The first section of the National Reining Breeders Classic Non Pro preliminary round came to a close Tuesday afternoon, and at the end of the day, Arizona’s Kim Muehlstaetter commanded the top spot of the leaderboard with a 220. Muehlstaetter rode Smoky Mountain Rein, a 5-year-old gelding whose lifetime earnings are approaching the $100,000 mark.

The more than 220 Non Pro Classic hopefuls will be whittled down to the crème de la crème through the preliminary round. After the third section of Non Pro preliminaries on Thursday, the top 30 in the Non Pro Levels 4, 3, 2, and 1 will advance to the clean-slate Finals on Saturday, April 19. Those competitors will be joined by the top 20 in the Prime Time Non Pro and the top 10 in the new Masters Non Pro.

Riders advancing to the Finals will learn their draw position during the Markel Insurance Non Pro Draw Party, slated for Thursday at 6 p.m.

Current leaders through the first section of the Non Pro prelims are:

Level 4, Prime Time, & Non Pro Chrome Cash – Kim Muehlstaetter & Smoky Mountain Rein (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Sprats Electricspark) – 220

Owned by Kim & Martin Muehlstaetter | Bred by Texas Horsepower Ranch LLC

Level 3 Co & Level 2 – Giorgia Grace Medows & Time Inn A Bottle (In Like Flinn x Surprizentheprincess) – 218

Owned & Bred by Amy Medows

Level 3 Co – Jesse Boyd & Gunna Be First (ARC Gunnabeabigstar x ARC Wallas First) – 218

Owned by Unhitched Partners | Bred by William Newman Jr.

Level 1 – Nicole Deary & Dun It For Whiz (Dun It For Whizkey x Indians Gunalena) – 217

Owned by Casey Deary | Bred by Calvin Burger

Masters – Nicole McDevitt & I Shine At Nite (Gunners Special Nite x Shiney Enterprise) – 216.5 (with handicap)

Owned by Nicole McDevitt | Bred by McQuay Stables

The Non Pro preliminary competition continues today with the second section at 9 a.m.

Complete draws, results, news, and more can be found at NRBC.com.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐍𝐑𝐁𝐂 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

This year’s Non Pro Classic kicks off with the preliminaries beginning Tuesday, April 15th in the Ford Truck Arena. A total of 223 entries fill this year’s class, with exhibitors representing nine different countries including the USA, Australia, Switzerland, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Italy, and Canada.

Among these competitors, there are some noteworthy similarities – here are just a few!

Since the start of the NRBC in 1998, there have been 16 different Non Pro champion riders aboard 23 different horses. Of the past 16 champion riders, six will be competing again this year in the Non Pro Classic. Only four of the champions have won the Classic title more than once.

This year’s entries include two riders with Million Dollar Rider status and one rider who has surpassed $3 million in lifetime earnings. On the horse side, 183 of the 223 entries are sired by a Million Dollar Sire – that’s 82% of the class.

Spooks Gotta Whiz leads the pack as the sire with the most offspring entered this year, with 30. He’s followed by Gunnatrashya with 19, Magnum Chic Dream with 16, Pale Face Dunnit with 14, and Inferno Sixty Six with 12.

Topsail Whiz, a $13 Million Dollar Sire, holds the record for siring the most offspring to win an NRBC Non Pro Championship. With a foal in the Non Pro preliminaries, there’s a chance he could add another.

Looking at mare power, both Chexanicki and Dun With Suprizes each have three foals in this year’s class. Additionally, six pairs of siblings will be shown in the class.

Here’s how the horse genders break down: 86 geldings, 79 mares, and 58 stallions. Age-wise, the entries include 34 four-year-olds, 83 five-year-olds, 61 six-year-olds, and 45 seven-year-olds.

Know another stat or fact? Let the media team know by stopping in the media office.

**𝘍𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘋𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘭𝘺.

Courtney Chown from Pilot Point, Texas, is no stranger to the show arena, however, this is her first time competing at the NRBC. She has ridden and shown pleasure horses all of her life, but that all changed a year ago this past Christmas. That’s when she began riding reiners with longtime friends, Kole and Kelsey Price.

Courtney purchased her horse, MaeIhaveanother, just before the Congress last year. A short time later, she entered the reining pen for the first time, competing in the Rookie and Green classes. This year, she’s adding to her reining resume with a spot in the Non Pro Classic, just a few months after first derby ride at the Florida Classic.

