Open Champions Crowned at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

Photos by Traci Davenport | courtesy of NRHA
Photos by Traci Davenport | courtesy of NRHA

The Four Sixes National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel boasted record payouts in every level as well as all-time high entries. Open Champions made their bid for championship honors Saturday, June 26 in the Jim Norick Arena at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The new title sponsorship from Four Sixes Ranch brought an incredible new payout framework for both the Open and Non Pro Derby. It raised the Open L4 Derby championship to $75,000 – up $15,000 from the previous year – while in many levels the money awarded to the champion more than doubled!

The record-breaking event also welcomed several new classes across the Open and Non Pro divisions, including the $40,000 Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes and the $15,000 Added GlycoGuard Novice Horse Open Derby, which were both decided during the preliminary round.


Read MoreOpen Champions Crowned at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

Non Pro Champions Crowned at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

Photo by Traci Davenport | courtesy of NRHA
Photo by Traci Davenport | courtesy of NRHA

The Four Sixes National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel boasted record payouts in every level as well as all-time high entries. Non Pro Champions made their bid for championship honors Friday, June 25 in the Jim Norick Arena at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
 
Upping the excitement were the guaranteed Championship payouts, thanks to the new sponsorship from Four Sixes Ranch.

Read MoreNon Pro Champions Crowned at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

Jason Vanlandingham and A Vintage Smoke Win Level 4 Open Championship at 2020 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

A Vintage Smoke blew into the Jim Norick Coliseum during the Level 4 Open Finals of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby presented by Markel. At the reins was his trainer, Jason Vanlandingham. The newly crowned NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider and the flashy black stallion had already made their mark on the reining industry by winning two of the three largest reining events: the 2018 NRHA Futurity and the 2019 National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC). The only accolade missing from A Vintage Smoke’s resume? An NRHA Derby presented by Markel Championship.

Read MoreJason Vanlandingham and A Vintage Smoke Win Level 4 Open Championship at 2020 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

Indy Roper Wins Level 4 Non Pro Championship on Spooks Show Time at NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

Photo by NRHA
Photo by NRHA

Indy Roper was all smiles as she exited the Jim Norick Coliseum Arena on Friday evening, June 19, after her first run in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby presented by Markel Non Pro Finals.

She knew her performance on Spooks Show Time was good, and when the score, a 222.5, was announced, the cheers were resounding. However, Roper had drawn number 2 in the Level 4 Non Pro Finals, meaning she had to sweat through 31 additional runs before she was declared the victor.

Read MoreIndy Roper Wins Level 4 Non Pro Championship on Spooks Show Time at NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby Presented by Markel Insurance: Get Ready to Derby!

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Executive Committee and Board are pleased to announce that the 2020 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel looks to be on track to take place at the Oklahoma City at State Fair Park June 13–21.

 It’s the good news reiners have been looking for after the long hiatus from the show pen. The green light to proceed follows the announcement on May 14, 2020, of Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt’s proclamation regarding the city’s COVID-19 regulations. With this announcement, the NRHA Derby Presented by Markel's entry deadline has been extended to May 20, the same deadline date for the stabling reservations. Ancillary entries are still due on June 1.

Read MoreNational Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby Presented by Markel Insurance: Get Ready to Derby!

Jimmy van der Hoeven and Guaranteed A Magnum Win Level 4 Open Championship at NRHA Derby presented by Markel Insurance

Photos courtesy by NRHA
Photos courtesy by NRHA

The 2019 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel Insurance provided a week of thrills and excitement for exhibitors, owners, sponsors, and spectators, escalating to a crescendo on Open finals night, Saturday, June 22. The Jim Norick Coliseum at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds was filled with an enthusiastic reining crowd that watched climbing scores and outstanding performances.

Read MoreJimmy van der Hoeven and Guaranteed A Magnum Win Level 4 Open Championship at NRHA Derby presented by Markel Insurance