As the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) bids adieu to the storied Jim Norick Coliseum, The Firemen and Kaci O’Rourke made history tonight. They scored a 229 to win the prestigious NRHA MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Futurity, a title never before won by a woman. They also topped the Level 3 Open.

Craig Schmersal Wins SWRHA Billingsley Ford Open Futurity on Shining On Ruf

It was a rowdy, wild, and exciting evening at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum. The Southwest Reining Horse Association Billingsley Ford Open Futurity provides a last-minute opportunity for reiners across the country to evaluate their three-year-olds who will soon be competing in the big arena at Oklahoma City.

An amazing night of competition in front of a full house closed the Euro 647.000-added IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity. The event not only made history by offering the highest added in Europe, it also attracted the largest number of horses ever taking part in a European reining event — over 700. Yet another National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) milestone was crossed in Cremona: unofficially, NRHA Professional Bernard Fonck crossed the Two Million Dollar mark becoming the first European to do so; Cira Baeck became Europe’s first lady reiner to cross the NRHA Million Dollar Mark and the only woman open rider to join the elite club from the Old Continent.

The CremonaFiere oval arena lit up on Friday night as the Euro100,000-added Santa Hill IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-year-old Non Pro Futurity finalists performed. Making history by being the first rider from Spain to conquer the prestigious title in Italy was Andreu Nogue Puig who took the Level (L)4, 3, 2, 1 Championships riding his A Whiz N Cash.  In a field of 40 riders across the four levels, Nogue laid down an amazing NRHA Pattern #12 paid back by the judges with a 218.5.

The fifth day of competition at the 2018 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity determined the Euro 390.000-added 3-year-old Open Futurity finalists.