More than $24,000 was up for grabs on Monday in the Adequan® Arena at the 2025 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel as the ancillary classes heated up. The purses and the scores hit a high note as the Open, Rookie, and Non Pro riders vied for wins and titles in six classes.
NRHA $10,000 8 & Up Level 4 Open Maturity Champions; NRHA $6,000 Open Slate 2 Champions: Dan Huss & TR Mr Joe
| 2017G (Lil Joe Cash x Ms Whiz Dunit) | Owner: Shelley Rosenberger, Hayden, ID |
| Score: 151 | Breeder: Tamarack Ranch LLC, Alvarado, TX |
Dan Huss piloted TR Mr Joe to win the Level 4 Open Maturity and earn $9,197 and another $2,658 in the Open. The horse has been part of Huss’ program for several years.
“He has some feel and is not for everyone but if you get him prepared and do your job, he will show for you. He’s a huge stopper; I haven’t seen one that can stop like this horse. He can spin and he’s got a pedigree to back him up, with a Little Joe Cash on the top side and a Hollywood Dun It on the bottom side. I always look for the best stopper I can buy for the budget my customer has, and he is probably the best stopper I have ever seen. He’s a nice horse. Hopefully, I’ll have him another year for The Run For A Million next year.”
NRHA $5,000 8 & Up Level 2 Open Maturity Champions: Kari Klingenberg and Peace Love N Jewels
| 2017M (Smart Spook x Whiz Jewels) | Owner: Tulare Trust, Scottsdale, AZ |
| Score: 146 | Breeder: Bahn Quarter Horses LLC, Wildwood, MO |
“We bought her as a yearling for a customer and have kept her in the barn. I showed her at the Futurity, then her 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old year,” said Klingenberg. “She had an injury at the end of her 6-year-old year and was totally out. This is my first show back with her; it’s fun to have her back. I love horses; I’m just a horse-crazy girl. It was heartbreaking for me when she got hurt at the High Roller in Vegas. It’s been great to have her back and to have her at the shows. She loves to come to a show and show. For having a year-and-a-half off, I’m really happy with her.”
NRHA $2,000 Intermediate Open Slate 2 Champions: Erik Caddeo and Walla Walla Gun
| 2013M (Gunner x Walla Whizn Katie) | Owner: Paulo Francisco Tripoloni, Maringa, Brazil |
| Score: 145.5 | Breeder: Andre Tripoloni, Maringa, Brazil |
NRHA Intermediate Open High Point Champions: Shay Balmas and Gunna Make My Mark
Shay Balmas and Gunna Make My Mark (Lil Joe Cash x ARC Gunna Mark Ya), owned by Pond Hill Performance Horses and Montgomery Reining Horses LLC, earned the Intermediate and Limited Open High Point buckle by NRHA Corporate Partner Montana Silversmiths.
NRHA $500 Limited Open Slate 2 Champions: Gloria Spiaggi and Lil Spook In Bueno
“This was the first time for me to show ‘Cinco’ at this show,”” Spiaggi said. “He has shown for years with his owner in the Rookie and the Non Pro classes. He sure is a great companion to her and he was great to me at this show. He is just such a nice horse that always try to please every rider.”
| 2018G (Wimpys Little Step x Buena Spook) | Owner: Helen & Barry Bearden, Plano, TX |
| Score: 143.5 | Breeder: Jill Ramleth, Santa Ynez, CA |
NRHA $500 Rookie Professional Slate 2 and NRHA Rookie Professional High Point Champions: Taylor Herring and Alphasushienterprize
| 2017M (SG Frozen Enterprize x Shiney Sushi) | Owner: Nancy Sells, Brentwood, TN |
| Score: 140.5 | Breeder: Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, Purcell, OK |
“I’ve worked for [NRHA Professionals] Jack [Daniels] and Kaci O’Rourke for four years. Jack and Kaci purchased her to go into their breeding program but they thought she had a little more left in her in the pen,” said Herring. “They asked if I wanted to show her and I jumped on the opportunity. She is very sweet, kind-minded and wants to do what you want to do. She is so honest. It is a lot of fun when you can trust a horse you’re showing and you know they’re going to do it to the best of their ability—it’s why we do it.”
Herring and Alphasushienterprize also won the NRHA Rookie Professional high point for their performance across both slates.
NRHA $500 Limited Non Pro Slate 2 Champions: Meghan Stafford and Specialized DNA
| 2018G (Gunners Special Nite x DNA Code) | Owner: Meghan Stafford, Quitman, TX |
| Score: 140.5 | Breeder: Marjorie Eilers, Renton, WA |
“Specialized DNA, ‘Baxter,’ is the first really nice show horse I’ve bought myself,” said Stafford. “I sold all my broodmares in 2022 just to buy a show horse and he’s pretty special to me. He is super, super consistent, always the same when I go in the pen. This was our last schooling run before we go in the Derby on Wednesday, and it was awesome.”
NRHA Limited Non Pro High Point Champions: Angelina Widmoser and Spooks Golden Tune
Angelina Widmoser and Spooks Golden Tune (Spooks Gotta Whiz x HA Lenas Tune), owned by Real Cool Ventures LLC, earned the NRHA Limited Non Pro High point award.
The excitement continues Tuesday with a packed slate of ancillary competition, including the Green Reiner, Rookie, and Non Pro divisions—offering riders of all levels their moment to shine in the same arena where legends are made. For schedules, draws, and all things Derby, visit nrhaderby.com and stay tuned as the World’s Hottest Reining keeps rolling in Oklahoma City.
