The Official Publication of the National Reining Horse Association | May 2026
Cactus Reining Classic Thee Assassin and Erik Caddeo
The Offi cial Publication of the NATIONAL REINING HORSE ASSOCIATION
May 2026 Vol. 50, Issue 4
nrha.com
EXECUTIVE
Billy Smith Commissioner Alisson Antunez Executive Assistant
ext. 108 ext. 129
ACCOUNTING
John Foy Chief Financial Officer Chris Mossman Senior Director of Accounting Debbie Shupe Senior Accounting Supervisor Casey Lofton Senior Accounting Coordinator
ext. 109 ext. 104 ext. 107 ext. 133
CORPORATE RELATIONS
Christy Landwehr Senior Director of Corporate Relations
ext. 122
EDUCATION & OFFICIALS
Patti Carter Senior Director of Education & Officials
2026 NRHA Board of Directors Executive Committee Mike Hancock President (252) 903-3516 mikehancock@boddienoell.com
Casey Hinton Vice President (903) 821-9742 hintonreining@gmail.com
Karen Shedlauskas Director-At-Large (330) 565-0762 ksheds63@gmail.com
John Tague Director-At-Large (903) 821-9742 jptague@yahoo.com
Tom McCutcheon Director-At-Large (940) 390-7433 TMRHoffice@gmail.com
Ed Bricker Director-At-Large 412-551-7943 hootbricker@hotmail.com
Andrea Stillo Director-At-Large (817) 403-1630 andreastillo@hotmail.com
ext. 103
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Angie Honeywell Senior Director of ReinerSuite & Sales
ext. 123
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Maddie Weber Senior Director of Marketing Haley Carmen Senior Director of Communications
ext. 204 ext. 102
MEMBER & SHOW SERVICES
Christa Morris-Stone Assistant Commissioner ext. 105 Samantha Oldfi eld Senior Director of International Affairs & Development ext. 110 Kristen Liesman Senior Manager of Award & Show Services ext. 113 Krissy Colbath ext. 117 Director of Member & Show Services Kiely Larson Member & Show Services Coordinator ext. 119 Lauren Dushay Manager of Affiliate & Events ext. 115 Kaytlinn Golden Administrative Office Coordinator ext. 100 Maggie Starnes Membership & Show Services Representative ext. 137
Board of Directors Jenny Ricotta Southwest (903) 267-5224 ricottaperformancehorses@ gmail.com Bundy Lane Southeast (252) 938-7705 bundylane68@gmail.com Mike Davis North Central (319) 404-2270 mdreiners@gmail.com Matt Murphy Northeast (703) 930-2760 safetymurph13@aol.com Kylie Warn Northwest (503) 703-8587 kyliewarn@yahoo.com
Travis Chapman Mountain (303) 518-3163 tmmedic@yahoo.com
Rudi Kronsteiner Europe 43-676-745-476-0 info@kronsteiner.de
Margaret Fuchs East Central (330) 717-8193 magmfuchs@aol.com
João Marcos South America 55-011-468-800-05 joaomarcos@arrudapires.com.br
Andre De Bellefeuille Canada (514) 578-5757 andre@versapro.ca
Jose Soto Soberanes Mexico 524-423-143-026 jsoto@cnn-law.com.mx
Rick Clark RHF (606) 232-7423 rick.clark@clarkspns.com
Pam Watson Oceania 61-042-422-949-7
Maik Bartmann Europe 49-172-624-801-6 info@vineyardranch.com
Andrea Stillo South Central (817) 403-1630 andreastillo@hotmail.com
pamela_watson17@hotmail.com
REINING HORSE FOUNDATION
Leslie Baker RHF Executive Director
ext. 106
Lisé Bulik RHF Sr. Coordinator of Development & NRHyA
ext. 138
NRHA REINER PUBLISHED BY 614 MEDIA GROUP Jack McLaughlin Editor-In-Chief
jack@614mediagroup.com
Asia Atuah Associate Editor
asia@614mediagroup.com
Mary McCarthy Associate Editor
mary@614mediagroup.com
andrew@614mediagroup.com Andrew Thomas Creative Director Dan Sileargy (614) 886-1320 National Sales Director anna@614mediagroup.com Anna Gerhard 614 Media Group Account Representative Lindsay Press lindsay@614mediagroup.com CEO, 614 Media Group
4 | NRHA REINER
The NRHA REINER is published by the National Reining Horse Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of the sport of reining. The NRHA REINER is the copyrighted property of the National Reining Horse Association. No information may be reproduced or used without the express written permission of the National Reining Horse Association. We welcome manuscripts pertaining to the reining horse, relevant to the performance horse industry and of interest to reiners. Manuscripts and pictures sent to the address below will be handled with care. Please enclose a SASE. The NRHA REINER is not responsible for incorrect information that may appear in any vendor advertisement. Persons or entities suspended for any reason are denied advertising privileges in the NRHA REINER until suspension is lifted. The NRHA REINER (ISSN0199-6762) is published by the National Reining Horse Association, 3021 West Reno, Oklahoma City, OK 73107-6125. Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma City, OK 73107 and at additional mailing offices. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 40028657 POSTMASTER: Send change of address to NRHA REINER, 3021 West Reno, Oklahoma City, OK 73107-6125. Please mail all advertising copy to NRHA REINER, 3021 West Reno, Oklahoma City, OK 73107-6125.
MAY 2026
MS DIAMONDS TX & THE NATIONAL REINING HORSE ASSOCIATION
Graphics
IHP
NRHA Judges Recognition Program
Each year, at the NRHA Derby, all current NRHA judges who have served the sport of reining for 25 years or more will receive a commemorative one-of-a-kind ring.
Thank you for your extensive service and commitment.
Table of Contents
May Spotlight Cactus Reining Classic Top riders return to Arizona to test their mettle in the desert.
76
LEVEL 3 & 4 OPEN DERBY
76
LEVEL 2 & 4 OPEN DERBY
77
LEVEL 1 OPEN DERBY
78
LEVEL 4 NON PRO DERBY
79
LEVEL 1 & 2 NON PRO DERBY
81
Features VIVA ITALIA!
33
In Every Issue
® 2026 6666 NRHA DERBY 40 PRESENTED BY MARKEL
From the Commissioner
12
56
Reining Horse Foundation
16
WHY I REIN
60
NRHyA
23
REINER INSIGHTS
69
NRHA Event Calendar
109
Advertiser/ Stallion Indexes
112
PROS OF THE YEAR
48
CORPORATE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: PLATINUM PERFORMANCE
BLOODLINES
93
Event Coverage THE RUN FOR A MILLION QUALIFIERS
88
ON THE COVER: Cactus Reining Classic Level 3 and 4 Open Derby Champion Thee Assassin and Erik Caddeo. Photo by Lauren Ashley Media. 6 | NRHA REINER
MAY 2026
CONFIDENCE in the pen. COVERAGE beyond it. Gabriel Borges &
Spks Goa Ice Owned by Kathy Page
Horse mortality | Equine liability
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A SPARKLING VINTAGE ICSI ONLY $6000 BIG CHEX TO CASH ICSI ONLY $750 BOOMERNIC ICSI OR FROZEN $1000 CONQUISTADOR WHIZ ICSI OR FROZEN $1000 CROMED OUT MERCEDES ICSI ONLY $750 CUSTOM CASH ADVANCE ICSI ONLY $750 EINSTEINS REVOLUTION ICSI $2500 FROZEN $3000 NIC IT IN THE BUD ICSI $3000 FROZEN $3500 SMART SHINERS SPOOK ICSI ONLY $500 SPOOKS GOTTA GUN ICSI $6500 FROZEN $7000 TRASHADEOUS ICSI OR FROZEN $1000 WIMPYS LITTLE STEP ICSI ONLY $6500
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Silver Spurs is proud to compensate our trainers and owners for all of their hard work and dedication to our fabulous sport
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LEVEL 4 ................ LEVEL 3 ....................................... $35,000 LEVEL 2 ....................................... $20,000 LEVEL 1........................................... $10,000 PRIMETIME ................................. $5,000
NON PRO CHAMPION
$30,000
LEVEL 4 ......... LEVEL 3 .................................$20,000 LEVEL 2 .................................. $15,000 LEVEL 1 ...................................... $5,000 PRIMETIME ........................... $5,000
4 YR OLD STAKES CHAMPION OPEN - $40,000 I NON PRO - $20,000
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From the Commissioner
A Comprehensive Approach
A
s we move deeper into the spring show season, the strength and momentum of our industry continue to be on full display. The Cactus Reining Classic in Scottsdale once again set the tone—exceptional competition, strong participation across all divisions, and a level of consistency that speaks to the health of our sport. Performances like Erik Caddeo and Thee Assassin were certainly highlights, but what continues to impress is the depth of talent throughout every level of competition. That depth is what sustains us and ensures that reining remains vibrant from the grassroots to the elite level. Equally important this spring has been the growing influence of marquee events that expand the reach of reining beyond our traditional audience. The Qualifier, hosted by Taylor Sheridan, has quickly established itself as a meaningful gateway to The Run for A Million. More than just a qualifying event, it represents a broader evolution in how our sport is presented—bringing increased visibility, new audiences, and a level of storytelling that resonates well beyond the arena. The connection between these events is significant. It creates aspiration, raises the competitive bar, and reinforces the idea that reining can command attention on a much larger stage. As we look ahead to the Derby and a full slate of summer events, we remain focused not only on the competition itself, but on the entire experience surrounding it. From the trade show to fan engagement opportunities, and from freestyle reining to para-reining, every element plays a role in strengthening the value of our events. These components are central to how we serve our members, attract partners, and grow the sport in a sustainable way. This issue of The Reiner reflects that comprehensive approach. Alongside event coverage, you’ll see continued emphasis on youth development, industry collaboration, and the individuals who power this association every day. Whether it’s our riders, owners, breeders, or volunteers, the collective commitment of this community is what drives our success. Each story contributes to a larger narrative—one centered on
12 | NRHA REINER
opportunity, connection, and a shared belief in the future of reining. At the same time, we are operating in an environment that demands discipline and thoughtful decision-making. Economic pressures and shifting dynamics across the horse industry require us to remain strategic in how we allocate resources and prioritize initiatives. Our responsibility is to protect the core of what makes NRHA strong—our events, our membership, and our horses—while continuing to position the organization for long-term growth. While the show season is in full swing, so is the NRHA staff that’s feverishly developing an annual budget for which the funding requests always exceed fund availability. It’s a daunting task but aligns closely with NRHA’s strategic plan to grow the community of reiners. What gives me confidence is the consistency of this community. Around the globe, we continue to see a shared commitment to excellence, horsemanship, and the integrity of our sport. That foundation is as strong as ever. And with that as our guide, the future of reining remains not only secure, but full of opportunity.
Billy Smith NRHA Commissioner We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback on this issue to reiner@nrha.com.
MAY 2026
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Reining Horse Foundation
Ripple Effects in Reining
T
he Reining Horse Foundation is the charitable heart of the National Reining Horse Association, and I’ve seen firsthand how its work touches lives across our reining community. Through the generosity of donors, RHF honors those who have shaped our sport through the NRHA Hall of Fame while also providing meaningful help when it is needed most. Through the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, financial assistance is available to NRHA members facing catastrophic hardship or tragedy. The Foundation is built to respond quickly and compassionately, helping lessen the burden during some of life’s hardest moments. That is why it is so important to have funds ready and available when emergencies arise. Another highlight of RHF is the many scholarship opportunities available to youth members of NRHA. These scholarships support students pursuing both trade school and college educations. Our youth reiners are not only the future of the sport—they are part of its strength today. I have been fortunate, both as a Foundation board member and as an NRHA Affiliate board member, to follow several students who have received RHF scholarships. Watching their growth in leadership, confidence, and skills has been incredibly rewarding. Many continue contributing to the equine industry, whether through competition, careers in related businesses, or by creating a culture of mentorship, resilience, and hope for others coming behind them. One of my favorite parts of board service has been seeing how the future of our sport can thrive through donations both big and small. A single gift may seem modest, but together those gifts become something powerful. For example, if 200 people donate $10 at an affiliate show, that becomes $2,000—enough to fund one scholarship for a youth member. That one opportunity can help change the direction of a young person’s future. Now imagine that scholarship recipient staying involved in reining, mentoring younger riders, and giving back to our community. That is the ripple effect in action. Some affiliate shows offer an opt-in or opt-out opportunity to contribute $10 on your show bill to the Reining Horse Foundation. This is The Power of 10 at work. These simple gifts create a ripple effect throughout our community and give everyone a way to be part of something larger. Every dollar contributes to something meaningful. Whether you give at your next show, through the RHF website, or at an event, your gift helps create lifelong change. See you at the next show.
Debbie Conway RHF Secretary/Treasurer To donate, visit reiningfoundation.com or contact RHF at (405) 946-7400, ext. 106, rhf@nrha.com.
16 | NRHA REINER
Board of Directors RICK CLARK, PRESIDENT (606) 232-7423 rick.clark@clarkspns.com ANDREA STILLO, VICE PRESIDENT (817) 403-1630 andreastillo@hotmail.com DEBBIE CONWAY, SECRETARY/ TREASURER (281) 687-0724 debbiejconway14@gmail.com TERRI MAINEY, OFFICER (919) 623-6054 gameangel65@aol.com MIKE MCFARLIN, OFFICER (615) 293-4044 mmcfarlin@mwlginc.com JESSE BOYD (281) 979-9632 jesse.boy@icloud.com DIANA DUFFEY (970) 710-1244 diana.trftgllc@gmail.com PATRICK FLAHERTY (480) 220-6025 Flaherty.performance@gmail.com MIKE HANCOCK, EX OFFICIO (252) 903-3516 mhh@boddienoell.com AMY KIRBY (614) 203-0643 abkirby15@gmail.com JANICE LANEY (205) 639-7878 janiceflaney@gmail.com MORGAN MCCLURE (480) 789-9337 morgan@holdfast.me.uk ALLISON THORSON (419) 357-1488 athorson@thorsportfarm.com CHRISTY TRAUTMAN (608) 215-9542 cmtrautman@gmail.com KEVIN TRUAX (515) 314-0704 kevin.truax@lpl.com BROOKE WHARTON (940) 357-1998 bmw@bmwquarterhorses.com BILLY WILLIAMS (503) 887-7171 billwilliams1330@gmail.com
MAY 2026
here they come! 2026 colt by MR FARENHEIT out of MISS INFERNO 66 owned and bred by Bill and Laura Clutter
owned by Morin and Vandorp Breeding contracts available at www.tmreining.com
ad by maxi. I photos: PMG
Breeding season 2026 Standing at Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses
NRHyA Members Invited to Make Waves
NRHyA
Photography Courtesy of NRHA
↑ The NRHyA Gathering will include some group activities, and in 2026 will feature the theme, “Under the Sea.” Guests are encouraged to dress for the theme.