“Honestly, I never imagined I’d be doing this,” Courtney admits. “Life’s kind of crazy. I always thought the derby was too fast for me. The futurity would have been more my style – I’m all about correct, simple, and pretty. So, I never thought I’d be competing in derbies.”

Courtney is enjoying learning how aspects of her pleasure horse background translate into reining and is excited about expanding her skillset to become a better horseman. She’s looking forward to showing at the NRBC and will be showing MaeIhaveanother, “Ronald,” a five-year-old gelding sired by Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Mega Maggie Mae.

Courtney is also grateful to Kole and Kelsey for their support, saying she couldn’t be riding in the reining pen without them.

The first horses have arrived, and the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex at Expo Square is buzzing with activity as preparations are finalized for the 28th annual National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC), one of the highest-paying events approved by the National Reining Horse Association. The event officially kicks off April 15 and runs through April 26.

Since its inception, the NRBC has paid out nearly $29 million to reiners around the globe. That number is set to climb even higher in 2025, with projections placing total lifetime payouts beyond the $31 million mark by the end of this year’s show.

Originally launched at the historic Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, the NRBC soon found a long-term home in Katy, Texas, where it was held for more than two decades. In 2020, amidst pandemic disruptions, the show temporarily relocated to Tulsa. That move became permanent in 2023, when the NRBC officially made its return to the Sooner State.

While the Classic – featuring $1 million in added money – remains the cornerstone of the show, the NRBC also offers two full slates of NRHA-approved classes, a bustling trade show with top-tier vendors, and fun events and parties throughout the week that celebrate the camaraderie of the reining community.

The Million Dollar Show is living up to its name. In 2024, the NRBC paid out a record $1,708,043, continuing a trend of exceptional payouts that began early in the event’s history. The show’s total purse surpassed the million-dollar mark in just its seventh year and hasn’t dropped below that benchmark since.

In a recent announcement, the NRBC Board confirmed that for the second consecutive year, the 2025 show will feature $1 million in added money for the aged event alone.

NRBC Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Cody said, “There’s something special about this event—from the high-caliber competition to the incredible people who come back year after year. The Tulsa facility and staff have been fantastic partners, and we’re thrilled to be back for another unforgettable show.”

NRBC President Tom McCutcheon added, “What has made the NRBC so successful is consistency. People know the money is there, the competition is strong, and the experience is first-class. That trust has built this event into one of the premier shows in the industry.”

As the NRBC gets underway, all signs point to another landmark year in the show’s storied history.

For more information, visit www.NRBC.com.

Randy Snodgress and Arena Werks Bring Decades of Experience to the 2025 NRBC

When horses are ridden into the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex at Expo Square for the 2025 National Reining Breeders Classic, the footing beneath their hooves will be handled by someone who knows exactly what it takes to make a great arena. Randy Snodgress, founder of Arena Werks, is taking the reins this year – bringing nearly four decades of hands-on experience and a seasoned crew that’s well known to NRBC exhibitors.

Snodgress didn’t plan to start an arena equipment company. “I was training horses and needed a drag,” he said. “I saw some parts at a trailer place near Fort Worth, and one thing led to another. Before long, I was always in the shop building drags instead of riding.”

He and his wife built Arena Werks with family in mind – raising their kids close to home instead of staying on the road full-time. Today, his son William and son-in-law Ty Ferguson are leading the next generation of the company. “I told them, if you want it big, you’ve got to learn it from the ground up. They went in the shop, learned to weld, and now they’re taking it to the next level.”

Arena Werks has become a go-to name at major shows across the country, including The Run For A Million, APHA World Championship Show, and NSBA World Championship Show. One of the key tools behind that success is the Arena Werks Elite, a drag design they developed eight years ago. “We changed everything about the way it works,” Snodgress explained. “It’s heavier, it has solid sides so dirt doesn’t leak out, and it really moves ground the way it should. It’s made a big difference.”

As Snodgress steps in, he’s following in the tracks of longtime NRBC drag sponsor Jim Kiser of Kiser Arena Specialists, who has stepped back to focus on other areas of his business. “I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for the Kiser family,” Snodgress said. “Bob Kiser revolutionized dirt prep – before that, people were showing on junk dirt. And Jim’s carried that legacy forward. He’s moved on to other things, and we are glad we were in the right place at the right time.”

