Colonels Shining Gun Honored as NRHA Million Dollar Sire

Photo by Veronika Photography
Photo by Veronika Photography

In 2010, a flashy young colt burst onto the reining scene. By National Reining Horse Association Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Gunner, and out of Shining Little Peach (by Shining Spark), Colonels Shining Gun was poised to do great things. In early November, the stallion, affectionately known as Jojo, added another line to his resume when he became a Million Dollar Sire. While he’s now known for his prepotency, he proved his prowess in the show pen early on.

Read MoreColonels Shining Gun Honored as NRHA Million Dollar Sire

Dunit A Lil Ruf Joins NRHA Million Dollar Dam Roster

Photo by NRHA Press Release/Waltenberry
Photo by NRHA Press Release/Waltenberry

When standout athlete Patriot, ridden by Nathan Piper, claimed the 2022 The Run For A Million Championship, he became the highest money-earning horse in the history of the National Reining Horse Association.
But that’s not all. His win catapulted both his owners, Shannon and Hershel Reid, and his dam, Dunit A Lil Ruf, past the million-dollar mark.
Dunit A Lil Ruf was bred by Sandi Holt and was sold to NRHA Professional Ann Salmon-Anderman during her two-year-old year. With Anderman at the reins, Dunit A Lil Ruf won more than $32,000, including a Level 2 Open Championship at the 2013 Derby.

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Our Condolences – Kelle Smith

Photo NRHA by Chelsea Schneider
Photo NRHA by Chelsea Schneider

While in Oklahoma City for the NRHA Futurity, one of the Association’s most accomplished riders, Kelle Smith, passed away.

Kelle was fierce in everything she did, and that tenacity helped her win countless titles, including two NRHA Futurity Non Pro Championships. On Sunday, she competed on her horse, See Ya Seven, and advanced to yet another NRHA Futurity Finals.

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Electric Code Becomes an NRHA Million Dollar Sire

Photo by NRHA Press Release/Waltenberry
Photo by NRHA Press Release/Waltenberry

Fifteen years ago, NRHA Professional Jared Leclair accepted a raw-boned 2-year-old into training. With a royal pedigree and phenomenal confirmation, the colt showed outstanding promise as a performance prospect, but that is where Leclair’s plans for the colt ended. Even still, Leclair made a deal with the colt’s owner, Danny Dugan, and joined in a partnership for the ownership of Electric Code.

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$324,000-Added 2022 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-Year-Old Open Futurity Finals

Photos by Bonaga Communication
Photos by Bonaga Communication

In front of a full house, with standing space only, the 2022 edition of the Italian Futurity literally had the crowd in the Veronafiere stands cheering at the top of their voice from the first to the last horse-and-rider combination: Manuel Cortesi and July Joe Snap. When the duo closed their emotional and powerful run, a 227 appeared on the scoreboard accompanied by a standing ovation. The $216,013-Added Level (L)4 Open Futurity Championship was theirs.

Read More$324,000-Added 2022 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-Year-Old Open Futurity Finals

Czechowicz Leaves His Mark In the $212,000-Added IRHA/NRHA 4-Year-Old Open Futurity 

Photos by Bonaga Communication
Photos by Bonaga Communication

Excitement ran high tonight in Verona, Italy, as the IRHA/NRHA 4-year-old Open Futurity finalists gave all they had to clinch the titles and paychecks up for grabs in the highest-paying 4-year-old Open Futurity ever offered in Europe.

Level of competition ran deep, scores rose, and so did the public’s cheers as some of Europe’s best horses and riders performed in the Veronafiere Arena. Half way through the second section, the loudest cheering was for Poland’s Lukasz Czechowicz and CSG Kenzo (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun x Shiner Brimolena) who thrilled the fans with his powerful yet smooth ride. From the first stop and back, through the fast and precise spins, to the speed transitions and imperceptible lead changes, Czechowicz’s mount stopped deep in the ground raising the dirt which resulted in the highest score of the evening, a 227.5, and the win in both the $ 144.390-Added Level L(4) Championship as well as the $ 38.654-Added L3 title.

Read MoreCzechowicz Leaves His Mark In the $212,000-Added IRHA/NRHA 4-Year-Old Open Futurity 

$145,000-Added IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Non Pro Futurity: Matteo Capello Shines with Shya Shine

Photos by Bonaga Communication
Photos by Bonaga Communication

A great IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Non Pro 3-year-old Futurity Final thrilled the crowd in the stands at Veronafiere where the 2022 $800,000-Added Futurity is being held. Taking the $ 77.309,88-Added Level (L)4 and $ 39.791,85-Added L3 Non Pro Championships was young Matteo Capello aboard Alberto Capello’s Shya Shine (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine x Shyawhiz).

Read More$145,000-Added IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Non Pro Futurity: Matteo Capello Shines with Shya Shine