T
he 6666 NRHA Derby® presented by Markel is a marquee event on the reining calendar, and in 2026 it promises to attract even more youth exhibitors to Oklahoma City. Why? This year’s event includes the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship. The National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) welcomes youth reiners and is offering several activities to help youth connect with others, learn more about membership activities, develop leadership and public speaking skills, and have fun. The NRHyA officer team has selected the theme of “Under the Sea” for the week’s activities, and they will be developing positive ways for youth to make waves. A favorite activity is the annual NRHyA Gathering where NRHyA officers share information about opportunities and plan hands-on activities. This youth event is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, June 17 at 3:00 p.m. in the air-conditioned comfort of the Bennett Event Center. Guests are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts, leis, swim trunks and t-shirts that carry out the theme.
MAY 2026
Community service is a traditional youth activity during this show. The NRHyA Officers have again selected to serve at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Youth and their parents are invited to volunteer on Thursday, June 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Youth ages 8 and older may volunteer. Close-toed shoes are a must. Advance sign-up is required and can be done by emailing youth@nrha. com. Some activities were still being formed at press time. Watch the NRHyA website, nrhya.com for updates.
Youth Zone Stop by the Youth Zone in the Trade Show in the Bennett Event Center for daily activities from Sunday, June 14 through Saturday, June 20. Casually meet up with friends, make new ones, and enjoy crafts and games every afternoon. There may even be some sweet surprises. Drop by to check out schedule updates.
NRHA REINER | 23
NRHyA NRHyA Gathering
CINCH NRHyA Speaking Contest
Bennett Event Center Wednesday, June 17 | 3 p.m.
Bennett Event Center Friday, June 19 | 9 a.m.
All youth at the show are invited. Join NRHyA members. Meet new friends and enjoy games, handson activities and treats.
Members who participate in the 13 & Under or 14-18 divisions better their speaking skills. The top two place earners in each of three categories earn scholarships of $700 for first place and $200 for second place. Contact youth@nrha.com for more information.
Volunteer Service Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Thursday, June 18 | 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
This annual tradition is a highlight for participants. Join the NRHyA officers and others in preparing food. The Regional Food Bank is leading the fight against hunger in Oklahoma. This is done through a network of more than 1,300 community-based partner agencies and schools in 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma. This work feels good! Advance registration is required. Adults must provide transportation and are welcome to serve alongside the youth. Send an email to youth@nrha.com to participate —spots are limited.
↑ Youth officers, delegates, and affiliate liaisons get involved making the activities inclusive for all ages.
↑ The NRHyA officers will be on hand to lead youth activities, including the NRHyA Gathering for all youth attending the show.
24 | NRHA REINER
MAY 2026
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News
2026 NRHyA Buy-A-Pro Auction Builds Opportunity
T
he 2026 NRHyA Buy-A-Pro Auction once again showed the power of NRHA Professionals to grow the future of reining. This year’s fundraiser sold 54 of 64 lesson packages, generating $24,370 in gross sales to benefit NRHyA programming and select NRHA Affiliates. Nearly $21,000 will directly support youth leadership and scholarship opportunities through NRHyA, while $3,655 will strengthen grassroots reining efforts at the affiliate level.
The auction also proved its value as a gateway for new participants. Notably, 20 percent of buyers were not-yet NRHA members, reinforcing the auction’s role as an effective introduction to the sport through the guidance of NRHA Professionals. Since launching in 2007, the NRHyA BuyA-Pro Auction has now generated $374,000 in cumulative support, making it one of the youth program’s most enduring and effective annual fundraisers.
A Special Thank-You
Thank you to the 64 NRHA Professionals who donated two lessons each to make this year’s event possible. Their continued support helps create opportunities for youth reiners while also welcoming new riders into the reining community.
28 | NRHA REINER
MAY 2026
News
A
Reining Horse Foundation Turns 25
s the Reining Horse Foundation (RHF) celebrates its 25th year, this milestone offers a powerful moment to reflect on how far the organization has come—and where it is headed next. Originally incorporated on May 23, 2001, as the Reining Horse Sports Foundation, the charitable arm of the NRHA has grown steadily alongside the sport it serves. What began as a bold vision to support reiners has become a thriving force for good across the reining community. Today, the Foundation is guided by 17 dedicated volunteer board members, strengthened by committee leaders, and fueled by the generosity of hundreds of supporters each year. Together, they advance the programs that matter most: emergency assistance through the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, scholarships and leadership opportunities for youth reiners through NRHyA, and initiatives that honor and celebrate the sport’s history.
The Foundation’s impact is measured not only in dollars awarded or programs expanded. The real measure is in lives changed, futures encouraged, and traditions carried forward. “I am so proud of the vision of our founders and all who have supported the foundation’s efforts over the years,” said Rick Clark, RHF President. “To be celebrating RHF’s silver anniversary is a testament to the caring work of so many donors and how dedicated they are to the reining community. This is just the beginning of more impactful work by RHF.” As RHF celebrates 25 years of caring for and honoring the reining community, its volunteers and staff remain focused on what comes next—building stronger programs, growing participation, and setting an ambitious course for the future. To see where you can make a difference, visit reiningfoundation.com or contact RHF at (405)946-7400, etx. 106, rhf@nrha.com.
← Rick Clark, RHF President.
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 29
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Italian Reining
Viva Italia! Anchored by Arcese Quarter Horses, Italian riders and trainers are taking the American reining world by storm By Melinda Green
Gennaro Lendi, photo by Waltenberry. →
A
rcese. Fappani. Lendi, Cortesi, Midili… The list of Italians changing up the face of world-class reining is growing, and the sport is better for it. Perhaps the biggest driving force in Italian reining is NRHA Corporate Partner Arcese Quarter Horses. Starting in the mid-1980s with Western Pleasure horses, the Arceses soon moved into reiners and now is the leading owner in Italy as well as a dominating presence in the USA. And that’s the underpinning for a lot of the Italian riders, trainers, and breeders joining the scene. During an economic downturn in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, said Leonardo Arcese, top American reining trainers traveled to Italy to show and train, providing valuable lessons for young riders and helping to build the popularity of the sport. “My father [Eleuterio] was one of the first to take all these best Americans to Italy, imported the best horses. It was a good foundation for [young] riders like Gennaro Lendi, Mirko Midili. They all grew when it was growing.”
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 33
Italian Reining
↑ Rider and trainer Mirko Midili. Photo courtesy of Mirko Midili.
In 2000, Arcese Quarter Horses branched out to the states, working with NRHA Corporate Partner Oswood Stallion Station in California and now in Texas. “For us, we always try to buy the best horses, and to raise them to breed,” Arcese said. “It takes a long time. Me, my father, my family, we never consider ourselves horsemen. We’ve always been more business-like. We always try to stay close to [trainers] to give us the best input, the best suggestions, to have ultimately reliable works together... And I’m really proud; we always work with all the best trainers.” And, slowly, the best Italian riders and trainers have been migrating to the USA, often riding Arcese horses. Three years ago, Gennaro Lendi made the jump to Gordon Quarter Horses in Scottsdale and is now a 2025 NRHA Top 20 Professional. He’s had great success in the show pen with Electric Gun, by Arcese stallion Gunnatrashya.
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“[In Italy], I was lucky enough to work in the facility of one of my idols, a horse lover, Oliviero Toscani. He’s one of the best photographers in Italy. From him, I learned to approach life and work with courage, open-mindedness, and f reedom of thought—values I carry with me every day,” Lendi said. Those values helped him to build the foundation for success in the USA. “I think that what really raised up the reining and made it grow in the last 10 years has been [Eleuterio] Arcese and his family,” he continued. “In the last five years, what Arcese was able to do to make this sport grow in Italy and in Europe has never been done by anyone else. And of course, that brought everything on a higher level because everybody was searching for more quality horses, more quality trainers. If you compare how small the Italian country is, compared to the States, I think the numbers are really unbelievable.”
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Italian Reining ← Enrico Sciulli recieves his Intermediate Open World Champion trophy. Photo by PMG.
Around the same time as Lendi came to the USA, Mirko Midili arrived in Oklahoma at 7 Lakes Ranch. “I come from a very, very humble family, never had the possibility to afford a reining horse,” he said. “When I was 14, I left, I left my family and I went to work as an assistant in Rome. The only way for me to ride reining horses was to do it as a job, so that’s why I quit school.” Midili admits that, even as a trainer, he struggled a bit to adjust to the American way of riding. “In Europe, we are a little bit more aggressive showing, but we are not as clean as here. And the horses, they really need to be very, very, very broke. And sometimes when they are too broke, they get, like, mechanical. This is not peaceful to watch.” After a year or so, however, he hit his stride and now is also a 2025 NRHA Top 20 Professional. Along with Andrea Fappani, that makes at least three Italians in the top 20. There are more Italian riders, trainers, owners, and breeders entering the world-class show pens all the time. And, if Italians have anything to say about it, this trend will continue.
← Gennaro Lendi. Photo by Ruehle Photographix.
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Italian Reining Renowned Arcese stallion Gunnatrashya ridden by Shawn Flarida. Photo by Waltenberry. ↓
Pride of Italy It’s not just Midili and Lendi leading the charge for Italians in reining; a host of other Italian-born riders have certified their elite status by snagging major NRHA victories in recent years, including:
ANDREA FAPPANI 4x NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity champion (2001, 2011, 2016, 2020) First-ever to surpass $10 million LTE
ENRICO SCIULLI 2025 Intermediate Open World champion
MANUEL CORTESI 2026 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Level 4 Open Derby champion 2016 IRHA/NRHA Open Derby Level 4 champion
MIRKO MIDILI 2024 100X Reining Classic Level 4 Open Futurity champion Over $900,000 LTE
“At the moment, we are the number one breeder and the number one owner in reining [in Italy]. It’s true. Because we always want to improve,” Arcese said. “I’m always looking to go out and buy mares. If there is a mare it’s not possible to buy, at least I can buy an embryo out of these mares just to try to improve our quality. We will never stop investing and buying horses.” Midili sees this success as character and motivation. “Well, Italians, I think it’s a very, very competitive population,” he said. “I speak for myself: I don’t like to be second to anybody. And I think most Italians are like that. When we want something, we go and we get it, we fight for it. I think this is our point of strength.” ■
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FABIO DE LULIO 2026 Non Pro World champion
CHIARA BARTOLETTI 2016 IRHA/NRHA Derby Level 4 Non Pro champion
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2026 6666 NRHA Derby® Preview presented by Markel
Derby Dreaming From fan nights to finals competition, here are the must-see events at the 2026 6666 NRHA Derby® presented by Markel By Abigail Boatwright | Photos Courtesy of NRHA
← A horse and rider come to a stop at the 2025 NRHA Derby®.
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et for June 10–12 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, this year’s NRHA Derby® presented by Markel promises an actionpacked lineup that can be tough to narrow down. To help make the most of your time, we’ve highlighted four must-do experiences that every attendee should have on their radar.
Fan Night Fan Night is, without a doubt, one of the most electric evenings of the NRHA Derby®, combining world-class competition with high-energy entertainment, said Madeline Weber, NRHA senior director of marketing. This year, Fan Night is scheduled to take place June 18, starting at 6 p.m. The day will include the Unbeetable Feeds Showdown and the $20,000 NRHA Invitational Freestyle Reining, presented by Visit OKC. Fan Night will then wrap up with the NRHA Para-Reining Championships. “From the creativity of freestyle reining to the inspiration of Para-Reining, it’s a unique showcase of the sport’s versatility, inclusivity, and connection to fans,” Weber said.
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MAY 2026
2026 6666 NRHA Derby® Preview presented by Markel ↓ Spectators cheer on competitors from the stands.
↓ Freestyle reining, done in costume, makes for one of the most engaging NRHA Derby® events. Photo by Carolyn Simancik.
$20,000 Freestyle Reining Presented by Visit OKC There’s no reining like freestyle reining. Widely considered the sport’s most creative and entertaining class, f reestyle reining features horse-and-rider teams—often donning their flashiest and most unique costumes— performing choreographed routines set to music. Each routine incorporates traditional reining maneuvers, creating performances that showcase a horse’s strength and rider’s style. “It’s where athleticism meets entertainment,” Weber said. “Costumes, themed music, and dramatic performances make each run completely unique.” Freestyle performances are judged on both technical execution and artistic elements. The class typically features a select group of invited riders.
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2026 6666 NRHA Derby® Preview presented by Markel NRHA Para-Reining Championship
More Derby Fun The 2026 6666 NRHA Derby® presented by Markel offers nearly two weeks’ worth of actionpacked competition and reiningrelated fun, so there’s naturally even more to see and do. Here’s a quick list of other standout events happening at this year’s NRHA Derby®.
COWBOY CHURCH (WITH PASTOR MIKE SEAY) June 14, 12 p.m. Bennett Event Center A lively Sunday service that’s held onsite at the 2026 6666 NRHA Derby® presented by Markel.
NRHA debuted Para-Reining in 2014 as part of its mission to make the sport accessible to riders of all ability levels, Weber noted. Since then, the sport has grown to be included at both NRHA-approved events around the country and major shows like the NRHA Derby®. “Including Para-Reining during the Derby highlights NRHA’s commitment to inclusivity and the growth of the sport,” Weber said. “It provides para-equestrians a premier stage to showcase their skills while also exposing a broader audience to the opportunities available within reining.” In Para-Reining, riders guide their horses through a reining pattern at a pace of their choice—walking, jogging, or loping— with allowances such as simple lead changes instead of flying. “Judges evaluate the rider’s execution and ability to perform each maneuver,” Weber said. “The program also allows adaptive equipment and modifications to ensure each rider can compete successfully and safely.” Beth Kelley was the 2025 Derby Para-Reining champion with her horse Pale Face Whiz. She’s been competing in ParaReining off and on since 2016, and also sometimes competes in Non Pro classes. She enjoys it for the simple fact that ParaReining gives everyone a chance to compete. A rider leads their horse at the NRHA Derby® ↓
PLATINUM PERFORMANCE OPEN & NON PRO FINALS DRAW PARTY June 17, 6:30 p.m. Bennett Event Center Socialize with riders, owners and other fans while the riding orders for the Open and Non Pro Finals are determined.
