A HURRICANE CAN T HOLD US DOWN!

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1 ISSUE: NOVEMBER 8, 2017 In this issue: A Hurricane Can t Hold Us Down Help us serve you better! $15,000 added to WEG Test Event NRHA Futurity to Feature SemiFinals! Lendi and Spatatino Win NRHA European Open Derby Championship Italian Reining Horse Association Futurity NRHA Markel Insurance Sales slated for 2017 Futurity National Equine Health Plan Published NRHA Election Results Results CHECK OUT THESE UPCOMING 2017 & 2018 NRHA EVENTS! A HURRICANE CAN T HOLD US DOWN! At some time or another, everyone has had a hard time getting to a horse show. For instance, the truck breaks down and there s no quick-fix. Imagine now, if someone showed up and said, Don t fix the truck, here s a new one. Most people would gladly and gratefully hop in and go show. There is a family of reiners in the deep south the heart of Dixie so to speak who doesn t take free rides. Not even if a hurricane comes their way. The Heart of Dixie Southeast Affiliate Regional Championships were almost cancelled due to the impending onslaught of Hurricane Irma to the originally planned location in Perry, GA. The NRHA offered to allow those affected by the storm to come to the NAAC s in Oklahoma City if they had enough points without this final qualifying show. It was a good and generous offer. This proud group of reiners would not accept a hand-out. November 8, 2017 Page 1 Although many of their homes were damaged or destroyed, trees downed all over their properties, their barns and fences in shambles, this family pulled together. They helped each other up and dusted themselves off. Then they realized that they had an extended family that was nowhere near the hurricanes willing to lend a hand. Reiners and horsemen from all over the United States came together to help this small family of hardy reiners in the Heart of Dixie. As they began to help each other clean up the mess and try to rebuild, they were also determined to complete their show season as the rules read with a final qualifying round. They moved the location to Jacksonville, Florida, and while many of them still had piles of trash and destruction at home. The show went on. This is the story of the Heart of Dixie Reining Horse Association Southeast Affiliate Regional Championships.

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3 The Heart of Dixie South East Affiliate Regional Championships were almost cancelled due to the threat that Hurricane Irma posed to its original planned location at Perry, G. Reiners don t give up easily, however, and the decision was made to move the finals to Jacksonville, Florida. The show took place Nov Heart of Dixie Reining Horse Association Southeast Affiliate Regional Championships Kick off with Big Wins! Mark Rafacz kicked off the show riding Top This Chic (Smart Chic Olena x This Chex On Top). His score of 72.5 earned him the Novice Horse Open Level 2 Co-Championship title and a $354 check. Mark was pleased with this win and hopeful about the mare s future. He said, It was fun. She s really a nice mare. She belongs to Peter and Courtney Morgan, and I thank them for letting me show her. She s a lot of fun. She was good. She showed well, and stopped big. Hopefully, she ll be good tomorrow for the affiliate, and that part of it. Nadine Galbraith was in it to win it as she shared the Novice Horse Open Level 2 Co-Championship with Mark Rafacz, and also won the Novice Horse Open Level 1, and Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 1 and Level 2 Championships! She rode her own horse, Gotta Good Gun (Spooks Gotta Gun x Hollygolly Miss), and is very glad that she did! Nadine pocketed $994 for the wins! Nadine Galbraith and Gotta Good Gun Novice Horse Open Level 2 Co-Champion Novice Horse Open Level 1 Champion Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 1 &2 Champions Mark Rafacz Novice Horse Open Level 2 Co-Champion Nadine said, He s just such a good horse! As for the run itself because I ve shown him a lot there s places I know that are a little tricky so I have to be ahead of him and things like that. Actually, we got a little hung up in the rollback, and I thought, uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh and then I finally got him out of there, and he s just a monster stopper and he s so fun to stop! He s a great horse! The Novice Horse Open Level 1 Reserve Champion was Rachel Ory riding Ronald Varner, Jr. s horse, Great White Nite (Gunners Special Nite x One Trashy Spot) to a score of 72 points. Rachel earned $195. Catherine Crandon and her horse, Whiz N Cat (Walla Walla Whiz x Rush N Cat) took reserve honors in both the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 and Level 2 with a score of 70.5 and pocketed $272 check. Cain and Galbraith Clean Up the Competition in the Rookie and Non Pro The Rookies were the second to show at the Heart of Dixie Reining Horse Association Southeast Affiliate Regional Championships and Heart of Dixie Reining Horse Association President Mark Cain made a clean sweep of the Rookie classes winning the Rookie Level 1, Rookie Level 2, and the Prime Time Rookie on Thursday! Mark rode his 9 yearold gelding, Goodtime Chocolate (Chocolate Chic Olena x Goodtime Showgirl) to a 70.5 point score and earned $112 for the wins. Mark hasn t had the horse for very long, but is pretty fond of him already. He said, I purchased the horse about three months ago from Dale DePriest, and I ve been riding him at home and working with Herm Sherwin. He s just a phenomenal horse. He s been really good. Since I brought him down here Monday, he s just been excellent. He comes out of the pen ready to run, and he just knows his job. Leila Rice won the Reserve Championship in both the Rookie Level 1 and Prime Time Rookie classes scoring 70 points on her 7-year-old horse, Itobe Whiz (Topsail Whiz x Ibe Not For Sale). November 8, 2017 Page 3

4 The Rookie Level 2 Reserve Champion was Edward Frawley and Stars At Midnite a 4-year-old mare by Gunners Special Nite and out of Chic Olena Starbuck. The duo scored a Aubrey Galbraith rode Cortez Conquistador, a 9-year-old gelding by Conquistador Whiz and out of Magnum Done It to score a 73.5 and won the Championship in the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, and Limited Non Pro classes! Aubrey pocketed $963 for the wins. Aubrey has a special affection for Cortez as she explained, I d say that our bond is more of a friendship than anything else, and he is a blessing. And you can kind of tell how our ride is going to be when we re trotting in. He s either going to be looking at everybody in the stands or he is going to be right where I ask him to be, and today he was just perfect and right there with me. It was a lot of fun. Sherry Wayne rode her 7-year-old horse, Lil Juice (Smart Like Juice x Mary Jo Starlight) to score 72 points and win the Prime Time Non Pro Championship as well as the Non Pro Reserve Championship! She earned $526 for the wins. Sherry said, She stopped pretty darn good, and she s always good turning around. It was a little worrisome beginning on my right large fast because we ve done a lot of large fast and she was like Ah! Yeah! Let s go! and I was like No, no, no! so we kind of scaled it down a little bit in our right circles. She s been a trooper. I ve had her since she was a 3-year-old; she s seven now. I ve won a little over $45,000 on her. She s a player. Janet Escoe took Reserve Honors in the Intermediate Non Pro on Twisted Affair, a 5- year-old mare by Dun It With A Twist and out of Memorable Affair. The pair scored 70.5 points and earned $202. Mark Cain Rookie Levels 1, 2 and Prime Time Champion Aubrey Galbraith with her Mom, Nadine Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Limited Non Pro Champion Sherry Wayne Prime Time Non Pro Champion Karen Singletary was the Reserve Champion in both the Limited Non Pro and the Prime Time Non Pro classes with 70.5 points. Her 10-year- old gelding, Starbucks Hot Coffee, is by Smart Starbuck and out of Sara Goes Hollywood. Ron Mahefky and Timber Mia Rooster shared the Non Pro Masters Championship with Gladys Hellriegel and Da Peppys Sis Nic. Both scored a Timber Mia Rooster is an 8-year-old sorrel mare by Boggies Timber Jack and out of Roosters Mia. Da Peppys Sis Nic is a 17-year-old sorrel gelding by Reminic and out of Peppys Tivio Sis. Ron was satisfied with his winning run on his reliable mare, as he said, My mare was pretty good in the pen. She stopped good. She turned around good. It was a good solid run for us. Yes I was happy with it. Gladys said of her run, I cross-entered; I usually ride in the Rookie. We went in; we ve been trying for this show all year. We had a great run. So I m really happy that I m finally getting it together with my horse. November 8, 2017 Page 4

