After turning in a spectacular performance that earned a masterful score of 232 (that’s an average of better than 77), Kelly Zweifel, Italy, won the Open, Intermediate Open and Limited Open divisions of the 2006 NRHA Derby on Master Snapper (Snapper Cal Bar) owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi. Zweifel is the first woman to win the Open Division of this prestigious event. And, while Master Snapper is not the first European-owned Derby Champion, he is the first to be bred, born, raised and trained in Europe. Impresa Agricola Cuoghi is located in Italy and Master Snapper took a plane to get to Oklahoma City.

Zweifel, a native of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin, River Falls, graduate, trained Master Snapper as a two-year-old and won the 2004 Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) Futurity as well as the 2005 Derby and Maturity. Altogether, Kelly added over $65,000 to her NRHA Lifetime Earnings.

Shawn Flarida of Springfield, OH, riding the 2005 NRHA Futurity Champion KR Lil Conquistador (Conquistador Whiz) owned by Cheree Kirkbride, Ocala, FL, ran a pattern that challenged Zweifel with every maneuver. Flarida scored a 228.5 to earn the Open Division reserve championship and $39,622.07.

The field was tough and deep. For instance, NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider/NRHA Hall of Fame member Tim McQuay, Tioga, TX, riding Chic Magnetic (Chocolate Chic Olena) owned by the Peter Cofrancesco Jr Estate, Sparta, NJ, placed third overall and won the $5,000 added Prime Time Open Division.

While Zweifel won three divisions of the NRHA Derby, there was a tie for second place in the Intermediate Open between Jerry Fowler of Polson, MT, riding San Juan Whiz (Topsail Whiz) for Shaw Performance Horses, Inc., of Missoula, MT, and Chris Dawson of Gainesville, TX, riding Spinnin Sparks (Shining Spark) owned by Black Rock Ranch of Coeur D’Alene, ID. Josh Visser of Marietta, OK, riding Groovy Chexinic (Bueno Chexinic) owned by Paula Loseke of Aubrey, TX, was second in the Limited Open Division.

After a dramatic runoff, Jamie Abel, Manlius, NY, a senior at Morrisville State College in Morrisville, New York, who is coached by Spike Homes and Bonnie Miller, won the NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship on Berry Great Twist owned by Smart Like Juice, Inc. and generously provided Jose Vazquez. Keith Ceddia, Sunbury, OH, a freshman at Ohio State University is coached by Ollie Griffith and placed second on Lenas Rocket Man owned and provided by Jim Blumer, Jr.

Maura Doone of Gahanna, OH, won the NRHA Youth 14-18 class on Lenas Irish Whiskey owned by her father, James Doone, while Maggie Gratny of Leavenworth, KS, finished second on Chic Olena Light owned by Mark Gratny. Emily Winegar of Aubrey, TX, earned the win in the NRHA Youth 13 & Under Division on Good Time Show Girl and was second on Moostone Mega. Both horses are owned by Green Valley Ranch.

Dun It Got Lucky, consigned by Sally Broten Horse Company of River Falls, WI, and purchased by Roxanne Koepsell of Aubrey, TX, was the high seller in the NRHA Derby Spotlight Sale at $54,000.

For complete results log on to the NRHA web site at www.nrha.com.

Incorporated in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is the governing body of the sport of Reining. NRHA, with their International Headquarters in Oklahoma City, is responsible for promoting the sport of Reining and working to ensure the highest standards of competition. NRHA receives corporate support from Cinch, Rockies and Cruel Girl; Markel Insurance; Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau; Quarter Horse News; Kiser Arena Specialists; Houston Ranch Embryo Transfer Center; Classic Equine; John Vance Auto Group; LaQuinta Inns & Suites; The Rider’s Edge; Land O’ Lakes / Purina Mills LLC (Official United States Feed Sponsor of the NRHA); Anderson Bean Boot Co.;