It’s less than 90 hours from the start of the 2022 National Reining Breeders Classic Non Pro preliminaries, and it’s only fitting that during its 25th Anniversary event, the Million Dollar Show is setting records once again.
Although entries for this year’s Non Pro Classic won’t completely close until noon on April 17, this edition already boasts a record number of entries at 212 (as of 4/14/2022), up from 191 which in 2021. In addition, the added money for this year’s Open and Non Pro Classic is up by more than $65,000.
With so much on the line, it’s no surprise that the heavy hitters have already begun arriving in Katy to prepare for one of the most exciting shows of the year.
Reigning NRBC Level 4 Non Pro Champions Mandy McCutcheon and JLosa (Arlosa Whiz x Spook N Jessie) will return to the Great Southwest Equestrian Center’s Coliseum Arena on the first day of competition. McCutcheon, of Aubrey, Texas, is the National Reining Horse Association’s All Time Leading Non Pro, All Time Leading Female Rider, and boasts more than $3 million in lifetime earnings. She’s won the NRBC eight times with Dont Miss This (2002), Rawhides Banjo (2006 & 2007), I Spin For Chics (2008), Always Gotyer Gunsup (2012), Ms Whiz Dunit (2014), Party Nite (2019), and JLosa (2020).
In addition to JLosa, McCutcheon brings two other mounts to Katy. She’ll also show her 2020 NRHA L4 Non Pro Futurity Champion Shining At Nite (Gunners Special Nite x A Shining Sidekick), and Bewitchin Bella (In Like Flinn x Boomernic Bewitched).
Another 2021 Champion team, Carlee McCutcheon and Dun With Guns, returns this year. McCutcheon and Dun With Guns (Gunners Special Nite x Belle Starr Dun It) took top spots in last year’s Level 3 and Level 2. Those wins helped push 16-year-old McCutcheon up in eligibility, so she’ll only be vying for a Level 4 title this year.
McCutcheon will also show Starlights Voodoo (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whizen Starlight) and Johnny Loves June (Lil Joe Cash x Whiz N Chexy Chic).
2021 Level 1 Champions Anna Harris and Ready N Willing (Walla Walla Whiz x Dainty Dunit) grace the roster this year, and are eligible for Non Pro Levels 1 – 4.
Reigning Non Pro Prime Time Champions Shaunda Rai Blinzler and Tagin Stiletto Chics (Gunners Special Nite x Stiletto Tag) are once again in the draw. Blinzler, who won the 2011 NRBC Level 4 Non Pro Championship on Rufanicki, will also show Smoke In Whizkey (Whizkey N Diamonds x Suga Suga) in the Non Pro Classic.
Last year’s Level 3 and Level 2 Reserve Champion Horse, Gotta Connection (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Smart Connection) returns to the GSEC with a new rider, Rylee Butler, and owner, Dawn Butler. Gotta Connection was shown in 2021 by Shelby Clausen.
2021 Level 1 Co-Reserve Champion with Rebecca Asmussen, Four Oh One Kay (Smart Spook x Miss Poco Whizard), now owned by Bur Oak, LLC, will also be competing with new rider Cappy Dryden.
In 2020, Indy Roper claimed the Level 4 title on Spooks Show Time (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Dolittle Lena). Roper has entered three horses this year, including Gals Love A Spook (Smart Spook x Wimpys Little Gal), MR Boaz (Not Ruf At All x Juicy Red Berry), and Wally Wonka (Walla Walla Whiz x Wimpys Coco Step).
Two time (2018 on Like Shiner & 2009 on Wound By Juice) NRBC Non Pro Level 4 Champion, Jose Vazquez, brings three bullets to Katy. The NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner and recent NRHA Hall of Fame inductee will ride Mr Chexy Dream (Magnum Chic Dream x Miss Chexy Lass), Xtra Smart Shiner (Shiners Voodoo Dr x SLJ Smartlikewhinny), and SLJ Corazon Valiente (Smart Like Juice x Wind Her Up Shiner).
Jack Medows won the 2017 NRBC Non Pro title on Chicsdreamofdiamonds, and this year he’s vying for a second title with Tribbiani (Gunnatrashya x Chicsdreamofdiamonds) and Dream On Whiz (Magnum Chic Dream x Ms Sassy Whiz).
Twelve years ago, Kim Muehlstaetter took the NRBC Non Pro title with Country Custom, and in 2022 she’ll be showing Late One Night (Late Night Stopper x Spooked Out Chex) and TR Baby Blues (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Spooks N Sparks).
NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Lance Griffin won back-to-back Non Pro Championships in 2003 and 2004 on Whiz N Tag Chex, now an NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire. This year Griffin will be showing Spooks Gotta Tinsel (Spooks Gotta Gun x Tinsel Tiara).
Rounding out the list of former Champions vying for a title in Katy this year is Marc Wagman, who won the 2000 NRBC Non Pro on Tougher Than The Rest. This year Wagman will show Best Stops Belle (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Best Stop).
The preliminary competition kicks off Monday, April 18, with the first section of the Non Pro preliminaries. Follow along with the action at NRBC.com. Also, make sure to get social with NRBC on Instagram @nrbc2022 and on Facebook.com/NationalReiningBreedersClassic.