The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce a monumental achievement for Gunners Special Nite, who has officially become an NRHA $7 Million Dollar Sire. This historic milestone solidifies Gunners Special Nite’s position as one of the most influential sires in reining history and is a testament to his exceptional qualities that are consistently passed on to his offspring.
With more than $24 million won by National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) competitors in 2023, stallions are reaching new million-dollar milestones rapidly. One of the stallions who left their mark last year is NRHA Hall of Famer Spooks Gotta Whiz. Not only did the stallion surpass the NRHA $7 Million Sire mark just two months after crossing the $6 million, but he was also the second-highest leading sire of 2023 (NRHA categories 1-12) with $2,285,709 earned by his offspring.
Fans of reining and members of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) alike have seen NRHA Professional Casey Deary holding a top spot among leaderboards this past year, which led to his latest accomplishment, becoming an NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider. Deary passed this milestone just over one year after becoming an NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider.
The futurity season is in full swing for the reining industry. With many impressive shows featuring record-setting payouts, many reiners are achieving success and climbing milestones at an astounding rate. Among that group is NRHA Hall of Famer Spooks Gotta Whiz—the newest NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire.
When NRHA Professional Casey Hinton stepped into the arena during the Million Dollar Competition at this year’s The Run For A Million (TRFAM), more was up for grabs than the half-a-million-dollar first prize. Hinton was sitting less than $15,000 away from becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider. In the end, he and his own Magnums Custom Dream marked an impressive 225.5 and tied for eighth place—earning $20,000 and officially making Hinton NRHA’s newest million dollar rider.
With incredible performances at this year’s 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel and The Run For A Million (TRFAM), Jason Vanlandingham added his name to the prestigious list of NRHA Three Million Dollar Riders a mere three years after passing the $2 million mark.
For Gina-Marie Schumacher, her ride in the NRBC Non Pro Classic Level 4 Finals aboard Gunnastepya was a lot of fun. For the judges, it was top of the class, and the 227.5 score reflected that feeling.
Schumacher, from Germany with Gordonville, Texas, being home in the United States, is an NRHA Million Dollar Rider. Gunnaztepya (Gunnatrashya x SDP A Lasting Step) didn’t quite have as extensive of a resume, but the stallion is continuing to build it, one event at a time.
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.
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.
This past month, the warm Florida sunshine served as icing on the cake during the Florida Reining Classic for Fernando Salgado, National Reining Horse Association’s latest Million Dollar Rider. Salgado laid down fantastic runs aboard Vinny Gun, owned by Guillermo De Anda Martinez, and Bob Reiner, owned by Kristen and Rodion Cantacuzene; both pushed Fernando Salgado over the million dollar total in NRHA lifetime earnings.
The 2022 National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships crowned new champions and helped add additional milestones to multiple riders’ careers. The 2021 NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, Trevor Dare, passed the coveted $1 Million in earnings.
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