CRAIG SCHMERSAL Archives - International Horse Press

Reining

6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel: Schumacher and Muehlstaetter Tie For the Non Pro Championship

Split Decision
June 22 - Hopes and dreams were fulfilled today at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. More than 100 of the world’s best non pro reiners teamed up with their horses to compete for their piece of glory and record-breaking purses across all levels of the Non Pro in Oklahoma City. They were led by Kim Muehlstaetter and Gina Schumacher, who clinched the Level 4 Non Pro Co-Championship and the lion’s share of the purse. A pair of huge 227.5 scores from Draws 31 and 33 earned each pair a paycheck for $32,697.

Reining

Brian Bell & Crystalized Whizkey Win 2023 NRHA Open Futurity Championship

A raucous crowd was entertained by incredible runs in the Jim Norick Coliseum as the scores of the 2023 National Reining Horse Association Futurity MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Finals climbed higher and higher. The audience was confident that Brian Bell and Crystalized Whizkey would take the win with a 225.5, but if the sport has proven anything, it’s that it’s not over until it’s over.

Reining

Schmersal Slides Into NRHA’s History Books as an NRHA $5 Million Rider

When NRHA Professional Craig Schmersal pulled into Las Vegas for The Run For A Million (TRFAM), he was sitting at around $5,000 away from crossing his next NRHA milestone. When the dust settled, Schmersal had slid his way to more…

Reining

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

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.

Reining

2021 NRHA Professionals of the Year Announced

In 2012, the National Reining Horse Association created the Professionals of the Year awards to recognize those members who go above and beyond to advocate for the sport, fellow members, and of course, the horses.
NRHA affiliates may nominate NRHA Professionals for the awards, which include the NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, the NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, the NRHA Youth Coach of the Year, the NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year, and the NRHA Up-and-Coming Trainer of the Year.

Reining

Mandy McCutcheon Joins Elite Group of NRHA Three Million Dollar Riders

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.”

Reining

Luca Fappani and Anna Clausen Tie To Win The Run For A Million $50,000-added Non Pro Championship

Luca Fappani and Anna Clausen Tie To Win The Run For A Million $50,000-added Non Pro Championship

Day two of The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge showcased non pro riders with the $50,000 Added Non Pro Championships. After 67 riders slid, spun and circled their way through the South Point Arena, it was Luca Fappani riding Icecube and Anna Clausen aboard Smart Tinseltown who came out on top with a score of 221.5 tying to share the title and $30,179.

Reining

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.

Reining

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

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.