FEBRUARY 1, 2025
• CORTESI BECOMES MILLION DOLLAR RIDER
• THE ETERNAL RIDE
• VIRTUAL HORSE HELP AND MORE!
Publisher
Senior
Digital
Stevie
Contributors
Kathy
Jason
Shannon Rafacz
Nicole Deary
Administration
Cheri
Publisher
P.
Manuel Cortesi, a National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Professional from Forlimpopoli, Italy, has officially earned a spot in the prestigious NRHA Million Dollar Rider club. This remarkable milestone underscores his dedication to the sport of reining and his extraordinary success in the arena.
Cortesi’s journey with NRHA began in 2003 when he joined as a Youth member. Two years later, he earned his first NRHA paycheck at the Italian Reining Horse Association Futurity (IRHA) Show, competing in the Limited Non Pro ancillary class aboard The Slide Surprise (ARC Sparkle Surprise x Rulerita Pride). After signing his NRHA Professional card in 2015, Cortesi steadily rose through the ranks, becoming one of reining’s top competitors.
His recent accomplishments include amassing $527,235 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) over the past two years alone, a testament to his talent and consistency in the show pen. He also finished ninth in the 2024 NRHA Top 20 Professionals and qualified to compete in the 2025 American Performance Horseman by finishing sixth in the standings.
A significant portion of Cortesi’s success is attributed to his partnership with July Joe Snap. Bred by Giacomo Ronchi, the horse is sired by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Master Snapper and out of San July Jo Magnetic. Owned by NRHA Hall of Famer Eleuterio Arcese and Impresa Agricola Cuoghi, July Joe Snap, and Cortesi have earned nearly $250,000 together. The pair’s crowning achievement came at the 100X European Classic, where they scored a 231 to win the Level 4 Open Derby Championship.
In poetic fashion, Cortesi crossed the milliondollar threshold with an impressive string of performances at the same show at which he earned his first check nearly 20 years ago—the IRHA Futurity. Riding MC Millenium Falcon, he won the 3-Year-Old Level 4 Open Futurity, adding nearly $70,000 to his earnings. He also claimed the 4-Year-Old Level 4 Open
Futurity title aboard Frozen Sven and secured reserve honors on Knockin On Ice, collectively amassing over $18,000 in NRHA LTE.
Cortesi’s top-earning finishes include:
2024 100X European Classic Level 4 Open Derby Champion aboard July Joe Snap, earning $75,000
2024 IRHA Level 4 Open 3-Year-Old Futurity Champion aboard MC Millenium Falcon, earning $69,304
2024 NRHA European Level 4 Open Futurity Reserve Champion aboard Frozen Sven, earning $59,061
2022 IRGA Level 4 Open 3-Year-Old Futurity Champion aboard July Joe Snap, earning $44,741
2023 NRHA European Level 4 Open Futurity Champion aboard July Joe Snap, earning $40,604
The NRHA announced Quarter Dream SRL, based in Puglia, Italy, has joined the elite ranks of Million Dollar Owners. This prestigious milestone celebrates the tremendous success and dedication of owner Pietro Marseglia, whose family’s equestrian legacy dates back to the 1930s.
Quarter Dream SRL’s remarkable journey to becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Owner culminated after the 2024 NRHA Season. Significant contributions to this achievement include standout performances by three of their horses Hollys Hijackers, Sugar Little Step, and Colonels Dancing Gun. Quarter Dream also acknowledges the broodmares Dance Little Spook, Gunna Be Majestic, and Sugar Little Step, which helped them reach this milestone.
“NRHA Professional Nico Sicuro, current Quarter Dream Trainer, [NRHA Million Dollar Rider] Franco Bertolani, Marcus Gebert, the Italian [NRHA Million Dollar Rider] Gennaro Lendi, [NRHA Million Dollar Rider] Ann Fonck and Rudi Kronsteiner are the ones who piloted Quarter Dream Horses to build what Quarter Dream is today.”
