The Yellowstone Rookie Shootout finalists met Friday night in the Great Southwest Equestrian Center Coliseum for the finals, where one talented rookie was crowned as the inaugural Yellowstone Rookie Shootout Champion and receive the cash prize and a custom golf cart.

Jennifer Neudorf’s 10-year-old gelding Blue Collar Tag (Whiz N Tag Chex x Kachina Oak Olena) has been performing well for Neudorf all week picking up paychecks in the rookie classes to qualify her for the shootout. The pair showed big in the Coliseum to turn in a crowd-pleasing performance and earn a score of 72.5 to top the class and win the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout.

“It was my first time [showing in the Coliseum] and it felt really good. I had a lot of fun,” Neudorf said. “I pushed him more in my circles and I just put my hand down and said ‘whoa’ in his stops and it felt really cool to win [the Shootout] and I’m really happy.”

Rafacz became the reserve champion riding Whizenboonsmal to a score of 72, followed by Bush with a 71 on Shes A Shinging Gun. Neiberger finished fourth with a score of 70.5 on Who Dat Hot Chich, and Brugato finished fifth riding Mister Black Magic.

Taylor Sheridan, writer, director, and producer of Paramount Network’s new series “Yellowstone” – the namesake of the new rookie challenge – and Cole Hauser, one the show’s stars were on hand to present awards to the rookies, including the custom golf cart awarded to Neudorf.

Bertolani Dominates On Wimpys Littlecolonel

Franco Bertolani took home big wins in Friday night’s NRBC Open Reining Night presented by Kimmel Reining Horses. Bertolani was first in the draw and scored a whopping 226 which held up through thirty riders and won the National Reining Horse Association $25,000-added Open, the NRBC Open Classic Challenge and the CRI 3. 

Bertolani rode Wimpys Littlecolonel (Wimpys Little Step x One right Chic) owned by George Lawrence.

“I have a couple of horses that I listed before I started to try to be a part of the Brazilian team and Wimpys Littlecolonel was on my list. I talked to the owners and they were pretty excited,” Bertolani said. “I will decide after NRBC which one I will choose for WEG.

“This is a very big pen, so the judge has a lot of time to look at you, so it’s very important that you stay out of the penalty box,” he continued. “If you want to mark you need to run. If you go slow, or if you go medium speed it looks too slow, because it’s so big. So, I tried to show hard and stay out of the penalty box. He’s a good horse; he has a big heart.”

Although the big check was a welcomed reward, Bertolani said being able to represent Brazil is always a noble and humbling moment.

“It’s always nice, I like the international competition. It’s like you are giving back to your country,” Bertolani said. “The reining isn’t as big in Brazil as it is here in the US, but they follow along and watch on the internet and cheer, so I think the way I represent my country is the way I give back to them also.”

Jordan Larson rode ARC Gunnabeabigstar (Gunnatrashya x Wimpys Little Chic) an 7-year-old stallion owned by HDC Quarter Horses to a score of 225.5 to take the USA Reining championship, reserve in the Open Challenge, reserve in the NRHA Open, and tied for second in the CRI 3 with Casey Deary.

“He was good; it was kind of like a dress rehearsal for the WEG trials. He turned awesome,” Larson said. “I have some things I want to work on – I didn’t show him full speed, but I was really happy with him. This will be the last thing I do with this horse. He’s been really special to me and my family, so I’ll just go try to do as good as we can and represent the US.”

Casey Deary rode Heavy Duty Chex (Nu Chex To Cash x Rhondas Tio) to a score of 75 for the silver medal in the CRI 3.

The ancillary classes continued with the Limited Open and Rookie Professional classes in the Wheless Arena where Ethan Willey took top honors in the Limited Open and Elisabeth Bourassa won the Rookie Professional.

Ethan Willey rode Slidin Smartly, (Smart Spook x Slidin On Sunshine) to a score of 73. Slidin Smartly is a 4-year-old mare owned by Brad and Amanda Kelly. The partnership with Willey and Slidin Smartly is young but is proving successful.

“I’ve only shown her one time before here and she was really good both times I’ve shown her,” Willey said. “She was really fun [today] I just tried to stay out of her way and let her do her thing. She’s a good mare.”

