Fappani Adds to an Outstanding Legacy After Being Named NRHA’s First Eight Million Dollar Rider and Newest Million Dollar Owner

Photo by NRHA Press Release/Waltenberry
Photo by NRHA Press Release/Waltenberry

It’s no secret the name Fappani is synonymous with greatness within the reining community. As the National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) all-time leading rider, Andrea Fappani continues to set the standard within the sport and shatter records. Recently, he stamped his name in the history books once again by becoming the first NRHA Eight Million Dollar Rider. In addition, he accomplished yet another rare feat by adding his name to the list of NRHA Million Dollar Owners.

Read MoreFappani Adds to an Outstanding Legacy After Being Named NRHA’s First Eight Million Dollar Rider and Newest Million Dollar Owner

The Invitational Level 4 Open Champion Andrea Fappani & Inferno Thirty Five

Photos by 100X Reining Classic / Chelsea Schneider Media
Photos by 100X Reining Classic / Chelsea Schneider Media

After taking the lead early in the day, Andrea Fappani spent the rest of it nervously watching to see if his score of 225 would hold first place in the Invitational Open Futurity Level 4 at the 100X Reining Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Luckily for Fappani, it did—earning him an additional $100,000 to add to his eight million dollars in lifetime earnings, a milestone he crossed early on in the event.

Read MoreThe Invitational Level 4 Open Champion Andrea Fappani & Inferno Thirty Five

100X Reining Classic Daily Updates

Finalists Set for 100X Stakes Open Finals
The preliminary round of the inaugural 100X Open Stakes at the 100X Reining Classic wrapped up today in all four levels. It was an exciting day of competition with the industry’s best of the best all vying for a top 25 spot in order to make it into the clean-slate finals on Saturday, where Level 4 riders will go head-to-head for a $150,000 top prize.

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Records Broken and History Made as Open Classic Preliminaries Conclude

Photos by NRBC Media
Photos by NRBC Media

Those to witness the Open Classic preliminary round at the 2023 NRBC are sure to never forget it. The 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-year-olds brought the heat to Tulsa, Oklahoma, these two days. Andrea Fappani and All Bettss Are Off (Gunner x Wimpys Little Chic) owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, take the lead in the Level 4 preliminaries marking a whopping 230 and winning $17,306.

Read MoreRecords Broken and History Made as Open Classic Preliminaries Conclude

2022 NRHA Top Twenty Professionals, Non Pro, and Owner Results Are In

Photo by NRHA Press Release by Carolyn Simancik
Photo by NRHA Press Release by Carolyn Simancik

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce the Top 20 Standings list for the 2022 year in each sector—Professionals, Non Pros, and Owners. NRHA’s Top 20 program is designed to feature the talent of the association’s top riders and owners each year. These frontrunners of each section are true representatives for the sport of reining in competition as well as in the industry day to day.

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Colonels Shining Gun Honored as NRHA Million Dollar Sire

Photo by Veronika Photography
Photo by Veronika Photography

In 2010, a flashy young colt burst onto the reining scene. By National Reining Horse Association Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Gunner, and out of Shining Little Peach (by Shining Spark), Colonels Shining Gun was poised to do great things. In early November, the stallion, affectionately known as Jojo, added another line to his resume when he became a Million Dollar Sire. While he’s now known for his prepotency, he proved his prowess in the show pen early on.

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Teton Ridge Continues to Bring Momentum to Reining With NRHA Corporate Partnership

The National Reining Horse Association continues to thrive, and a major contributor to the association’s success is the support from Corporate Partners. Most recently, Teton Ridge, a wholly American-owned multi-platform brand dedicated to the American Western way of life, pledged its support to reining when it joined the NRHA Corporate Partner line up.

Read MoreTeton Ridge Continues to Bring Momentum to Reining With NRHA Corporate Partnership

Our Condolences – Chocolate Chic Olena 1993-2022

Photo by Waltenberry | NRHA
Photo by Waltenberry | NRHA

National Reining Horse Association Million Dollar Sire Chocolate Chic Olena was laid to rest on January 22.
The 29-year-old stallion, by Smart Chic Olena out of Jae Bar Felcia, left his mark on the industry. With his owner Carter M Smith, he finished third at the 1996 NRHA Futurity, then the pair came back the following year to win the NRHA Derby and Super Stakes. NRHA Professional Darren Stancik and NRHA Seven Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani also piloted the stallion to numerous titles. Those included an American Quarter Horse Association World Championship in Senior Reining, and four AQHA Reserve World Championships in Amateur and Junior Reining.

Read MoreOur Condolences – Chocolate Chic Olena 1993-2022

Mandy McCutcheon Joins Elite Group of NRHA Three Million Dollar Riders

Photo courtesy ©NRHA
Photo courtesy ©NRHA

With earnings of $23,014 at this year’s National Reining Horse Association Futurity, Mandy McCutcheon became only the fifth rider in reining history to earn more than $3 million in the show pen.
McCutcheon, of Aubrey, Texas, joins a very small group of riders, including Seven Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani, Six Million Dollar Rider and Hall of Fame inductee Shawn Flarida, Four Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal, and her father, NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider and Hall of Fame inductee Tim McQuay.
“I didn’t realize there were only four others to win that much. That’s pretty cool,” she said. “It’s so special to be there with my dad. I can say, 100 percent, that’s the most important part to me.”

Read MoreMandy McCutcheon Joins Elite Group of NRHA Three Million Dollar Riders

Italian Gennaro Lendi Joins NRHA Million Dollar Rider Lineup

Photo © Oliviero Toscani
Photo © Oliviero Toscani

Gennaro Lendi recorded his first earnings in the National Reining Horse Association in May 2004, when he won the Non Pro class at the Italian Reining Horse Association Derby on OT Taris High. Less than two decades later, Lendi joined the elite list of riders who have won more than one million dollars in competition.
Recent wins at the 2020 European Futurity, the Austrian Futurity, the German Breeders Futurity, the IRHA Maturity, and ARTA Futurity propelled him past that milestone.
“As I got closer to the million, it became all the more stressful as I wanted to surpass that mark as fast as I could. I put pressure on myself – especially after the pandemic stopped our shows – and it affected my performance in the show pen,” Lendi admitted.

Read MoreItalian Gennaro Lendi Joins NRHA Million Dollar Rider Lineup