5 Ron Mahefkey and Timber Mia Rooster Non Pro Masters Co-Champions Gladys Hellriegel Non Pro Masters Co-Champion Johnson Wins the Open on Day One of the Heart of Dixie Reining Horse Association Southeast Affiliate Regional Championships turn around and show in a green class and really take care of his rider. So he s very special Mary Alice Ward won the Open Reserve Championship and the Limited Reserve Open Championship by riding Highrollinrevolution (Einsteins Revolution x Shining High Roller) to a 72. Highrollinrevolution is a seven year old chestnut gelding owned by John Seeger and Frank Claypoole. Those Reserve titles brought her $454. The Intermediate Open Champion was Thomas Hoyt and Pinstripe Benz (Smart Starbuck x Dun It For Chex) with a score of 73, earning $260. Pinstripe Benz is a Heather Johnson Open Champion Heather Johnson rode Michael Shyer s nine year old chestnut gelding, Don Quintanas Hummer to the Open Championship on the first day of the Heart of Dixie Reining Affiliate Regional Championships in Jacksonville, FL. Don Quintanas Hummer is by Don Quintana and out of Lenas Freckled Lily. The duo scored a 72.5, and also won the Reserve Championship in the Intermediate Open. Heather collected $772 for the wins! Heather said, I was really happy with my horse. It s a horse that actually belongs to a client of mine that shows him in the green reiner classes. He s just a good boy. He s one of those rare horses that can go from an open class and Tom Hoyt Intermediate Open Champion November 8, 2017 Page 5

6 Every horse has never colicked. Until he does. Colic affects horses of every breed, age, and discipline. At SmartPak, we re on a mission to support healthy horses and happy riders, and that s why we created ColiCare. ColiCare is a FREE program that combines a veterinary wellness plan with our best digestive supplement, and backs it all with up to $7,500 of colic surgery reimbursement, should your horse ever need it. Protect yourself and your horse! SmartPak.com/ColiCare Subject to conditions November 8, 2017 Page 6

7 6-year-old grey gelding owned by Cole Jacobs. Well he was really good in the rundown. He circled really cool. The crowd really liked it. We had a good time. Right now he s leading the world in the Intermediate Open. I ve been showing him, I think, yesterday was my thirtieth time in the arena, and he s just been staying really fresh and Mercier and Rafacz Dominate the Novice Horse Open Francis Mercier Novice Horse Open Level 4 Derby Champion Novice Horse Open Level 2 Derby Co-Champion Novice Horse Open Level 1 Derby Champion Novice Horse Open Level 1 Co-Champion [Jacksonville, Florida - November 2, 1017] Day two of the Heart of Dixie Reining Horse Association Southwest Affiliate Regional Championships dawned bright and sunny at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in Jacksonville. Francis Mercier won big in the Novice Horse Open classes on Friday. He rode Erin McFarland s 5-year-old, Starry Special Nite (Gunners Special Nite x Starry Future) to score 146 points and winning the following titles: Novice Horse Open Level 4 Derby Champion, Co-Champion in the Novice Horse Open Level 2 Derby, Novice Horse Open Level 1 Derby Champion, Reserve Co-Champion in the Novice Horse Open Level 2, and Co-Champion of the Novice Horse Open Level 1 ancillary class. Francis added $2,619 to his earnings for all of his wins. Even with big wins, Francis remains modest as he simply put it, The horse was very, very, very good. He s been very consistent in the last three shows. It just worked out that it was my day today. Mark Rafacz rode Mistress Gotta Gun (Dun It Gotta Gun x Shiners Mistress), belonging to Peter and Courtney Morgan to a score of points and earning the ARC Novice Horse Open Level 2 and the Novice Horse Open Level Mark Rafacz ARC Novice Horse Open Level 2 Champion Novice Horse Open Level 2 Champion ARC Novice Horse Open Level 1 Champion Novice Horse Open Level 2 Derby Co-Champion Novice Horse Open Level 1 Co-Champion Championships. She belongs to Peter and Courtney Morgan. She s a mare I showed also at Congress this year and won the Prime Time Open. She s kind of like the Ever-Ready Rabbit there, bunny. She s just [a] great mare. She just keeps going, very consistent. [She is a] very fun horse to show. Mark rode a second horse, Midnite In Paris (Gunners Special Nite x Taris Modern Design) who is owned by Milton White to score 146 points and the following titles: Novice Horse Open Level 1 Co-Champion, ARC Novice Horse Open Level 1 Champion, ARC Novice Horse Open Level 2 Reserve Champion, Novice Horse Open Level 2 Reserve Co- Champion, and Novice Horse Open Level 2 Derby Co- Champion. Mark added $2,116 to his earnings for the wins on the two horses. Mark said, She belongs to Burl White. She s a really nice mare. She was very on today. It was a lot of fun to show her. She stopped big. She was there everywhere I asked her to be. It was a good way to finish the year off with her. Rachel Ory won the Novice Horse Open Level 1 Reserve Championship riding Ronald Varner, Jr. s stallion, Great November 8, 2017 Page 7

8 McQuay Stables proudly presents their 2017 stallion lineup Visit Us At: Phone: November 8, 2017 Page 8

9 White Nite (Gunners Special Nite x One Trashy Spot) to a score of points. Rachel earned $184. The ARC Novice Horse Open Level 1 Reserve Champion is Ronnie Wayne on his wife s, Sherry Wayne s, horse named One Tuff Lil Goldcard (Goldcard Whiz x One Tuf Muffin). Ronnie and Lil scored a 141. Rob Huddleston rode Little Brother Gun (Colonels Smoking Gun x Shesa Smart Sister), owned by Sammy Graham, to the Novice Horse Open Level 4 Derby Reserve Championship. The duo earned 145 points and a check for $939. BUY 4 GET $10 OFF* Purchase four Standlee bagged or compressed bale products and receive ten dollars off. MANUFACTURER S COUPON EXPIRES 11/30/17 BUY 4 GET $10 OFF* USE THE COUPON standleeforage.com Proud sponsor of: CONSUMER: Offer valid until 11/30/17. Present this coupon at an authorized Standlee Retailer. Good for an instant $10 OFF your purchase when you buy four (4) bagged or compressed baled forage products. Coupon must be accompanied by required purchase. Consumer must pay sales tax. Coupon may not be copied or transferred. Reproduction of this coupon is expressly prohibited and constitutes fraud. Limited time offer. Good while supplies last. Offer valid only at participating retailers. Not combinable with any other offer. However, multiple Buy 4 Get $10 OFF coupons can be used in a transaction with proper purchase quantities. RETAILER: Standlee Hay Company, Inc. will reimburse $10.00 plus 8 cents for handling if submitted in compliance with our coupon redemption policy. Redemption policy available upon request. Send coupon to: Standlee Hay Company, Inc. 1585, NCH Marketing Services, P.O. Box , El Paso, TX *OFFER EXCLUDES ALL 2 AND 3 STRING BALED PRODUCTS. OFFER VALID OCTOBER THROUGH NOVEMBER *Offer excludes all 2 and 3 string baled products. Offer Valid October through November November 8, 2017 Page 9

10 Buffamoyer Wins the Novice Horse Non Pro Derby David Buffamoyer saw something in an injured mare a year and a half ago, and just felt that he needed her in his barn. He took a chance on rehabbing her, and in just her third show after recovery as a 5-year-old, Ima Crome Magnet (Custom Crome x Shinedup Whizn Toglo) won the Novice Horse Non Pro Derby at the Heart of Dixie Southeast Affiliate Regional Championships in Jacksonville, Florida with points. David said, She just went in and she was quiet warming up. I just felt good, and she let me show her today. She didn t do anything. I messed up some few things, and she just kind of took care of me. I messed up my one turnaround, and didn t turn her loose. Everywhere else she was awesome, she was. She s just a nice mare, and she let me show her. She s more than I deserve, probably. She also won reserve in the Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 1 and 2, and earned $2,136 for David. David Buffamoyer and Ima Crome Magnet Novice Horse Non Pro Derby Champions direction, but I was very pleased with it. This is only the fifth time I ve ever rode this mare, and it was my sister s mare last year. So I m very happy that I got to steal her horse since she s at college now. So she s mine now. I was very pleased with her. She was very calm, very laid back. She didn t really fuss at all going through the show pen so I was really pleased with her. James Jim Windham and Catherine Crandon shared Co- Championship in the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 and the ARC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 classes. They both scored James Windham and his horse, Walks With Swagger (Topsail Whiz x Princess In Diamonds) earned $658 for the wins. Jim said, Today he was a great horse. I mean, he stepped it up and he kind of knows when it s an important run. He really showed me today that he s really a good guy, and I can depend on him. So I had a blast. Sherry Wayne took reserve honors on Heza Hollywood Gun (Hollywoodstinseltown x Shez Gun Smart) with a score of 140 points. Sherry pocketed the $952 purse. A young, aspiring singer named Analise Granger won both the Level 1 and Level 2 in the Novice Horse Non Pro Derby on her sister s horse, Mitey Shiney Whiz (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Miss Shiney Mite). This was the first time that she had ever shown the 4- yearold mare, and she earned a score of 143 points and $910 for the wins. Analise said, I haven t been in the show pen for almost two years. I ve kind of had a break going in a different Catherine Crandon (left), James Windham (center) and Analise Granger (right) ARC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 Champion (l) Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 Champion (l) Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 Co-Champions (l,c) ARC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 Co-Champions (l,c) Novice Horse Non Pro Derby Levels 1 & 2 Champion (r) Catherine on Whiz N Cat (Walla Walla Whiz x Rush N Cat) also won the Novice Horse Level 1 Non Pro and the ARC Novice Horse Level 1 Non Pro bringing her take to $1,526. [He s a] super nice horse easy to ride, easy to show, lots of fun, and doesn t take a whole lot of preparation so he was just the guy today! Evelyn Pionessa won the Novice Horse Level 1 Non Pro and the ARC Novice Horse Level 1 Non Pro Championships today on 9-year-old Dream Bout Coronas (Dreamn Bout Chics x Coronas Skippy) with a score of points. She took home $649. November 8, 2017 Page 10

