Rookie Level 2 (2), Prime Time Rookie (2), Yellowstone Shootout Round 2 & Rookie Level 2 High Point – Molly Cherry & Guaranteed A Magnum

Molly Cherry and Guaranteed A Magnum marked a score of 144.5 to win Thursday’s Rookie Level 2, Prime Time Rookie, Yellowstone Paramount Network Rookie Shootout Round 2, and the Rookie Level 2 High Point. Cherry is from Guthrie, Oklahoma, and made her first trip to NRBC with Guaranteed A Magnum, which was met with great success.

Guaranteed A Magnum, a 2013 gelding by Magnum With A Dream and out of Guaranteed By Amos, has NRHA lifetime earnings of $303,360 and was a Derby champion for Jimmy van der Hoeven. “He’s had a big Open career and now he’s adapting to me,” Cherry said. “It’s been great.”

Cherry felt that the strongest point of her run today was the precision of Guaranteed A Magnum’s circles. “We’re getting that figured out and gaining more confidence going faster,” she said.

Cherry added thanks for trainer Arnaut Ferret, as well as her friends and supporters. “He’s done amazing getting him adapted to me from that Level 4 type of horse,” she said. “We’ve had a great time and I want to thank him and his girlfriend, Lauren Love. Eric Mendrysa is in the barn and we all have a great time.”

Rookie Level 1 (2) & The Run For A Million Rookie Qualifier (2) – Shelly Woldenberg & All Nite Spook

Winning Thursday’s Rookie Level 1 and the Run For A Million Rookie qualifier with a 143.5 was Shelly Woldenberg, of Miami, Florida, and her 2009 gelding All Nite Spook. Woldenberg has been showing the son of NRHA $6 Million Sire Smart Spook out of Dun It Fri Dee Nite for the past two-and-a-half years.

She says All Nite Spook is a pleasure to show because he always tries and is solid in all his maneuvers. “He always has at least plus-half spins, really nice circles, stops and rollbacks, and he’s always listening to me.”

Woldenberg thanked everyone at Sheridan Oaks Stable for their support and encouragement. “I thank my trainer Nikki Tyndall as well as Dave and Kim Moore,” she said.

The high school sophomore will show again on Friday in the Youth.

Prime Time Rookie High Point – Valencia Pitzing & Baileys Sidekick

Prime Time Rookie High Point champion Valencia Pitzing, of Dothan, Alabama, and her horse Baileys Sidekick performed like veterans at NRBC. Baileys Sidekick, by NRHA $4 Million Sire Gunners Special Nite and out of A Shining Sidekick, made his first trip to the NRBC with Pitzing, who has owned him for just three months.

“We are coming together as a team,” said Pitzing, who has attended NRBC twice. “He’s new and we’re learning together. I bought him from Ann Admonius. He’s takes good care of me as a Rookie level rider.”

Of winning the High Point, Pitzing says she was both surprised and ecstatic. “I wasn’t expecting to win the High Point, it’s awesome. This is a big, prestigious show and I was really surprised to win the High Point award,” she said.

Pitzing added appreciation for the team behind her. “I always thank my trainer, Ruben Vandorp, of Aubrey, Texas,” Pitzing added. “I’ve learned a lot, I’ve been with him now for two years and I’ve really tried to advance from a beginner up the ranks. He always has my horse ready for me.”

Rookie Level 1 High Point – Colt Mitchell & Playgun Chic Olena

The Rookie Level 1 High Point champion was Colt Mitchell riding his sister Molly Mitchell’s gelding Playgun Chic Olena.

Playgun Chic Olena, by Smart Chic Olena and out of Mamas Packin, has carried Mitchell to many victories in the young rider’s career. The reiner from Missouri estimates that he has shown at NRBC since he was 6 years old. “I’m excited and going to try to come back next year and do even better. We’ll see if I can,” he said. “My horse is 17 and still gets it done for me, so I love him.”

Beyond expressing gratitude for his high-caliber horse, Mitchell appreciates the lengths his family goes to in order to help him achieve his goals. “First of all, I’d like to thank the good Lord above for keeping me safe,” Mitchell said. “I’d like to thank my whole family for all the support, and for helping me ride and training for me.”