RUN GUESS June 19, 4 p.m.; June 20, 5 p.m. OG&E Coliseum A free, fan-focused challenge that allows spectators to predict the scores of major 2026 6666 NRHA Derby® events. You can participate in-person or via livestream. To learn more, visit nrha.com/runguess.
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2026 6666 NRHA Derby® Preview presented by Markel
↑ A rider competes at the NRHA Derby®
“Just because we’re handicapped does not mean we don’t want to win just as badly as anybody else,” Kelley said. “We’re not less competitive than anybody. Because there are so many different levels, everybody gets a chance to compete at their level.”
Open and Non Pro Derby Finals Finals nights are likely the most exciting event of the Derby competition. The top 30 riders in both Open Level 4 and Non Pro Level 4 advance from preliminary competition earlier in the week, and then square off to claim the top spot. Non Pro Finals are held Friday, June 19. The first section (Levels 1-3) kicks off at 8 a.m., while Section 2 (Level 4 finalists) starts at 4 p.m. Open Finals are held on Saturday, June 20. Section 1 (Levels 1-3) starts at 8 a.m., and Section 2 (Level 4)
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starts at 5 p.m. “The Non Pro and Open Finals represent the pinnacle of competition at the Derby,” Weber said. “Expect precision, power, and consistency at the highest level of the sport.” Finals are scored on a clean slate, which means each finalist starts f resh, competing solely based on their performance in the finals round. Non Pro Finals: Friday, June 19 starting at 8 a.m. Level 4 starts at 4 p.m. Open Finals: Saturday, June 20, starting at 8 a.m. Level 4 starts at 5 p.m. Visitors will need a ticket to attend June 12-21. Tickets can be purchased at nrhaderby. com, where you can also find more event details, the schedule, and more info on featured competitions. ■
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Pros of the Year By Sarah Prather and Blanche Schaefer
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ach year, the National Reining Horse Association recognizes five standout professionals whose contributions elevate both the sport and its community. Nominated and selected by their peers, these individuals represent the highest standard within an organization that spans more than 15,000 members worldwide. To be named among them is one of the most respected distinctions a reining professional can achieve. Award categories include Professional Horseman of the Year, Professional Non Pro Coach of the Year, Professional Up-and-Coming Trainer of the Year, Becky Hanson Professional Horsewoman of the Year, and Professional Youth Coach of the Year. Each title reflects a
unique role within the industry, but all share a common foundation: excellence, leadership, and dedication to the advancement of reining. Since the program’s inception in 2012, these awards recognize professionals who promote the NRHA and its mission, embody integrity, sincerity, and a commitment to the welfare of the horse. In 2020, the association renamed the Professional Horsewoman of the Year award to honor the late Becky Hanson. Hanson’s legacy defines the spirit of the award. Through her service on the NRHA Board, involvement in affiliate programs, and mentorship across all levels of the industry, she exemplified what it means to be an NRHA professional.
Professional Horseman of the Year:
Peter DeFreitas
A lifelong student of reining, Peter DeFreitas’ honest approach to the sport has landed him Horseman of the Year accolades
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eter DeFreitas, an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, was named the 2025 Professional Horseman of the Year–an honor voted on by his peers that reflects both success in the show pen and character beyond it. DeFreitas set his sights on becoming a professional early, beginning his reining career as a youth under the guidance of his grandfather. After high school, he went to work for Sam Smith before making his way from New Hampshire to North Carolina to work for Mike McEntire. During that time, he connected with Monica Hicks of Double Run Farm, where he would become head trainer. He looked up to many agedevent champions in the industry and now considers it an honor to be counted among them as a Million Dollar Rider. “This award is a really neat thing that NRHA does, and it is definitely an honor to win it. It is gratifying to know that so many of my peers think that much of me to nominate, and then vote for, me,” DeFreitas said. DeFreitas earned his first NRHA youth points in 1996 at the Carolina Classic aboard Ocat, owned by Francis Buchanan.
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↑ Peter DeFreitas. Photo by NRHA.
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Pros of the Year
Though such awards did not exist at the time, DeFreitas said his younger self would have been just as honored to receive the recognition. “I was all-encompassed with reining when I was a kid, and especially any kind of accolade that came along with that,” DeFreitas said. The award recognizes professionals who demonstrate excellence both in and out of the show pen–something DeFreitas has made a priority throughout his career. “I think being upstanding, honest, and having professional courtesy among your peers is very important,” he shared. “It’s something the older generation instilled in me. If you conduct your business in a professional and honest way, good things will come to you.” When first starting out, DeFreitas recalled a time when a client of another trainer contacted him about putting a horse in his program. Though he could have used the business, he chose to call the trainer–someone he respected and had worked
for–to explain the situation. The trainer listened and expressed his appreciation for the call. The client and trainer worked out the situation, and the client stayed with that trainer. DeFreitas said that moment has stuck with him and continues to shape how he approaches his business. “Being upf ront and honest, I think, is very important in your reputation among your peers,” DeFreitas reflected. “Other industry professionals will respect you more if they know they can trust you and you’re going to conduct yourself in a professional manner.” The 2025 NRHA Horseman of the Year noted many others in his life contribute to the important accolade. “First, I want to thank my wife–without her, the ship doesn’t sail,” he said. “I’m grateful for everyone around me–veterinarians, farriers, and assistants. There are so many people deserving of this recognition. I feel very fortunate and blessed it was me this time.”
Becky Hanson Professional Horsewoman of the Year:
Shannon Rafacz
After a nearly four-decade career in reining, Shannon Rafacz has claimed 2025 Becky Hanson Professional Horsewoman of the Year honors
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hannon Rafacz has seen her fair share of triumphs in nearly four decades as an NRHA member, and now she’s been tapped as recipient of the 2025 Becky Hanson Professional Horsewoman of the Year. Rafacz has built a career defined by consistency in the show pen and leadership beyond it. A member since age 12, she has experienced nearly every level of the industry–from youth to Non Pro
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to professional–and recently added NRHA certified judge to that list. With lifetime earnings totaling $722,018, she reflects on her time spent with Becky Hanson while serving together on the NRHA board. “Becky was a great f riend; she was always the one to keep a situation light and the one to be the positive person in the room,” Rafacz said. “To be nominated by your peers is amazing, and to be selected is a bit surprising.”
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Pros of the Year
Hanson, widely known as a light in the industry and someone who exemplified what it meant to serve others, became the namesake of the honor after her hard-fought battle with cancer in 2020. That legacy is not lost on Rafacz, who credits her experience within NRHA for shaping her perspective on the industry. “From being a youth kid to Non Pro and now professional, each stage brings a different perspective,” she said. “Later in life, I got into affiliate boards and board management and served on the NRHA board as well.” Rafacz believes the NRHA offers opportunities for women across every level of the sport. “The sky is the limit, and that’s what I love about reining,” she added. “It’s not just a man’s sport–it’s for everybody.” Looking ahead, the 2025 Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year says she isn’t finished yet, noting she scored a personal best this year. “I still think there are amazing moments ahead, and that’s what keeps us all going,” Rafacz said. Rafacz’s dedication to NRHA is evident through her years of service and involvement across multiple roles. Her daughter, Madison, is now a fierce competitor, and Rafacz said watching her forge her own path in the industry is especially meaningful. The veteran rider first thanks her husband, along with her customers, coaches, and peers. Each who motivates her, challenges her, and continues to push her in and out of the arena. She also credits her mother, Linda Raymond, as the person who first introduced her to the sport. Though Raymond is no longer able to attend shows due to health concerns, Rafacz said she remains her biggest supporter. It was her
↑ Shannon Rafacz. Photo by Emily Thurner Photograhy.
mother who encouraged her to begin showing at age 12, starting a journey that has now spanned nearly four decades. “To receive this award is something I do not take lightly,” Rafacz said. “I appreciate it above and beyond. Of all the successes and accolades I’ve had, this is right at the very top.”
Up-and-Coming Professional of the Year:
Giada Camparsi
An Italian native, 2025 Up-and-Coming Professional of the Year Giada Camparsi built her reining career in the U.S. from the ground up
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Pros of the Year
“THE SKY IS THE LIMIT, AND THAT’S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT REINING. IT’S NOT JUST A MAN’S SPORT–IT’S FOR EVERYBODY.”
↑ Giada Camparsi Photo by NRHA.
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iada Camparsi, a native of Italy who built her career f rom the ground up, was named the 2025 Up-and-Coming Professional of the Year–an honor that reflects both her determination and her evolution within the industry. “To receive this award is a dream come true because I came here with nothing and built everything from scratch, so it is an amazing feeling,” Camparsi said. Now based in Whitesboro, Texas, Camparsi has built a strong reputation as a 2 year-old starter. Her business focused on starting young horses before selling them or sending them on to Level 4 trainers to show. “My program and business were centered around young horses and 2 year-olds,” she said. “I would start
MAY 2026
them, then sell them or send them to a Level 4 trainer to go on to show.” While she found success in that role–including being a high seller at the NRHA Futurity Sale and the Pro-Fit Sale– Camparsi knew she wanted more. Three years ago, she made the decision to keep a horse for herself and step into the show pen, despite outside doubts. “I was the high seller at both the NRHA Futurity Sale and the Pro-Fit Sale. Many people said, ‘Just keep starting 2 yearolds because you are good at it,’” she said. “I really wanted to do more in the industry, so I made the switch from the 2 yearolds to focus on showing aged-event horses.” That decision proved to be a turning point. Over the past year, Camparsi made multiple finals, building both confidence and momentum as a competitor. “This past year was awesome for me because I made a lot of finals and it was a confidence builder for me,” she said. “I am really, really happy, and this award shows I’m not just a 2 year-old starter anymore.” Now cemented as an industry leader, her journey began in Italy, where she fell in love with horses at a young age despite not being raised in a horse family. She worked to pay for her lessons–at one point working three jobs–and was first introduced to reining through a customer at the barn where she was working. Determined to pursue the discipline, she connected with Arcese Quarter Horses–upon graduating high school–and later followed an opportunity to the United States. Now working out of Gunny Mathison’s facility in Whitesboro, Camparsi credits both Mathison and Donnie Bricker for encouraging her along the way and helping her believe in herself. Despite that support, she said the transition was mentally challenging. There were times in the arena when she felt invisible. “This award definitely is a confidence builder where I am thinking I can do even more now, and this award makes me visible,” she said. Her advice to other aspiring professionals reflects the same mindset that guided her own journey. “If you have a work ethic and believe in what you are doing, follow your dream, and believe in it as much as you can. It will come,” Camparsi said. “Sometimes it won’t come right away, but always keep going and keep working.”
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Pros of the Year
Youth Coach of the Year:
Ben Beckett
From the gridiron to the show pen, Ben Beckett is setting the younger generation up for success
↑ Ben Beckett. Photo by PMG.
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rom childhood, Ben Beckett was primed to excel at coaching. As a high school football player whose father and brother were both college basketball coaches, he was immersed in sports. That mentality translated to his career as a horseman, helping him earn 2025 NRHA Youth Coach of the Year honors. “I was fortunate to have great coaches around me; it’s not like I reinvented the wheel. I take little pieces from everyone to make my own thing, and it’s helped me as a trainer, showman, and coach,” Beckett said. “I remember when I was a youth kid and what I needed to succeed, and all I’ve done is try to put those kids in a good position to be successful. I wouldn’t get recognition if they didn’t go out and succeed, so I give credit to the
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kids and their parents buying into my program.” In addition to his immediate family members, there was no shortage of outstanding mentors in Beckett’s life, from sports coaches to top-level horse trainers. “I had a great high school football coach, Mark Crabtree, and I use a lot of what he instilled in me, just change the sport,” Beckett said. “I was a lesson kid growing up in Linda Dare’s [Interscholastic Equestrian Association] lesson program, and then I spent my summers with Rick Weaver. I was a Youth Non Pro with Shawn Flarida, and after that I went to work for Trevor Dare, Brian Bell, and Casey Hinton.” Now with lifetime earnings in excess of $276,000, Beckett established his own program, Beckett Performance Horses, in West Mansfield, Ohio, with a focus on both reiners and reined cow horses. Both with the horses he trains and the kids he coaches, Beckett strives to find engaging ways to train, making sure his pupils–no matter their species–are mentally fresh and excited for what’s ahead. “Finding a balance with your horses, just like with kids, is taking care of their mental state. If a horse is getting tired of the monotony of the job, you find a job they’ll enjoy doing, like trail riding or turning back on them [in the cutting pen]. Sometimes it’s working smarter, not harder,” Beckett said. “I approach coaching with a football background and come up with a lot of cool drills for those kids.” That being said, the NRHA coach noted that a strong work ethic and a will to improve are necessary traits for those looking to be elite, whether you’re a wide receiver or aspiring NRHA pro. Ultimately, Beckett emphasizes dedication to the process, rather than the outcome, and helps kids learn to understand constructive criticism, valuable life skills he believes sets them up for success long after their youth careers are over. “Sometimes it’s hard for kids to understand that when I’m telling them something, it’s not that they’re wrong, but we need to focus on the process of how we get better. Focus on the process, and the results take care of themselves. Great kids, like great horses, want to be coached and told the truth,” Beckett said. “It’s hard to be told the truth, but that’s why I go out and get coaching myself, too, because that’s how you get better and find success, is constantly striving to better yourself.”
