The National Reining Breeders Classic, Katy, Texas, is well underway. The third full day of competition featured several National Reining Horse Association approved classes, as well as the first round of the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout. The Yellowstone Rookie Shootout Finals will be held on Friday, and the Consolation Round will be held on Sunday.

All five qualifiers to the Shootout Finals will qualify for the Run For a Million Rookie Challenge in Las Vegas, Nevada, as will the top five of the Consolation round. In addition, there are two slates of most ancillary classes, and high point buckles will be awarded after the second slate of each class, giving the first slate winners a bit of breathing room.

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 (1) Kristen Avila & Gunnerspecialplayboy

Topping the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 class with a 146 was Kristen Avila and the 6-year-old gelding Gunnerspecialplayboy. “He was good today. We had a little bobble with our spins, and he got a little fast in his rundowns, so we’ll need to work on that before we show again on Saturday, but I can’t complain,” Avila said.

Unfortunately, Gunnerspecialplayboy, by Gunners Special Nite out of Shameless Playgirl, was never nominated for the NRBC. “If so, I’d be showing him in the Derby, so we just brought him down here to show him in the Novice and Non Pro classes, so I’d have something extra to show,” she explained, adding she plans to show the horse Saturday and Sunday. “Last year we ended third in the world standings so this year I wanted to get an earlier start so we could finish higher.”

Kristen and her husband, Bobby Avila Jr., have owned the gelding since August of his four-year-old year. “I like everything about him. He’s always a really happy horse with his ears forward, and he’s quiet and pleasant. You just put your hand forward and he goes right between the reins. He’s a big turner and a big stopper, and he just fits me really well,” Avila said. “Thank you to my husband for taking the time to train him to fit me and always making sure he’s ready.”

Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 (1) Kathy Barker & A Lil Dab Will Do

A Lil Dab Will Do might have started his career as a cow horse, but it’s easily apparent he’s equally talented in the reining arena. “He won world championships with Robert Chown. He showed him at the Snaffle Bit Futurity, then we bought him, and he showed him at the NRHA Futurity and made the finals,” owner/rider Kathy Barker explained.

Barker and the 9-year-old gelding, by Cat Man Do out of Dainty Little Step, marked a 143.5 to win the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1. “He was wonderful today. I had some mistakes because I haven’t shown him but two times now. He’s a lot of horse, and I don’t feel I’m a great rider, but he drags me along with him,” she said with a laugh.

Barker and A Lil Dab Will Do aren’t done – they’ll show again on Sunday. “He’s been off for more than a year. I thought maybe I’d bring him down and show him in the Classic Challenge. I figured the Novice Horse would be a good warmup, even though he’s won a lot more than most Novice horses, but that was in the cow horse,” she explained. “Thank you to Sebastian Petroll, Robert Chown, and my husband Larry.”

Rookie Level 2 (1)/Yellowstone Rookie Shootout Round 1 Winner Kyla Thurlow & Kachina Olena Tag Kyla Thurlow topped the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout Round 1 and the Rookie Level 2 with a 73.5 on her 6-year-old stallion Kachina Olena Tag. Nicknamed “Facebook” because he was won through a Facebook auction, Kachina Olena Tag is by former NRBC Non Pro Champion Whiz N Tag Chex and out of leading NRHA producing mare Kachina Oak Olena.

“It’s probably a very unhealthy relationship because I’m obsessed with him. I love everything about him,” Thurlow said with a laugh. “He was wonderful today. He’s truly a showhorse and is always looking to do the right thing. He doesn’t like to work very hard, so he always tries to do it right the first time.”

Thurlow has her eyes set on the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout Finals and will compete in the second round on Thursday. If she and Facebook finish with one of the top five composite scores from all the Rookie entries, they’ll compete in the Finals on Friday.

Rookie Level 1 (1) Kalena Reynolds & Gun Whiz It

Fifteen-year-old Kalena Reynolds claimed the Rookie Level 1 win with her horse Gun Whiz It. The eight-year-old mare, nicknamed Cecilia, is by Colonels Smoking Gun out of Roll Whiz It. “She’s really good, and super fun, and she thinks she’s human. She’s a little sassy, but if I stay out of her way and go with the flow, she’s really good,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds definitely went with the flow in the Wheless Arena, marking a 72.5. “She was really good. I was a little nervous because I didn’t get a chance to warm her up much this morning, but that’s usually when we do the best. She had a lot of go, but not too much, and was really honest,” she recalled.