NRBC show management is confident in the transition. Tim McQuay said, “We’re excited to welcome Randy and Arena Werks. Our exhibitors know their work from other shows, and we expect the same high standards here.”

Snodgress isn’t coming alone. “I don’t want to walk into a show like this with a brand-new crew,” he said. “There are some familiar faces – Matt Amsden, and the rest of the team from shows like the APHA World Show or The Run For A Million. These guys know what they’re doing. I’ve tweaked a few things my way, but I couldn’t do this without them.”

Attendees will also have the chance to visit with Snodgress and his crew in person. Arena Werks will have a booth on-site throughout the show, giving folks a chance to ask questions and learn more about the equipment.

And if you’ve ever wondered why “Werks” is spelled with an E? “We just wanted something different. Everybody wants to spell it with an ‘O,’ just like they want to spell Snodgress with an “A,” but we thought it’d stand out. That’s kind of our thing.”

Arena Werks started out as a way to fill a need – and turned into a trusted name at some of the biggest shows in the country. That reputation takes center stage at the NRBC – one drag pass at a time.

The Nutrena Cornhole Tournament made a spectacular debut at last year’s NRBC, delivering an exciting and competitive event where everyone had a shot at victory. In the end, Shane Walters and Kiefer Kaufman emerged as champions, each taking home a custom Nutrena NRBC cornhole set crafted by Stacy Palmer.

Building on that success, Nutrena is proud to return as the sponsor of the 2025 tournament, where this year’s winners will once again earn custom sets. Scheduled for 2 PM on April 20 on the Central Park Lawn, the event promises another afternoon of friendly competition and lively entertainment for both participants and spectators.

The tournament has quickly become a signature NRBC tradition, bringing together friends and family for a fun-filled break from the arena. Thanks to Nutrena’s continued support, competitors of all skill levels can enjoy the camaraderie and good-natured rivalry—all while contributing to a great cause, raising funds for Rein In Cancer.

“Some of the most memorable NRBC moments come from these extra activities,” said NRBC Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Cody. “Over the years, the show has built a tradition of creating those special experiences.”

Nutrena Sale Consultant Kirk Chilson echoed the enthusiasm: “Last year’s event was such a blast that we knew we had to keep it going and make it even bigger this year.”

The tournament follows a simple format: two-member teams compete head-to-head, with the winning team advancing to the next round. Whether you’re in it for the competition or just the fun, this event is one you won’t want to miss!

The National Reining Breeders Classic continues to cement its legacy as a premier reining event, as the Million Dollar Show has officially become a qualifier for the prestigious World Reining Championships. The 2025 NRBC, held April 16-26 at Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will provide riders with a highly competitive avenue to secure a coveted spot in the international championship, adding even more opportunities for competitors to win in Tulsa.

“As one of the largest and most influential reining events in the world, the NRBC has long been a gathering place for elite riders from across the globe,” said Tom McCutcheon, NRBC President and NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider. “Year after year, we see top-level international competitors in Tulsa, and this new partnership with World Reining strengthens the NRBC’s tradition of being at the forefront of global reining competition. We look forward to offering this exciting new opportunity to our exhibitors and watching them take their talents to the world stage.”

The World Reining Championships were created to revive and expand international team competition in the sport, allowing for greater participation beyond traditional championship formats. The event, modeled after the World Equestrian Games, includes multiple divisions such as Junior Riders, Young Non Pro and Professional, Senior Non Pro and Professional, and Prime Time (50 years and older) Non Pro. Since its inception in 2023, the WRC has grown rapidly, with 20 nations expected to field teams at the 2025 event.

The NRBC joins a prestigious lineup of WRC qualifiers held across Europe, China, and South Africa, as well as the Cactus Reining Classic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Each qualifying event provides riders with a chance to earn a minimum score in their division, helping to determine national team selections and wildcard placements. The 2025 WRC will take place July 7-12 at CS Ranch in Givrins, Switzerland.