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Pros of the Year
Non Pro Coach of the Year:
Debbie Brown
Debbie Brown’s personalized approach to training has helped countless Non Pro riders thrive
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hile 2025 Non Pro Coach of the Year Debbie Brown didn’t grow up in a horse-oriented family, she’s been surrounded by some of the best in reining since she began her career as a trainer working for Tim and Colleen McQuay. She’s a longtime team member at Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses in Aubrey, Texas, and has coached many of reining’s most recognizable Non Pro names to success at the highest levels, as well as earning her own accolades in the show pen with multiple Open championships. The 2021 NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year boasts more than $181,000 in lifetime earnings throughout a more than 35-year career. “I’ve put a lot of work into the Non Pros over the years, and this did feel good,” she said. “It’s watching them be successful, watching them grow and then be successful in the show pen. I learn each person and what they need to get prepared, what they’re comfortable with, and then put the puzzle pieces together to make it all work.” She noted a lifetime of learning to be a better horse trainer has helped her become a better coach. She approaches each horse and rider as individuals, spending time simply watching how her students ride and how their horses go so she can build successful methods for them all. “I’m not a yeller. I try to explain things and have the horses ready to do what they need to do. I can put the heat to someone, but it’s not through yelling. It’s finding what they can do better, dissecting the problem and getting it fixed,” Brown said. “You have to teach yourself how to coach, because it takes time and experience to get everything organized.” Allowing her students to make mistakes and learn from them, rather than feel bad, is behind much of Brown’s ethos as a teacher. It’s also an overarching principle of successful horse training, she believes. “The whole horse industry, worldwide, is a learning curve. I think that’s what makes those top riders the best in the world, is that they are constantly eager to learn something, to do something better,” Brown said.
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↑ Debbie Brown. Photo courtesy of Debbie Brown.
Brown said her career helping horses and riders be their best means more to her than just accomplishments in the show ring, and she appreciates working every day in a job that offers her a deep sense of personal fulfillment. “At the end of the day, when I’m hot and tired and thirsty and sweaty, I feel like I’ve made a good day out of what God gave me,” Brown said humbly. “I feel like I’m doing my part to serve a purpose.”
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Corporate Partner Spotlight
Say Goodbye to Those Pesky Spring Allergies How to manage a horse’s response to seasonal allergens By Platinum Performance
WHAT IS AN ALLERGY?
SIGNS
A seasonal allergy is an immune condition characterized by hypersensitivity to specific protein molecules, called allergens. The most common sources are insect bites, molds, spores and certain proteins in pasture grasses.
Skin Conditions: • Itchiness • Hives • Dermatitis • Hair loss
TYPES OF ALLERGIES Skin and insect bite hypersensitivity, asthma and respiratory issues, feed allergies.
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Respiratory Concerns • Sneezing • Coughing • Runny nose Eye Issues • Weepy • Watery • Goopy
HOW TO DETECT AN ALLERGY Serum Allergy Test A simple blood test that measures IgE levels of various antigens. Elevated levels correspond with a positive allergy. The downfall of this test is that false-positive results commonly occur and only mean the animal has come into contact with the allergen, not that the body had a reaction to it. Intradermal Skin Test This test requires a portion of the skin to be shaved so that suspected allergens can be injected into the site to show reactivity. This test is best used when an allergen is suspected and final proof is needed.
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COMBATING SEASONAL ALLERGIES
INGREDIENTS THAT CAN HELP
Minimize Triggers Dust, mold, and pollen are the most common triggers for horses with seasonal allergies that can build up after a heavy winter. Make sure to clean out your barn and stalls thoroughly, store hay away from the horses, and water down any common areas.
Nutrition can be a powerful tool to support seasonal allergies. These nutrients maintain skin health, support healthy levels of inflammation, and help promote a healthy immune system: •
Omega 3 Fatty Acids Studies have shown that omega-3s can support normal healthy skin and coat in horses with seasonal allergies.
•
Probiotics and Prebiotics Since at least 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, supporting digestion is key for immune health and seasonal allergies.
•
Quercetin This powerful antioxidant has even been shown to support normal histamine levels, a hormone associated with triggering seasonal allergies.
•
Vitamins E and C These antioxidants counteract the oxidation associated with a seasonal allergic reaction and support a healthy immune system.
•
Turmeric A potent antioxidant that helps maintain healthy levels of inflammation and digestive health, which in turn supports horses with seasonal allergies.
•
Tamarind These seed extracts support advanced digestive care and healthy levels of inflammation, which has far-reaching effects on immune health and seasonal allergies.
Keep Bugs Away Fans and fly sprays are great tools to keep the insect population down and the prevalence of bites low. Fly sheets and masks can also help. Supplement With Advanced Nutrition Start supplementing your horse at least 4-6 weeks prior to when your horse typically starts to show signs of seasonal allergies to help provide support for a healthy skin and coat.
SEASONAL ALLERGY RESOURCES Explore these additional articles and podcasts: Allergic Response Managing Your Horse’s Response To Allergens Seasonal Allergies How To Prep for Allergy Season Assessing Allergy Tests How To Get A Definitive Diagnosis Sweet Itch How Nutrition Can Help A Summertime Struggle Equine Asthma Treat with Consistent Environmental Management Skin & Respiratory Allergies Roundtable Discussion with Drs. Phoebe Smith, Ben Buchanan and Kim Favier
“For me, I would rather take a nutritional approach. I think for the long-term you’re actually fixing a problem rather than putting a Band-Aid on it. If I can get the job done in a more functional way, and actually solve the problem, then we’re miles ahead.” — Kim Gill-Favier, DVM
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Why I Rein
Call It a Comeback Family hardship took Christi Baldree away from reining for more than a decade while she was at the peak of her Non-Pro career, but her love for the sport brought her back to competition at its highest level By Abigail Boatwright
A
s a youth competitor, Christi Baldree was devoted to horses at a deep level. While family hardship derailed her hopes of elite competition for years, her love for horses prevailed, and today she’s back in the winner’s circle, full of gratitude for being able to live out her lifelong dreams.
Bit With the Horse Bug Baldree recalls riding a horse for the first time at 8 years old, and she never looked back. She began taking riding lessons and quickly fell in love with reining. “I was the first one in my family to really take interest in horses at the level I did,” Baldree said. “I remember the day my dad said he’d taught me all he could and needed to find a horse trainer to keep me going.” She dabbled in all-around and barrel racing, but reining had her heart. “I felt with reining that I was more connected with the horse, and I loved going fast,” Baldree said. “There’s something about the reining that just captivated me. And my horse seemed to enjoy it, which made it fun for me because I felt like we were both having a good time.” She trained with Devin Warren in Colorado for about seven years, when she won titles in Youth, and rose to become vice president of the Rocky Mountain Reining Horse Youth Association for one year, and president for three. ↑ Baldree has loved reining all her life and is now making a living as a trainer. Photo courtesy of Christi Baldree and by Karin Hinzmann Photography. 60 | NRHA REINER
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Why I Rein
Christi Baldree, right, alongside husband James Baldree and Alpha Blue Eyed Wimp. Photo courtesy of Christi Baldree. →
An 11-Year Break When Baldree was 16, and at the peak of her Youth and Non-Pro career, outside forces came into play. Because of the 2008 stock market crash, Baldree’s family went through bankruptcy, losing their home and requiring them to sell their horses. “We lost everything,” Baldree said. “I basically had to stop competing, training, showing.” She was able to keep one horse— her first reining horse named Smart First Move “Nugget.” “I would go ride him at the fairgrounds just for fun, because I love riding, and I was heartbroken to not be able to go show, but I still wanted to go ride and keep Nugget in as good a shape as possible,” Baldree said. As soon as family finances went south, Baldree went to work for a veterinarian, but decided that wasn’t the career for her. She went to college—in part thanks to her involvement with the reining industry. “I was really, really involved, and that allowed me to get a lot of scholarships,” Baldree said. “Because of the equine scholarships and school scholarships, it worked out to where I could go to college and not have to take on debt, which was a huge blessing.” Baldree got a degree in business administration. After graduation, she worked on a golf course one summer because she liked working outside, then was an accountant in Colorado. In 2022, she moved to North Carolina near where her grandparents and extended family live, and that kickstarted a new chapter in her life.
Back to Horses Baldree and her parents moved out to the East Coast, bringing Nugget. Baldree resigned f rom her accounting
MAY 2026
position and took a job as an unpaid intern working for a horse trainer in Mississippi for a time. “I was like, ‘Ooh, horses, I want to get back into that because that’s my love,’ and I got a job cleaning stalls, and barn chores, because I just wanted to do whatever I could to be around horses,” she said. “That morphed into being asked to ride a horse for them, and then they saw I knew how to ride, so they put me on more and more horses.” She started a traveling training business, where she would take whatever training tasks horse owners needed. It quickly expanded as word spread. “If someone had a horse that wouldn’t load on a trailer, I would help them. If someone had a horse that needed to learn something, I would just work with problem horses that I could help,” Baldree said. And then, one of her horse trainer clients gifted her with a 6 month-old grulla Quarter Horse filly named Hollywood Duns Grace. “She was my second-chance horse, because I had Nugget and he was [finished] and people thought it was cool, wanted me to teach their horses how to spin and slide,” Baldree said. “But Grace was a young horse that I started myself, and I did all the training on. She was such an angel to work with, and people noticed her, and wanted me to train their horses.” NRHA REINER | 61
Why I Rein
↑ Christi Baldree guided Alpha Blue Eyed Wimp to win the Limited Open World Championship in 2025—her first world title. Photo courtesy of Christi Baldree and by Chelsea Schneider Media.
One of those clients bought a 2 year-old reining horse, and Baldree trained her. She nervously stepped into Open reining competition. “I was just excited to get out there again,” Baldree explained. She connected with reining trainer Shane Brown, and he became a mentor to her. “I would call him before I went to a horse show. I was really nervous because I hadn’t shown in a long time,” Baldree said. “He just kept encouraging me. He told me, ‘God wouldn’t have brought you here if he wasn’t going to get you through it. We’re all just trying to get better, and don’t overthink it.’” Starting with local Quarter Horse shows, they quickly rose to the top, then went to NRHA Open competition in 2023. She showed Grace and made Top 10 on a client’s mare named ER Mobster in
62 | NRHA REINER
the Rookie Professional division and Novice Horse Open Level 1. “That got my reining business off the ground,” Baldree said. “Ever since then, it’s been growing. Whatever opportunities came my way, I took them, and tried to make the most of them. I felt like it was God opening doors for me and blessing me as I walked through them. I tried to steward the things He gave me well.” Her business, CB Performance Horses, is now located in Cowpens, South Carolina. She’s thankful to her husband, James, for his unwavering support. She thanks Brown, and Chris Roux, with mentoring her as a young professional in the reining horse world. She’s also grateful to have a facility with a good arena, to help her train her horses to perform at their best. And she still has Nugget—now 23 years old and retired.
MAY 2026
Why I Rein
Nugget is now 23, retired, and despite losing an eye, is happily babysitting yearlings in Baldree’s pasture. Photo by Cassie Perkins Photography. ↓
“I love the camaraderie and friendships I’ve made—I find that the reining community is one of the most down-to-earth and supportive of each other,” Baldree said. In 2025, Baldree showed Lily Sevensma’s 4 year-old Alpha Blue Eyed Wimp, and as he reached Top 10 standings for Limited Open, she decided to pursue a world championship. The pair was successful, and she earned her first world title in Limited Open.
Her Why Reflecting on her journey back to reining, Baldree says her passion for horses always burned bright, no matter her life circumstances. “Horses have such a deep love in my heart. They’re part of my soul,” Baldree said. “When I lost everything, I kept my horse Nugget, but I went 11 years without showing. My love for horses has never diminished—I have always loved horses. When I had the chance to—especially after working in the corporate world for a couple of years—it was like a breath of f resh air just to go muck stalls, fill up water buckets, and wash horses. I loved it.” Baldree looks forward to continuing to grow her training business and be a reliable trainer for horses in her region. She’s also bred Grace and has a palomino bald-faced baby from her, and is excited to breed more of her own in the future. “Horses helped me heal from a lot of things that happened to me,” she said. “When I’m with a horse, I feel like I’m doing what I was made to do. I’m openhanded, excited for each day, and want to make the most of opportunities that are presented to me.” ■ ↑ Baldree’s mare Hollywood Duns Grace has produced a foal that she’s excited to raise. Photo by Montana Canter Photography.
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 63
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SHOW PADS & SHOW SHIRTS
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RANCH
BREEDERS CHAMPIONSHIP FUTURITY
The time is now—enroll in the Ranch Breeders Championship Futurity (Ranch BCF), the new incentive program rewarding excellence in the Ranch arena. Open to offspring of nominated stallions, eligible foals, yearlings, and two-year-olds can enroll now—and it’s never too late to nominate your stallion. Debuting at the 2026 NSBA World Championship Show with a Three-Year-Old Open Ranch Riding class, the program expands each year, building to 11 Ranch classes by 2028. Invest in the future of Ranch—nominate or enroll today!
OVER $6 MILLION PAID TO BCF HORSES Meet us at the
ROUND-UP
at the Watering Hole
during the 2026 NSBA World Championship Show.
www.nsba.com
Reiner Insights
↑ A horse and rider at the 2025 NRHA Futurity®. Photo by NRHA.
The Big Stage No matter how much experience a rider brings to reining, it’s a whole different ball game when they get to the show pen. We’ve gathered some practical tips from pros and non pros alike to take your show prep up a notch By Lindsay Humphrey
A
great reining pattern has a way of fooling you—it looks effortless, almost easy. But those who know the sport understand the truth: that kind of smooth, seamless run is anything but simple. It’s the result of countless unseen hours, quiet corrections, and hard-earned trust—all coming together in a moment that just happens to look easy, especially under a judge’s eye. While not every reiner has goals to hit the show pen, those that do need to formulate a strategy if they want all their hard work to pay off. Even though every horse and rider pair is different, there are plenty of strategies and sage advice that applies across the board. We talked to successful NRHA Pros and Non Pros to get their advice.