Bourassa won the Rookie Professional riding RR Gundun, who’s by Colonels Smoking Gun and out of Dun It With Grace, to a score of 72.5. The relationship between Bourassa and her 8-year-old gelding can be seen from across the show pen. Bourassa holds “Bear,” as he’s affectionately known, close to her heart and it’s easy to see why.

“Usually older horses will cheat you somewhere, but he just lets me show him,” Bourassa said. “He was so good. I really love my horse. This was my first show here and the plan was just to come here and get ready and I’m really glad for my first show to have that rhythm.”

Glen Estival won the High Point Rookie Professional buckle riding Thatza Good Question (Wimpys Little Step x Sheza Bonita Whiz), owned by Janine Inmon. Estival and “GQ” won Tuesday’s Rookie Professional and tied for third with Leslie Bingham on two of her horses, in today’s class. 

“I’m really happy, he’s a good horse and he did really good again today,” Estival said. “I was really happy with him.”

In the Novice Horse Open Levels 1 and 2 Sam Smith rode Magnums Lil Hercules (Magnum Chic Dream x Great Black Cody) to a score of 145.5 to take the wins for owner Sherry Sumpter.

“I’m just trying to put him together and get him seasoned,” Smith said of the 4-year-old gelding. “I was thinking more about showing [in the Open Classic Prelims]. I really didn’t do a lot to prepare him. He was real good in the circles, turned really good, and that horse is really a good stopper. He was spot on today, so I was really proud of him for that.”

Rookie Levels 1, 2 and Prime Time, Yellowstone Rookie Shootout Finalists

High stakes in the Rookie classes resulted in top-notch performances from the Rookies competing in the Tellepsen arena. Along with awards going to the Rookie Levels 1, 2 and Prime Time, the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout finalists were named, which was determined by the top five scoring rookies from the two rounds.

Co-champions Madison Rafacz and Isabella Tesmer shared the win in the Rookie Level 1 with scores of 143.5.

Rafacz rode Whizenboonsmal (Peptoleap x She Whiz A Star) and also qualified for the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout with the 2012 gelding earning a composite score of 215.

“I didn’t have any bobbles today like I did yesterday,” Rafacz said. “I had a nice clean run and I made it to the top five [Yellowstone Rookie Shootout].”

Rafacz and Whizenboonsmal topped Wednesday’s Rookie Level 1 class and combined with today’s win she says she’s excited about the shootout. She plans to give it her all in Friday’s finals.

“I’m going to run really fast,” Rafacz said with a laugh of her game plan for the shootout.

Tesmer rode the 2009 stallion Itsa Last Wimpy (Wimpys Little Step x Itsas Last Chic) to the co-championship. Tesmer and Itsa Last Wimpy have been partners for a little over a year. Tesmer is new to the game having only been reining for about a year, but her standout partner makes her job as a rider easy.

“He’s a really good boy. He’s calm and he really does what I ask him to do,” Tesmer said.

Rookie 2 winner was Jennifer Neudorf riding Blue Collar Tag (Whiz N Tag Chex x Kachina Oak Olena) with a score of 146.5. Neudorf says she enjoys riding the 10-year-old gelding for many reasons, including his laid-back personality, but she especially enjoys his big stops.

“He’s fun to ride and fun to stop, and I’ve never had a good stopping horse, so it’s really cool to ride him,” Neudorf said. “Today felt way better [than yesterday during the rookie classes], I felt more concentrated today… and our run felt way better.”

Todd Neiberger rode Who Dat Hot Chic (Wimpys Little Step x Smart Chic Aloha) to the Rookie Prime Time win with a score of 142.5. Neiberger and the 2010 mare also qualified for the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout with a composite score of 212.5.

“She’s a wonderful mare, always there and extremely talented,” Neiberger said. “[Today’s run] was good, I have been working on some things and the turns – I didn’t quite get what I wanted, but that’s alright I kind of improve as we go, but it was good.” 

The Yellowstone Rookie Shootout finalists are Neudorf in the No. 1 position with a composite score of 218.5, followed by Rafacz with a 215 in second place. Nancy Brugato riding Mister Black Magic and Ava Bush riding Shes A Shining Gun tied for the third and fourth place qualifications with scores of 213. Neiberger finished fifth with a 212.5.

