dozen entries come in. Our team worked diligently to audit all entries to be ready for the April 7 draw,” Gould shared. “Our final numbers will be even larger, as we typically have several late entries for the Open and Non Pro Classic.”

So will this year’s NRBC take the top spot with the largest entry numbers in history? That honor currently belongs to the 2021 event, when 377 horses passed through the gates of the Coliseum Arena to compete in the aged event. That means this year’s Classic entries will beat the previous record by more than 14 percent!

While the Classic entries are already record-breaking, it’s still to be decided if the event will surpass its previous high total.

Ancillary entries continue to come in; however, many exhibitors elect to enter late while at the event, so preliminary entry numbers are likely to change substantially. “We fully expect to see a significant increase because of the convenience of entering while at the event. Our Show Office staff looks forward to seeing everyone in Katy,” Gould said.

The large influx of entries means that the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, which has been home to the Million Dollar Show since 2000, is bursting at the seams. Despite the addition of nearly 100 more stalls, stabling options are incredibly limited. “This year, we are stretched to the maximum. Unfortunately, that has created inconveniences for many of our sponsors and exhibitors as far as stabling and benefits at the show,” shared NRBC Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Cody. “We always appreciate their support and right now, we are grateful for how understanding and gracious they have been. They are truly the backbone of this program and of the NRBC.”

To keep up with the NRBC, check out the website at www.NRBC.com. You can also follow the event on Facebook at Facebook.com/NationalReiningBreedersClassic.