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 69
Reiner Insights From a Non Pro Joetta Bell has spent a lifetime in the show pen, but it wasn’t always while riding a reiner. She rode all-around horses, which meant no show ever looked the same, and she certainly didn’t encounter the same pattern twice. “Our all-around horses pretty much showed all day, so they would do halter, showmanship, trail, pleasure, horsemanship, maybe English,” Bell said. “They didn’t really get sour to the show pen because they were doing something different all day long and getting schooled through all of it.” Of course, reining showcases the same seven or eight maneuvers between a handful of patterns. “A reining horse is a very patterned animal; they know when they make a corner that they’re probably about to do a rundown,” Bell said. “It’s intimidating to show a reiner, for a lot of reasons, but also because those horses know what’s going to happen and, depending on the rider, may take the reins for that run, so to speak.” Even being a seasoned equestrian herself, at Bell’s first reining show it didn’t take long to realize she wasn’t quite ready to be in front of judges. “I entered myself in the rookie class in the Ford Truck Arena at the Tulsa Ride & Slide, and that was definitely an eye-opening experience,” she explained. “I didn’t know anything about paid warmups and what people used those for. I discovered that I can’t feel like I’m showing when I’m reining. I need to feel like I’m in a paid warmup.” A paid warmup costs money, of course, but it’s not the same as entering a class. Bell treats it like a
place to school a horse if she needs to. “I preach to my two girls that we have to do a clean, paid warmup before we’re ready to fully show,” Bell said. “And that’s for every horse and rider combo, because they’re all different. There are plenty of shows to do the paid warmups at. It’s a good place to keep a horse honest and build a rider’s confidence before sitting in front of a panel of judges.” Bell lives in Weatherford, Texas, with her husband, Don, and their girls, but they travel to Pilot Point a few times a month to ride with NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Kole Price. “What’s great about Kole is that he holds a judge’s card, so he can give us that perspective and point out what maneuvers we would get credit for and where we might be in the penalty box,” Bell said. “If you can’t find someone to coach you from that perspective, I would encourage anyone to ask a judge directly what you can work on to get better.” Bell and her girls spend a lot of time in the stands watching runs. It’s been a great way to discuss pattern placement and how a maneuver may look one way to a judge while feeling different to the rider. “In the all-around, it was a given that every pattern would be different, but with reining it took me a while to get comfortable knowing that every pattern would also be different,” Bell added. “It took me almost two years to realize that something would go wrong in every run and I just had to put a pattern together one piece at a time. It’s a balancing act.”
With live spectators, show day can feel like a different world, making your preparation that much more important. Photo by NRHA. ↓
70 | NRHA REINER
MAY 2026
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NRHA REINER | 71
Reiner Insights
“EVERYTHING WE’RE TEACHING THESE HORSES RELATES BACK TO EACH OTHER, FROM THE TIME WE START RIDING THEM AS 2 YEAR-OLDS. WE WANT THEM TO BE CONFIDENT, BASED ON THE FOUNDATION WE GIVE THEM.” From a Pro Nathan Kent knows that balancing act well, first as a competitor himself but also as a coach and trainer. Kent personally oversees all aspects of the horses he trains, and focuses on building a show horse from the ground up. “Everything we’re teaching these horses relates back to each other, from the time we start riding them as 2 year-olds,” he said. “We want them to be confident, based on the foundation we give them.” Just as Bell emphasized patience with the process, Kent wholeheartedly agreed. It’s probably the most important part of the jigsaw puzzle that is reining. “Some horses come along slower than others, and that’s just part of training; I’ve had horses attend their first event and immediately act like a show horse, and others have taken a year or more to get there,” Kent said. “I like to haul them as 3 year-olds and expose them to everything, but that doesn’t automatically mean they’ll handle the show pen itself.” Blessed with a larger-than-most indoor arena, as well as a great outdoor pen, Kent makes a point of hosting mock shows to prepare both horses and riders. Typically, riders warm up outside and then come to the indoor space for their pattern, where Kent is sitting in a chair along the fence, much like a judge at a show. “Getting my NRHA judge’s card has probably
72 | NRHA REINER
helped me evolve the most as a coach and trainer,” Kent said. “At our mock show, it’s amazing how having someone in a judge’s chair changes things even at home where there’s no pressure at all.” Talking through their run immediately afterward helps Kent and his clients find the holes before they head down the road. “Showing is a whole different game than training, and it’s easy to get stuck in one or the other,” Kent said. “From the judge’s standpoint, the rider may feel something, but I can’t actually see it from the chair. A rider’s job is to go show that horse to the best of their ability on that day, and sometimes that means letting something go that doesn’t feel great until we can fix it at home.” Kent doesn’t want anyone to get to a show and panic, so he does his best to work out the kinks beforehand. It’s not foolproof of course, but it’s been effective. “Earlier in my career, I wouldn’t put all the pieces of a pattern together for a show,” Kent said. “I didn’t want my horses to anticipate anything, but I’ve learned that a little bit of that is okay. They need to be comfortable in a pattern, and through that I can pretty much know what a horse might throw at me in a pattern.” Aside from the mental and physical preparation inside the arena, there’s a laundry list of work to be done to pack for, haul to, and arrive at a show.
MAY 2026
Reiner Insights Joetta Bell preaches to her daughters that it isn’t time to enter a class until they have a clean paid warm up with their horse. Photo by Chelsea Schneider Media. ↓
Practical Prep Hailing from Kuna, Idaho, Kent spends a lot of time on the road for some of the biggest events in the industry. Hauling to Oklahoma City alone is almost 1,500 miles one way. “When I first started showing, primarily with Arabians, we had a lot of issues with ulcers,” he said. “I’m a firm believer that when a horse is comfortable on the inside, they’re going to perform well. I’ve worked with our veterinarian to make sure our digestive health is on point both at home and when we’re traveling.” Keeping the gut moving during stressful situations is a top priority for horsemen of any discipline. Kent and Bell both keep hay and water in front of their horses when they’re on the trailer and break up the drive with overnight stops along the way for those long hauls. “I like to get to a show early and make sure I
MAY 2026
can give the horses a day of stall rest and hand walking,” Bell said. Kent does the same, but sometimes takes it a step further and arrives at a friend’s house close to the show multiple days ahead of move-in. By the time they arrive at the show, his horses are fresh, focused, and ready to work. Even though Kent keeps the trailer packed, other than a few saddles and headstalls, he still creates a list of everything they need to take at least a week before they depart. “Probably the most important thing we do is be consistent and prepared; we try to ride these horses at home like they’re going to a show so we don’t put a bunch of extra pressure on them when we do show because that’s not fair to them,” Kent said. “If I know a horse isn’t ready for show pressure, I won’t put them in a class where they’ll feel that yet.” ■
NRHA REINER | 73
Cactus Classic
Rein in the Desert WestWorld of beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona, hosted reiners for the annual favorite Cactus Reining Classic from March 13–21 By Blanche Schaefer | Photography courtesy of Jeff Kirkbride Photography
LEVELS 3 AND 4 OPEN DERBY CHAMPIONS Thee Assassin and Erik Caddeo (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Jerrys Sippin Soda) Owner: Janet Peterson Breeder: Heritage Farms Score: 220.5 Level 4 Open Derby: $3,440 Level 3 Open Derby: $3,833
↑ Erik Caddeo on Thee Assassin.
“We got him last year f rom Cade McCutcheon, and this is his last Derby year, so I will try to show him everywhere. It took me a bit to get together with him, because he’s such a powerful horse, strong maneuvers everywhere. It’s always a great feeling to ride him. He is so powerful. “At the Cactus, I was trying to get him ready to show at the NRBC Classic. He turned both
ways very strong and circled really good. He stopped big time. I was very happy about his rundown, so I’m confident and comfortable to show him harder at NRBC. “I thank his owners Jan and Russ Peterson, and my family, wife, and my team at home. They help me everywhere and every single day.”
Level 3 Open Derby Rank
Horse
Pedigree
Rider
Owner
Breeder
Score
Earnings
2
Gunna Chic Dream
(ARC Gunna Sparkya x Magnum Chic Dream)
Mike Flarida
Patricia Schrieber
Rabboni Reining Horses
219.5
$2,333
3T
TR Gorgeousness
(Walla Walla Whiz x ARC Gunna Mark Ya)
Devin Warren
Garth Hystad
Tamarack Ranch LLC
218.5
$1,625
3T
Platinum Peaks
(Platinum Vintage x Cashing In Diamonds)
Vanessa Strotmann
Vanessa Strotmann
Calcagnini and Strotmann
218.5
$1,625
5T
Dont Give A Flinn
(In Like Flinn x SL Lenas Chick)
Bud Lyon
Rachel Speed Webster
Methogest Inc.
217.5
$1,250
5T
Millionaire
(Spooks Gotta Whiz x Mifs Doll)
Bud Lyon
Catherine Olson
Michell Anne Kimball
217.5
$1,250
76 | NRHA REINER
MAY 2026
Cactus Classic
Level 4 Open Derby Rank
Horse
Pedigree
Rider
Owner
Breeder
Score
Earnings
2
Gunna Chic Dream
(ARC Gunna Sparkya x Magnum Chic Dream)
Mike Flarida
Patricia Schrieber
Rabboni Reining Horses
219.5
$2,094
3T
TR Gorgeousness
(Walla Walla Whiz x ARC Gunna Mark Ya)
Devin Warren
Garth Hystad
Tamarack Ranch LLC
218.5
$1,458
3T
Platinum Peaks
(Platinum Vintage x Cashing In Diamonds)
Vanessa Strotmann
Vanessa Strotmann
Calcagnini and Strotmann
218.5
$1,458
5
Dont Give A Flinn
(In Like Flinn x SL Lenas Chick)
Bud Lyon
Rachel Speed Webster
Methogest Inc.
217.5
$1,197
LEVEL 2 OPEN DERBY CHAMPIONS Mike Flarida and Gunna Chic Dream (ARC Gunna Sparkya x Magnum Chic Dunit) Owner: Patrice Schreiber Breeder: Rabboni Reining Horses Score: 219.5 Level 2 Open Derby: $3,964
↑ Mike Flarida pilots Gunna Chic Dream.
Level 2 Open Derby Rank
Horse
Pedigree
Rider
Owner
Breeder
Score
Earnings
2
Hard To Forgett
(Electric Code x Magnum Dream Queen)
Torri Sims
Jennifer Gilliam
Carri Visser
219
$2,413
3T
Dont Give A Flinn
(In Like Flinn x SL Lenas Chick)
Bud Lyon
Rachel Speed Webster
Methogest Inc.
217.5
$1,681
3T
Millionaire
(Spooks Gotta Whiz x Mifs Doll)
Bud Lyon
Catherine Olson
Michell Anne Kimball
217.5
$1,681
5
A Hollywood Voodoo
(Shiners Voodoo Dr x Mistopsail Hollywood)
Daphne Foran
William Shatner
Riverwind Performance Horses, LLC
217
$1,379
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 77
Cactus Classic
LEVEL 1 OPEN DERBY CHAMPIONS Hard To Forgett and Torri Sims (Electric Code x Magnum Dream Queen) Owner: Jennifer Gilliam Breeder: Carri Visser Score: 219 Level 1 Open Derby: $3,309
↑ Torri Sims on Hard to Forgett.
Level 1 Open Derby Rank
Horse
Pedigree
Rider
Owner
Breeder
Score
Earnings
2T
Shiner Voodoo Time
(Shiners Voodoo Dr x Chic Lil Ruby)
Preston Kent
Sarai Laney Williamson
Lorenzo Lotti
216
$1,762
2T
Xtra DR Dun It
(Shiners Voodoo Dr x Xtra Suzies Step)
Nathan Ivie
Ric Keele
Silver Spurs Equine
216
$1,762
4T
Smart Chic Magnum
(Magnum With A Dream x Juana Trick Ya)
Preston Kent
Droptine Ranch
Jake Merritt
214.5
$1,223
4T
HF Call Me Ronda
(SG Frozen Enterprize x Snow Jes)
Gavin Warren
Garth Hystad
Heritage Farms
214.5
$1,223
LEVELS 4, 3 AND 2 OPEN NOVICE HORSE DERBY CHAMPIONS Gunna Be A Spook and Brent Naylor (ARC Gunnabeabigstar x Ebony Spook) Owner: Deanne Marie Ryan Breeder: Rosanne Sternberg Score: 147.5 Level 4 Open Novice Horse Derby: $873 Level 3 Open Novice Horse Derby: $926 Level 2 Open Novice Horse Derby: $1,322 ↑ Brent Naylor on Gunna Be A Spook.
78 | NRHA REINER
MAY 2026
Cactus Classic
LEVEL 1 OPEN NOVICE HORSE DERBY CHAMPIONS Shining Voodoo Doll and Colby Powell (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Dolls Dun It Again) Owner: Michelle Pease-Paulsen Breeder: Marc Gordon Score: 146 Level 1 Open Novice Horse Derby: $1,131
↑ Colby Powell rides Shining Voodoo Doll.
LEVEL 4 NON PRO DERBY AND PRIME TIME NON PRO DERBY CO-CHAMPIONS AND LEVELS 3, 2 AND MASTERS NON PRO DERBY CHAMPIONS Dun Whizz Ya and Kim Niven (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Dun Dry Whiz) Owner: Tim Anderson, Milbank, SD Breeder: Clark Reining Horses LLC, Catlettsburg, KY Score: 219 Level 4 Non Pro Derby: $2,899 Level 3 Non Pro Derby: $3,374 Level 2 Non Pro Derby: $3,997 Prime Time Non Pro: $778 Masters Non Pro: $844 ↑ Kim Niven on Dun Whizz Ya.
“[Dun Whizz Ya] is a pretty special horse. Andrea Fappani had him as a 4 year-old, and he was owned by my husband and his partner, Rick Clark, and we all decided he would be best as a Non Pro horse. “[At the Cactus], he was fabulous. He turned really good and circled really good. My first stop I didn’t run down quite as hard as I should have, but the next two were great. He’s a really good horse for me, because I enjoy a horse I have to push. He’s small, quick, and he goes whatever speed I want
him to go, so he doesn’t think ahead of me. He’s with me all the time. My goal was to ride the whole pattern very strong, so it was a great feeling. “Marco Ricotta is my trainer, and he was gone, so a lot of us were very thankful for the assistants who helped us. Emma [Hubbard] helped me, and she did a magnificent job. I have a great team behind me, and the most fun part of the whole thing is hearing my husband up there cheering. It was a special horse show; I’m very proud to be a co-champion with Kim [Muehlstaetter].”
Level 4 Non Pro Derby Rank
Horse
Pedigree
Rider
Owner
Breeder
Score
Earnings
3
Disko Inferno
(Inferno Sixty Six x Whizful Sailing)
Mark Warrack
Jamie Walters
Laura Cross
218
$1,645
4T
Flinn And Tonic
(In Like Flinn x Lil Trashya Shiney)
Krista Marshall
Marshall Equine LLC
Carluccio Orsi
217.5
$1,254
4T
Whizzin On The Rest
(Spooks Gotta Whiz x Kick The Rests Tail)
Laura Cross
Laura Cross
Tricia Jaeger
217.5
$1,254
4T
SS Whatcha Gun Doo
(Tinker With Guns x Xtra Black Magic)
Julie Ridgeway
Rolling Hills Ranch, LLC
Silver Spurs Equine
217.5
$1,254
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 79
Cactus Classic
LEVEL 4 NON PRO DERBY AND PRIME TIME NON PRO DERBY CO-CHAMPIONS AND LEVEL 4 NON PRO NOVICE HORSE DERBY CHAMPIONS TR Reason To Believe and Kim Muehlstaetter (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Spooks N Sparks) Owner: Kim and Martin Muehlstaetter Breeder: Tamarack Ranch LLC Score: 219 Level 4 Non Pro Derby: $2,899 Prime Time Non Pro Derby: $778 Level 4 Novice Horse Non Pro Derby: $861 ↑ Kim Muehlstaetter rides TR Reason to Believe.