11 Horse transportation at your fingertips! November 8, 2017 Page 11

12 Youth Get Their Time to Shine The future of the Heart of Dixie Southeast Affiliate Regional Championships is bright according to the talent displayed in the Youth classes on Friday. Aubrey Galbraith swept the Youth competition winning the Championship on Cortez Conquistador (Conquistador Whiz x Magnum Done It) with a 145 and the Reserve Championship on Miss Berry Yankee (Rowdy Yankee x Torima De Berry) with a 143. Aubrey said, I m very, very close to the top ten [in the Lifetime youth], and so one of my goals for the next year and a half is to put myself in the top ten with my sisters and my dad thinks that would be very cool so we re just trying to get points here and there. That s why we ve been showing in the Youth on top of showing in the Non Pro, but I never ask for so much when we go in the Youth, and one of the coolest things about [Cortez Conquistador] is that slow or fast, 100% or 50%, he just gives me so many beautiful maneuvers, and he just loves to be right there and make me happy, and make himself happy. So, we actually marked a 145, and it was just a really pretty clean run. And I was really happy with him! Meghan Martin (left) and Aubrey Galbraith (right) 13 & Under Champion (Meghan) Champion (Aubrey) Aubrey gained 19 points for her wins. Meghan Martin topped the Youth 13 and Under class, riding Chic Witha Magnum (Magnum Chic Dream x Cravin Sugar) to a score of 140.5, earning 9 points for herself. Meghan has been working hard with this relatively new horse, and was very excited by her win! Meghan said, I ve worked a lot with this horse trying to get together with her, and she s a nice horse. It took me a while to get to know her; it took her a while to get to know me. At first our relationship, it just wasn t really good and now it s just amazing how much we ve bonded together. I ve worked so hard to get good scores with this mare. I ve worked seven days a week. It s just been a long road, but we re getting there and so It s been about six months since I got a 70 on here so feeling the encouragement of knowing that I can do it felt really good, because I was definitely in a time of doubt. Meghan feels that this will be her last show for the year, but still hopes to make it to the National Area Affiliate Regional Championships in Oklahoma City. Abigail Ehringer took reserve honors on her horse, Legendary Whiz (Custom Legend x Dude Lady Whiz) with a score of 138 points. She earned 8 points. November 8, 2017 Page 12

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14 Josh Lyons made short work of the Level 4, Level 2, and Level 1 Open Futurities tying himself for all three Championships scoring a 145 on both horses that he rode. Josh rode a flashy sorrel overo colt that he owns, Colonels Smokin Trash who is by Trashadeous and out of Miss Gladstone, and Jess Kuwaye and Kelly Obrien s athletic bay horse, Machos Surprise who is by Jerry Lees Surprise and out of Machos Poco Rita. Josh earned a total of $3,813. Lyons and Bowman Sweep the Futurities Josh Lyons with Colonels Smokin Gun (right) and Machos Surprise (left) Co-Champions Level 4, Level 2 and Level 1 Open Futurity (tied self) Josh took advantage of the tie by using a runoff to school the 3-year-olds one last time before the NRHA Futurity. The horses I ve got are two different styles. The one horse gets a little hot, the other one They ve both only been shown about three times. So after they tied, they far passed my expectations, they did really good. So when I got the tie it was even better, because it s the last show before Oklahoma City, so I got to go back in and just zero them and get them to relax again and calm back down in front of the judge so there was a super chance for me to school them again one more time before I go home. Todd Bowman Non Pro Futurity Levels 4, 2 and 1 Champion Former rodeo star, current bit and spur maker and Non Pro Futurity Champion in Levels 4, 2, and 1 on a horse he raised and trained himself is Todd Bowman. Todd rode his cute little sorrel horse, Shiney To The Max (Smart And Shiney x Lenas Tammy Niccy) to a and pocketed $1,240 for the wins. Todd laughed as he said, I didn t quite have him as warmed up as I thought I had him; he was kind of full of himself tonight, but I just kind of pitched him away, and he s an awesome little horse. He s a Smart and Shiney, and I just love him to death. He s been my kid since birth, and I m really the only one to ever really swing a leg on him and so it s just pretty gratifying to just step in and win two big futurities this year one in Minnesota and one down here so I kind of like the distance. He s traveled a lot of miles, but he s a great little horse. This is the last show of 2017 for Todd and Max, but Todd looks forward to taking him to the Derbies next year. Janet Escoe won the Non Pro Futurity Reserve Championship on her horse, Zins Lady Einstein, a daughter of Einsteins Revolution out of Smart Rowdy Lady. They marked a 139, and earned $827. Send us YOUR news! Have you recently been successful at a show? We d love to publish the results! Have the show manager send them to Cheryl@WorldWideSlide.com! November 8, 2017 Page 14

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16 HOYT AND GUTHRIDGE WIN SLATE 2 OPEN ANCILLARY Mark Rafacz won both levels of the 7 & Up Derby on Mistress Gotta Gun a 10-year-old mare by Dun It Gotta Gun out of Shiners Mistress with a score of The high score also got him the Reserve ARC Open Champion title. He took home $1,316. Rafacz said, We were the first horse in out at 7 am this morning. The mare was good. I m thrilled to death for Peter and Courtney. She felt pretty good, she s always very consistent. She always gives 100% in her circles; She turns back and stops good. The 7 & Up Derby Level 4 Open Reserve Champion was Jamie Bissell on ARC Surprize Steps (Wimpys Little Step x Dun With Surprizes) owned by Debra S. Cooper-Phelon with a score Bissell earned $371. Taking reserve honors in the Level 2 7 & Up Open Derby was Cristiano Coelho riding Deborah Strahman s 9-yearold, Double Shotgun (Topsail Whiz x Sugar Pop Gun) to a 140 and $186. Tom Hoyt won the Open and the Intermediate Open classes on Saturday riding Para Reining World Champion Pinstripe Benz (Smart Starbuck x Dun It For Chex) for owner Cole Jacob to 146 points and $1,161. Tom said, This run was even better than on Thursday; I scored a His stops were really good. He s kind of quirky about his food. If he s got a full belly, he shows a lot better. At home we just lope him. We don t work on maneuvers I m a firm believer in when they are going good, you leave them alone. When they are not so good, you work with them until they are good. He has been doing really well for me. I want to thank Tim and Mandy from McQuay Stables for helping me find him. Tom s wife, Jennifer, added, We went out to the Derby looking for a step-up horse for Cole, and nothing was working out. On the last day, I happened to asked Mandy, and she said, I think dad has one. We went down there to see him, and they didn t even come down to the pen with me. They just handed me the reins and said, go try him. I tried him and he turned good and stopped good. We needed a really good stopper for Cole because he has trouble with his positioning in the stops. I rode him, he was easy to ride and he Mark Rafacz Maturity Derby Levels 4 & 2 Champion November 8, 2017 Page 16 stopped really good, and I looked at Cole s Mom and said, I think this is the one. So we got Cole to try him, and he got along great. We brought him home and the rest is history. Dan Yarbrough emerged as the ARC Open and ARC Intermediate Open Champion with a 145. His score made him the Reserve Champion in the Open and Intermediate Open classes as well. He rode a son of Smart Spook out of The Whiz Star named EMC Spooks Smart Whiz to earn the $484 check. Dan said, He s a 5 year old gelding. I ve owned him 6 months. He belonged to a customer of mine, and I just didn t want to see him go anywhere else. I think that much of him. He s a BIG stopper and pattern 9 has 4 stops. I always know what to expect of this horse because I just know him so well. He s better in the show pen than he is outside. I ve never had another horse like him. He s so honest and pure. I wanted to take advantage because I m Intermediate eligible this year. I really set out to win the Intermediate Open Championship. My wife talked me into entering the Open; she and my mom are my biggest cheerleaders, and it worked out. I m looking forward to showing this horse in Oklahoma. Dan s fondness for the gelding and for his support circle was evident as he continued, His nickname is Bob. He has more personality than any other horse I ve ever had. He s become a part of the family. He s so cool to be around. He s by Smart Spook. If all of Smart Spooks colts are like that, I d like a barn full of them. I need to thank Cox Veterinary Lab in Chester, SC and my mom, Judy Yarbrough Realty in Denver, NC for their help and support along the way. With them in my corner, I don t have anything to worry about. Daniel Gibbs won the ARC Limited Open and ARC Rookie Pro Championships and also took the Reserve Championships in the ARC Intermediate Open, the NRHA Limited Open, and the Rookie Professional classes. He rode Gibbs Farm s stallion Spooks Full Throttle (Spooks Gotta Gun x Angierilla Boom) to score 150 points and took home $420. Daniel said, It s was a good solid run. He stopped pretty good, and turned good. His right circles could have been

