Flarida, Schmersal and Schoeller lead the first section of the Open Futurity – Matt Palmer and CC Enterprise are the 2016 NAAC Open Champions

Press Release | Reining – Thanksgiving day in Oklahoma City welcomed the National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) 50th anniversary as well as the start of the 2016 NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show (NAAC).

The first section of the first go-round of the $472,500*-added Open Futurity counted 142 entries giving spectators the first taste of what to look forward to on finals night! Three riders tied to post the high score, a 221.5, in the $255,000*-added Level (L)4 Open division: Shawn Flarida (below, left) riding Whiz Gata Prize (Topsail Whiz x Smart Little Prize), a stallion owned by E. Alberto Casasco and nominated by Robert Santagata, Robin Schoeller (below, center) riding Spitfire Spook (Smart Spook X Miss Satin Whiz), a stallion nominated, bred, and owned by Polly Hilliard and Craig Schmersal (below, right) aboard Pale Black Gun (Pale Face Dunnit x Blazing In Black) a stallion owned, bred and nominated by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC.

Leading the $125,000*-added L3 Open division was Nathan Piper (below, left) after posting a 219 aboard High Rolling Spook (Smart Spook x Shining High Roller) for owner Toyon Ranch LLC. Nominated by Rosanne Sternberg, the sorrel stallion is an NRHA Markel Insurance Select Yearling Sale Graduate.

Aboomen Revolution (Boomernic x Urika), with Ruben Vandorp (below, center) in the saddle, closed his run with a 218.5 to lead the $62,500* -added L2 division. The flashy stallion was nominated by Michelle Miola and is owned by Dan Northrup.

Leading the $30,000*-added L1 division with a 216 was Arnaud Ferret (below, right) aboard Spooks Gotta Cowboy (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Marq Of Cita) nominated and owned by Bernandino Cervantes.

The first NAAC Champions are crowned:

In a field of 33 qualifiers, Matt Palmer firmly clinched the NAAC Open Championship after posting a 224 with Mark Hurd’s CC Enterprise (Wrangle Whiz x Rems Little Sugs) between the reins. “Last year I tied to win riding Smart Chic Katie, which is also owned by Mark Hurd,” said Matt who also claimed the USA Reining Open title. “Mark’s an amazing customer who always supports me and I cannot thank him and his family enough for trusting me with his horses. His daughters, Elaina and Amanda, have also done very well with this horse and he’s been very good to me this year; he’s the real deal!“

Jared Leclair, riding Robert and Robbin Thayn’s Coded N Karma, a 5-year-old gelding by Electric Code and out of Whiz N Snap, and Jay Dee Anderson, riding Skeets Conquistador, tied for second place honors.

Anderson also rode the 8-year-old stallion by Conquistador Whiz and out of Skeets Scamp, owned by Jay Dee and his wife Janis, to the NAAC Intermediate Open Championship.

“I’ve been coming to the Futurity for the past 37 years and this is the nicest run I’ve ever had here, it’s pretty special!” said an enthused Anderson about his stallion who boasts over $47,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE). “He was a finalist at the Futurity and he’s been a nice horse for my wife and I during his career. I’m now riding his colts and am hoping they ride as well as he does!”

Tying for second place honors were Nick Nelson riding Amy Thompson’s KR Smart Lil Devil (Smart Spook x KR Dirt Devil) and Kim Diercks riding Susan and Harry Jones’ Chic From Shinola (Smart Spook x Shine N In The Finals).

For further information about the 2016 NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship held November 24th – December 3rd in Oklahoma City visit NRHAFuturity.com.

A special thank you to the NRHA Partners:

Adequan, Anderson Bean Boot Company, Bluebonnet Feeds, Cardinal Reining Horses, Cinch, Classic Equine, Downunder Horsemanship, John Deere, Kiser Arena Specialist, Lucas Oil, Protect the Harvest, Markel Insurance Company, Merial, Montana Silversmiths, OKC Convention & Vistors Bureau, Platinum Performance, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, Santa Hill Ranch, Silver Spurs Equine, Silver Spurs Saddles, SmartPak, Trailguard, Xtra Quarter Horses and MS Diamonds, Texas.

NRHA Event Sponsors: RAM, Sandbur, Not Ruf At All, Twin Cities South Trailers, Twin Cities South Sundowner Trailers, Story Book Stables, Star Spangled Whiz, Shorties, Continental Saddlery, Equine Oasis, Bob’s Custom Saddles, KO Trading, Elite Stallmat Rentals, Scott Cleaners, Avila’s Proshop, Brandt Blankets, Mr. Electric Spark, Old Sorrel Western Sports Apparel, John Vance Autogroup, Boot Barn

For more information and to keep up with all the class results, special events and happenings throughout the week, visit nrhafuturity.com. For more live instant updates, follow the show on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Live Score & Webcast: http://nrhafuturity.com/live

Founded in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is a nonprofit association dedicated to promoting and encouraging the development of and public interest in the sport of reining. The focus is on developing and maintaining suitable standards of performance and judging and in providing a fun filled, family-oriented atmosphere. The NRHA would like to continue the celebration of our 50th anniversary with our corporate partners, members and supporters for making this association a true success.

Source: Press Release