Additionally, Colonels Dancing Gun, a 10-yearold stallion bred, owned, and nominated by Quarter Dream SRL, earned $1,270 with NRHA Professional Nico Sicuro in the Run for a Million Qualifier, contributing to his impressive lifetime earnings of $240,230. Colonels Dancing Gun’s illustrious career includes victories such as the 2018 NRHA European Level 4 Open Futurity Championship, the 2020 NRHA European Level 4 Open Derby Championship, and the 2023 World Reining Championships Open Senior Individual Championship. Colonels Dancing Gun and Sicuro also earned the 2024 NRHA Open World Championship.
Quarter Dream SRL’s partnership with NRHA extends beyond the arena as an NRHA
Corporate Partner since 2020, underscoring their commitment to advancing the sport of reining worldwide. With over 120 horses contributing to their NRHA records, the team’s dedication to excellence is unmatched.
For Pietro Marseglia, Quarter Dream SRL’s success is rooted in a singular vision. “We build in the years an excellent breeding program and we are proud of that.”
The family’s equestrian tradition began during a time of war in the 1930s, when Pietro’s grandfather served as the chief of the royal horse soldiers, and before during 1830 Giovanni aka “La Fata” was in the beer transport of course using horses.
The NRHA announced PS Mega Shine Chic, fondly known as “Crush,” as its newest Million Dollar Sire. This significant milestone comes after standout performances by his offspring at the 2024 NRHA Futurity, solidifying the 2013 stallion’s place among reining’s elite sires.
Bred and nominated by Patsy Shelton Schutz and owned by Adh-Mor Ranch, PS Mega Shine Chic is the product of NRHA $3 Million Sire Shine Chic Shine and Megas Sugar Baby. With NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) of $239,655, the stallion’s reputation as both a fierce competitor and a proven producer continues to grow.
Crush’s own impressive career showcased his talent and athleticism. Under the reins of NRHA Million Dollar Rider Dany Tremblay, he claimed the reserve championship at the 2017 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open and won the 2019 The Run For A Million Open Shootout. Notably, 94% of Crush’s LTE came with Tremblay at the reins.
Now, PS Mega Shine Chic’s legacy lives on through his exceptional offspring. To date, 53 of his progeny have amassed NRHA LTE, with several becoming standouts in the reining arena. Crush seems to pair particularly well with the dam All Guns On Deck, as three of his top five earners share that bloodline. Leading his offspring in earnings is All Guns On Crush, a standout with $145,340 in NRHA LTE. Out of All Guns On Deck, All Guns On Crush was bred and nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch, owned by Fred Tremblay, and ridden exclusively by Dany Tremblay. All Guns On Crush most recently earned fifth place in the Level 4 Open at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel with an impressive score of 228.
It was the 2024 NRHA Futurity that pushed PS Mega Shine Chic over the million-dollar
threshold. Among his offspring’s notable performances was Colonel Crush, ridden by Elisabeth Bourassa Carter. The duo earned over $46,000 with the following finishes: Level 1 Non Pro Futurity Champions, Level 2 Non Pro Futurity Reserve Champions, third place in the Level 3 Non Pro Futurity, and 10th in the Level 4 Non Pro Futurity. Colonel Crush, a 2021 stallion out of Shining Hit Girl, was bred and nominated by Brent Loseke and is owned by Bourassa Carter.
The top-earning offspring of Crush include:
All Guns On Crush (out of All Guns On Deck), bred and nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch, owned by Fred Tremblay, $145,340 NRHA LTE
Snap My Crush (out of Snapbacks), bred and nominated by Dean Latimer, owned by James Pirtle Jr., $133,885 NRHA LTE
Pawn Stars (out of All Guns On Deck), bred and nominated by Adh-Mor Ranch, owned by Cooper Smith, NRHA LTE $101,281
High Caliber Crush (out of All Guns On Deck), bred, nominated, and owned by Adh-Mor Ranch, $71,146 NRHA LTE
Colonel Crush (out of Shining Hit Girl), bred and nominated by Brent Loseke, owned by Elisabeth Bourassa Carter, $59,599 NRHA LTE
by. Stevie White
Born in Israel, NRHA Professional Yonathan Baruch’s parents put him in riding lessons at just 7 years old. He grew to become a riding instructor at sixteen, then managed a riding school as a young adult before making the move to the U.S. to work under NRHA $4 Million Rider Craig Schmersal where he stayed for over six years.
