The 2020 National Reining Breeders Classic kicked off on Wednesday, August 26, with the Toyon Ranch Emerging Horse Futurity. The 56-entry Futurity featured $4,999 in added money, and Champion Daniel Schloemer rode Recoded to a score of 220 to win $2,040. Recoded, owned by Chandler Winard, is by Electric Code and out of Chocolate Lady Chic.
Schloemer has a connection to the colt that began long before the horse was born. “We call him Oliver. Chandler showed his dam as a youth. I was working for Dan Huss and we had the horse there, and that’s why I was kind of familiar with the mom,” he explained. “When they asked me if I wanted to ride this colt, I was glad to be involved. I think it helps you as a trainer or a rider in general if you know the mom or dad of the one you’re riding.”
Schloemer took Recoded to the Rocky Mountain Summer Slide, where they made the Open Level 3 and Level 4 finals, at the end of July. “We took him to Denver before this for a little test run and then decided to bring him here. It all worked out and everyone was happy,” he said.
Schloemer is focusing on his futurity horses while in Tulsa for the NRBC and has two horses for the Tamarack Ranch Developing Horse Futurity on Friday and another for the Hollywoodstinseltown Open Futurity on Saturday.
“I thank my owners and the owner of our place. They’re all wonderful. I also thank everyone behind the scenes who makes this possible. It’s a team effort,” he said.
Finishing second was Pierre-Luc Phaneuf on Mindy Gray’s Concealed Guns. Phaneuf and Concealed Guns, by Guns R For Shootin out of Sweet Lena Shine, marked a 217 to win $1,241.
The long-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the NRBC, which is annually held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. The event has become so important to the reining industry that the Global Reining Sports Group graciously allowed the NRBC to use the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex at Expo Square during the dates of the Tulsa Reining Classic.
Recognizing the needs of riders at this time of the year, the NRBC Board elected to hold a slate of futurities to allow riders the opportunity to show their 3-year-olds. The Toyon Ranch Emerging Horse Futurity debuted at the 2019 Tulsa Reining Classic and was pioneered by the Global Reining Sports Group. This futurity rounds out a tiered menu of options that allows trainers to choose the right level of competition for their horses, with the Emerging Horse Futurity focused towards 3-year-old reining horses who might not be as far along in their training or show career.
“I think it’s awesome. I think we should all be very thankful for sponsors like Toyon Ranch who do so much for the sport. We couldn’t do this without the generosity of them and all the sponsors,” Schloemer said. “I also think the format of this show is great. We have several futurities to fit whatever horse we bring to the best of its abilities.”
Complete results and further event information can be found at www.NRBC.com, and regular updates are posted on the NRBC’s Facebook page.
Toyon Ranch is owned by John and Nancy Tague. Located in Pilot Point, Texas, the ranch focuses on breeding and marketing high-quality reining prospects, pairing a diverse and proven band of mares with leading stallions. It is a formula that is working, landing them on NRHA’s leading owner lists in recent years.
Their partnership with top NRHA professional Nathan Piper has been more than successful and Mirjam Stillo has come on board to train at the ranch, as well. Recently Toyon Ranch announced that, following a land acquisition, they will now offer year-round mare care and breeding management beginning September 1. The service will be limited to mares dedicated to reining programs and preference will be given to multiple mare owners.
For information on Toyon Ranch, visit the Facebook page. For information on the breeding management program, please contact ToyonRanch15@gmail.com or call John Tague at 847-736-7514.