The duo has a busy week. They’ll show again in the Rookie on Thursday, with an eye on the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout Finals on Friday. They’ll also show on Sunday in the Non Pro Challenge. “We’re just going to have fun, and I’ll try to keep her happy and not over-ride her,” she said. “Thank you to Dany and Fred Tremblay, my mom, my horse, all the people I ride with, and God for giving me this blessing.”

Prime Time Rookie (1) Nancy Currie & Dun Playin Tag

Nancy Currie and her veteran show horse Dun Playin Tag won the Prime Time Rookie title with a 72.5. Currie has owned the 15-year-old gelding, by Whiz N Tag Chex out of Brennas Dunit Fancy, for about five years. “Someday we will retire him, but every time I think he’s ready he shows us he’s not,” she said with a laugh. “He’s a real testament that if you keep these performance horses going, someone can enjoy them for many years.”

Dun Playin Tag has had a career that’s been successful from Open to Non Pro competition. “He’s kind of a legend. He placed in the Futurity and Derby and here in the Open and Non Pro,” Currie said.

While Curie has shown at the NRBC before, she and Jake were unable to in 2018, because he sustained an injury to his leg on the trip to Katy. “He had 18 stitches in his leg. As I was driving here for the show, I was thinking how blessed I was to be able to ride him this year.” She added, “He was unbelievable. I give all the credit to my trainer Lorenzo Conzarella who has helped us and has him working great.”

Currie and Dun Playin Tag will compete in the Rookie classes again on Thursday, and hopefully in the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout on Friday. She also has her eye on the Non Pro Classic Challenge on Sunday. “It just depends on how he’s feeling at that point,” she said. “I’m just so happy with how he was today. I thank the Lord, my trainer Lorenzo, and my family.”

The 2019 National Reining Breeders Classic Non Pro Classic Preliminary round wrapped up on Tuesday, April 16. Gina Maria Schumacher topped the field of 152 and earned an early $6,773 for her score of 223. Schumacher was riding the four-year-old mare Oh Starry Nite (Gunners Special Nite x Chic Olena Starbuck), owned by XCS Ranch.

Topping the Non Pro Levels 3-1 was Jennifer Neudorf and Shining In Town with a score of 219.5. The duo also tied for third in the Level 4, bringing their total earnings to $5,193. Shining In Town, a six-year-old stallion, is by Hollywoodstinseltown and out of Shine Ann.

Leading the Non Pro Prime Time division with an adjusted score of 221 is Karen Mills and Pale Faced Dancer, a six-year-old mare by Pale Face Dunnit out of Dancer Nic. Mills is eligible for every division of the Non Pro Classic, bringing her total preliminary round earnings to $3,223.

The top 30 plus ties in the Non Pro Levels 4-1, as well as the top 20 in the Non Pro Prime Time, qualified for the clean-slate finals on Friday, April 19. It took a 214 to earn a spot in the Level 4 finals, and a 213 for the Level 3. 212 was the magic number for the Level 2, and riders in the Level 1 had to mark a 206.5. Prime Time riders must have earned an adjusted score of 212 to make that division’s finals. The Markel Insurance Non Pro Finals Draw Party will be held on Wednesday, where, in addition to the draw, go-round checks will be able to be picked up.

The National Reining Breeders Classic-aged event might be the highlight of the event, but there are several opportunities for riders and horses to win. That includes National Reining Horse Association approved ancillary classes which not only award money and prizes daily but also count towards year-end standings.

Brownshadel and Edgmon Split Int. & Ltd. Open (1)

Wins Patti Brownshadel and Tell Edgmon tied for the Championship of both the Intermediate and Limited Open classes with scores of 144.5. Brownshadel was riding Magnetised, by Im The Chic Magnet out of Gee Golly Whiz, while Edgmon rode Docs Shining Crome, also an 8-year-old stallion, by Custom Crome out of Shining Pearl.

It’s the first major horse show back for Browshadel and Magnetised, who’ve both been sidelined for health issues in recent years. In 2016, the two made the NRHA Derby Open Level 4 finals, but health problems kept them out of competition a couple of years. “I had so much fun today, even before I went in the arena to show. I trained all my life and didn’t realize what I had until I couldn’t do it for a while,” Brownshadel said. “This was Magnetised’s first show back to actually get dolled up, and he was just like he was when I showed him the last time. He was absolutely honest. He wants to please and gives me his heart.”

It’s clear the 8-year-old stallion is special. “He’s by my stud. I raised him, and even though he’s had a short-show career, he’s so honest and easy to train. He makes the job fun, and I knew he was special from the beginning,” she said.

