April 15, 2010 2010 NRBC Open Finalists Announced When the first round of the Open division of the National Reining Breeders Classic concluded on Thursday afternoon, Shawn Flarida maintained his lead with a 227.5 on RC Fancy Step (Wimpys Little Step x Sonita Wilson). That win earned $17,160 for owner Buffalo Ranch, of Ft. Worth, Texas, and the special oversized check was presented during the McQuay Stables Open Draw Party Thursday night. The night was full of fun, with the announcement of 31 finalists in the Open, with a 221 needed to make the finals where the champion will earn $75,000. In the Intermediate Open Finals, the bubble was at 219.5, a 216.5 needed to get a finals berth in the Limited Open, and a 214.5 was the lucky number for the Level 1 Open. All Open Prime Time entries made the finals. In the Intermediate Open Abigayle Mixon led the field of 21 advancing to the finals with a score of 223.5 on Julgun. Mixon and the 4-year-old stallion, by Playgun out of Julie Christie, won $4,611 for the Intermediate division, and an additional $2,688 for a tenth place tie in the Open. Julgun is owned by the Sather Family Partnership. There was a three-way tie at the top of the Limited Open and Level 1 Open, with Sean McBurney and Tin Top Kat (High Brow Cat x Moms Stylish Pepto), Yonathan Baruch and Ruf Dixie Chic (Lil Ruf Peppy x Dixie Chic Olena), and Bud Lyon and The Sweet Spot (Mark This Spot x Sugar Pop Gun) all marking a 220 to collect $1,249 for the Limited and an additional $404 in the Level 1. Tin Top Kat is owned by Rhodes River Ranch; Sandy and Gary Vickrey own Ruff Dixie Chic; and The Sweet Spot is owned by Mary Jo Greiff. Patti Brownshadel and her horse Starzz In Hollywood (Smart Starbuck x Sara Goes Hollywood) topped the Open Prime Time with a 222.5 to collect $800. Complete results can be found at www.nrbc.com. The McQuay Stables Open Draw Party, held upstairs in the Texas Children's Hospital Arena Club at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, featured finalists choosing engraved wine glasses to find their finals draw position on Saturday. A Calcutta was held and a substantial amount of money was raised to benefit Rein In Cancer and America's Horse Cares. It's Time to Celebrate - McQuay Stables Open Draw Party 1
Depending on what side of the bubble their preliminary score fell on, Open exhibitors at the 2010 National Reining Breeders Classic were either celebrating or suffering the agony of defeat. Examples of both could be found during the McQuay Stables Open Finals Draw Party on Thursday evening. Tim and Colleen McQuay, of Tioga, Texas, hosted the party, in the Texas Children's Hospital Arena Club that was decorated with the NRBC's signature blue crystal, Gist buckles, and a special congratulations cake celebrating the McQuay's stallion Gunner being a National Reining Horse Association $2 Million Sire. Emcee Cheryl Magoteaux noted that with his Open Finals qualification, Todd Sommers would become an NRHA $1 Million Rider. Although he was unavailable to attend the Draw Party, Shawn Flarida received the first place Open go-round check of $17,160. His father accepted on his behalf. One-by-one, the finalists were called to the front of the room to pick one of the signature blue wine glasses to reveal their final's draw position on the bottom of the glass. After moving down the line and voting for the final's judges, the glasses were poured with the exhibitor's choice of wine. The annual Calcutta was auctioneered by Marshall Kyle, and raised more than $1,140 for Rein In Cancer and America's Horse Cares. Tim McQuay, one of the founding members of the NRBC Board of Directors, and qualifier of three horses in the Open Finals, noted, "The NRBC is the best horse show of the year and we try to do everything we can to make sure it stays that way." 2
Jared LeClair Wins 2010 NRBC Novice Horse Open Level 1 on Whiz N Guns The National Reining Breeders Classic, since its inception, has been the largest added-money reining in the world. And while the elite aged event draws the nation's top 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old reining horses to the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, the show also offers a full-slate of National Reining Horse Association ancillary classes. On Thursday, April 15, Jared LeClair won two of them - the Novice Horse Open Level 2 on She Supreme Chic, and the Novice Horse Open Level 1 on Whiz N Guns, owned by Darlyne Woodward of Carbondale, Colorado. LeClair and the 5-year-old gelding, by Topsail Whiz out of Maude Frizon, marked a 149.5 to take home $656. While he was conducting a clinic at Woodward's place in Colorado a couple months earlier, Darlyne asked the Texas trainer to take Whiz N Guns home and 3
evaluate him. "I didn't think he was quite ready for the Classic. I figured I'd bring him here and show him in the ancillary and see what kind of horse he was." He laughed, adding, "I guess I probably should have entered him!" LeClair noted that he might take Whiz N Guns to the NRHA Derby if he doesn't get sold before-hand. "He's a little horse, but he does stuff really big - that's what I like about him most." Steve Archer took the Reserve title on Rowdy Felix with a 145. The second place finish earned owner David Ritchey, of Robstown, Texas, a check for $480. Jared LeClair Wins 2010 NRBC Novice Horse Open Level 2 on She Supreme Chic Jared LeClair had a great day in the East Arena of the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Riding Whiz N Guns, he won the National Reining Breeders Classic ancillary National Reining Horse Association Novice Horse Open Level 1, and on She Supreme Chic he won the Novice Horse Open Level 2. LeClair and the 8-year-old mare, by Smart Chic Olena and out of Abby O Lena, were awarded a 148.5 from the judges, to the delight of She Supreme Chic's owner, Marilyn Farley. "I'm absolutely excited. That was the first time I've ever seen her shown, and it was amazing," she said following the awards ceremony. "It was such a pretty run." LeClair added, "I've never really had the opportunity to show her. I've schooled her 4
and stuff before. Marilyn let me show her this morning and she was really, really good." LeClair and Claire drew up early in the draw, and the Texas trainer admits that he had to keep checking back to see how they were doing. Farley, of Boise, Idaho, purchased "Claire" through Jared and his wife Heather three years ago. Although she admits she usually sells her horses every a couple of years, Claire has probably found a permanent home. "She's very special to me. We'll get some embryos from her and I'll continue to show her for a while," she said. "Then we'll probably start raising some of her babies." Jordan Larson and Nics Custom tied with Jarvis Anderson and RR Tiz Star Time with a 147.5 to take the Reserve Championship. Both received checks for $549. Nics Custom owned by Frank Millstid while RR Tiz Star Time is owned by Stephanie Anderson. 5