Riders can participate in as many World Reining classes as they wish and can also participate in events abroad. Other qualifying events will take place around Europe and in China and South Africa. Each nation will make its final selection of teams and individual riders. Wildcards will be given to 2024’s Top 5 Open and Non Pro National Reining Horse Association riders and to NRHA Million Dollars Riders. All other riders must qualify by achieving the minimum score in their division during their qualifying ride.

More information about the NRBC, including entry details and schedules, can be found at NRBC.com. To learn more about the World Reining Championships and its qualification process, visit WRC2025.com

Yellowstone, Rios of Mercedes Family of Brands, Fappani/Spooks N Jewels, and Blo Gun/Spooks Grand Slam Return as Sponsors

The National Reining Breeders Classic is bringing back its expanded lineup of Shootout classes in 2025, following an overwhelmingly positive response to last year’s additions. Originally introduced in 2019 with the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout, the concept has since grown to include the Green Reiner, Masters Non Pro, and Legends Non Pro Shootouts, providing even more competitors with a chance to step into the spotlight.

“The Shootout format offers a clean-slate competition where riders in select divisions can compete for top honors and showcase their skills in the main arena,” said Savannah Magoteaux, NRBC Media Coordinator and Assistant Show Manager. “Expanding this opportunity has been a huge success, and we are thrilled to have the continued support of such incredible sponsors who are passionate about growing the sport.”

Returning sponsors for 2025 include Andrea and Tish Fappani (Spooks N Jewels), Michael and Joanne Garnett (Blo Gun), Kim and Martin Muehlstaetter (Spooks Grand Slam), and Paul Patterson of the Rios of Mercedes Family of Brands, each of whom played a key role in launching the additional Shootout classes last year. Their renewed commitment ensures that these highly anticipated competitions will once again provide an exciting platform for riders at all levels.

“These Shootouts bring an extra level of excitement to the NRBC,” Magoteaux added. “The energy, the crowd, and the high-pressure environment make these classes stand out. Whether it’s a rookie proving themselves or a seasoned rider competing in the Masters or Legends divisions, it’s a chance to step up and deliver under the lights.”

2025 NRBC Shootout & Qualifier Schedule
The Shootouts will take place on Thursday, April 24, in the Ford Truck Arena, immediately following the Leadline competition at 5 p.m. Riders qualify for the Shootouts by competing in both slates of their respective classes and finishing with one of the top five scores.

The qualifying rounds for each division are scheduled as follows:

• Yellowstone Rookie – Sunday, April 20 / Tuesday, April 22
• Rios of Mercedes Family of Brands Green Reiner – Saturday, April 19 / Monday, April 21
• Blo Gun/Spooks Grand Slam Masters Non Pro – Sunday, April 20 / Monday, April 21
• Fappani/Spooks N Jewels Legends Non Pro – Sunday, April 20 / Monday, April 21

While all Shootout competitions offer great prizes, the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout has built a reputation for going above and beyond. One of its most unique and coveted awards is the custom bench designed by longtime supporter Robert Webb. Years ago, Webb, the owner and founder of My T Coat Commercial Outdoor Furniture, created the first custom bench as a special award for the Rookie Shootout champion. The one-of-a-kind prize quickly became a symbol of achievement, and ever since, riders have worked hard for the chance to take one home.

Webb continues his support of the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout, returning in 2025 to produce another custom bench for the winner under his new company, Coated Outdoor Furniture. His commitment to recognizing and rewarding riders in this division has helped make the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout one of the most anticipated contests at NRBC.

With strong sponsor support, the Shootouts have become a key part of the NRBC, giving more competitors the chance to test their skills in a high-pressure environment.

About the NRBC
The 2025 National Reining Breeders Classic runs April 15-26 at Tulsa’s Expo Square Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex. Known for its strong payouts and competitive atmosphere, the NRBC has awarded nearly $30 million in prize money since its inception, driven by its successful stallion and foal enrollment program.

For more information, visit nrbc.com.

Since its inception in 1998, the National Reining Breeders Classic has benefited from outstanding media coverage across print, radio, and television. Recognizing the critical role the media plays in promoting the event, NRBC management and its board have consistently expressed deep appreciation for those who contribute to its success.

To honor those who go above and beyond in sharing the NRBC story, the organization annually presents the NRBC Media Award to an outstanding media outlet or personality.

