Big Scores Mark First Day of the NRBC Open Classic 

Photo NRBC by Chelsea Schneider
Photo NRBC by Chelsea Schneider

By the 50th draw in the NRBC Open Classic, there was already a 226.5 to set the bar for the rest of the day’s competitors. By the time the 121 runs completed, 14 runs were a 225 or above, with Cade McCutcheon and Varsity Blu (Wimpy Chic x Flo N Blu Boon) taking the lead with a 229.5. The bay stallion was bred by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, and is owned by Frank and Susan Costantini, Rick Clark and Brent Clark, and Joe Wolfe. McCutcheon leads the Level 4 headed into Day Two’s runs.

Read MoreBig Scores Mark First Day of the NRBC Open Classic 

Reaching New Heights: Three Stallions Pass NRHA Million Dollar Marks in First Half of 2022

Photo by NRHA Press Release
Photo by NRHA Press Release

One million has become the marker by which many achievements in the National Reining Horse Association have been measured. Recently, three stallions surpassed multi-million dollar milestones, cementing their places in the history books of the reining industry.
Two of the stallions, Gunnatrashya and Walla Walla Whiz, are owned by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Arcese Quarter Horses USA, while the third, Whizkey N Diamonds, is owned by Rhodes River Ranch.

Read MoreReaching New Heights: Three Stallions Pass NRHA Million Dollar Marks in First Half of 2022

6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel – Daily Updates

June 26 - Action Wraps Up at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel
A 12-day stretch of continuous competition at Oklahoma State Fair Park wrapped up on Sunday, June 26. The final day of the 2022 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel showcased Non Pro and Youth ancillary riders, with several Montana Silversmiths high point buckles being presented.

Read More6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel – Daily Updates

NRBC Announces Smart Spook as 2022 Leading Sire

Photos by NRBC Press Release
Photos by NRBC Press Release

The 25th edition of the National Reining Breeders Classic is in the books, with a record-breaking number of horses competing in the three rings of the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas.
As the final results were tallied, it was NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook whose offspring had collected the most money in the Classic, including the preliminary rounds and finals of both the Open and Non Pro. Smart Spook foals were responsible for winning more than $95,366 during the week in Katy, Texas.

Read MoreNRBC Announces Smart Spook as 2022 Leading Sire

The BO Ranch Kickoff: A Special Day for the 2021 NRHA Non Pro World Champions

La Chapelle-La-Reine, April 1—Provided by International Horse Press— The BO Ranch Show inaugural $17,500-Added KICKOFF provided more exciting competition on the second day of the event.

It was a very special day for 2021 NRHA Non Pro World Champions Nikolai Stiller and his mount Hollywood Gunrunner (NRHA Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Gunner x  Dun It For Missy). The duo topped the $3,500-Added Quarter Dream NRHA Non Pro with a great 144.5 score, proving their winning streak has moved on to 2022. “We purchased this mare when she was 6 months old and have gone a long way since,” said a smiling Stiller after his winning run.

Read MoreThe BO Ranch Kickoff: A Special Day for the 2021 NRHA Non Pro World Champions

Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award to Debut at NRHA Derby

The late Peter Phinny will be honored by the National Reining Horse Association with the establishment of the Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award. This honor will remain a fitting representation of the legacy of this longtime NRHA member and supporter’s contributions to the association and the sport.
The perpetual award will be presented each year, beginning in 2022 at the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel in June. The Mehl Lawson Bronze which represents the award will remain in the NRHA office in Oklahoma City.

Read MorePeter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award to Debut at NRHA Derby

Gunnatrashya’s Record-Breaking Rise to NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Status

Photo © Walternberry
Photo © Walternberry

In what might be one of the quickest jumps to the next tier on the National Reining Horse Association’s Million Dollar Sire roster, Gunnatrashya sailed past the Six Million Dollar mark during the NRHA Futurity. As the year comes to a close, the stallion, by NRHA 13 Million Dollar Sire Gunner and out of Natrasha, sits at No. 7 on NRHA’s Leading Sire list with $6,788,072 in offspring earnings.

Read MoreGunnatrashya’s Record-Breaking Rise to NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Status

Gunner Becomes National Reining Horse Association’s First 13 Million Dollar Sire

Photo © Magoteaux
Photo © Magoteaux

For a quarter-century, most everyone has had a favorite Gunner story or special memory. It might be the mighty moves of an astonishing athlete. It could be a joyful recollection of seeing him in the Norick Arena entrance in Oklahoma City as the crowd erupted in cheers the moment his floppy-eared profile came into sight. It might simply be an unforgettable run burned into someone’s memory – because there were plenty of those. It might be the magic at the birth of one of his foals.

Read MoreGunner Becomes National Reining Horse Association’s First 13 Million Dollar Sire

Midili Continues the Week’s Winning Streak Claiming the IRHA Open Futurity Championship

Photos by Bonaga Communication
Photos by Bonaga Communication

In front of a full house on Saturday night in Cremona, Italy, the 37th edition of the $426,264 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity closed with the $289,181-added Open Futurity Finals.

First to go in Section 2 of the Open $196,686-added Level (L) 4 Open Finals, Mirko Midili set the bar by posting a 221.5 on Frozen Natrashya, a stallion owned and bred by Angelucci Quarter Horses by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of Frozen Tari. Eighteen horses later, Midili burst into the oval arena of CremonaFiere with Spark Made Whiz, a stallion by Spark N Whiz out of Mare Made owned by Luga Quarter Horses and bred by Silvano Ronzullo. With an explosive ride, the Italian Professional bested his own score by performing to a 223 which remained the top score with four horse and riders left to go.

Read MoreMidili Continues the Week’s Winning Streak Claiming the IRHA Open Futurity Championship