Limited Non Pro – Tamara Bush & Little Joe Vintage

It’s been five years since Tamara Bush has shown a reining horse. In fact, the last time she competed was at the 2016 NRBC. Unfortunately, an injury caused her to cease competing. “I hurt myself, and right after that NRBC I had a complete neck fusion,” Bush explained. “I stopped riding and got scared, but I got my guts back and decided to go for it, and this is our first show. It was a lot of fun. It’s awesome to be back at the NRBC. It’s the best show.”

What a first outing it was! Bush and Little Joe Vintage marked a 72 to win the Limited Non Pro in the Wheless Arena. “It felt really great. I lifted my hand a bit too much but he’s such a good, solid horse that he took care of me,” Bush said of the gelding, by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage out of Snappy N Smart Chic. “I couldn’t believe our score. I was just hoping I wouldn’t fall off and that I could get my lead changes, so I was 100% surprised.”

Bush and Little Joe Vintage will show again Thursday and possibly Sunday. “It all depends how it’s going.” She added, “I thank my guy Harper Conner and also Lorenzo Concarella who has given me some lessons and helped me get my confidence up.”

Tying for second in the Limited Non Pro were Arielle Hacking and Stephanie Stewart, who both marked scores of 71.5.

Hacking rode Alvin McDreamy, by NRHA Six Million Dollar Magnum Chic Dream out of Surely Whiz, while Stewart piloted A West Coast Flash, by West Coast Whiz out of Sheza Flashy Spook.

Prime Time Non Pro – Tamra Kyle & KR Smart Dreamer

With a 72.5, Tamra Kyle and KR Smart Dreamer took the Prime Time Non Pro win in the Wheless Arena. “He was a good boy today. He was really quiet in the center, listened to me, and stayed relaxed,” Kyle said. “We had a couple bobbles in the Classic, and won’t make the finals there, so we thought we would come play in the other pens.”

Tamra and her husband Pete Kyle bred and raised KR Smart Dreamer, by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream out of Smart Shiney Lena. They sold the colt but bought him back as a two-year-old. “He’s just a fun horse to ride. He’s super light, comfortable, always right there for you and he tries really hard,” she said. “We’ve done a lot of things with him like ranch riding, horsemanship, and reining. I enjoy showing him, and he enjoys being shown, so that’s what we will keep doing.”

The Kyles are members of the NRBC Board, and so the return to Katy is extra special. “I think when you’re away from some place for a bit, coming back is even more incredible. The facility has done an amazing job getting the grounds prepped and they continue to make improvements, so it is awesome. It’s such a different environment, and it is great to be back,” she said.

Finishing second in the Prime Time Non Pro with a score of 71.5 was Victoria Lambert on Magnums Chexy Dream. Magnums Chexy Dream is by Magnum Chic Dream out of Big Gold Chex.

Rookie L1 Champion, L2 and Yellowstone Rookie Shootout Round 1 Co-Champion – Eric Mendrysa & Scootin Through Town

Wednesday’s Rookie L1 Champion in the Wheless Arena was Eric Mendrysa of Boerne, Texas, riding Scootin Through Town. With a score of 72, Mendrysa also tied for the win in the Rookie L2, the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout Round 1, and the Run For A Million Rookie qualifier.

By NRHA $2 Million Sire Hollywoodtinseltown and out of the mare Scoot Lil Bo, Scootin Through Town and Mendrysa teamed up during the 2020 NRHA Futurity. “This is only our third or fourth show together,” said Mendrysa of the seven-year-old gelding. “We are still a pretty new team, but we are figuring things out.”

Mendrysa, who has shown AQHA all-around horses for years, has embraced the new challenge of riding reining horses—particularly here in Katy. “This is my first NRBC, and only my second year showing reining horses,” he said. “My favorite part of this show is getting to watch the open horses here because they have an unreal level of talent and it’s fun to watch. I’m looking forward to watching the finals.”

Despite the fact that the lead-up to today’s run was a bit rushed, Mendrysa appreciates the help he receives from his trainer Arnaud Ferrett in expertly preparing him and his horses. “I was early in the draw today and there were some scratches. I didn’t have much time to warmup, but it actually worked in my favor because I didn’t have time to get nervous. It was just get in and go and he [Scootin Through Town] took care of me. It was really fun,” he said.

Rookie L2 and Yellowstone Rookie Shootout Round 1 Co-Champion – Katharine Cappe & Wallas Corona

Sharing the victory in the Rookie L2, Yellowstone Rookie Shootout Round 1 and the Run For A Million Rookie Qualifier was Katharine Cappe and her 2013 gelding Wallas Corona.

Wallas Corona, by NRHA $3 Million Sire Walla Walla Whiz and out of Coronas Major, has been partnered with Cappe for close to a year. “I got him right around the time that NRBC was supposed to happen last year. This is my first NRBC and we are off to a good start,” she said.

Of her run in the Wheless, Cappe says she was proud to have put forth the effort to improve upon a few details. “We showed yesterday, and it went really well, so the plan was to just try to improve on a few things from yesterday. Some days they come out here and you just know it is going to be good. That’s how he felt today. He was phenomenal,” Cappe said.

Cappe, a native of Maui, Hawaii, resides in Charleston, South Carolina, and rides with Dave Moore in Florida. “I’m thankful for the entire crew at Dave Moore Reining—Dave, Nicki, Kim and everyone who rides there. We are a big family and we love to travel and show together. Our next big show will be the North American Reining Stakes in July and then I guess we’re going to Vegas [in August]!”

Prime Time Rookie Champion – Valencia Pitzing & Baileys Sidekick

Topping the Prime Time Rookie was Valencia Pitzing aboard Baileys Sidekick, by NRHA $4 Million Sire Gunners Special Nite and out of A Shining Sidekick.

“Today, my turnarounds stood out to me,” Pitzing said of her 71.5-point run. “Overall the run felt good. He’s just a good horse and a good horse for me as a Rookie.”

Baileys Sidekick and Pitzing celebrated their relatively new partnership with the win. “I’ve only owned him for three months and this is just our third show together. This is my second time showing at the NRBC,” she explained.

Pitzing, who lives in Alabama, plans to finish out her year of Rookie eligibility with Baileys Sidekick and acquire a derby horse to show in the future. She appreciates the support and guidance of her trainer, Ruben Vandorp, of Aubrey, Texas. “He has a lot of patience with me,” she said. “We’re really doing well, and things are coming together with Baileys Sidekick.”