For 2025, the award recipient will be Steve Ross. A longtime voice of the NRBC, Ross has provided expert commentary for the show’s webcast and covered NRBC events on The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV. Additionally, he serves as the host of the National Reining Horse Association’s Teton Ridge Sport Desk, further amplifying the sport’s reach.

“Part of Steve’s appeal as a commentator is his deep insight into the reining horse community,” said Cheryl Cody, President of Pro Management, Inc., which manages the NRBC. “His knowledge, enthusiasm, and ability to connect with audiences have made him an integral part of the NRBC, and we are honored to recognize him with this award.”

Ross, of Scottsdale, Arizona, said, “I am truly honored to receive this award from the NRBC. Since its inception, the NRBC has continually raised the standard of excellence for reining events. Being associated with the incredible media team that consistently produces a first-class event is a privilege. I am humbled to be recognized as just a small part of a team and an event that has brought the greatest equine sport in the world the attention and recognition it so richly deserves.”

He added a thank you to NRBC’s Board of Directors and founding members, “Most of all, I want to thank the small group of forward-thinking horsemen and women who saw the potential for a true showcase event and, through relentless effort and unwavering determination, made it happen.”

Beyond his work in media, Ross is an NRHA Judge who travels worldwide as a clinician and coach. His approach—grounded in solid horsemanship and a low-key, effective teaching style—has consistently yielded outstanding results. Over the years, he has trained under some of the industry’s top professionals, including:

• Doug Milholland – NRHA Futurity Champion

• Bill Horn – NRHA Futurity Champion

• Winston Hansma – NCHA Futurity Champion

• Tommy Manion – 35 AQHA World Championships

With a focus on building strong foundations in young horses, Ross has developed a reputation for producing some of the highest-selling horses at the industry’s most prestigious reining horse sales.

Past NRBC Media Award Winners

The NRBC Media Award has honored a distinguished list of recipients, including:

• 2009: Wide World of Horses

• 2008: Tonya Garrison

• 2007: Abby Whitaker

• 2006: Lee Schneider

• 2005: Horseman’s Radio Weekly & Bridle and Bit

• 2004: Reiner Magazine

• 2003: Southwest Horse Trader

• 2002: America’s Horse & ANCR Reiner

• 2001: Waltenberry Productions

• 2000: Quarter Horse News

There is always a lot of money at stake at the National Reining Breeders Classic, with nearly $1.7 million paid out in 2024. There are also plenty of opportunities to win prizes, even in the preliminaries.

As in the past, that begins early, with someone in the very first and every following drag receiving an award thanks to Tenda Horse Products. At this year’s NRBC slated for April 15-26 at Tulsa’s Expo Square Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex, Tenda Horse Products returns to sponsor the drag awards.

That means that, for the fifth consecutive year, the exhibitor with the highest scoring run of each drag will get to pick up a Tenda bucket containing an assortment of products from Tenda. This bounty is not just available in the Ford Arena, but also in all classes in the Super Duty and Central Park Hall Arenas, so riders of all levels get a chance to share the bounty.

“We appreciate Tenda’s support, from the beginning of the show to the very end. The drag awards provide a welcome reward during what can be intense competition. The gate person at each arena keeps them on hand so drag winners can pick up their prizes as soon as the last person goes,” said NRBC Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Cody.

“Tenda has developed products for championship horses for more than 50 years, so continuing our partnership with the NRBC aligns perfectly with the core of who we are and what we do to support the equine industry,” said Dave Cowan, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing.

“Spotlighting 4- to 7-year-old horses—with amazing pedigrees and advanced skills—draws the best trainers, riders, and horses in reining, and makes for an amazing show. Plus we reward riders of all levels in the ancillary events,” he continued. “Supporting the NRBC is a critical component of advancing the growth and excellence of the sport, and backing that through our partnership is important to us.

 Tenda Horse Products, which has served the performance horse industry more than 50 years, powers equine athletes with nutritional supplements; leg, muscle, hoof, wound, and skin care products; healing salves; and topical therapeutics; along with shampoos, conditioners and grooming products for horses and dogs. tendahorse.com.

The 28^th annual National Reining Breeders Classic is one of the reining industry’s most innovative and historical shows and it has paid out nearly $30 Million in its history. The majority of the prize money comes from its successful stallion and foal enrollment program. For more information, visit nrbc.com.