17 better, but he s been shown a lot. He s been in the show pen about 20 times this year. He s been on the road pretty much since Congress. I bought him as a two year old, and he s had a rough time. We were fighting a quarter crack his futurity year so he wasn t 100%. Then we brought him home his 4-year-old year and he colicked and had to have surgery. So he was off pretty much his whole 4-year-old year. Now he s five. Hopefully, he should win the Rookie Pro title, and we are very close to the Limited Open title as well. Dakota Guthridge emerged as the Limited Open and Rookie Professional Champion riding Dorminy Plantation s 6-year-old mare, DP Shinatrasha (Shinin Joe x Natrasha). Dakota brought his take to $343. Guthridge said, I got a 145. I didn t have a horrible ride, but I did get into the penalty box. I got a lead penalty and had an over-spin error, but she was really good for me. It was just rider error. She can be kind of tricky in the show pen, but she was really good for me today. This is the third time I ve shown her, and this is the best show I ve had with her. The ARC Limited Open Reserve Champion and the ARC Rookie Pro Reserve Champion was Bennie Mullins atop Lite N Juicey (Smart Like Juice x Glory B Whiz). The duo scored points and the $100 check. It was an emotional day for Aubrey Galbraith and her four-legged best friend, a 9-year-old sooty buckskin with a heart the size of Texas. Aubrey looks out for her partner just as he looks out for her. As the last day of the show approached and the last day of the 2017 show season neared, Aubrey worried about her horse. She knew he was tired, but she wanted to end the season on a positive note. As she walked with him around the grounds, she talked it out with him. She left it up to him to go win it, or to take it easy. She wouldn t push him. Galbraith and Cortez Continue to Reign in the Non Pro An emotional Galbraith said, When I trotted into the pen, He just felt different than any other run I ve ever had with him. He was just right there! It was surreal. His circles were great, his stops were magnificent. And when I left the arena and the announcer said that I scored a 148, and we had a new winner for all levels of the Non Pro and the ARC s. I collapsed. My friend, Ally, was there, and I m so glad she was. I was shaking, and crying with happiness, and I couldn t breathe. I was so grateful that this is how our final Non Pro ride turned out. It was the highest score we ve ever marked, and I m just so amazed with him because here we are coming to the end of the show and the end of the year, and he was tired, but he gave me his whole heart. All week long, he just kept getting better and better every day. Cortez Conquistador is sired by Conquistador Whiz out of Magnum Done It. Aubrey earned $2,727 for winning all Levels of the Non Pro except the Prime Time and Masters, All Levels of the ARC Non Pro except the Prime Time, and both Levels 4 and 2 of the 7 & Up Non Pro Derby. She ended on a very positive note! Aubrey Galbraith Photo courtesy of Karen Singletary Janice Lehman took the Prime Time Non Pro Championship with her 11-year-old stallion trained by Jaimie Bissell. West Coast Willie is sired by West Coast Whiz out of Cinderella Solano. They scored 148 points and also won reserve in the Non Pro, reserve in the Intermediate Non Pro, and reserve in Levels 4 and 2 of the 7 & Up Non Pro Derby. Janice pocketed $1,550. Lehman said, [West Coast Willie] was Jamie s Open horse, then we were fortunate enough to purchase Willie last year for my daughter. Joanie got hurt last year and Willie was off for about a year. Rather than let Willie sit, I decided to learn to ride and show him. It has been quite a year. A horse as nice as Willie doesn t come around very often. Jamie Bissell has done a fabulous job of training him. He s sound physically, he s sound mentally. We ve only really showed him 4 times this year; the rest has just been schooling. Jamie really knows how to keep a horse going. [Joanie] was top 5 in all the major events in her 2nd season on Willie. We ve showed with Jamie as a trainer since Feb It has been a challenging year. I think Jamie should get the Trainer s award for patience. And he has a wonderful wife, Lisa who is an awesome Non Pro competitor. She is a beautiful exhibitor. I try to watch and copy her as much as possible. I m just really blessed to have a great horse, and a really great trainer, and to make it to this show with all of my other work and family commitments. It was a really, really fun show. The Reserve Limited Non Pro Champion was Alexa Lovejoy with a score of 142. Alexa rode ARC Chics Sparkle (Shining Spark x A Nic O Chic) to earn the $216 check. Catherine Crandon took reserve honors in the Prime Time November 8, 2017 Page 17

18 Non Pro, ARC Non Pro, and the ARC Prime Time Non Pro riding Whiz N Cat (Walla Walla Whiz x Rush N Cat) to score points and earn $396. Roger Packard won the Masters Non Pro Championship aboard 9-year-old Timber Enterprise, a son of Boggies Timber Jack and Fairhill Quixote. Roger scored points. Stephanie Edman took the Reserve Championship in the ARC Intermediate Non Pro after she rode Suprizen The Chicks (Jerry Lees Surprise x DRF Smart Chick) to a score of The ARC Limited Non Pro Reserve Champion was Jim Windham after he rode Walks With Swagger (Topsail Whiz x Princess In Diamonds) to score points. Heart of Dixie Reining Horse Association President Mark Cain won the Rookie Prime Time and The Rookie Level 2, and the Rookie Level 1 Co- Championship with a sweet horse giving him a sweet score of Goodtime Chocolate is by Chocolate Chic Olena out of Goodtime Girl. Mark also took reserve in the ARC Rookie 2. Mark said, After my run Thursday, I started to prepare him for Saturday. He just got better. I pushed him some more in some areas and he really came through for me. He really stepped it up. We scored a 70.5 on Thursday, and marked a 72 on Saturday, so I was happy with the improvement after just one day of rest in between. He s a really good horse. I just can t say that enough. Kelly Martin shared the Rookie Level 1 Co-Championship with Mark and won the ARC Rookie Level 1 Championship with points. Martin rides a horse registered as Double N Down but is better known as Trouble. Trouble is an 8-year-old by Doubleknotyourreeboks out of Bay N Busy. Kelly said, We got Trouble three years ago, and within six months of buying him, he started having suspensory problems. We spent about 18 months getting him treatments at the University of Tennessee with Dr. Castro who specializes in suspensory problems. He literally just got back into riding in January. He just keeps getting stronger and stronger, and now he s going for Rookie of the Year. I don t know what he would do if he couldn t rein. He loves what he does. He gives 100% every time. We ran here and had Rookie Reiners Steal the Show Mark Cain The LITTLE Bird Gets the Worm?! our best run that we ve ever had! Myra Rowel took reserve in the Rookie Level 2, Prime Time Rookie, and the ARC Rookie Level 1 with a 168. Myra rides 11-year-old Plum Tinseled by Tinsel Nic out of Jays Sugar Plum. Julianna Cook won the ARC Rookie Level 2 on Smokin Whizkey (Malt Whizkey x Smokums Kristie) with a Cook said, I rode my horse, Smokin Whizkey, owned by Herm Sherwin, in the ARC Rookie II Championship class on Saturday night. Whizkey is and has been one of those once in a lifetime horses to ride. I have been so blessed to have had the opportunity to show him throughout the year in the Rookie II at the Heart of Dixie Reining Horse shows. After practicing hard each day and schooling in the pen on Tuesday, Whizkey, Herm, and I came up with a game plan and before I knew it, it was time for us to go show. Herm s last words for me as I walked in the pen were to go out there and have some fun. I can honestly say that ride was all the fun and then some. Whizkey gave me his heart and it paid off with a win in the end. This will only be my second time ever qualifying for Oklahoma, and to sweeten the win, each and every single one of my barn family competitors qualified to go as well! I can t think of a more exciting, talented, and incredible team to go with. Mark Cain, Pam Rosi, and Kevin McCall put on one amazing show, and winning with my buddy Whizkey made it one I ll never forget. Ten-year-old Madison Rafacz entered the Green Reiner classes at the Heart of Dixie Southeast Affiliate Regional Championships as the youngest rider in the class, but after the scores came in hers a 72 she emerged as the Champion in both the NRHA Green Reiner Level 1 and Level 2! Madison rides Dun McLean (Lean With Me x A Lil Bit Of Dunnit) a 16 -year-old buckskin gelding owned by Jan Pence. Madison has been riding him since January of 2014 and plans to keep him forever. November 8, 2017 Page 18

