Taylor Zimmerman Wins First Non Pro Level 4 Championship on Shining On Ruf

Photo by NRBC
Photo by NRBC

The atmosphere during the 2022 National Reining Breeders Classic Non Pro Finals, held Friday, April 22, was full of anticipation.

When Taylor Zimmerman rode into the Great Southwest Equestrian Center Coliseum on Shining On Ruf, the excitement of the crowd built, and the whoops, hollers, and whistles hit their crescendo when the pair’s score – a 222 – was announced. “The crowd was electric. I was really focused and trying to zone in as much as possible, but I did hear and feel the energy from the crowd,” Zimmerman shared following the Finals.

Read MoreTaylor Zimmerman Wins First Non Pro Level 4 Championship on Shining On Ruf

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

NRHA Professionals of the Year Honored for 2019

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) strives to recognize excellence amongst its members. The NRHA Professionals of the Year awards are just one avenue for showcasing the accomplishments of reining trainers in the industry. The five awards include NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year, NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, NRHA Youth Coach of the Year, and NRHA Up-and-Coming Trainer of the Year. “The Professionals of the Year awards are very important because we have a lot of people in our industry from around the world who deserve to be honored on a national level and recognized by their peers,” said Patrick Flaherty, NRHA Professionals Committee chairman. “These awards aren’t just given to anyone; these recipients have worked hard their entire careers, and it’s evident to their clients and their peers that they’re more than deserving of this recognition.”
Each NRHA affiliate is asked to nominate NRHA Professionals for the awards based on their unrelenting work both inside the arena and out. NRHA Professionals then choose the recipients by voting in each category. Winners will receive their awards during the 2020 NRHA Derby at the awards banquet held in June in Oklahoma City. Here are the 2020 NRHA Professionals of the Year.

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Cade McCutcheon and Super Marioo: 2019 MS Diamonds TX NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Champions

Photo ©IHP
Photo ©IHP

With a total purse worth $932,207, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Open Futurity Finals closed the ten days of intense, world-class competition featuring top horses and riders from across the globe. Emotions ran high in Oklahoma City’s Jim Norick Arena where records were broken and history — once again — was made.

Read MoreCade McCutcheon and Super Marioo: 2019 MS Diamonds TX NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Champions