In one of the deepest fields assembled in recent memory, Wimpys Little Chic, owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, Weatherford, TX, dominated a field of impressive four-, five-, and six-year-old reining horses with a decisive win in the 2008 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby. Ridden by NRHA’s Leading Money Earning Rider Shawn Flarida, the team accomplished what no other combination has—winning the NRHA Futurity, NRBC, and the NRHA Derby consecutively!

Andrea Fappani piloted Reserve Champion Tinsel Jac for owners Tinsel Jac Partners, Mexico, and third place finisher Spooks Gotta Gun owned by Duane Hicks, Marietta, OK. In a tie for fourth place were KR Lil Conquistador, owned by Cheree Kirkbride ridden by Flarida and Miss Rey O Shine, owned by Bahn Quarter Horses LLC, Wildwood, MO, and ridden by Brent Wright.

Tied for the Intermediate Open Co-Championship were Wolf Stern Partnership’s Rootin Tootin Dunit ridden by Jared Leclair and Anthony Boerma/Ned Point Quarter Horse’s Gallos Stylish Star, with Jason Vanlandingham in the saddle. Each entry earned $11,431. A coin toss determined who would take possession of the extensive list of Intermediate Open awards, which included a Cimarron horse trailer, Pard’s saddle, Gist buckle, and much more. The lucky winner was Leclair. The Wolf Stern Partnership is from Horse Cove, KY, and Boerma/Nedpoint from Paul’s Valley, OK.

A plane trip from Brazil for the NRHA Derby certainly paid off for this year’s Limited Open division champion. A penalty in the go round kept Whiz Shady MA out of the Open finals. Owner Roberto Jose Ribas, Brazil, and rider Gabriel Diano, made the most of their opportunity and will take their title and bragging rights home to Brazil. The reserve champion West Coast Pocos Wrangler was ridden by owner Ryan Potucek of Fitzgerald, GA.

Mark your calendar for next year’s NRHA Derby, June 22-27. It’s sure to be the family-fun vacation destination for reiners in 2009.