19 Madison said, He did really good. He was checking the fence, and I had to steer him back to the inside in the circles. He also fell out of a lead, and over-turned one way, but we scored a 72, so I m still really happy with him. Madison plans to run for the Rookie of the Year in Kristen Dunn took the Reserve in the NRHA Green Reiner Levels 1 and 2 after she rode Commanders Shiney Nic (Commanders Nic x Shine On Tejon) to score a Although it was his very first show, Nicholas Barnard won the Heart of Dixie Reining Horse Association Green Reiner Level 1 Championship after he rode Steven and Tracy Roiger s gelding, Hannibal Lecter (Lectric Playboy x Little Miss Skeeto) to 71.5 points. Youth Winners Take the Reins Nick said, I entered only trying to have as much fun as I possibly could, and I let the other pieces take care of themselves. In all my runs, I ran smooth first and strong second. Lisa Winburn took reserve honors in the Green Reiner Level 1 riding Mr Playboy Whiz to 71 points. Mr Playboy Whiz is by Topsail Whiz out of Gayleana. Shelly Woldenberg rode Bullets In My Gun (Colonels Smoking Gun x A Fine Jac) to 70.5 points and the Green Reiner Level 2 Championship. The Green Reiner Level 2 Reserve Championship went to Cynthia Massey. She rode Whiz Stunt Man (Topsail Whiz x Hollywood Stunt Girl) to a score a 70. Eighteen-year-old McKenzie Aebi recently transitioned from the Hunter- Jumper world to Reining. At only her second reining show, McKenzie won the Youth on A Wimpy Conquistador (Wimpys Little Step x JD Conquista Anna). The duo marked a 72. Aebi said, He s a really cool gelding. I ve only owned him about 3 or 4 months. He s gives me his all the time. We plus-halfed on my left spins and a plus-halfed on my right circles, and a plus half on my first and last stops. It all just kind of came together really well at this show. Cassie Mercier helped me work on things that I needed to correct.he is great. I ve been riding with Dave for three or four years. Overall, I was really pleased with my run. Lisa Pirtle came in as Reserve Youth 13 & Under Champion after she rode Last Pop Star (Smart Starbuck x MM Jiffy Pop) to a score of 71. Cassandra Mercier won the Youth 10 & Under Short Stirrup Championship with BJ Whizberry, a 13-year-old buckskin mare by Kid Whiz out of Elderberry Lace. The duo marked a When asked about her favorite thing about reining, McKenzie said, I love the stops and the spins the most about reining but the fast circles are also fun. I m just learning it, so I m still really curious about all of it. Ally Jones won the Youth Reserve Championship on Have A Juice, a son of Smart Like Juice and Navahope. They marked a 71. The Youth 13 & Under Champion was Gavin Gutierrez who marked 71 points riding Little Lenas Solano a 12-yearold gelding by Smart Like Juice out of Get Down Sassy Sue. Gutierrez said, I think we worked really well together on this ride. Maverick is super mellow and he s really cooperative and listens to everything that I ask him to do. Dave Cassandra said, My horse was reallyl good for me. She is my favorite horse in the whole wide world. She takes good care of me. She loves apples and watermelon, and the ends of watermelon. She loves to be petted and groomed. She has the thickest mane in the barn. This was my least favorite pattern for the Short Stirrup. I normally don t have very good luck on that pattern, so I was really happy I won that class with that pattern. I like the turnarounds the best because she is alwayskin of hard on me in the turnarounds, so it is very challenging for me to do turnarounds on her, and it is fun to work on them at home. Garin Roiger marked a close second with a clean 70 riding Hannibal Lector (Lectric Playboy x Little Miss Skeeto) to the Short Stirrup Reserve Championship. November 8, 2017 Page 19

20 Green Reiners and Youth Complete the Event On Sunday, the final day of the Heart of Dixie Southeast Affiliate Regional Championships, McKenzie Aebi rode into the pen on Goodtime Chocolate (Chocolate Chic Olena x Goodtime Girl) whom she had only ridden once before. After the scores came in, McKenzie s 71.5 won the NRHA Green Reiner Level 1 Co-Championship. Aebi said, [Goodtime Chocolate] loves to be loved on and petted. He s very good minded and sweet natured. He s also a very talented horse. He s a really sweet gelding owned by Mark Cain. Mark was very generous in letting me show him. I ride with Herm Sherwin, who is really great! He s really good with helping you out when you are struggling with a maneuver. If your horse is struggling mentally he s good to help you slow him down and relax and really help him get through it. He s fun to be around, and is always cracking jokes. Ashley Waggoner rode Caliente Wimpy to win the Green Reiner Level 1 Co-Championship as well as the Green Reiner Level 2 Championship with a Caliente Wimpy is a 6-year-old palomino by Wimpys Little Step out of Kate Can Skate. Ashley said, This is only the second time that I ve shown this horse. He is actually owned by Kath Eger and is for sale right now, so I m actually looking at him to purchase. He is kind off a goofball, but he s really good minded and mellow. It really helps in the show pen too. My favorite thing about him is that he goes from a large fast to a small slow really easily and really smooth. I love pattern 8, so I felt really good going in. I was excited to see what he could do and it was really good. I ve struggled with not over-asking for a lead change, but my trainer, Mark Rafacz, has been really great to work with me on this. Kristen Dunn took the Green Reiner Level 2 Reserve Championship riding Commanders Shiney Nic (Commanders Nic x Shine On Tejon) to a The Heart of Dixie Reining Horse Association Green Reiner Level 1 Champion was Nicholas Barnard after he piloted Steven and Tracy Roiger s gelding, Hannibal Lector (Lectric Playboy x Little Miss Skeeto) to a 71. Nick s goal was simply to have as much fun as possible, and he did that and more! Thomas Scofield took the Reserve Championship in the HDRHA Green Reiner Level 1 class with Roobix Cube, a 10-year old son of Gallo Del Cielo and Smart Chiclet. The pair scored 69.5 points. Lisa Winburn was surprised to have won the HDRHA Green Reiner Level 2 class with Mr Playboy Whiz (Topsail Whiz x Galeana) as she comes from a very different background. Lisa said, I used to do 100 mile races as an FEI Endurance rider. I think riding a 4 minute reining pattern is even harder. It has been quite a challenge. It is really teaching me a lot. The level of horsemanship in reining is so much higher than anything I ve ever done. I ve only been showing in reining for one year. [Mr Playboy Whiz] is kind of a hard horse to ride. He has a lot of energy. Charlie Rome helped me get him in line. Now I ride with a new trainer: Corey Rodgers is a young new trainer that I ve been working with for about a month now. He is challenging me and asking me to try harder, so I think he s going to help me achieve higher goals in the reining. Lisa scored a Michael Shyer rode Don Quintanas Hummer (Don Quintana x Lena Freckled Lily) to the Green Reiner Level 2 Reserve Championship with a score of 68. Aubrey Galbraith logged some more wins in the Youth classes on Sunday. She rode her mare Miss Berry Yankee (Rowdy Yankee x Torima De Berry) to a 73 and the Youth Championship. She also won the ARC Youth Co-Championship scoring a 71 with her top mount, Cortez Conquistador (Conquistador Whiz x Magnum Done It). Galbraith said, After the Non Pro yesterday, I didn t feel right about asking Cortez to go do it again. So we just tried to take it nice and easy, to help him relax. When we finished, we were tied for the win. Then I rode my mare, Halle, and I didn t even know that I was even capable of it, but she marked a 73 and we won the youth also. It was an incredible weekend and an outstanding way to end this year! Taylor Staton was the ARC Youth Co-Champion after she guided The Seven Of Diamonds (Like A Diamond x Trista Twist) to a 71. Staton said, Sunday couldn t have gone any better. We were a perfect team together. Overall we were one single unit and that s all I could ask for. I know my run couldn t have gone as well without the help of my trainer, Herm Sherwin. He really helped to keep us stay calm and focused throughout the pattern and really encouraged me to go out and have fun and do my best. Connor Hobby won the Youth Reserve Championship with Sail On Smart Chic (Smart Chic Olena x Sail Away Renee). Connor marked a November 8, 2017 Page 20

