The National Reining Breeders Classic is in full swing, and while the main event, the Classic, holds court in the Coliseum, there are many more championships being awarded. The Tellepsen and Wheless Arena are busy every day with tough National Reining Horse Association-approved classes. There are two slates of every class, and the first circuit championships were awarded on Thursday, with the winners receiving beautiful buckles. Also, the field of five rookies that will compete Friday in the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout, and automatically qualify for the Run for the Million Rookie Challenge in Las Vegas, was finalized.

Novice Horse Open Level 2 (1) Co-Champion Jared LeClair & Lime A Rita

Jared LeClair had never shown Lime A Rita prior to Thursday’s competition, but it didn’t matter as the two circled, spun, and slid their way to a score of 150 – tying for the win of the Novice Horse Open Level 2. Lime A Rita, a 7-year-old mare, is owned by Susan Meyer.

“Arno Honstetter trained this mare, and we bought her last year while in Vegas for Susan to show in the Non Pro. She’s done really well on her. I never showed her before, but I said let’s see if we can win a bronze on her since we’re here,” Leclair explained.

Everything lined up. “She worked really well and showed great for me. She’s a great horse, great-minded, and is the kind of mare that the more you get out of her way and trust her, the better she is,” he said. “This is one of my favorite patterns to run because you can really show your horse off and take your time.”

Meyer showed the mare earlier in the week, placing in her class. “She’ll show her the rest of the week, and I’ll probably show her again in the Novice Horse. We’re going to try to qualify for the affiliate finals in Tulsa.” He added, “I really appreciate Susan and thank her for the opportunity to show this mare.”

Novice Horse Open Level 2 (1) Co-Champion Novice Horse Open Level 1 (1) Champion Colin Fitzpatrick & Chics Love Affair

Colin Fitzpatrick piloted Chics Love Affair to a 150, claiming the Novice Horse Open Level 2 Co-Championship and the Level 1 win as well. The pair also showed earlier in the week in the Intermediate Open, finishing third. “She was good Tuesday, but even better today. I had a game plan of letting her choose the speed. She felt really hooked up, so I went ahead and asked her, and she was a machine. I couldn’t have been prouder of her,” Fitzpatrick said.

Chics Love Affair is a 6-year-old by Shine Chic Shine and out of the blue hen producer Memorable Affair. “She has been a late bloomer because we had to deal with some soundness issues earlier in her career. We got her all put together, and she just gets better and better every run,” Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick and Chics Love Affair still have a busy week, showing Saturday in the Wheless Arena in the second slate of the Novice Horse, and then in the Coliseum Sunday for the Open ancillary classes.

Limited Open (2) & High Point Champion Patti Brownshadel & Magnetised

Patti Brownshadel and her 8-year-old stallion, Magnetised, tied for the win of both the Intermediate Open (1) and Limited Open (1) on Tuesday in the Tellepsen Arena, then took home a win the Wheless Arena on Thursday in the Limited Open. Not only did the duo win the class with a 72.5, they also claimed the Limited Open High Point Championship.

“This horse never lets me down. He’ll make mistakes like any other horse, but he always tries, and he has a heart of gold, and is with me every step of the way,” Brownshadel said of Magnetised, who’s by Im The Chic Magnet out of Gee Golly Whiz. “Generally, if there’s a mistake, it’s on me.”

Brownshadel noted that Magnetised was “spot on” in the pen, mentioning that her husband said the horse was showing off, especially in his backup. “We might enter one more class this week, but I don’t want to overdo it with him,” Brownshadel said. “I’m trying to build us back up after our time off. I want to get him in better shape so he can hopefully go to some other big shows.”

Ever grateful, Brownshadel added, “I thank God, my family, and my friends. You don’t do this by yourself; it’s a group effort. I’m just the lucky one that gets to train and show this horse.”

Rookie Professional (2) Wade McDonald & Hot Rockin Spook

Wade McDonald had only planned to school Hot Rockin Spook for owner Jamie Walters, who would show the horse later in the day, but he managed to do much more. The pair won the Rookie Professional (2) with a 72.

“Jamie is one of Craig Schmersal’s customers. I was just going to school him to make sure he was good for her, and he was,” McDonald explained. “He waited on me everywhere and was very honest.”

Walters showed Hot Rockin Spook, by Smart Spook out of Hot Rockin Badger, the day before in the Rookie classes. “She’ll show him in the second set of Rookie classes this afternoon. This horse was really good and honest for me today,” McDonald said.

Rookie Professional High Point Champion Eduardo Maranho Giannasi & Ruf Till The End E

duardo Maranho Giannasi and Ruf Till The End, who won the Rookie Professional (1) on Tuesday, marked another solid score of 71 in the Rookie Professional (2). While it may not have been a high enough score to win the class, it did put the team in solid position to claim the high point buckle.

“Tuesday, we showed in the Tellepsen arena and she was really good, but I felt I had to work on a couple things with her. I was happy with her today and how she showed. I had fun with it,” Giannasi said.

Ruf Till The End, a 6-year-old mare, is by Lil Ruf Peppy out of Remedys Sure Slide. She is owned by Cardinal Hill Training Center. “I think she improves every time we go in the arena. Now I have to focus on helping Franco (Bertolani) in the Classic as well as helping our non pros,” he said.