Morris Kulmer and NVR What A Lucky Joe Sweep the Novice Horse Non Pro

Felicia Linner and Samantha Roper Tie in the AQHA Amateur

In the Tellepsen arena, the Novice Horse Non Pros skillfully piloted the pattern for top honors. Leading both Levels 1 and 2 was Morris Kulmer with a score of 144. Kulmer rode NVR What A Lucky Joe, who’s by Lil Joe Cash out of What A Lucky Hit to the win. Kulmer and his mount also topped the AQHA Select Amateur class with a score of 144.

“Today’s run was good. I was relaxed, he was relaxed; we had a good time,” Kulmer said. “He’s a great horse and a lot of fun.”

Kulmer has had the 4-year-old stallion since the 2017 NRHA Futurity and the pair has found an easy partnership in the show pen. Kulmer’s looking forward to future success and coming back to NRBC next year. 

Following Kulmer in the Level 1 second place position was Laura Muntean-Sumrall riding Guns N Whizes (Gunners Special Nite x Ima Remin Whiz) to a score of 143.5. Laura Fourre rode Lime A Rita (Custom Legend x She Slides Wright) to the second-place finish in Level 2 with a score of 143.

Felicia Linner riding Gunnersshineybrunett (Colonels Smoking Gun x Scats Ebony Shiner) and Samantha Roper riding Lil Whizzer Gun (Lil Gun x Sugar Baby Whiz) tied for the win in the AQHA Amateur with scores of 141.

Neudorf and Rafacz Top the Rookie and Prime Time Rookie Sees a Five-Way Tie for the Win

In the Wheless arena, the first slate of Rookie competition began with fierce competition. Along with ancillary classes, the first round of the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout began.

Madison Rafacz topped the Rookie Level 1 with a score of 71.5. Rafacz rode Whizenboonsmal (Peptoleap x She Whiz A Star) to the win and hopes to clean up a few things for tomorrow’s Rookie classes.

“He’s very sweet,” Rafacz said. “Today’s run was really good. I would have gotten a little higher score, but I over-turned and my left set of circles were sloppy, but oh well.”

The duo has only been together since the AQHA Congress. Their early success foreshadows a bright future for the pair to get the kinks worked out and continue winning in the pen.

Another rider boasting early success with a new horse is the Rookie Level 2 winner Jennifer Neudorf riding Blue Collar Tag (Whiz N Tag Chex x Kachina Oak Olena) to a score of 72.

Jennifer said, “I’ve only had [Blue Collar Tag] for not even a month yet. He felt really in tune with me, and it just felt like everything really came together.” For winning Level 2 Neudorf earned an NRHA plaque plus an NRBC Cobalt vase.

A five-way tie from a score of 71 took the No. 1 spot in the Rookie Prime Time between Maria Renzi, Nancy Brugato, Linda Jacobs, Denise Pippin and Terry Saxton.

Renzi rode Cat Shiner by Cats Moonshine out of Toulouse Lena, and the 2011 gelding’s original profession was as a cutting horse. He’s transitioned almost flawlessly from the cutting world to the reining industry and continues to impress Renzi in the show pen.

“I’ve been riding him for two years and I love him; he’s very honest,” Renzi said of her mount. “He’s going to end up with me for the rest of his life! He’s a good boy, he’s honest and hopefully, he’ll stay that way.”

Brugato and Mister Black Magic (Mister Dual Pep x Lenas Black Witch) have been partners for two years and Brugato hopes to make the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout. The 2010 stallion performed well for Brugato in Wednesday’s class, even despite a minor hiccup. 

“It felt great. He tried to cheat me a little bit, but overall he was really good,” Brugato said with a laugh of Mister Black Magic’s run.

Jacobs rode Special Kinda Nite (Gunners Special Nite x Cowgirl In A Benz) a 2012 mare owned by 4 Lazy J Arizona. For sharing the win in the Rookie Prime Time each contestant will receive an NRHA plaque and were each awarded a commemorative NRBC Cobalt trophy.