21 Abigail Ehringer was hopeful as she entered the pen knowing that this would be her last run of Her hopes were met after she scored a 71 and the Youth 13 & Under and ARC Youth 13 & Under Championships. Abby has been riding Ima Dreamy Jac (Jac Be Quick x Dreamy Corona) since last December. Although at first she struggled to connect with her horse, she has now shown him enough to confidently say that they are doing really well and are aiming for a World Title as they are currently ranked first in the Youth 13 & Under. Madison Rafacz took reserve honors in both the Youth 13 & Under and the ARC Youth 13 & Under riding Better Not Rest, a 17-year-old bay gelding by Custom Crome out of Rest Stop. The duo marked a Grace Pagh marked a 70.5 with her 8-year-old mare, Chic Fil A (Topsail Whiz x Chic O Lana) and won the Youth Short Stirrup Class. November 8, 2017 Page 21 Garin Roiger rode his cow-horse, Hannibal Lector (Lectric Playboy x Little Miss Skeeto) to a score of 70 and the ARC Youth Short Stirrup Championship and the Youth Short Stirrup Reserve Championship. Although Hannibal Lector has a quirky habit, it doesn t affect him in the show pen. Garin said, The slides were my favorite part of the run. I didn t think I was going to win. I ve been working on guiding my horse and then letting him go. I usually show in cow horse events, but I ve been riding in the Saddle Series this year, so I ve only shown 3 times in reining. I love my horse. His name is Hannibal Lector and he s 17 years old. When he s hungry he opens his mouth as wide as he can, and sticks his tongue out. The Reserve ARC Short Stirrup Reserve Champion was Gavin Gutierrez after he rode Little Lenas Solano (Smart Like Juice x Get Down Sassy Sue) to mark a $15,000 ADDED TO WEG TEST EVENT Cheryl Cody, Reining Discipline Manager for the World Equestrian Games, says that plans for the upcoming year are steadily being finalized. She noted that it has been announced by Tryon International Equestrian Center that the Reining Test Event for the World Equestrian Games will feature $15,000 added money. This is a CRI3* that will be held May at the host venue of the World Equestrian Games and it is expected the potential reining team members representing a variety of countries will opt to attend to familiarize themselves with the facility and arena. Qualified USA reiners will also be able to enter the USEF Qualifier which will be run concurrently. The World Equestrian Games Reining will take place September The ground jury for the games will consist of Joe Hayes (USA), Jan Boogaerts (BEL), Eugenio Latorre (ITA), Francois Zurcher (SUI), Maik Bartmann (GER) with Anthony Ward (GBR) serving as Equipment Judge. The Technical Delegate will be Dan Wall and Karen McCuistion has been selected Chief Steward. NRHA FUTURITY TO FEATURE SEMIFINALS! Each year, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show features the world s most elite competitors in the sport of reining. To highlight this talent, the NRHA created a new event that is sure to be thrilling for both spectators and reiners alike. The Level 4 Open Silver Spurs Equine Semifinal is set to take place on Wednesday, November 29, at 10 a.m. in the Jim Norick Arena. Also sponsored by Not Ruf At All, the Garin Roiger event will feature the top 75 horses (plus ties) in the Level 4 Open division from the first go-round, as well as competitors giving it all they have in hopes of making it to the event finals on Saturday. The horse and rider teams with the highest combined score from the first go-round and semifinal will advance to the final and go head-to-head for the winner s $150,000 guaranteed paycheck! Approved at the February NRHA Board of Directors meeting, this new semifinal format provides

22 more recognition to NRHA owners and riders and also showcases the amazingly talented equine athletes in the sport of reining. Additionally, a guaranteed payout will be made to each horse that qualifies for the Semifinal. LENDI AND SPATATINO WIN NRHA EUROPEAN OPEN DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP Thirty-eight of Europe s best horses and riders qualified for the 2017 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Open Derby finals. The exceptional competition was held in Equita Lyon Hall 6 reining arena in front of a full house as they rode for the prestigious titles. Winning the Level 4 Open Championship with a 226 was Gennaro Lendi riding Spatatino (Spat O Lena x Topsail Cal Bar), a 7-year-old stallion owned, bred and nominated by Sara Fabbri. Once again he performed for me, said the Italian NRHA Professional. It is almost as if he feels the competition; he always gives me more than I ask him for. He s an outstanding athlete. The NRHA Professional from Italy took home the guaranteed pay check worth $15,000 for the win as well as a trailer sponsored by Cheval Liberté. Watch the winning run here: Earning the European Open L4 Derby reserve championship with a score was multiple NRHA Open World Gennaro Lendi riding Spatatino Level 4 Open Champions Markus Morawitz and Gunners Chic Magnet European Level 3 Open Derby Champions Champion Ann Fonck aboard the past NRHA European Open Futurity Champion Made In Walla (Walla Walla Whiz x Hollywood Made), owned Chuck Klipfel and Sabine Lisec. With the 6-year-old gelding nominated by Ambrosini Quarter Horses, Fonck had earned the top score in the qualifier. The NRHA Professional from Belgium added $13,600 to her earnings for the reserve championship, $8,220 for third place riding Spook N Perla for Golden Paint Ranch, and $2,780 by tying for seventh place aboard Steve Vannietvelt and Gina De Pauw s Gunnerlicious. Markus Morawitz and Gunners Chic Magnet (Gunner x Wind Her Up Chic), owned and nominated by Josef and Tamara Ahorner, claimed the European L3 Open Derby championship and a paycheck worth $ 4,125. With the 6-year-old stallion bred by Oldenburg Farm LLC., the NRHA Professional of Austria posted a I cannot thank Josef and Tamara [Ahorner] enough for giving me the opportunity to ride this really special horse, said Morawitz. We won the NRHA European Affiliate Intermediate Open Championship this year and now this title. I could not be any happier! November 8, 2017 Page 22

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24 Watch the winning run here: With a performance worth a 220.5, the L3 Open reserve championship went to NRHA Professional Sylvia Rzepka and USS Nu Spook, a 5-year-old stallion by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook out of USS Nu Chex owned and nominated by Guenter Fellinger. Aboard the Markel Insurance Sale Graduate, Rzepka earned $2,780. It was a special night for Lorenzo De Simone of Italy as he posted a to win the L2 Open championship riding Smoking Dun It (Gunner x Dun Its Déjà vu), owned and nominated by Azienda Agricola 23. This win is very special for me because this is the first horse I rode when I started working for 23 QH, said the NRHA Professional about the 6-year-old gelding bred by Mc- Quay Stables. He was very good for me tonight and I would like to thank Ann and Bernard Fonck for all their help and Manuel Bonzano for trusting me with this horse. The Italian professional won $2,780 and added $2,003 for riding NRHA Hall of Famer Rosanne Sternberg s Spook Shine Spook to the finals. De Simone was the only Level 2 rider who qualified for the Level 4 and Level 3 finals. With a 217.5, NRHA Professional Verena Klein rode ND Gun Sawyer (Gunner x Codys Diamond Dun It), owned by Dragan Milenkovic and nominated by Nathalie Derua, to the L2 reserve championship. With the 7-year-old stallion, Klein added $2,366 to her earnings. Winning the European L1 Open Derby championship with a score was NRHA Professional Jeffrey Touroute- Thomas riding Star Shining Lady. The 5-year-old mare is owned, bred and nominated by Hannes Kirchberger and the duo brought home $2,366 for the win. The French rider also earned the L1 co-reserve championship riding Whiz For Ever (Topsail Whiz x Jacs Little Columbia). The 5-year-old stallion is owned bred and nominated by David Roux. Tying for the L1 co-reseserve championship was French NRHA Professional Marinne Benais aboard Saturday Whiz. The 7-year-old mare by Saturdaynight Custom out of Anjolena Whiz is owned by Marinne Benais, was bred by Franco Mari and was nominated by Ambrosini Quarter Horses. Both riders posted a adding $2,189 to their earnings. Anna Lisec wins third consecutive European Non Pro Derby title on This Wimps So Fly The seventh edition of the National Reining Horse Assocation (NRHA) European Derby closed the 2017 Reining International de Lyon on Sunday afternoon. The historical French city of Lyon is host to one of Europe s most prestigious equestrian events: Equita Lyon. High class reining was showcased during the Salon du Cheval de Lyon week which attracted over 130,000 visitors. The NRHA European Non Pro Derby did not disappoint and, for the third year running, Anna Lisec claimed the title. Lorenzo de Simone piloting Smoking Dun It L2 Open Champions Jeffrey Touroute-Thomas riding Star Shining Lady Level 1 Open Champions Anna Lisec on This Wimps So Fly European Non Pro Derby Champions Riding This Wimps So Fly, a 7-year-old gelding by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step out of Fly Flashy Jac, owned by Sabine Lisec and nominated by Melissa Vandorp, the talented Austrian rider scored a to win the Level (L)4 Non Pro Derby adding $7, to her earnings. Lisec had taken the all four levels of the European Non Pro Derby in 2015 riding This Wimps So Fly and rode back to the highest step of the podium with Tari Whizin last November 8, 2017 Page 24

