Oklahoma City, OK – Friday’s competition at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show in Oklahoma City, Okla. featured the $260,000 added 2011 NRHA / Cinch Non Pro Futurity Finals. This championship event welcomed back 53 non pros to compete in a clean-slate format for more than $560,000 in cash, approximately 30% larger than last year’s purse due to NRHA Nomination Program money. In addition to the purse, finalists received a variety of prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners and coveted NRHA Futurity titles.
Quincy Cahill Allen (Madisonville, Tex.) and her Conquistador Chick (Conquistador Whiz x Dun It By Chick) marked a 219 in the first section of the finals to set the pace for the rest of the field. She led for most of the second section. However, with six runs remaining, Veronica St-Onge (Gainesville, Tex.) and Spooks N Sparks (Smart Spook x Whizicle, owner St-Onge Reining Horses, Inc.) were ready to make their mark. They scored a 221 to claim championship honors in the $100,000-added level 4 non pro and $70,000-added level 3 non pro divisions. The pair earned over $65,000 for the win, in addition to a Bob’s Custom Saddle, Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, SmartPak gift card, Pard’s Western Shop gift card, Classic Equine Contour Pedic Reiner pad, John Deere halter, Assure Guard, Sore No More, Anderson Bean Boots, Purina Feed and a variety of prizes from NRHA Futurity Event Sponsors.
The reserve championship was awarded to Mandy McCutcheon who marked a 220 on Justa Smart Star (Smart Starbuck x Justa Spring Freckle, owned by Tom and Mandy McCutcheon). McCutcheon (Aubrey, Tex.) and the stallion earned over $28,000.
Michael Jeffcoat (Waurika, Okla.) and his Spooks Gotta Run (Spooks Gotta Gun x Prettywhizasprettydoes) earned the level 2 non pro division and prime time non pro division championship after marking a 218. Jeffcoat earned more than $34,000, including his third place finish in the level 3 non pro division.
The level 1 non pro Futurity championship and level 2 non pro Futurity reserve championship went to Germany’s Felix Schnabel and Gunner Be Good (Gunner x Bay Brim Hat) with a score of 215.5. For the win they earned more than $22,000.
The Youth Non Pro Futurity championship, determined by the go-round score, goes to Javier Melo. Melo of Pinecrest, Fla. ended the round with a score of 214 to claim the win. Melo was on his Wimpy Little Girl (Wimpys Little Step x Dee Cee).
Each year, NRHA recognizes the highest scoring, first time exhibitor in the Non Pro go round with a championship buckle. In addition, the Non Pro rider’s trainer receives a check for $5,000. This year’s winner is Melo and his trainer NRHA Professional Mark Rafacz or Citra, Fla.
Phillips is an Adequan NAAC Champion
Today, the Adequan Championship Arena featured youth from throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico competing for titles in the Adequan NAAC. In the Youth 13 & Under class James Michael Phillips and Carolyn Sue Phillips’ Shining Shoes scored a 212 to win the affiliate championship. Shining Shoes is a 1995 gelding by Shining Spark out of Miss War Doc. Phillips, of Hartshorne, Okla., represented the South Central region in the Adequan NAAC.
In the Adequan NAAC Team Championship presented by SmartPak standings, the South Central Region leads with 164.5 points, followed by the Northwest U.S. (155.5) and the Southeast U.S. (88.5).
Results from the NRHA / Markel Insurance Marketplace Sale
Gross Sales = $749,000
High Seller – $50,000 - Name Pending - Shining Spark X Roosters Cute Wilson (Gallo Del Cielo) – Consigned by P. Victor Clark - 2010 Palomino stallion – Purchased by Xtra Quarter Horses
More About the NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show
Watch the live webcast, keep tabs on the leaders and find out about the latest news and upcoming events at nrhafuturity.com, facebook.com/nrhareiningor twitter.com/nrha.
It’s the most elite reining event in the world with more than 3,000 entries competing for over $2 million in cash and prizes. More than 1,300 horses and 127,000 visitors come from nearly 20 countries to compete and watch the excitement unfold. During its 10-day run, the show contributes more than $67 million to the overall Oklahoma City economy.
The show features the Open Futurity Finals on Saturday, December 3 when the winning entry is guaranteed a check for $150,000, as well as incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners and award sponsors. The NRHA / Cinch Non Pro Futurity offers an additional $260,000 in added money for non pro reiners, which will be awarded on Friday, December 2. Nearly $100,000 in nominator incentive money also will be distributed to those individuals who originally nominated horses to the NRHA Nomination Program, despite whether or not they still own the horse.
The NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show offers a variety of spectator events and activities including a western gift market, NRHA / Markel Insurance Horse sales, NRHA Open World Championship Shootout presented by Equine Sports Medicine, Silver Spurs Equine Rookie of the Year and 4R Performance Horses Hometown Heroes Slide & Freestyle Reining benefitting the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Go to nrhafuturity.comfor more information or to purchase tickets.
NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show Supporters
The NRHA would like to thank the following corporate partners for their support of the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show: Adequan, Arenus, Bob’s Custom Saddles; Cinder Lakes Ranch and Reproduction Center; Classic Equine; Darling 888 Ranch; Horse&Rider; John Deere; Kiser Arena Specialists; Markel Insurance Company; Merial; Montana Silversmiths; Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau; Pard’s Western Shop; Platinum Performance; Purina Mills; Quarter Horse News; Rios of Mercedes / Anderson Bean Boot Company; Miller International – Cinch / Cruel Girl; Silver Spurs Equine; SmartPak, Twister Trailer and Xtra Quarter Horses, plus NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show Sponsors: 4R Performance Horses, Avila’s Pro Shop, Cowdog Saddles, Equine Sports Medicine, eyeD™, Heat-A-Zone, KO Trading, Kyle Tack, Performance Horse Supply, RAM, Sandbur Productions LLC, Scott Cleaners, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery and Soft Ride.
For more information on the NRHA, or the sport of Reining, please visit nrha.com or call (405) 946-7400.