“I’ve never shown at a major before [NRBC]. I didn’t make the finals for Non Pro, so I entered the Rookie and it was a lot more fun because I finally had a chance to take a breath!” Jacobs said with a smile.

Pippin and Chant For Chics, who’s by Hesa Smart Chic and out of Doc Otoe Chant, have been partners for a short time and have been progressing well together. Pippin has big plans for her 6-year-old mare and was excited about their showing together in NRBC so far.

“It was awesome; lots of good things happened,” Pippin said of her run. “My plan is to take her to the [NRHA] Derby.”

Saxton rode Jacs Electric Whiz (Jacs Electric Spark x Whizards Baby Doll) to the shared win. Saxton has owned the 2011 gelding for two years, and they have found their stride at NRBC. Marking only their fourth show together in the show pen, Wednesday’s win promises a bright future for the pair.

“I really had a blast on him! I had nice slides and everything came together on him,” Saxton said.

The first day of competition inside the Tellepsen and Wheless arenas featured the Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Rookie Professional and Limited Non Pro classes.

Archer Wins Intermediate Open on Smart Stepin Lena

In the Tellepsen arena, Open riders showed off their big stops and clean spins with three champions coming out with top honors. Stephen Archer turned in a 144.5 to take the Intermediate Open win riding Smart Stepin Lena (Wimpys Little Step x Smart Shiney Lena), owned by Carolyn Tellepsen.

“He was really good; pretty much everything was perfect. He can really run and stop. I had a little late lead change, but that was all me,” Archer said with a laugh. “With this horse all you have to do is count and say ‘Whoa’ and you’ll be good.”

Smart Stepin Lena has been with Archer for six months and although he was originally purchased for Tellepsen to ride, she offered the 6-year-old stallion to Archer and he jumped at the opportunity to ride him for the year.

“We bought him for [Carolyn] and I just stole him for the year,” Archer jokingly said. “[After this year] I’ll give him back to her.”

Chris Dawson and Shiney Outlaw Win Limited Open

In the Limited Open, Chris Dawson rode Shiney Outlaw (Shiners Nickle x Mereyda) to the win with a score of 142. Although the duo turned in a great showing Dawson nearly missed his run as he had been at a friend’s house working 3-year-olds on cattle and miscalculated the time. When Dawson pulled into the Great Southwest Equestrian Center and unloaded Shiney Outlaw from the trailer, the pre-check judge was already calling his name.

“I didn’t get to brush him or put my chaps on or anything else,” Dawson said with a laugh adding that it didn’t frazzle the standout stallion. “This horse, we’ve been showing him in the cowhorse and my mom and my wife have really been tearing it up on him. Michelle Cannon was interested in bringing him here and doing the NRBC on him, since she owns him and the derbies are open for 6-year-olds. We were eligible for all the divisions and so we decided to bring him down. I entered him in this class just trying to give him as many good experiences in the show pen as I could before we go show tomorrow (in the derby).”

Glen Estival Takes Rookie Professional Win

Glen Estival rode Thatza Good Question to a score of 142.5 for the win in the Rookie Professional for owner Janine Inmon. Estival has only been riding Thatza Good Question, aka “GQ,” for about six months and the duo are putting together solid runs in the show pen. The 7-year-old gelding is by Wimpys Little Step and out of Sheza Bonita Whiz and his future with Estival looks bright.

 “There were no penalties, so that was good and he was really honest for me,” Estival said of his run. “He’s a really good horse.”

Mary Scruggs and HA Lena Olynna Win Limited Non Pro

Mary Scruggs rode HA Lena Olynna to a score of 72 inside the Wheless arena to top the Limited Non Pro class. Scruggs’ 6-year-old mare by Lena Spark and out of HA Olynnas Chairman and has been with Scruggs since her 3-year-old year. Now in her last derby year the mare is continuing to impress Scruggs with her abilities in the pen.

“My run was really clean, it was a great run, my horse listened to me and I felt like it was one of the best runs we’ve ever had,” Scruggs said. “She was with me the whole time. She did everything I asked her to do. I was pretty surprised, but it was awesome!” Scruggs hopes to use the NRBC not only to continue building on their success and partnership but to also qualify for the American Quarter Horse Association Select World Show.