Earlier this year, the National Reining Breeders Classic Board of Directors elected to add to the popular Shootout roster. The excitement for the three divisions – Green Reiner, Masters, and Legends – quickly grew. The new Shootouts will debut at the 2024 NRBC, held April 16-27 at the Build Ford Tough Livestock Complex at Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
NRHA All Time Leading Rider Andrea Fappani and his wife, Tish, offered to sponsor the Legends Shootout under the name of their stallion, Spooks N Jewels.
“After years of the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout, it was an easy decision to create more Shootout opportunities for other classes. We are excited to introduce these at the 2024 NRBC and thank Andrea and Tish Fappani for sponsoring the Legends Shootout,” Cheryl Cody, NRBC Secretary/Treasurer, said. “Andrea and Tish have never failed to support the NRBC, and the Legends Shootout is another example of their willingness to help the reining industry.”
To advance to the Fappani Performance Horses/Spooks N Jewels Legends Shootout, riders aged 70 and older must compete in both slates of the Legends Non Pro ancillary classes, held April 21 and 22. The entries that finish with one of the top five composite scores will advance and compete as part of the Shootout lineup on Thursday, April 25, which begins at 5 p.m. in the Ford Truck Arena. No additional entry fee is required for riders who advance to the Fappani/Spooks N Jewels Legends Shootout.
“The NRBC has always been a premier event that leads the way in the industry, and takes care of riders at every level,” Andrea said. “It’s exciting to see the growth of the Shootouts and highlighting riders of all ages. Good luck to all the Legends contestants at this year’s NRBC.”
That growth is what prompted the Fappanis to sponsor the Legends Shootout under the banner of Fappani Performance Horses and Spooks N Jewels, their stallion who has strong ties to the NRBC arena. Known as “Journey,” Spooks N Jewels finished high at the NRBC in the Non Pro Classic for Luca and Tish three separate years, and in 2021, pulled double duty in the Open and Non Pro Classic Challenges, finishing Reserve in the Open with Andrea and winning the Non Pro with Tish.
Tish knew Spooks N Jewels, by Smart Spook out of Whiz Jewels, was exceptional from the first time she saw him as a yearling. Andrea had shown Whiz Jewels late in her derby career, so it was a simple decision when her colt was offered for sale. Now, the 11-year-old stallion now boasts lifetime earnings above $200,000.
“He’s been the ultimate show horse. He was an open-caliber horse for Andrea, and then he could return to the non pro for Luca and me. His last run was Jeremy’s one-time debut in the arena, and they won the rookie class,” Tish shared of the stallion, who is now officially retired at Fappani Performance Horses. “His mind always set him apart, and we cannot wait until his first crop goes under saddle in 2025.”
The top five wins for Spooks N Jewels are:
- 2016 All American Quarter Horse Congress Level 4 Open Futurity 4th (Andrea Fappani) – $13,151
- 2019 NRHA Derby Level 4 Non Pro Reserve Champion (Luca Fappani) – $11,458
- 2018 Reining by the Bay Level 4 Non Pro Derby Champion (Luca Fappani) – $10,846
- 2017 NRBC Level 4 Non Pro Classic 4th (Tish Fappani) – $10,000
- 2017 NRBC Level 3 Non Pro Classic Champion (Tish Fappani) – $8,400
Entry forms for the Legends classes to qualify for the Fappani Performance Horses/Spooks N Jewels Shootout and other classes can be found at NRBC.com/forms, along with a complete schedule and the latest news.