The National Reining Breeders Classic Open Preliminaries began Wednesday, April 17, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. The field of 180 will be narrowed to the top thirty at the conclusion of Thursday’s competition.

The toughness of the field was evidenced by the high scores and the current leaders. Holding the top spot at the end of the first day was former NRBC Open Champion Craig Schmersal with a 226.5 on No Smoking Required. No Smoking Required, owned by Wranglin Partnership, is a 6-year-old stallion by Colonels Smoking Gun out of Icing Required.

Currently leading the Open Level 3 and Level 2 is Cade McCutcheon on Roxanne Koepsell’s Shes Got Good Guns with a 223. The 6-year-old mare is by Colonels Smoking Gun out of A Bueno Poco Dunit.

Erik Caddeo piloted Trashy Spookshow, by Gunnatrashya out of Spook Off Sparks, to a 217.5 to lead the Open Level 1. The 5-year-old stallion is owned by Koby Kempel.

Another past NRBC Champion tops the Open Prime Time preliminaries. Tom McCutcheon and Dun With Guns marked a 219.5. Dun With Guns, a 4-year-old stallion by Gunners Special Nite out of Belle Starr Dun It, is owned by Turnabout Farm Inc.

The Developing Division Championship will be awarded to the highest advancing horse, and Fernando Salgado and RSC Ramiro currently top the division with a 219. RSC Ramiro, owned by Miguel Cavazos Guerrero, is a 4-year-old stallion by Gunner out of Shesa Wimpy Lilqueen.

The NRBC Open Preliminaries on Thursday will be followed by the Tamarack Ranch Open Draw Party, which will be held upstairs at 7:30pm. Along with finding out their final’s draw position, the Finalists will also be able to pick up their go-round checks.