“I got her from Tamarack Ranch when she was a few months old. We started her, and I showed her some last year, but she wasn’t the most consistent yet. “I was super happy with her [at the Cactus]. For her being 4 and the first show of the year, I was really happy with how she put the pieces together. Her first turn to the right was one of the biggest she’s ever turned. She circled good; she felt with me the whole time. She ran and stopped really big. I was happy with how her mind stayed
engaged and with me the whole pattern. She has a huge stop. She actually feels like a stud running and stopping. She’s very strong and can do all the maneuvers. She’s one I wouldn’t mind keeping in our broodmare band. “I thank my husband [Martin Muehlstaetter]; he was at The Run For A Million qualifier, so I showed and then hopped on a plane to go support him. Thanks to our whole crew at our barn—we have the most wonderful crew who makes everything possible and does so much work behind the scenes.”
LEVEL 1 NON PRO DERBY CO-CHAMPIONS Gold Chex Dreams and Garrett Warren (Magnum Chic Dream x Big Gold Chex) Owner: Devin Warren Breeder: Devin Warren Score: 217 Level 1 Non Pro Derby: $1,631
↑ Garrett Warren pilots Gold Chex Dreams.
80 | NRHA REINER
MAY 2026
Cactus Classic
LEVEL 1 NON PRO DERBY CO-CHAMPIONS Whizzin At Starbucks and Kristi Peplowski (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Starbucks Deja Vu) Owner: Oak Mill Ranch LLC Breeder: Troop Quarter Horses Score: 217 Level 1 Non Pro Derby: $1,631
↑ Kristi Peplowski on Whizzin At Starbucks.
Level 1 Non Pro Derby Rank
Horse
Pedigree
Rider
Owner
Breeder
Score
Earnings
3
Lets Tear It Up
(Gunnatrashya x Whizzen For Chex)
Lucinda Ross
Lucinda Ross
Rancho Oso Rio LLC
216.5
$926
4T
Heza Wimpy Chic
(Wimpy Chic x Sheza Shiney Chic)
Margaret Robinson
Margaret Robinson
Alpha Quarter Horses, LLC
216
$749
4T
Flinn Your Dreams
(In Like Flinn x Way To Dream)
Reese Elizabeth Brien
Reese Elizabeth Brien
Rowena Reid
216
$749
LEVEL 2 NOVICE HORSE NON PRO DERBY CHAMPIONS Flinn Your Dreams and Reese Elizabeth Brien (In Like Flinn x Way To Dream) Owner: Reese Elizabeth Brien Breeder: Rowena Reid Score: 216 Level 2 Novice Horse Non Pro Derby: $994
↑ Reese Elizabeth Brien rides Flinn Your Dreams.
Level 2 Non Pro Derby Rank
Horse
Pedigree
Rider
Owner
Breeder
Score
Earnings
2T
Whizzin On The Rest
(Spooks Gotta Whiz x Kick The Rests Tail)
Laura Cross
Laura Cross
Tricia Jaeger
217.5
$2,129
2T
SS Whatcha Gun Doo
(Tinker With Guns x Xtra Black Magic)
Julie Ridgeway
Rolling Hills Ranch, LLC
Silver Spurs Equine
217.5
$2,129
4T
Gold Chex Dreams
(Magnum Chic Dream x Big Gold Chex)
Garrett Warren
Devin Warren
Devin Warren
217
$1,477
4T
Whizzin At Starbucks
(Spooks Gotta Whiz x Starbucks Deja Vu)
Kristi Peplowski
Oak Mill Ranch LLC
Troop Quarter Horses
217
$1,477
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 81
NRHA Million Dollar Owner
Home Of:
2014 AQHA/APHA Sorrel Stallion NRHA LTE: + $249,726.00 (Colonels Smoking Gun x Dance Little Spook) 2018 NRHA European Futurity L4 Open Champion (226,5) 2018 NRHA Germany Breeders Futurity 3Y L4 Open Champion (231) 2019 NRBC Open Classic Challenge Co-Reserve Champion (224,5) 2020 NRHA Okc Derby L4 Open Finalist (220) 2020 NRBC L4 Open Finalist 2020 NRHA European Derby L4 Open Champion (221,5) 2021 Americana NRHA Bronze Trophy Open Champion (225,5) 2021 NRHA/IRHA Maturity L4 Open Reserve Champion (223,5) 2022 NRHA/IRHA Maturity L4 Open Champion (230) 2023 World Reining Championships Senior Open Gold Medal (228,5) 2023 Americana NRHA Bronze Trophy Open Re-Champion (224); 2023 NRHA European Derby/The Run For A Million Qualifier Open 6th Place; 2023 NRHA/AVCR Sliding Before Christmas Open Champion. 2024 NRHA/AVCR Lets Slide Again Open Champion; 2024 NRHA/AVCR Spring Fever Open Champion; 2024 NRHA/AVCR May Remake Open Champion; 2024 NRHA Golden Circle Open Champion; 2024 European Affiliates Anc. Open Champion (223); 2024 NRHA/AVCR Summer Is Magic Open Champion; 2024 NRHA/ARHA Austrian Futurity Anc. Open Champion (222); 2024 NRHA/AVCR Never Ending Sliding Open Champion; 2024 NRHA 2 DeNiroBootCo Trophy Open Champion; 2024 NRHA Belgium Futurity Anc. Open Champion (224,5); 2024 NRHA/IRHA Maturity L4 Open Champion (226), 2025 NRHA 23 Classic Trophy Open Co-Champions; ..... and still showing.
2016 AQHA Sorrel Stallion NRHA LTE: + $93,000.00 (HF Mobster x Conquista Holly)
2012 AQHA Palomino Stallion NRHA LTE: + $135,620.00 - NRHA PE: +$294,641.00 (Wimpys Little Step x Ah Sugar Sugar)
2019 RMRHA Futurity L4 Open and Stallion Stakes L4 Open Champion (225,5) 2019 All American Quarter Horse Congress 3Y Futurity L4 Open Champion (226,5) 2019 NRHA Okc Futurity L4 Open Top Ten Finalist, and second best total composite in the go-rounds! 2021 NRBC L4 Open Finalist (220)
2016 NRHA Swiss Derby L4 Open Champion 2016 NRHA European Derby L3 Open Champion (228,5) 2016 NRHA European Derby L4 Open Co-Reserve Champion (228,5) 2017 NRHA/IRHA Derby L4 Open 3rd Place (223) 2018 NRHA Rome Shoot In Open 3rd Place (226) 2018 NRHA/IRHA Derby L4 Open Co-Reserve Champion (222,5) 2018 NRHA Okc Derby L4 Open Finalist (224 1 GO – 220,5 Final) 2019 NRHA/IRHA Derby L2-L3 Open Champion, L4 Open Co-3rd Place (223) 2019 NRHA European Derby L2-L3 Open Champion, L4 Open Co-Reserve Champion (220,5) 2020 NRHA/IRHA Derby L4 Open Co-4th Place (225) 2022 NRHA Germany Breeders Derby L4 Open Reserve Champion (219,5) 2022 NRHA/IRHA Maturity L4 Open 4th Place (222,5) 2022 Reining International De Lyon Open Champion (227,5) 2023 NRHA Oklahoma City Derby Open 4th Place 2023 NRHA Italian Maturity L4 Open Champion (225,5) 2023 Equita Lyon Run For A Million Qualifier Open 3rd Place (227); 2024 NRHA Germany Breeders Derby L4 Open 3rd place; 2024 NRHA European Affiliates Anc. Open Reserve Champion (220); 2024 NRHA/IRHA Maturity L4 Open Reserve Champion (222).
Sire of Futurity & Maturity Champions
2024 NRHA Open World Champion
2026 BREEDING SEASON
82 | NRHA REINER
Contact Us
www.quarterdream.com
MAY 2026
MAKE YOUR FOAL ELIGIBLE FOR
MILLION DOLLAR
PAYOUTS PRESENTED BY:
NOMINATE YOUR 2026 FOALS TO THE NRCHA COW HORSE INCENTIVE FOR A ONE-TIME FEE OF $275
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for Million Dollar Payouts at the NRCHA Stallion Stakes. Deadline to nominate without late fee is December 31, 2026. MAY 2026
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 85
ELEMENTARESORT.com
Photo CTanierephotographie - Graphics
IHP
The Run for A Million Qualifier
TRFAM Qualifier
In the Running This final qualifier event secured the last nine Open competitors for the 2026 The Run For A Million By Abigail Boatwright | Photography courtesy of Ruehle Photographix.
↑ Gabriel Borges and Spooks Gotta Ice won The Qualifier with a 230 score to qualify for The Run For A Million and take home $40,845.
B
osque Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, is a mecca for cutting competition, but this March, reining took center stage. Eighty-two competitors vied for the final nine spots in the upcoming The Run For A Million competition in August in Las Vegas, as well as $100,000 added in
88 | NRHA REINER
prize money. This was one of just three qualifiers for what’s widely considered one of the sport’s premier events. Taylor Sheridan’s facility was the perfect backdrop for this competition, with sold-out tours of the 6666 Granbury Stallion Station and sold-out crowds for The Qualifier, both held at Bosque Ranch.
MAY 2026
The Run for A Million Qualifier
Icing the Win
NRHA Million Dollar Rider Gabriel Borges and Spooks Gotta Ice blazed into the top spot at The Qualifier thanks to a 230 score, netting them $40,845. Borges and “Ice,” the 2020 red dun stallion (SG Frozen Enterprise x Spooks Gotta Lady) owned by Kathy Page, have been together for two years. The duo won the 100X 4-Year-Old Stakes last year with a 229.5, and thus Borges knew he had the caliber of horse to win the Qualifier. The Brazilian native who trains out of Ardmore, Oklahoma, shares a special relationship with Ice. “I know what he’s thinking, I know exactly how he’s feeling, and he’s very comfortable expressing his feelings with me,” Borges said. “I think to be able to perform at this high level of competition now, you have to have those connections.” This will be his second time to qualify for The Run For A Million—he’s previously competed there in 2024, with OO7 (Gunner Dun It Again x Solidly Spirit, owned by Mike and Sandy Vargo), and placed fourth. Ice is a powerful horse with radical maneuvers, the seasoned NRHA pro said, and that was why his pattern scored so high. “He can turn really fast, shut off on the spot, and he’s so willing,” Borges said. “I think he’s the definition of a reining horse—he moves so well, he’s so balanced, and he’s balanced on every maneuver. He’s a special horse.” Borges extended thanks to Ice’s owners, and Taylor Sheridan, for everything they do for the sport, as well as his customers and his wife for always being in his corner. With qualification secured, Borges looks forward to the plans they’ve made for the rest of the year: NRBC, and a break before preparing for The Run For A Million. “My goal is to win that event, and I’m going to do everything I can to be the most prepared,” Borges said. “I feel lucky because my horse is very sound. He loves his job, and having the opportunity to show a horse as special as he is, I feel that is a gift. So I’m going to do everything I can just to keep him happy and sound and feeling great, and I’m going to be working on myself to be physically and mentally prepared for that show.” ↑ Gabriel Borges and Spooks Gotta Ice.
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 89
The Run for A Million Qualifier Where There’s Smoke Tying for second, Francesco Martinotti of Whitesboro, Texas, and 2016 bay stallion Smoking Trash (Gunnatrashya x Snip O Gun) owned by Enjoy LLC scored a 228.5 to take home $21,754. “Paradiso” has been an important part of Martinotti’s career—they’ve been together since he was a yearling. The stallion has been standing at stud for years, but he’s still in excellent shape, so when his owners asked what he thought about showing him at The Qualifier, the Italian agreed. “He’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden in my life,” Martinotti said. “This horse is the horse that created my career, and I created his. He’s the most honest horse I’ve ever shown, and I love showing that horse, so we decided to do it.” The stallion is not only a high scorer in the arena—he’s also calm on the ground. “He can have a 228.5 run, and 10 minutes later, I can put both of my kids on him and walk into the awards presentation,” Martinotti said. “He’s
just one of a kind. He’s a lifetime horse.” Martinotti has competed at The Run for A Million three times previously, the first with Paradiso, and had a strategy in place for the qualifier—one he plans to continue into the August competition. “I’ve been through different stages in my career where I’m super focused, worried, overdo it, or don’t do enough. Now I am at the point where I think the best I can do on my horse is ride them like it’s every other day at home. That’s when they perform the best,” he said. Paradiso did well in the pattern, staying honest throughout the running stop and back up, easing up on the turnarounds, but circling exceptionally well. “The three stops on the sides, he stopped the best of his career,” Martinotti said. I was able to run all the way down to the third marker for the second stop—that’s hard to do riding a horse with that much experience like that.”
Francesco Martinotti and Smoking Trash tied for second with a 228.5 to qualify for The Run For A Million, and win $21,754. ↓
90 | NRHA REINER
MAY 2026
The Run for A Million Qualifier Martin Muehlstaetter and Smoky Mountain Rein tied for second with a 228.5, winning $21,754. ↓
Mountain Reins Martin Muehlstaetter and Smoky Mountain Rein tied for second with a 228.5, winning $21,754. Originally from Austria, Million Dollar Rider Muehlstaetter is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and has worked with “Aspen”–a 2020 bay gelding (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Sprats Electricspark) owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC–since he was a yearling. His wife, Kim, owned him for a time and won at the NRBC Derby twice. “He’s always been super steady,” Muehlstaetter said. “He has showed a lot of consistency in the show pen over the last several years. He has a lot of look, a lot of presence, and he’s easy to be around.” Despite having him in his barn for years, The Qualifier was
MAY 2026
basically the first time Muehlstaetter showed the horse himself. “I think on any given day, if everything falls into place, I really do believe he can +1 every maneuver,” Muehlstaetter said. While the qualifier was the only event on the schedule, the atmosphere was electric—so loud that Aspen didn’t hear Muehlstaetter say “whoa” for the first stop. “He missed it a little bit, but he profiles so pretty that you probably couldn’t even tell,” Muehlstaetter said. “We got turned huge both ways. He circled really nice to the right, big comeback, beautifully changed right to left. Got him circled really good on the left lead as well. Running to his stops, he ran about as pure to all three stops as one can. That always gives you a lot of confidence showing. He was a blast to show.” Muehlstaetter thanks Aspen’s owners, his wife and team, veterinarians, grooms, and assistant trainers for their hard work. “It takes a village to get there—it’s not a one-man show,” Muehlstaetter said. “Without them and their support, I could not have done it.” ■
NRHA REINER | 91
Bloodlines
Bloodlines:
Derby Champions A look back at the lineages of NRHA Derby® winners throughout the years By Megan Arszman and Brooke Wharton | Photos from NRHA archive
← Topsail Whiz.