Since striking out on his own, Baruch has built a successful business of his own in Whitesboro, Texas. He has amassed earnings of more than $479,000. Known for his attention to detail and desire for perfec-tion, Baruch has helped multiple Non Pros reach great successes of their own.
In this three-part series, Baruch explains his steps to collection with the same affinity for breaking things down into steps that both horses and riders can easily achieve. He defines collection as “the ability to control the horse’s legs and the position of its body by eliminating any resistance from the neck and face of the horse.”
Jason Vanlandingham is one of the most respected riders in the reining industry. While his resume for the show pen is impressive, he’s also known for his faith and regularly fills in to share the Word of God during events.
Jason is a regular contributor to WorldWide Slide, and has been sharing a unique devotional each issue for more than two years.
Find prior episodes at WorldWideSlide.com
At the League of Agricultural and Equine Centers 2025 Symposium, Oklahoma State Fair and the OKC Fairgrounds was named 2025 Facility of the Year. The symposium, which was held January 10-15 at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, is an annual event.
Recognized as a longtime leader in the equine and agricultural event industry, the facility hosts upwards of 200 events a year ranging from major equine events, livestock shows, trade shows, sporting events and of course the Oklahoma State Fair.
The reining world recognizes the facility as home for not only the National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Derby but also the worldwide headquarters for the NRHA.
The management team is led by OKC Fairgrounds Executive Vice President David Reeves, Vice President of Operations and Events Jonathan Fisher, along with Events Managers Hayley Nath, Issac Nations , Jennifer Nath, with Marva Evans, Lauren Moore, Hope Hall, and of course, Oklahoma State Fair President and Chief Executive Officer Kirk Slaughter.
For Reeves, the honor is especially meaningful coming from colleagues and peers in the industry. He said, "The equine and livestock event industry is very competitive and ever evolving, and it takes more than a nice facility to be successful. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, and we will continue to make improvements and push the bar in technology and services."
This coming June, the Oklahoma City team will open the long-anticipated OG&E Coliseum,
(Designed by League Members Populous, led by Todd Gralla, Travis Pawley and Charlie Kolarik), "The Coliseum is going to be a game changer for us and the industry. All of the unique needs of an equestrian event were considered and addressed in Populous’ design, and we cannot wait to share the experience with everyone!"
Dedicated to serving the growth and best interests of high-performing facilities in the Agricultural and Equine Industries across the US and Canada, The League embraces a mission to support and promote management and maintenance personnel and procedures at agricultural and equine facilities. It is a primary resource for industry education, networking and member advocacy that was founded in 2003 to support management personnel, staff and operational protocols at agricultural and equine facilities across North America.
League membership also includes Equine & Ag Event Promoters, Organizers, Competitive Professionals as well as Young Professionals seeking careers in the industry. For information, visit LAEC.info.
U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. (USLGE) is a nonprofit, nationwide trade association that brings together a broad base of U.S. livestock organizations that represent the international marketing interests of breeding industries, including horses. Their members also include the embryo and semen industries, livestock export sector, and State Departments of Agriculture.
USLGE helps match international producers with sources in the United States that offer genetics with superior credentials. USLGE works as a one-stop center to make your genetic selection process easier, more efficient, and more productive.
“In recent years we have seen significant growth and interest in reining in Mexico and in Latin American countries. Our members have a strong desire to purchase more reining horses and grow the sport across all borders,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith.
Carlos Raul Pena, a USLGE Market Representative, will speak at the 2025 NRHA Leadership Gathering and discuss ways to help NRHA members conduct business internationally and how to improve their market exposure.
“This session is ideal for anyone who has in interest in breeding reining horses or for our Professional members who are looking for guidance on how to expand their operations,” continued Smith.
