It was an exciting Friday evening. The National Reining Breeders Classic in Katy, Texas, ended the day with the Open Classic Challenge and $25k NRHA Open.

The field of horses was tough, but in the end, Martin Muehlstaetter and the 9-year-old stallion Blo Gun won both classes with a score of 225. Earnings totaled $17,687, and a saddle sponsored by Kyle Tack was also awarded. “This is a great place to bring an older horse. I think this is one of the higher-paying seven and ups there are. It’s great. I’m glad the NRBC Board of Directors keeps promoting it,” Muehlstaetter said.

Muehlstaetter and Blo Gun aren’t strangers to the Classic Challenge competition. In fact, they tied for the win of the class in 2017. “He’s a fantastic horse. He has a huge heart and no quit in him. I took him to WEG last year. He’s pretty special,” he said. Blo Gun, by Colonels Smoking Gun out of The Hot Jewel, is owned by Michael and JoAnne Garnett. “I think he’s going to go to the Select World Show with Joanne, and I don’t know, but hopefully back here next year,” Muehstaetter said. Gennaro Lendi and Colonels Dancing Gun tied Craig Schmersal and Hot Hollywood Whizky for Reserve in the $25k Added Open with scores of 224.5, worth $6,254. Traveling all the way from Italy, Colonels Dancing Gun, by Colonels Smoking Gun out of Dance Little Spook, is owned by Quarter Dream Italy. Schmersal and Hot Hollywood Whizky, by Topsail Whiz out of Hot Hollywood Jewels, also finished second in the Classic Challenge, earning an additional $6,478. Hot Hollywood Whizky is owned by Mark Blake.