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26 year. Once again I really tried to win this title! On my first horse, Start A Revolution, things didn t go quite as planned so I was a little frustrated, plus, I only had eight horses between him and Fly so it was a little crazy, said Anna. This horse is simply wonderful. I will never have a horse like him again he carries you through the show pen always trying to do his best and always wanting you to like him. The crowd was great and my coaches, Ann and Bernard [Fonck], were with me all the way. They ve impacted my riding a lot, and credit goes to them for all the success I ve had since I started training with them. The young Austrian rider also qualified her second mount, Start A Revolution, to the finals. The pair closed tying for tenth place with a 214 score adding another $1, to their earnings. Claiming reserve honors in the L4 division was multiple NRHA Non Pro World Champion Gina Schumacher aboard Wham Bam Gunner Man (Gunners Special Nite x Super Olena Chic), a 5-year-old stallion owned by CS Ranch and nominated by Robert Webb. The pair closed their performance with a 222 which earned them a check worth $5, Lea Freriks and Ready For Revolution Level 3 Non Pro Derby Champions Axel Pesek riding Uncle Sparky European L2 Non Pro Derby Champions The duo added $1,149 to their NRHA LTE. Seventeen-year-old Axel Pesek riding Uncle Sparky (Shining Spark x Cats Okey Dokey), a 7-year-old stallion owned and nominated by Yannick Pesek, earned his first NRHA major event on home ground. He clinched the European L2 Non Pro Derby championship with a earning a paycheck worth $1, I came here hoping to leave with a title even though I knew it would be tough considering the level of competition, said the French rider. My horse was amazing here, just as he has been all year, and I really look forward to the coming show season. My dream now is to qualify for the French team that will be competing at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon Pesek, riding Uncle Sparky, left his mark in FEI competition this past August by bringing home individual gold medal in the inaugural FEI World Reining Championships for Juniors and was part of the French team that clinched the silver medal. Angelika Gebert and her Charly Step N Cool (Wimpys Little Step x Charlys Cool Running), a 7-year-old mare nominated by Michael Junger-Schubert, won reserve honors in the L2 division with a 214 taking home $1, Lea Freriks of the Netherlands and her own Ready For Revolution (Einsteins Revolution x Royal Paula Quixote), a 7-year-old stallion nominated by Tjeerd Elzinga, scored a to take home the L3 Non Pro Derby championship along with $ 1, This is a dream come true especially since I ve have had this horse since he was three and I trained him myself, said Freriks. He s a really sensitive horse but truly a special one and I am thrilled with this title that I was hoping to win. Bert Coeckelberghs took reserve honors by scoring a on Spangled Heidi (Star Spangled Whiz x Heidi Sailor), a 5-year-old stallion owned by Steven Coeckelberghs and nominated by Angelucci Quarter Horses. Sebastiano Scarpato and Bet On A Step Level 1 Non Pro Derby Champions Italian Sebastiano Scarpato made a last-minute decision to enter the Euro Derby and it was a good one! Scoring a 215 riding his own Bet On A Step (Wimpys Little Step x A Classic Slide), a 7-year-old stallion nominated by Simona Cuomo, he left Lyon with the L1 Non Pro Derby championship under his belt along with a paycheck worth $1, I am thrilled with this win. When I was told that I was the level 1 champion, I could not believe it, said Scarpato. A special thank you goes to [NRHA Professional] Gennaro Lendi for being there for me here in Lyon. Reserve honors in the L1 were claimed by Italian Verena Rigott aboard her own Lonesome Saturday (Saturdaynight November 8, 2017 Page 26

27 D Ring Snaffle $39.95 Gag Bit $49.95 Long Shank $69.95 Short Shank $69.95 November 8, 2017 Page 27

28 Custom x Lonesome Sally Lena), a 6-year-old gelding nominated by Ambrosini Quarter Horses. The duo scored a 213 for the win and a check worth $ The Paint Reining Buckle Program makes its way to Europe For the very first time, the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) offered custom awards to top Paint Horses at an international reining event. The Paint Reining Buckle Program was offered at four major reining events in the United States this year, as well as in the NRHA European Non Pro Derby. Presenting the award buckle to the highestscoring Paint Horse in the European Level 3 Non Pro Derby, Wimpys Little Spook (Spooks Gotta Gun x Wimpys Lil Doll), ridden and owned by Stefan Jauer, was Executive Director Billy Smith of Fort worth Texas. Presenting the award buckle to the highest-scoring Paint Horse in the NRHA European Level 4 Non Pro Derby, Automatic Gun (Gunner x Scoot Lil Bo) ridden by Domenico Lomuto and owned by Slide & Die, was APHA resident Dr. Craig Wood of Owenton, Kentucky. For complete results nrhaeuropeanderby.com Photos by Andrea Bonaga ITALIAN REINING HORSE ASSOCIATION FUTURITY Things are revving up in Cremona, as the final preparations for the IRHA/NRHA Futurity are completed against the perfect backdrop of the impressive oval arena. In just a few days the lights will go up on the magic and thrills that we have come to expect from recent editions of this event. Nine days of top-level competitions, with added prize money exceeding 216,000 euros: the 4-year-old Futurity, the Italian Quarter Horse Association Futurity, the FEI CRI*** Senior for admission to future selections of the Team Italy that will participate at the WEG 2018 in Tryon, all the Finals of the Italian IRHA Championship, ten official NRHA competitions and of course the Big One the great 3-year-old Futurity that, together with the showcasing of the best foals in European reining, will close another exciting season for a sport that continues to grow both as regards its following and the technical prowess of the riders. Sliding towards Emotion Thanks to the prestige of the competition and the streamlined organization, the event has attracted more than 50 sponsors. Among these, Eleuterio Arcese naturally hits the spotlight as he returns to the forefront in support of the discipline. Arcese is undoubtedly the most prominent Italian in the world reining circuit: the first (and only, for 14 years) NRHA European Hall of Famer, he pioneered the import of reining Quarter Horses and lured some of America s most famous trainers to Europe where they shared their skills with riders from all over the continent. It is no exaggeration to say that Arcese is not just part of the history of reining here, but the history of Italian reining. The organizational crew of Team For You, led by event manager Giancarlo Doardo, has finely honed every detail of this event, which has greatly improved the quality of both the setting and the services for horses, riders and visitors since moving to Cremona Fiere s spacious facilities in The heart of the event will once again be situated in November 8, 2017 Page 28