I
n the reining world, greatness is never guaranteed—it is earned through the dedication of breeders, the commitment of owners, and the expertise of trainers. The NRHA Derby® stage, reserved for proven, seasoned horses, reveals the true strength of a program. To see a product of your breeding earn bronze there is record-book worthy; to see it happen again speaks to something special. Tracking the history of NRHA Derby® Champions comes with more variables than NRHA Futurity® Champions. While the NRHA Futurity® is only for 3 year-olds, the NRHA Derby®, on the other hand, began out as a show for 4-, 5- and 6 year-olds, and now includes 7 year-olds. That gives a horse four chances at an NRHA Derby® Championship, and a sire and dam more chances to etch their names in the record books.
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Bloodlines Be Aech Enterprise. ↓
This edition of Bloodlines will review 25 years of Level 4 Open and Non Pro Derby Champions, highlighting horses that were not only successful in the show ring, but have also been successful in producing champion-caliber show horses.
At the Top Topsail Whiz Topsail Whiz has had a large impact on the Open Derby. For four straight years, Topsail Whiz was the sire of the Level 4 Open Derby Champion, a feat that hasn’t been topped yet. •
•
•
•
Topgun Whiz (out of Ms Tidy Jac) - 1999; with Duane Latimer for Frank Bolea Conquistador Whiz (out of Sugarita Chex) - 2000; with Duane Latimer for George Shifrin West Coast Whiz (out of My Moon Stone Chex) - 2001 (and 2000 Co-Reserve Champion), Duane Larimer for Bob Loomis Quarter Horses Kid Whiz (out of Jessies Legacy) - 2002, Tim McQuay for Bryan Fix
Strong Sires Be Aech Enterprise sired eight Level 4 Open and Non Pro Derby Champions and Reserve Champions between 1983 and 1993, including 1991 Open Derby Champion Trashadeous (out of Miss White Trash) and 1993 Open Derby Champion BH Song And Dance (out of Melody Jac). “We’re seeing his great-great-offspring now,” says Wharton. “But, you can clearly see he stamped them in the early years of the Derby.” 94 | NRHA REINER
MAY 2026
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Bloodlines Two other sires have matched Be Aech Enterprise’s number of champions and reserve champions: Gunner and Spooks Gotta Whiz. “Gunner’s bloodline seems to transcend the reining landscape by having an impact on different aged events and rider levels,” said Brook Wharton, owner of BMW Quarter Horses. “And now you’re seeing his offspring producing winners.” Close behind, three others have sired seven NRHA Derby® Champions and Reserve Champions: Hollywood Dun It, Gunnatrashya and Topsail Whiz.
Dam Power Two Hall of Fame mares hit their marks in the early years of the NRHA Derby®. Diamonds Sparkle produced three Open NRHA Derby® Champions: Sparkles Suzana (Zan Parr Bar) in 1989, Genuine Redskin (Genuine Doc) in 1990 and Shining Spark (Genuine Doc) in 1994. Miss White Trash had two offspring by Be Aech Enterprise finish in the top two with Im Not Trash as the 1986 Reserve Open Champion and Trashadeous
as the 1991 Open Champion. Colonel Mistress was the first dam to produce the Open Champion and Reserve Open Champion in the same year, with her Snapper Cal Bar colt, Master Snapper, making history as the first European-based horse to win the NRHA Derby (as well as sweeping all four levels, plus being the mount for the first female Level 4 champion in Kelly Zweifel) and KR Lil Conquistador (Conquistador Whiz) earning the Reserve Championship in 2006. Wimpys Little Chic (Wimpys Little Step x Collena Chic Olena) followed her triple crown victory by producing the 2017 Level 4 Open NRHA Derby® Champion and Reserve Champions, Shesouttayourleague and Arc Gunnabeabigstar (respectively). Her presence is felt as a granddam when Shesouttayourleague produced the 2021 Open Co-Reserve Champion and 2023 Open Champion, Down Right Amazing (Gunner). It only makes sense that the sport’s leading broodmare would be in the pedigree of the sport’s all-time highest money-earning horse.
Gunner and Haverty Ranch owner Clint Haverty. Photo from NRHA Archives. ↓
96 | NRHA REINER
MAY 2026
Bloodlines Wimpys Little Chic. Photo from NRHA Archives. →
Triple Crown Champions While there isn’t an official distinction for a Triple Crown like in Thoroughbreds, for a reining horse to win the Level 4 Open Futurity Championship, as well as the the Level 4 Open NRBC and Level 4 Open NRHA Derby® Championships is something to be applauded. One stallion has sired two of the four Triple Crown winners.
A SPARKLING VINTAGE (Shining Spark x Vintage Badger) earned his first Open Derby Championship with the All Ruffed Up colt, Not Ruf At All, who won the Derby in 2014 and was also the Co-Reserve Champion in 2016. A few years later, Lady Smoke Peppy’s colt, A Vintage Smoke, earned the Reining Triple Crown, when he won the NRHA Derby in 2020.
WIMPYS LITTLE CHIC (Wimpys Little Step x Collena Chic Olena) became the first horse to win the reining triple crown, and later produced the 2017 Level 4 Open Derby Champion and Reserve Champions, Shesouttayourleague and ARC Gunnabeabigstar, and is granddam to the 2021 Open Co-Reserve Champion and 2023 Open Champion, Down Right Amazing (Gunner).
MAY 2026
Champions Producing Champions Five stallions earned their own NRHA Open Derby crowns, then went on to sire champions. In 1987, Hollywood Dun It (Hollywood Jac 86 x Blossom Berry) won the Open Derby Championship. His progeny then began hitting the top two in both the Non Pro and Open Derby starting in 1996, when Footworks Finest (Great Footwork) won the Open Reserve Championship. The Devils Dun It (Juanita Brownburn) earned the 1998 Open Derby CoChampionship, and Hollywood Starburst (Chic Olena Starbuck) earned the 2017 Non Pro Championship.
NRHA REINER | 97
Bloodlines
Walla Walla Whiz (Topsail Whiz) won the 2007 Open NRHA Derby® Championship. Ten years later, Shesouttayourleague (Wimpys Little Chic) became the first horse to be the product of two Open NRHA Derby® Champions, carrying her sire and dam’s legacy to the bronze by earning her own Open NRHA Derby® Championship in 2017. Walla Walla Whiz’s second NRHA Derby® winner came in 2022 with Americasnexttopgun (Americasnextgunmodel). The 2010 Open NRHA Derby® Champion, Gunnatrashya (Gunner x Natrashya) produced five Reserve Derby Champions and two Non Pro Derby Champions. Out of the 2017 Non Pro Futurity Champion mare, Chicsdreamofdiamonds, Tribbiani earned the 2022 Level 4 Non Pro NRHA Derby® Championship. Then Gunin Addy Tude (Miss Lil Addy Tude) was the 2024 Non Pro Co-Champion. Open Reserve NRHA Derby® Champions include Arc Gunnabeabigstar (Wimpys Little Chic) in 2017 and Gunnabeabigtime (Big Time Jazzy) in 2023. What might be one of the strongest sire lines for the Non Pro NRHA Derby® , the 2012 Open NRHA Derby® champion Spooks Gotta Whiz (Spooks Gotta Gun x Prettywhizprettydoes) has sired four Non Pro NRHA Derby® champions, including Gotta Twist It Up (Make It With A Twist), the 2017 Non Pro Co-Reserve champion and the 2018 Non Pro champion. In 2025, Spooks Gotta Whiz sired the two Non Pro Co-Champions: Spooks Deville (Miss Tinselberry) and Smoky Mountain Rein (Sprats Electricspark, also the 2024 Non Pro Co-Champion). “Spooks Gotta Whiz has produced the champion or reserve champion in the Non Pro every year but one from 2017 to 2025, and that’s impressive,” said Wharton. “And the fact that, except for Smoky Mountain Rein, it’s been a different horse and a different dam is pretty cool for breeders to look at.” ■
↑ Spooks Gotta Whiz.
98 | NRHA REINER
MAY 2026
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 99
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Foal Photos
Foal Season Reiner readers submitted photos of their foals from across the country
S
pring is the season of renewal, bringing new plant life, warmer weather and–last but definitely not least–plenty of brand new foals with it. We asked Reiner readers from across the country to submit photos of their new foals this season, and here’s what you sent.
Super Wow
Super Mario x Bow Chica Wow Owner/Breeder: Erika Belden
SR CHIEF, “Chief” Patriot x SRH Pale In Black Owner/Breeder: Shenandoah Ranch Ca
102 | NRHA REINER
MAY 2026
Foal Photos
JBJ Next Smokin Girl
Americasnexttopgun x Wimpys Smokin Girl Owner/Breeder: JBJ Ranch
“Blanche”
All Bettss Are Off x A Spook In My Genes Owner/Breeder: Pat Warren
JBJ Cee My Whiz
Walla Walla Whiz x Cee My Pistol Owner/Breeder: JBJ Ranch
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 103
NRHA Affiliates Affiliates UNITED STATES East Central Central Ohio RHA Grafton, Ohio www.centralohioreining.com Illinois RHA Waverly, Illinois www.ilrha.org Indiana RHA Lebanon, Indiana www.inrha.com Kentucky RHA Versailles, Kentucky www.krha.info Michigan RHA Manchester, Michigan www.mrha.org Ohio Valley RHA Jackson, Ohio www.ovrha.org Tennessee RHA Speedwell, Tennessee www.tnreining.com Tri-State RHA North Jackson, Ohio www.tsrha.com Mountain Cowboy States RHA Banner, Wyoming www.cowboystatesreiners.com Intermountain RHA Draper, Utah www.irha.com Montana RHA Kalispell, Montana www.montanareining.com Rocky Mountain RHA Longmont, Colorado www.rmrha.com Western Slope RHA Grand Junction, Colorado www.wsrha.com YellowstoneRHA Wilsall,Montana www.yellowstonereining.org North Central Central Plains RHA Clarkson, Nebraska www.cprha.com Midwest RHA East Troy, Wisconsin www.mwrha.com North Central RHA Welch, Minnesota www.ncrha.com Northeast Central New York RHA Wellsville,NewYork www.cnyrha.net East Coast Reiners Association Bohemia, New York www.ecraonline.com
104 REINER 104 || NRHA NRHA REINER
Eastern Pennsylvania RHA Gettysburg, Pennsylvania www.eprha.com Yankee RHA Holland, New York www.yankeereiners.com Northwest Columbia River RHA Albany, Oregon www.crrha.com Great Western RHA Idaho Falls, Idaho https://gwreining.com/ Idaho RHA Rigby, Idaho https://idrha1.com/ RHA of the Northwest Manson,Washington www.rhanw.com Snake River Reining Alliance Mountain Home, Idaho www.snakeriverreining.com Washington RHA Brier, Washington www.wrha.net West Coast RHA Wilton, California www.wcrha.com South Central 4 States RHA Nash, Texas https://www.facebook.com/p/FourStates-Reining-HorseAssociation-61573914805437/ Kansas RHA Spring Hill, Kansas www.kansasreining.org Oklahoma RHA Kiefer, Oklahoma www.okrha.com South Texas RHA Pipe Creek, Texas www.strha.com Southwest Missouri RHA Miami, Oklahoma https://moreininghorseassc.wix site.com/momrha Southwest RHA Byars, Oklahoma www.swrha.com Texas RHA Hemptstead, Texas www.texasreining.com Southeast Florida RHA Webster, Florida www.frha.com Heart of Dixie RHA Ringgold, Georgia www.dixiereiners.com South Florida RHA Miami, Florida www.sfrha.com Southeastern RHA Wilson, North Carolina www.serha.org
Southwest Arizona RHA Scottsdale, Arizona www.azrha.com California RHA Templeton, California www.crhareining.com CANADA Eastern Canada Association Quebecoise de Reining (AQR) Repentigny, Quebec www.reiningquebec.ca New Brunswick Codiac Reining Association Pineglen, New Brunswick https://codiacreiners.ca/ Ontario RHA Waterford, Ontario www.orha.on.ca Western Canada Central Canada RHA Sunnyside, Manitoba http://www.ccrha.com Reining Alberta Airdrie, Alberta www.reiningalberta.net Saskatchewan RHA Prince Albert, Saskatchewan www.saskreining.com Western Canadian Reining Association Smithers, British Columbia www.wcra.info EUROPE Austria Austrian RHA Sulz, Vorarlberg www.nrha.at Belgium NRHA Belgium O.L.V. - Waver, Oost-Vlaanderen www.nrha.be Denmark NRHA Denmark Vejle www.nrha.dk Finland NRHA Finland Kempele www.nrha.fi France NRHA France Ponteilla, www.nrha-france.com Germany NRHA Germany Amorbach, Bavaria (Bayern) www.nrha.de
MAY MAY2026 2025
NRHA Affiliates
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 105
HOT IT’S GOING TO BE
JUNE 8-21, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
VISIT NRHADERBY.COM
T
Dates to Remember Since 1984
Mark your Calendars
May 15 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel entries due ®
Entries are due in office by this date. Late entries will incur a fee. Visit NRHADerby.com or send and email to events@nrha.com for more information.
May 19—23 NRHA European Futurity (Cremona, Italy) For more information, visit nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com.
June 1 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel Late Entries Due ®
To be included in the regular draw, late entries must arrive in office by this date. Visit NRHADerby.com or email events@nrha.com for more information.
