The Open field is set for the Saturday finals at the 2022 National Reining Breeders Classic. Held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, the NRBC is one of the National Reining Horse Association’s largest events, and at the end of this year’s event, the 25th, will have paid out more than $25 million.
The first step to getting a piece of the big money is advancing past the preliminary round, and Casey Deary and Down Right Amazing took a big one. The pair marked a 225.5 to win the round, worth an incredible $15,663.
The five-year-old stallion, owned by DAG Ventures LLC, is by NRHA $13 Million Sire Gunner and out of Shesouttayourleague. Deary actually rode Shesouttayourleague to earnings of more than $250,000, including the 2015 NRHA Futurity Open Championship and the 2017 NRHA Derby Championship.
In the Level 3 Open, Fernando Salgado piloted Gunnabeabrightstar to a 222.5 for the top spot. Owned by Neiberger Performance Horses, the six-year-old stallion is by NRHA $7 Million Sire Smart Spook and out of Abbie Be Tuff.
Kari Ann Klingenberg and Peace Love N Jewels won the Level 2 Open preliminary round for owners Tulare Trust. The five-year-old mare, also by Smart Spook, is out of Whiz Jewels.
In the Level 1 Open Classic, Neiberger Performance Horses repeated with a win when Hannah L McCullough scored a 218.5 on All About Business. The seven-year-old mare is by Smart And Shiney and out of Anne Get Your Gunner.
Duane Latimer rode Hesa Rockin Whiz for Roxanne Koepsell and scored a 222.5 (including handicap). The six-year-old stallion is by NRHA $12 Million Sire Topsail Whiz and out of Bueno Poco Dunit.
Last but not least, Redhot Vintage scored a 220.5 in the Development Division to take the top spot. Trevor Elliot Dare rode the four-year-old stallion by Platinum Vintage out of Redhot Walla for Sandy Vargo.
In the Level 4, a score of 220 was needed to advance to the Finals, while in the Level 3 the magic number was a 218. Riders in the Level 2 marking a 214 or better advanced, as did Level 1 riders with a 206.5 or higher. Prime Time exhibitors who scored above a 213 (including handicap) also earned a spot in the Finals.
The Open Finalists were celebrated during the Matt Mills Reining Horses Open Draw Party Thursday evening. The event provided the opportunity to enjoy lots of laughs and camaraderie before the high-stakes finals weekend began.
The first section of the Open Finals, featuring finalists in Levels 3, 2, 1, and Prime Time, kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. The Level 4 Open Finals will begin at 5 p.m. Find a complete schedule at www.NRBC.com.