29 the grand pavilion dominated by the stunning oval arena, modeled on the legendary Oklahoma City show ring. The arena boasts an elegant hospitality area and is surrounded by the lounge-booths of the major European stables that will be vying against each other to offer the most sophisticated reception to the public. Competitors will be delighted to find the Sugar Little Step QD Arena available again this year, providing a covered warm-up area of 30 x 60 m open 24 hours a day. This excellent amenity was introduced for the first time at the 2016 Futurity thanks to the generous sponsorship of Quarter Dream, one of Italy s most prestigious breeding facilities based in the magnificent territory of Ostuni. This means there are no less than four arenas where horses can be prepared: in addition to the show ring, there are two training arenas one of which is open to all, and one reserved for the pairs enrolled in the category underway, and finally a pre-check arena adjacent to the show ring for the two horses about to enter. Of the event s three large pavilions one is set aside for stabling and has been fully equipped to ensure optimum comfort for the horses and those caring for them. The third pavilion, adjacent to the show ring, hosts the colorful shopping area with over 160 exhibitors catering to every equestrian need (saddlery, clothing, equipment, vehicles, feed and more besides). This is the place to find the ideal Christmas gift. Do your shopping to the notes of the very best country music, selected by experienced Italian DJs who create just the right atmosphere for the Country Christmas Fair that perfectly rounds off the year for thousands of Country Dance enthusiasts. The timetable set by the IRHA has proven to be optimum, spreading the events of this action-packed calendar to ease the demands on riders who exhibit more than one horse. This year the curtain rises on Saturday, November 11, with the first go of the 4-year-old Futurity, divided between the open and non-pro classes split into four levels. The first Champions, those of the AQH Futurity reserved for fouryear-olds will be decided at the conclusion of this round. Sunday will see the first go-round for the 3-year-old Futurity Open pairs, who will then go on to dispute the second goround on Tuesday 14. The scores totaled in these two rounds will dictate not only the Open finalists but also at the AIQH 3-year-old Futurity Open Champions. On Monday, November 13 will feature, class in class, the eliminatory go of the 3-year-old Futurity Non Pro and the AIQH 3-year-old Non Pro Futurity in a single go-round. The finals of the Futurity will be held, as is traditional, on Thursday for the 4-yearolds, on Friday for the 3-year-old Futurity Non Pro and then on the big night of Saturday, November 18th with the Final Open. The important CRI *** Senior will also be held on the second Friday while from Wednesday 15 through to Sunday, November 19, the 15 competitions of the IRHA Italian Championship will be scheduled to decide the reigning Italian Champions for the coming year, class in class with some interesting NRHA categories that will therefore be valid for the NRHA World Standings 2017 that crown the World Champions of Reining. Technology is now part and parcel of any major event, and in our sport the IRHA Futurity has proudly pioneered the latest innovations, such as the online booking of seats with a system similar to that used by major venues and airplane companies, and the Priority Line that allows you to send all vehicle and horse documentation in advance, thus saving time when you arrive at the competition. In addition, the event website provides real time scores and live streaming of competitions as well as an online version of the event Catalogue that you can download in pdf if you are unable to pick up a copy personally. Check out the Social networks that will be busy throughout the event to keep you up to date with the latest developments and in-depth articles will be published online and available to the sector s European and US media. Moreover, the website will provide high-resolution images of all the Champions to accredited journalists. Participation is expected to be in line with that of the two most recent editions, thus emphasizing just how the location and philosophy of the event organization continues to be appreciated within the reining world. In addition to the 160 exhibitors and over 50 sponsors mentioned earlier, we now have 30 media partners and above all, more than 600 pairs coming to compete from around fifteen nations. A staff of 70 is required to manage the show and there are 34 official suppliers. The show area covers a total of 60,000 square meters. November 8, 2017 Page 29

30 NRHA MARKEL INSURANCE SALES SLATED FOR 2017 FUTURITY The 2017 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show is just around the corner. People from across the globe will come to Oklahoma City to get their fix on all things reining, including multiple horse sales. Sponsored by Markel Insurance, the Marketplace, Futurity Prospect, and Select Yearling Sales are premier sales taking place at the Futurity. The NRHA Markel Insurance Marketplace Sale features an outstanding group of top producing broodmares with proven performance bloodlines in foal to the hottest sires in the reining industry. Also featured will be yearlings, 2-yearolds, and finished show horses. The event is set to begin at 10 a.m. on November 30 in Barn 3. Back for its 25th Anniversary is the NRHA Markel Insurance Futurity Prospect Sale. A sale preview will take place on November 30 at 3 p.m. in the Jim Norick Arena. This is your chance to get a sneak-peek of the industry s most outstanding select 2-year-olds set to be sold in the Futurity Prospect Sale which is slated for December 1 in the Barn 3. The sale will kick-off with a dinner at 5 p.m., which is open for anyone to attend. At 6 p.m., the event will begin with a special stallion auction, where all proceeds benefit the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA). Rounding out the 2017 Futurity Sales lineup is the NRHA Markel Insurance Select Yearling Sale, which begins at 9:30 a.m. on December 2 in Barn 3. Upwards of 80 of the industry s highest quality select yearlings consigned by top breeders and trainers from around the world will be offered up for your consideration. Pictures, videos, and catalog pages on all sale horses consigned can be seen on the NRHA website. Yearlings, two-year-olds, and show horses radiographs can be viewed in Barn 3 during the Futurity or accessed by a licensed veterinarian in the online Radiograph Repository. Interested buyers can complete buyer registration prior to the date of sale by visiting the NRHA Sales Office or by clicking here. Contact Tiffany Gonzales at sales@nrha.com with any questions. With three opportunities to view top-quality reining horses, everyone has a chance to attend a sale and find a horse to fit his or her needs! During the NRHA Futurity, the world s best reining horses and competitors come to Oklahoma City to compete for an estimated total purse and cash prizes of more than $2 million. For more information on schedules, tickets, hotel accommodations, sponsors and more visit nrhafuturity.com. Send us YOUR news! Have you recently been successful at a show? We d love to publish your results! Have the show manager send them to Cheryl@WorldWideSlide.com! November 8, 2017 Page 30

31 NATIONAL EQUINE HEALTH PLAN PUBLISHED Valuable resource will help curtail risk of disease spread The American Horse Council (AHC), in conjunction with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and state animal health officials, is pleased to announce that the National Equine Health Plan (NEHP) is now available at equinediseasecc.org/national-equine-health-plan. The horse industry is unique because horses are transported with more frequency than other livestock. We have seen firsthand how disease outbreaks cost the industry millions of dollars for the care of sick horses, implementation of biosecurity, and lost revenue in the form of cancelled or restricted commercial equine activities such as horseshows, said AHC President Julie Broadway. Back in 2013, the industry felt it was time to step up and address the issue of the handling of disease outbreaks and the dissemination of information surrounding the outbreaks. This gave way to the creation of the NEHP that will outline the issues surrounding the prevention, diagnosis and control of diseases and the responsibilities and roles of the federal and state authorities and the industry. The goals of the NEHP are to protect the health and welfare of the U.S. equine population, facilitate the continued interstate and international movement of horses and their products, ensure the availability of regulatory services, and protect the economic continuity of business in the equine industry. The NEHP also functions as a roadmap for coordinating horse owners and industry organizations with veterinarians and state and federal animal health officials to prevent, recognize, control and respond to diseases and environmental disasters. The plan facilitates horse industry preparedness, effective rapid communication, and owner education, which make up the foundation for preventing diseases and disease spread. Links to information and resources are included in the NEHP document, including a list of Roles and Responsibilities for all stakeholders in the industry. The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) is a key element of the NEHP and provides critical communication of information during disease outbreaks, said EDCC Director Dr. Nat White. Additionally, equinediseasecc.org provides information about diseases, vaccination, biosecurity, state health regulations, state animal health official contact information and links to USDA-APHIS veterinary services. By integrating the roles of regulatory agencies with industry stakeholders, equine health and welfare are improved. The NEHP provides immediate access to resources and communications needed to optimize disease mitigation and prevention. It serves as a guide for regulations and responses needed to mitigate and prevent infectious diseases. The AHC and the AAEP encourage sharing this document as it will help educate horse owners about how veterinarians and state and federal officials work together to decrease the risk of disease spread. If you have any questions about the NEHP or the EDCC, please contact Dr. Nat White at edcc@aaep.org or Cliff Williamson, Director of Health & Regulatory Affairs at the AHC atcwilliamson@horsecouncil.org. NRHA ELECTION RESULTS National Reining Horse Association Directors at Large were voted on to the NRHA Executive Committee. The two seats were voted on with the highest vote-getter receiving a 2-year term and the second-highest vote-getter receiving a 1-year term. Terms begin January 1, Tom McCutcheon will serve on the Executive Committee from January 1, 2018 December 31, Shane Brown will serve January 1, 2018 December 31, November 8, 2017 Page 31 Kelly Hedges was elected as the NRHA Northeast Director for a term from January 1, 2018 through December 31, These NRHA Regional Directors were elected by acclamation: Central - Brett Walters; Northwest - Jeanine Kern; North Central - Larry Handley; South Central - Ann Salmon Anderman.

32 HELP US SERVE YOU BETTER! Click here for a 5 minute survey on Social Media Preferences for Tom McCutcheon s Virtual Horse Help/ WorldWide Slide Followers! You will be entered to win a gift pack from our sponsors, just by filling out the survey and returning it by Nov. 22! November 8, 2017 Page 32