The Silver Spurs Equine $50,000 Team Challenge

Press release | Reining – On Thursday (December 1) evening in Oklahoma City, the $50,000 Silver Spurs Equine Team Challenge saw 14 riders leave their mark in the Jim Norick Arena where the NRHA Futurity & NAAC Championship Show is held. The payout for the class was $40,000 with a $10,00 bonus to be split evenly between all team members on the winning squad.

In the head-to-head competition, the top two riders entered, based on 2016 earnings as of November 4^th, were appointed the Team Captains: NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Jason Vanlandingham. The two NRHA Professionals selected their teammates from all remaining entries, alternating back and forth, with the first choice determined by a coin flip.

Competition was tough from the moment the first horse performed NRHA Pattern #12. NRHA Professional Brian Bell, riding B-C Partnership’s Turn Down For What for Team Fappani, opened the challenge and set the bar by posting a 221. Fappani answered back with an impressive ride aboard Tricked Out Spook, a Sire & Dam Offspring owned by Tricked Out Spook Partners. Once he left the pen, a 223.5 appeared on the score board but, last to go, Fappani tied himself to win on Platinum Vintage, the talented 6-year-old palomino stallion owned by Silver Spurs Equine. Additionally, Team Fappani beat Team Vanlandingham by 2 points to win the Team title.

“I feel great!” said Fappani following the awards presentation. “I don’t usually do ties, but it didn’t make any sense to go back in the arena tonight! It was also my first time showing Tricked Out Spook. He’s a horse I’ve watched since he was 3, and I’ve wanted to buy him but knew he wasn’t for sale. He fits my style.”

Regarding Platinum Vintage, who boasts close to $221,500 LTE, the NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider only had good things to say.  “I’ve shown him quite a bit this year, we’ve been on the road a lot with him and he’s been great. Because he is going to breed next year, we wanted to bring him here just because there are a lot of people who don’t get to come to the shows to see him. He didn’t disappoint.”   Fappani took home $21.695.76 for the win and the reserve championship. Brian Bell settled for third place honors and a paycheck worth $7,376.55.

Michael Miola, owner of Silver Spurs Equine along with his wife Michelle, was thrilled with the turnout and the enthusiasm and cheering from the stands. “We wanted to step up and sponsor the Team Challenge because it draws people to Reining. It’s all about the fans and they loved it tonight!”

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, MS Diamonds, Texas, Protect the Harvest, Markel Insurance Company, Merial, Montana Silversmiths, Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Platinum Performance, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, Santa Hill Ranch, Silver Spurs Equine, Silver Spurs Saddles, SmartPak, Trailguard and Xtra Quarter Horses.

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

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 50^th anniversary with our corporate partners, members and supporters for making this association a true success.

Source: Press release