The NRBC is Edgmon and Docs Shining Crome’s first big show together, and if it’s any indication of the future, the pair will be successful. “It went really well. He waited on me the whole time and was really quiet,” Edgmon said. “I probably could have pushed him a little more, but I’m trying to save him for a couple of days down the road, so I just cruised him through.”

Edgmon has only been riding the 8-year-old, who’s owned by Michael Marks, for a few months, but said the horse is making it easy. “He hasn’t been with me very long, but he’s a real nice horse. He’s really getting quiet, and it won’t take much for him to mark big. He’s so easy to turn and stop. No matter how he’s running to his stop, he’s going to do it every time,” Edgmon explained.

Giannasi and Ruf Till The End Win Rookie Professional (1)

Eduardo Maranho Giannasi rode Ruf Till The End to a score of 141.5, clinching the Rookie Professional win. “She was really good today. She turned really good and her circles were ok. She’s a big stopper, and I just trust her every time,” Giannasi, originally of Brazil, said.

 Ruf Till The End, owned by Cardinal Hill Training Center, is by Lil Ruf Peppy and out of Remedys Sure Slide. Giannasi has been riding the six-year-old mare since she was a two-year-old. “We’ve been getting better and better every year. I enjoyed showing her today. I have worked for Cardinal and Franco Bertolani for five years, and I just appreciate all the opportunities.”

Paige Pastorino Wins Limited Non Pro (1) on Taylor Made Magnum

Paige Pastorino claimed the first win at the Wheless arena with her score of 73 on Taylor Made Magnum, a 12-year-old stallion by Magnum Chic Dream out of Beaus Liberty Belle. “My run today was awesome. I think it was the fastest I’ve ever gone in my circles, and it paid off and it looked really nice. I really tried to push myself today because we’ve been working on stepping it up,” Pastorino said following her run.

Pastorino has owned Taylor Made Magnum for a couple of years and credits the horse’s honesty in the show pen for their success. “He’s awesome and everything I could ask for. He’s taught me a lot, never pulls any tricks, and when I take him out of his stall, I know exactly what I have,” she explained.

Although Pastorino lives in California, her trainer, Dany Tremblay, lives in Oklahoma. “We bought a horse from him and Fred (Tremblay) a couple years ago and decided that is where we wanted to be. I have to thank both Dany and Fred. They always have everything worked out, and they’re both awesome,” she said.

Pastorino and Taylor Made Magnum have a big week. They’ll show in both go-rounds of the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout as well as the second slate of Limited Non Pro. Complete results, as well as the live webcast, can be found at www.NRBC.com.

The first day of competition at the National Reining Breeders Classic in Katy, Texas, featured the first section of the Non Pro Classic preliminaries. The day concluded with Indy Roper and Kim Muehlstaetter tied for the high score of the day at 218.5.

Roper was riding Spooks Show Time, a 6-year-old stallion by Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Dolittle Lena, while Muehlstaetter showed Vintage Galaxy, a 4-year-old mare by A Sparkling Vintage out of Smart Lil Whiz. Both Muehlstaetter and Roper were eligible for the Level 3, but Roper and Spooks Show Time also sit solo atop the Level 2 leaderboard.

Currently topping the Level 1 division is Carlee McCutcheon on A Special Sidekick, a 5-year-old by Gunners Special Nite out of A Shining Sidekick, with a score of 214.5.

Kelle Smith and WF Shez Gotta Whiz are tied with Marcia Cole-Walker and Eclectic Chic for the lead of the Non Pro Prime Time with adjusted scores of 216. WF Shez Gotta Whiz is a 4-year-old stallion by Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Shesafashionchic, while Eclectic Chic is a 6-year-old mare by Magnum Chic Dream out of Eclectic Spark.

The clean-slate finals will be held Friday, April 19. Draw positions will be picked on Wednesday evening at the Markel Insurance Non Pro Finals Draw Party. Complete results, as well as a link to the live webcast, can be found at www.NRBC.com.

The National Reining Breeders Classic has seen top-shelf competition throughout the week. Reiners from across the country have traveled the miles, put in the hard work and showed up in Katy, Texas, in top form to battle it out for championship prizes and bragging rights.

Friday Jose Vazquez rode Like Shiner (Smart Like Juice x Wind Her Up Shiner) to a score of 223.5 to top Level 4 and be crowned the NRBC Non Pro Classic champion and $30,000. Along with his Level 4 win, Vazquez also took home the Prime Time championship. This is Vazquez’ first NRBC Non Pro championship since 2009, which makes today’s win special.

