NRHA Announces 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees & Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Recipients

Photo by NRHA Press Release
Photo by NRHA Press Release

As the reining industry reaches new audiences and continually breaks records, it becomes even more important to acknowledge and celebrate those who helped pave the way for success. Since 1986, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has been doing just that with the NRHA Hall of Fame and, more recently, the NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award. With the help of the Reining Horse Foundation (RHF), these individuals, their achievements, and their contributions to the industry are celebrated and remembered.

Read MoreNRHA Announces 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees & Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Recipients

NRHA Million Dollar Dam List Grows to Eight as Best Stop Crosses the Historic Milestone

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

After the dust settled on a Saturday night at South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Best Shine topped the leaderboard of The Run For A Million’s Million Dollar Competition. Not only did the mare add half a million dollars to her lifetime earnings (LTE), but she also helped National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Professional Jason Vanlandingham cross the NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider mark and made her mother, Best Stop, the newest NRHA Million Dollar Dam.

Read MoreNRHA Million Dollar Dam List Grows to Eight as Best Stop Crosses the Historic Milestone

Mathison Reaches NRHA Million Dollar Rider Status

This time of year is peak show season for the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA). With many Affiliate Regional Championships and exciting reining events held across the country, it is a great opportunity for riders to add to their lifetime earnings (LTE) and reach new goals for themselves. NRHA Professional Justin “Gunny” Mathison was one competitor looking to hit an association milestone and achieved it during the 100X Reining Classic and South Central Affiliate Regional Championship, where he became the newest NRHA Million Dollar Rider.

Read MoreMathison Reaches NRHA Million Dollar Rider Status

Fappani Adds to an Outstanding Legacy After Being Named NRHA’s First Eight Million Dollar Rider and Newest Million Dollar Owner

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

It’s no secret the name Fappani is synonymous with greatness within the reining community. As the National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) all-time leading rider, Andrea Fappani continues to set the standard within the sport and shatter records. Recently, he stamped his name in the history books once again by becoming the first NRHA Eight Million Dollar Rider. In addition, he accomplished yet another rare feat by adding his name to the list of NRHA Million Dollar Owners.

Read MoreFappani Adds to an Outstanding Legacy After Being Named NRHA’s First Eight Million Dollar Rider and Newest Million Dollar Owner

Gabriel Borges & 007 Make History as Inaugural 100X Stakes Open Champions

Photos by 100X Reining Classic / Chelsea Schneider Media
Photos by 100X Reining Classic / Chelsea Schneider Media

From the very start of the afternoon, when the Diamond D Cowgirls mesmerized the crowd in the opening ceremonies and the first few riders in the pen marked high scores for stunning runs, the 100X Stakes Open Finals had all the hallmarks of a spectacular reining event, with the Champions of the four levels awarded an MS Diamonds TX custom-made Trophy Ring.

Read MoreGabriel Borges & 007 Make History as Inaugural 100X Stakes Open Champions

The Invitational Level 4 Open Champion Andrea Fappani & Inferno Thirty Five

Photos by 100X Reining Classic / Chelsea Schneider Media
Photos by 100X Reining Classic / Chelsea Schneider Media

After taking the lead early in the day, Andrea Fappani spent the rest of it nervously watching to see if his score of 225 would hold first place in the Invitational Open Futurity Level 4 at the 100X Reining Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Luckily for Fappani, it did—earning him an additional $100,000 to add to his eight million dollars in lifetime earnings, a milestone he crossed early on in the event.

Read MoreThe Invitational Level 4 Open Champion Andrea Fappani & Inferno Thirty Five

100X Reining Classic: Gina Schumacher Wins Inaugural 100X Stakes Non Pro Championship

On a special homegrown horse, Gina Schumacher became the 100X Non Pro Stakes Level 4 Champion at the 100X Reining Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Riding CS Nifty Sailor, Schumacher scored an impressive 222.5 to win the Level 4 title as well as the Novice Horse title, adding an additional $105,557 to her lifetime earnings as well as the custom-made MS Diamonds TX Championship ring!

Read More100X Reining Classic: Gina Schumacher Wins Inaugural 100X Stakes Non Pro Championship

100X Reining Classic Daily Updates

Finalists Set for 100X Stakes Open Finals
The preliminary round of the inaugural 100X Open Stakes at the 100X Reining Classic wrapped up today in all four levels. It was an exciting day of competition with the industry’s best of the best all vying for a top 25 spot in order to make it into the clean-slate finals on Saturday, where Level 4 riders will go head-to-head for a $150,000 top prize.

Read More100X Reining Classic Daily Updates

Hinton Adds His Name to the Prestigious List of NRHA Million Dollar Riders

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

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.

Read MoreHinton Adds His Name to the Prestigious List of NRHA Million Dollar Riders