The NRHA Leadership Gathering is February 2–3 in Oklahoma City. Registration is open and free for all to attend.
Join National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Title Corporate Partner Markel at the 2025 NRHA Leadership Gathering for an interactive Q&A session designed to simplify your horse and farm/ ranch insurance needs. This event will take place on Sunday, February 2nd, at 5:15 PM at the Downtown Oklahoma City Omni Hotel. This event is free to attend and open to all and will include a cash bar and heavy appetizers.
NRHA Hall of Famer Frank Costantini, the Markel Senior Director of Western Disciplines, and Markel Underwriter Melissa Holloway will answer all questions and give valuable insights into equine insurance needs.
Costantini has been a pivotal figure in the horse industry for decades. His journey with horses began in his youth, and his lifetime of horse experience gives him a working knowledge of all breeds and disciplines, but his primary focus has been on the American Quarter Horse and the Western Disciplines. Costantini has served in various leadership roles, including NRHA President and Chair of the FEI Reining Committee. His contributions to the industry have been recognized with his induction into the NRHA Hall of Fame. With over 30 years at Markel, Costantini’s expertise in equine insurance and his deep understanding of the horse world makes him an invaluable resource.
Holloway has been at Markel for seven years. Her passion for horses began early, growing up with a Quarter Horse mare that she fox hunted and competed with in Show Hunters, both
over fences and under saddle. Since joining Markel, Holloway has expanded her expertise into Western disciplines. She stays updated on market trends, manages a large book of business, and travels to shows throughout the year. Melissa’s dedication to building strong customer relationships and her passion for expanding her knowledge make her a vital asset to the Markel underwriting team.
“NRHA is eager to host this Q&A with the 2024 NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Markel,” says NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith. “Markel has been a corporate partner of NRHA for over 30 years and has so much valuable information to share with our reining community.”
The NRHA Leadership Gathering will be held February 2-3 at the Downtown Oklahoma City Omni Hotel. Read more on the event and register to attend here.
During his address at the Annual General Membership meeting held in conjunction with the Leadership Gathering, NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith is set to reveal a sneak preview of the association’s new branding campaign, “This Right Here is Reining.”
Last year, NRHA partnered with the Cornett Agency, an award-winning advertising agency whose portfolio includes clients such as Keeneland, A&W, Lego, and General Electric.
To prepare, the agency did significant research, including interviewing our members, fans, staff, and leadership.
“Their proven track record within the equine industry was a no-brainer, and the insight we gained from their data collection was invaluable. The direct feedback from our members on what tools and resources they desired were directly incorporated into the campaign,” Smith said.
The full campaign, set to be unveiled in March, will feature a complete overhaul of NRHA’s social media, website, and promotional materials, including videos that will appear on television across the United States of America.
“The main goal of this campaign was to capture that segment of the market we were missing- while increasing value for our members and sponsors,” Smith continued. “Expect a modern refresh of our brand while remaining true to our western roots.”
The association’s current Strategic Plan was a driving force behind the campaign, with leadership acknowledging that it was imperative that NRHA create a true marketing strategy to help achieve its objectives.
“A huge thank you to our executive committee, board of directors, and the NRHA Professionals Advisory Committee in their support of this campaign,” Smith added. “The Association has never seen anything like this before. This has been a long time coming, and we look forward to sharing more with the membership soon.”
The Annual General Membership Meeting will be held on February 2 during the Leadership Gathering. Go here to register and learn more.
Dave Dellin, Chief Executive Officer of the American Paint Horse Association, and Stephanie Lynn, Chief Executive Officer of the National Snaffle Bit Association, will join forces next month at the 2025 NRHA Leadership Gathering.
The two association leaders will form a panel discussion on “Getting the Most Out of Your Association Membership,” with key insights on fostering mutual respect and collaborative environment between members, staff, and professionals, ensuring the “four legs of the table” are strong.
“Both Dave and Stephanie offer truly unique perspectives that our members can relate to,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith. “They both worked as successful horse trainers before leading national associations and I think they would be the first to tell you that has greatly benefitted them.”
