Undeniably the largest division at the 2025 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, Rookie reining competitors took over the Adequan® Arena Friday and Saturday, with champions and high point riders crowned on Saturday. The crowd favorite Short Stirrup class also awarded championships, and the Youth reiners wrapped the day.
Jackpot Rookie Level 1 Champions: Emily Oliver and Illshowuagoodtime
| 2019M (Show Your Guns x Lime A Rita) | Owner: Emily Oliver, Ocala, FL, |
| Score: 143 | Breeder: Arno Honstetter, Scottsdale, AZ |
“I’ve only been reining for under a year,” Oliver said. “I love the excitement at the shows and the horses. [My horse] is special because she gives you all she has, then comes back and is so easy and sweet.”
$200 Rookie Level 2 Champions: Olivia Medows and High Key
| 2021M (Soooks Gotta Whiz x Chicsdreamofdiamonds) | Owner: Amy Medows, Cuba, MO |
| Score: 144 | Breeder: Amy Medows, Cuba, MO |
“She is my husband’s horse and he missed the Non Pro [NRHA Derby] finals by half a point, so he let me show her in the Rookie,” Medows said. “She’s only 4, but she’s so honest. She is a baby but she took care of me today. This is my second year to rein, but I’ve shown all-around my whole life. The biggest thing I love about reining is that I get to do it with Jack, my husband, and we ride every day after work and help each other. I love the intensity of it, too. It is faster and more exciting than what I did in the past.”
$200 Rookie Level 1 and Level 2 High Point Champions: Delaney Lee and Hit The Walla
| 2018G (Walla Walla Whiz x Dun It By Chick) | Owner: Cathy Lee, El Dorado Hills, CA |
| Breeder: Mark Bradford, Aubrey, TX |
“He is super consistent, tries his hardest and is super good-minded, which makes him super willing,” Lee said. “I’ve learned a lot on my reining journey; I’ve only been doing it two years. We had our ups and downs this show, but he’s been a superstar. He’s been there for me. It’s a process but it’s going great so far.”
NRHA Prime Time Rookie Champions, Prime Time Rookie High Point Champions: Daisy Chenoweth and Dun Sweet N Frozen
| 2021M(SG Frozen Enterprize x Dun Its Sweet Thing) | Owner: Daisy Chenoweth, Sarasota, FL |
| Score: 138 | Breeder: Carluccio Orsi, Gainesville, TX |
“I’m brand new to reining and she’s a new horse to me, but I got in with all four feet and all the brain cells I could muster,” said Chenoweth. “I’ve been learning and having a blast! I was a green rider all last year; I was a green rider going into the Non Pro Futurity, so that was a pretty lofty goal. It was an amazing experience and from there, I just wanted to go forward and go to the next big NRHA event. She’s a young horse and I’m still learning the event, so a lot of times we have a lot of beginner errors—everything just kind of came together. I had entered the first rookie at the beginning of the week, drove in and had a decent ride; we ended up third in the Prime Time. Every day that showed this week, she has gotten better and better. I entered up, kind of at the last minute, and she went out there and was very willing. I was very cognizant of trying to correct my mistakes with my hands and my legs, and it just came together. She was very solid and took care of me, and I was able to show confidence. I’m still floating from the win!”
NRHA Youth 10 & Under Short Stirrup Slate 1 Champions: Joseph Trautman and Smart Whizard Spook
| 2015G (Smart Spook x Miss Poco Whizard) | Owner: Christine Trautman, Reedsburg, WI |
| Score: 143 | Breeder: St-Placide, Canada |
“I had lots of fun! I am guessing I’ve shown more than 50 times,” said 10-year-old Joseph. “My horse is sweet, he never has bucked, he never really wants to do anything bad and his circles, I think, are the funnest. I like going fast! For Short Stirrup, I want to get the year-end awards, and I want to be in the Level 4 finals when I grow up. [Thank you to] my mom, my coach Noemie and my dad.”
NRHA Youth 13 & Under Slate 1 Champions: Millie Jean Piper and Never Outta Dough
| 2013G (Outta Dough x Chex Writing Queen) | Owner: Millie Jean Piper, Whitesboro, TX |
| Score: 142.5 | Breeder: Ryan Appleton, Brady, TX |
“I’ve been riding Never Outta Dough for about two years,” Millie said. “He’s curious but the things he’s curious about don’t really scare him. He circles best, and we’ve worked on our right turns, which I was proud of today. Tomorrow I’m going to try and improve on the run downs because he likes to run faster than I tell him to.”
NRHA Youth 14-18 Slate 1 Champions: Kennedy Morgan Williams and Wildniteinhollywood
| 2019G (Hollywood Dun It x Best Nite Ever) | Owner: Kennedy Morgan Williams, Blanchard, OK |
| Score: 145 | Breeder: Ubere Agropecuaria Eireli, Purcell, OK |
“I bought him in January of last year and just recently we started to bond, I feel like, and get to know each other in the show pen,” Kennedy said. “It’s really nice to know that all the hard work is worth something. I think our stops are our best maneuver; he’s getting really comfortable with them.”
NRHA Unrestricted Youth Slate 1 Champions: Brooke Banks and A Customized Vintage
| 2019G (A Sparkling Vintage x Custom Barbie) | Owner: Kristie Banks, Redwood City, CA |
| Score: 143 | Breeder: Mark Gordon, Scottsdale, AZ |
“‘Dillon’ and I have been through a lot together,” Brooke said. “The first year, I didn’t ride him at all. It’s been a long process, and Dan [Huss] has worked really hard on this horse, and we worked hard together. This horse is really special and he brought a spark back in me. I really enjoy riding this horse now. The thing Dan and I think look good is his spins, which was a weak thing when we bought him. He gets that foot speed and it’s a cool feeling. He’s made such an impact on my career and taught me so much–he’s one I’ll remember forever, that’s for sure.”
American Paint Horse Association Youth Slate 1 Champions: Bella Beck and Reining Royalty
| 2020G (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Bella Della) | Owner: Bella Pearle Beck, Colorado Springs, CO |
| Score: 141 | Breeder: Michelle Ann Kimball, Collinsville TX |
“This horse means a lot to me because he is my step-up horse to 14 to 18, and we got him at the Futurity,” Bella said. “He’s been the best boy ever since I got him. It was a bit of a learning curve because he is blind in one eye, so it was different learning to maneuver him, but once I figured it out, he’s just been the best. He is a boost for my confidence, and every time I step into the pen, I know I can step up and compete on a big stage. He is always right there with me and I know that I have my little buddy there to help me out; it’s a great partnership. ‘Duke,’ at the Cactus Reining Classic, qualified me to go to Italy to represent the USA in the World Reining Championships, and it means a lot to compete on a global stage, getting to represent Team USA on the world stage. I’m very excited!”
Tomorrow, the youth will return to the Adequan® Arena for the final slate of competition, where High Point Awards will also be decided. Join us at the OKC Fairgrounds or with the FREE Thorsport LiveStream at nrhaderby.com.