“To come here and win is really difficult, the top horses come here, the top riders come here, but I have to sneak in somewhere sometime,” Vazquez said with a laugh.

Prior to entering the pen, Jose knew Jack Medows and Chicsdreamofdiamonds were leading Level 4 with a 222. Vazquez said he used that as motivation to lay it all on the line.

“There’s pressure every time you go in because if there’s not a 222 [before you] there will be a 222 behind you,” he said, “so the pressure is that it’s not over until it’s over. When I come to a show my hope is to make the finals, but when I make the finals then it changes and I want to step up a little bit, and hopefully, it will be my day.”

Along with the cash Vazquez received one year’s use of a deluxe two-horse Horse Trailer from Gary and Tammy Raak of Twin Cities Trailer Sales, a custom championship saddle sponsored by Kyle Tack, a Gist Silversmiths championship buckle sponsored by NRBC, a crystal trophy from NRBC, an NRHA bronze trophy, Anderson Bean boots, Whisper Bit from M3 Products, Ultra Cruz Equine Wellness and Joint Care plus other NRBC sponsored products like a custom embroidered cooler, a commemorative champion medal, and a
champion ribbon collar and roses.

Blake Takes Levels 1 and 3 Non Pro Classic Championships
Mark Blake rode Hot Hollywood Whizky to a score of 218 to win the Non Pro Level 3, Level 1, and the reserve championship in the Prime Time. Along with the $8,400 Blake picked up for winning the Level 3, his Level 1 finish garnered him another $1,553 while his Prime Time finish earned him $1,008.

“It truly was awesome,” Blake said of his run. “I could tell he was ready to roll from the get-go. He was listening and he was with me,” Blake said. “Everything just started to click, the whole pattern just got stronger, so it felt great.”

Hot Hollywood Whizky is by Topsail Whiz out of Hot Hollywood Jewels and has been performing well for Blake in several shows they’ve entered together, which Blake admits allowed his nerves to come into play during the Prelims. “I was nervous going in because I felt a lot of pressure from the last two shows that I’ve shown him. We’ve won everything that we entered, so I felt a lot of pressure and it probably showed in the Prelims,” Blake said. “Today that wasn’t there, it just felt great.”

Blake received a custom saddle sponsored NRBC, a Gist Silversmiths championship buckle sponsored by NRBC, an NRHA bronze trophy,
Whisper Bit from M3 Products, Ultra Cruz Equine Wellness and Joint Care from San Juan Ranch and Santa Cruz Biotechnology. Plus, other NRBC sponsored products such as a crystal trophy, a commemorative champion medal, a custom embroidered cooler and champion ribbon collar and roses.

Reserve champion in the Level 3 was David McGee riding Knaughtybyknature (Magnum Chic Dream x Princess In Diamonds) with a score of 216. McGee received a Gist Silversmiths reserve champion buckle sponsored by NRBC, a custom embroidered cooler and commemorative reserve champion medal from NRBC, as well as Ultra Cruz Equine Vitamin E Plus from San Juan Ranch and Santa Cruz Biotechnology.

Opell Wins Non Pro Classic Level 2
Emily Opell rode Spook N Reyn (Smart Spook x Reyn Chex) to a score of 216.5 to win Level 2 as well as the reserve championship in Level 1. Opell had a busy day picking up wins in the youth classes aboard other horses as well, but the Non Pro victory was her favorite,
because it’s her first time to enter the Classic.

“He’s a really, really talented horse,” Opell said of her 6-year-old mount. “I’m so blessed to have a horse and come out here and do this, and the run [felt awesome]. He ran in and stopped and I thought, ‘Man, this is going to be a good run.’”

Opell pocketed $4,000 for the first place win, plus $945 for the second place Level 1 finish. She also received a custom saddle sponsored by Scottsdale Western World, a Gist Silversmiths championship buckle sponsored by NRBC, Whisper Bit from M3 Products, Ultra Cruz Equine Wellness and Joint Care. Plus, other NRBC sponsored products such as a crystal trophy, a commemorative champion medal, a custom embroidered cooler and champion ribbon collar and roses.

Kathy Thompson rode Bailleys Sidekick (Gunners Special Nite x A Shining Sidekick) to the reserve championship in Level 2 with a score of 215.5. Thompson received a Gist Silversmiths reserve champion buckle sponsored by NRBC, a custom embroidered cooler and commemorative reserve champion medal from NRBC, as well as Ultra Cruz Equine Vitamin E Plus from San Juan Ranch and Santa Cruz Biotechnology.