“This will be an excellent chance to ask them questions and get feedback you normally wouldn’t have access to,” Smith continued. “We hope our members leave with a better understanding of NRHA as an association and how they can work with our staff and leadership moving forward.”
The NRHA Leadership Gathering will be held February 2-3 at the Downtown Oklahoma City Omni Hotel. The event is free to attend and open to all members.
Read more on the event and register to attend here.
Jim Kiser Honored with NRCHA Presidents Award
Jim Kiser, founder of Kiser Arena Specialists, was recognized with the prestigious NRCHA (National Reined Cow Horse Association) President’s Award during the “A Night At The Stockyards” event on October 17, 2024. The award, given annually to an individual who exemplifies the cow horse spirit through passion and dedication, highlights Kiser’s unparalleled contributions to the Western performance industry.
Kiser’s journey to becoming a leader in equine arena footing began early, as he trained reining horses as a young professional while his father, Bob, designed precision arena drags. His background in horse training gave him firsthand knowledge of how critical proper footing is for equine safety and performance.
“When I decided I wanted to do something other than train reining horses, I looked for a long time and came to the realization that it was right there in front of me: the drags,” Kiser recalled. “At that point in time, my dad was building a couple drags a year when he wasn’t farming. When I called him to propose making a business out of the drags, there was a long pause. He said he’d love to be in business with me, but he didn’t think it would ever be with the drags. We had no idea where it would go. We kept at it and believed in our vision.”
That vision has taken Kiser and his company to the forefront of the industry. Over the years, Kiser Arena Specialists has honed its expertise in building drags and mastering footing science, conducting extensive research to improve safety and performance for horses. Today, Kiser primarily focuses on consulting for private areas while overseeing footing at major
Boyd Rice, NRCHA President, praised Kiser for his unwavering dedication. “They do an unbelievable job,” Rice said. “When Jim’s name was brought up as a possible recipient, we knew right away that he was the right pick. I admire that he’s constantly learning and always improving his craft. It’s just like training and showing horses: you have to keep improving to stay on top of your game.”
Kiser’s work has supported the success of horses and riders at countless events, with over $300 million in prize money awarded on footing selected, installed, and maintained by Kiser Arenas.
Kiser Arenas, a leader in equine arena consulting and equipment, is embarking on an exciting new chapter in 2025. To support ambitious growth plans, the company is reducing its footing management at many Western Performance Horse Shows to allocate resources toward innovative opportunities and expanded services.
This strategic shift allows Kiser Arenas to focus on the following key initiatives:
Kiser Arenas is launching a comprehensive training program for facilities and fairgrounds across the United States and Canada. These workshops are designed to help venues maximize their operations’ performance, revenue, and safety for equine athletes and riders alike. By enhancing footing quality and operational efficiency, these improvements empower facilities to attract more business and book more horse shows in the highly competitive equine event market.
Kiser Arenas is enhancing its production capabilities to meet the growing demand from facilities, fairgrounds, universities, and equine venues. These new facilities will enable the company to rapidly implement arena drag design innovations and address the increasing need for high-quality equipment.
Kiser Arenas will continue its focus on the thriving Dude Ranch sector, providing specialized arena footing consulting tailored to the unique needs of this industry. By improving footing quality, Kiser Arenas helps Dude Ranches elevate the guest experience and
ensure greater safety for riders and horses alike. These enhancements not only set a higher standard for guest satisfaction but also enable Dude Ranches to attract more visitors and increase revenue in a competitive market.
With significant growth in markets outside the equine sector, Kiser Arenas is expanding its water trailer product line to target municipalities and fire prevention. Marketing campaigns and product specifications will be adjusted to meet the specific needs of these new customer bases.
Kiser Arenas plans to add carefully selected products that align with its current offerings and target customers. In the past, the company’s focus on horse shows limited its ability to expand.
Kiser Dust Control
Exciting updates are on the horizon, including the upcoming launch of the Kiser Dust Control product.
These initiatives represent Kiser Arenas’ commitment to innovation and customerfocused growth while maintaining its leadership in equine arena excellence.