Third NRHA Futurity® Payment Due NRHA Hall of Fame/Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Deadline Nominations for the NRHA Hall of Fame Class of 2026 and the Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award are due by this date. Online applications are requested. More details on criteria and the application forms are available at nrha.com/forms.
June 2 Affiliate and Write-In Candidate Deadline Submissions are due for affiliate and write-in nominations for the 2026 regional director and directorat-large elections. Submissions will be accepted if received in the NRHA office by June 3. For more information, visit NRHA.com/Elections.
June 10-21 6666 NRHA Derby® Presented by Markel (Oklahoma City, OK) Forms and more information are available at NRHADerby.com. For questions, send an email to events@NRHA.com.
2026 shows
Mother’s Day Slide May 11-17, 2026 Mic Dropp Derby 4yo Stakes & 8+ Maturity
Inside Slide July 20-26, 2026 featuring the
All Bettss Are Off Futurity
Best of the West Oct 5-11, 2026 Southwest Affiliate Regional Championships, Derby & Futurity Additional Approved Shows: AZ Sun Circuit Cactus Classic
Trainers Directory Tucker Clark
Ph: 520-273-8230 2035 N Conestoga Ave, Tucson, AZ tucker270@aol.com
Jim Greendyk
Ph: 623-225-4846 30644 N 156th St, Scottsdale www.jimgreendykhorses.com www.reiningmasterclass.com
Adam Hendrickson
Ph: 303-834-0000 15828 E Jomax Road, Scottsdale, AZ hph1776@yahoo.com FB:/adam.hendrickson.606134
Martin Muehlstaetter
Ph: 480-686-2919 27101 N 148th St, Scottsdale muehlstaetter@aol.com FB: /muehlstaetterperformancehorses
Marco Ricotta
Ph: 940-206-2561 15419 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale ricottaperformancehorses@gmail.com www.ricottaperformacehorses.com
Linde Von Koeding
Ph: 940-445-7629 30515 N 144th St, Scottsdale lindevk89@gmail.com IG: lvkperformance
www.AZRHA.com
MAY 2026
NRHA REINER | 109
These Reiners in Texas and Oklahoma Cordially Invite You to Visit Their Facilities. MAP INDEX 1
2
Bob Loomis Reining Horses Pieper Ranch, Inc. Sam Smith Reining Horses LG Performance Horses, Belar Farms Inc. Carol Rose Quarter Horses Global Equine Jim Kiser
3
Deary Performance Horses
4
XCS Ranch, LLC
5
Jarvis Anderson Performance Horses Humphrey Quarter Horses Nathan Piper Reining Horses Scott McCutcheon Reining Horses Sommers Performance Horses Tallone Reining Horses
6
Leclair Performance Horses
Metcalf Quarter Horses McQuay Stables, Inc. Price Performance Horses, Inc. Toyon Ranch, LLC
7
8
GPB Ranch Enterprises, LLC
9
Brent Loseke Colt Co., Inc. Brian Bell Performance Horses
10
Alpha Quarter Horses Matt Flarida Reining Horses Milholland Training Silver Spurs Equine – Oklahoma Todd Arvidson
11
A-Reiners Sterling Ranch Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses
12
Calcagnini Reining Horses
13
Tanya Jenkins Performance Horses
13
10
8
1
2 9 11
4 5 12 6 7
3
1. Bob Loomis Reining Horses
1. Sam Smith Reining Horses
2. Carol Rose Quarter Horses
1. Pieper Ranch, Inc.
2. LG Performance Horses, Belar Farm
2. Global Equine
1394 Topsail Lane, Overbrook, OK 73453 Barn: Marietta, OK 73453 Bob’s Cell: 580-276-7498 Email: loomisranch@gmail.com www.loomisreininghorses.com 8 Times AQHA World Champion 6 Times NRHA Futurity Champion c/o Brenda Armstrong 13190 Oswalt Road, Marietta, OK 73448 Cell: 580-221-4865 Email: lilalleycat06@yahoo.com (For PG Heavily Armed Breeding Info)
13872 Oswalt Road, Marietta, OK 73448 Sam: 937-441-2204 • Kelle: 937-441-3266 Email: info@samsmithreining.com www.samsmithreining.com Training – Showing – Sales
Luke Gagnon 8213 FM 902, Collinsville, Texas 76233 Phone: (940) 390-6274 Email: lgperformancehorses@hotmail.com
4500 N I-35 I-35 North; Exit 501, Gainesville, TX 76240 Phone: 940-372-2000 • 940-665-9304 Email: carol@carolrose.com www.carolrose.com
339 Woodbine Lane, Gainesville, TX 76240 Phone: 940-594-5971 or 940-736-3652 Email: globalequineus@gmail.com Sales, Exports and Imports
2. Kiser Arenas
5. Sommers Performance Horses
8. GPB Ranch Enterprises, LLC
3. Deary Performance Horses
5. Tallone Reining Horses, LLC
9. The Brent Loseke Colt Company, Inc.
4. XCS Ranch, LLC
6. Leclair Performance Horses
9. Brian Bell Performance Horses
5. Jarvis Anderson Performance Horses
7. Metcalf Quarter Horses
10. Alpha Quarter Horses
5. Humphrey Quarter Horses
7. McQuay Stables, Inc.
10. Matt Flarida Reining Horses
5. Nathan Piper Reining Horses
7. Price Performance Horses, Inc.
10. Milholland Training
5. Scott McCutcheon Reining Horses
7. Toyon Ranch, LLC
10. Silver Spurs Equine – Oklahoma
Jim Kiser 243 County Road 281, Gainseville, TX 76240 Phone: 940-665-8058 Arena Footing Consultation Kiser Arena Drags • Horse Walkers • Dust Control
2515 White Settlement Road, Weatherford, TX 76087 Casey: 817-929-3816 www.dearyperformance.com Sound Horses, Sound Training, Sound Advice
Max Tallone 1643 Roland Road, Whitesboro, TX 76273 Cell: 903-357-2994 Email: Maxtallonereininghorses@gmail.com Specializing in Showing, Coaching, Training & Sales
29855 US Hwy. 773, P.O. Box 10, Gordonville, TX 76245 ( Only 12 miles north of Whitesboro ) Ky Kinsey Office: 940-443-3077 or 903-328-6595 Duane Latimer Cell: 406-471-3501 Horses For Sale • International Customers Welcome
2492 West Line Road, Whitesboro, TX 76273 Jarvis Cell: 940-580-8867 Email: Jareiners@icloud.com
Ryan Humphrey 10912 E. US Hwy 82, Whitesboro, TX 76272 Phone: 903-421-6771 Email: humphreyquarterhorses@live.com www.humphreyquarterhorses.com Reproduction Center and Prospects Nathan & Jean Piper 2419 Old Town Road, Whitesboro, TX 76273 Cell (936) 718-7314 Email: info@nathanpiper.com www.nathanpiper.com Training • Showing • Non Pro Instruction
229 Boneschapel Road, Whitesboro, TX 76273 Scott’s Cell: 903-821-0828 Kathy’s Cell: 903-821-7312 Email: smrh1@verizon.net www.scottmccutcheon.com Standing: Inwhizable, Mega Watt Shine Futurity, Open and Non Pro Horses
Todd & Kelly Sommers 48 Diamond Ranch Road, Whitesboro, TX 76273 Phone: 903-564-9810 • Fax: 940-564-9425 Email: sommersph@aol.com www.toddsommers.com Training • Showing • Sales • Open & Non-Pro Top quality horses for sale at all times
Jared Leclair Hidden Springs Ranch, Gainesville, TX 1356 Buck Creek, Tioga, TX 76271, US Cell: 978-302-5722 • Email: jaredtylerleclair@hotmail.com www.leclairreininghorses.com Specializing in Training & Showing Aged Event Horses Non-Pro Instruction • Sales
Steve & Carol Metcalf 9691 St. John Road, Pilot Point, TX 76258 Steve: 940-391-5827 Carol: 940-391-5141 Reining • Reined Cowhorses • Training Showing • Sales Tim & Colleen McQuay 11041 Friendship Road, Pilot Point, Texas 76258 Tim: 940-367-0073 • Colleen: 940-367-3030 Email: mcquaystables@gmail.com Hollywood Dun It & Colonels Smoking Gun (Gunner) Reiners • Hunters • Jumpers NRHA Million Dollar Rider Kole Price 9635 Cole Road, Pilot Point, TX 76258 Cell: 951-316-7894 Email: kolepricereiners@gmail.com www.Koleprice.com
10875 St John Road, Pilot Point, TX 76258 Office: 940-290-4120 Email: toyonstallions@gmail.com Email: toyonoffice@gmail.com www.toyonranchllc.com
Gary & Paula Burns 37969 CR 1590, Coalgate, OK 74538 Phone: 832-285-4785 Email: gpbranchenterprises.com Tradition • Fellowship • Quality
Brent & Paula Loseke 475 Springs Road, Valley View, TX 76272 Phone: 940-727-1910 Email: coltcompany1@gmail.com www.coltcompany.com
1681 Krahl Rd., Valley View, TX 76272 @ Bell Ranch Cell: 580-276-0132 Email: brianbellperformancehorses@gmail.com www.brianbellreininghorses.com Specializing in Training & Showing Aged Event Horses, Non Pro Instruction, & Sales
Gabriel Diano 20834 Sooner Ave., Purcell, OK 73080 Phone: 405-527-9200 www.gabrieldiano.com Home of Wimpy Chic • Training • Showing • Sales
21812 Sooner Ave Purcell, OK 73080 Matt 419-778-1603 Email: mattflarida@yahoo.com www.mattflarida.com Training • Showing • Sales • Lessons
Doug & Valerie Milholland 24537 State Hwy. 74, Purcell, OK 73080 Phone: 405-288-2645 • Cell: 405-834-8899 Email: dougmilholland@sbcglobal.net www.dougmilholland.com Clinics, Judging, and Fine Reining Horses
24589 210th Street, Purcell, OK 73080 Phone: 405-600-1990 • Fax: 405-428-4074 Email: okoffice@silverspursequine.com www.silverspursequine.com Home of Wimpys Little Step, Einsteins Revolution, SG Frozen Enterprize, Tinker With Guns and Wimpyneedsacocktail.
Southwest Reining Horse Association • www.swrha.com Visit us online for a complete list of show dates and events
Advertiser Index
7 Lakes
66
Adequan
114
Agava
65
AML Reiners
68
Anderson Bean Boots
42
APHA
32
Arcese Quarter Horses
IFC–3
Arizona Reining Horse Association
13
Carol Rose/ Shining Spark
39
Cassell Equnine Insurance
91
Cedar Ridge
47
CINCH/ Miller International
100
Colston Paving
83
ELEMENTA
86
Elite Stall Mat Rentals
31
Empire Ranch
99
Enjoy LLC
107
Foals R Us
20
GeneTech
59
Golden Coins
18
Hart Trailer
38
Honstetter Perfomance
14
Ixtul
85
JBJ Ranch
54
John Deere- NTRA
43
Markel
7
Morgan Reiners
27
Morin and Vandorp
17
Morton Buildings
37, 64
MS Diamonds TX
5
Muehlstaetter Performance Horses
15
National Snaffle Bit Assoc.
67
Nelson, Tami
112 | NRHA REINER
109
Cardinal Ranch
11
North Central Reining Horse Assoc.
108
NRCHA
84
NRHA European Futurity
87
OSS
25
Platinum Performance
BC
Prifert
92
Quarter Dream
82
Reining Horse Foundation
71
Ron Anderson
58
Santa Hill Ranch
19
Schmersal Reining Horses
21
MAY 2026
Stallion Index Shortys
10
HS Marshal
20
Silver Spurs Equine
8–9
IfWhizWereGuns
9
Smart Equine
26
In Like Flinn
47
SWRHA
110–112
Inferno Sixty Six
74
Tamarack Ranch
46
Jerseys Baby Driver
66
Tenda/ Farmpaint
IBC
Julgun
47
Thorsport Partnership
95
Lil Dreamin Magnum
47
Tim Anderson/ 21 Ranch
30
Luckie Moonstone
20
Magnums Custom Dream
20
Toyon
74–75
Truax Investments
22
Mark My Word
66
Unbeetable Feeds
55
Maytheforcebewhizyou
66
Visit OKC
101
Modern Gun
20
Stallion Index A Sparkling Vintage
8
A Vintage Smoke
20
Arc Gunnabeabigstar Best Shine
20 74, 100
Big Chex to Cash
8
Black N Blu Boon
47
Boom Shernic
8
Boomernic
8
Catatomic
8
Chic Dreamin
8
Colonels Dancing Gun
82
Conquistador Whiz
8
Cromed Out Mercedes
8
Custom Cash Advance
8
Da Care Bear
8
Docs Soula
8
Dun It For Whizkey
12, 74, 75
Einsteins Revolution
8
Electric Code
20
Electric Wind
8
Epic Titan
8
Excessive Rufness
47
Golden Coins
18
Gotta Twist It Up
47
Gunna Stop Gunnabebigtime
74 11, 47
Gunner Dun It Again
74
Gunners Smokin Chex
30
Haboomamatada
8
Headlinner
20
Hf Mobster
9
Hollys Hijacker
82
Hott Rod
47
MAY 2026
Mr Montana Nic
9
My Customized Whiz
8
Nic It In The Bud No Smoking Required
8 20, 95
Pale Face Dunnit
9
Payaso Rojo Gunner
20
Picture Perrfect
20, 58
Platinum Vintage
9
Rubys Radar
47
Ruf Lil Magnum
9
SG Frozen Enterprize
9
Shiners Voodoo Dr
9
Shining In Town
74
Shining Spark Smart Shiners Spook Smoking Trash Spooks Gotta Gun
20, 39 8 2, 107 8
Spooks Gotta Spark
20, 22
Spooks Gotta Tinsel
107
Spooks Grand Slam
15
Spooks N Jewels
20
Sugar Little Step
82
The Firemen
27
Tinker With Guns
9
Topsail Whiz
74
TR Git R Done
68
Trashdeous
8
Tricked Out Spook
20
Vulcano
74
WimpyNeedsACocktail
9
Wimpys Little Step
8
Wimpys Littlecolonel
20
Wish I Was Yours
68
Xtra New Pal Voodoo
9
NRHA REINER | 113
Serving the performance horse industry for more than 50 years. Pictured is ThorSport Resident Stallion, Smart Cowboy Whiz. For breeding information visit www.thorsportfarm.com
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