The World’s Hottest Reining heated up when the Non Pro competitors took their shot at top spots in six divisions during the 2025 event on Monday, June 16. From past NRHA Futurity and Derby champions to first-time entrants, the dirt flew for nearly nine hours of top-tier reining runs in the OG&E Coliseum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The best of the best continue to compete tomorrow, Tuesday, June 17, with the second section of Non Pro and Youth Derby competition, and by the end of the day on Wednesday, the Elementa Amateur, Colston Paving Non Pro 4-Year-Old Stakes, and the Novice Horse Derby champions will be known.

Level 4 Non Pro Derby Co-Leaders: Taylor Zimmerman and Indy Roper

A tie at the top of the Non Pro Derby Level 4 capped the first day of competition. Taylor Zimmerman piloted Trashin Pretty Chics (Gunnatrashya x Who Dat Hot Chic), owned by Vaughn Zimmerman, to a 220 in the OG&E Coliseum. Zimmerman and the Lisa Stephens-bred and -nominated 5-year-old mare also rose to the top of the American Paint Horse Association Chrome Cash incentive.

Indy Roper piloted KR Got It All, owned by Tim Roper, also marked a 220 to tie at the top of the Level 4 leaderboard. Roper and KR Got It All, sired by NRHA Hall of Famer Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Smart Shiney Lena, also rode to the high-score in the Colston Paving Non Pro 4-Year-Old Stakes. 

Level 3 Non Pro Derby and Elementa Amateur Derby Leaders: Allison Chappell and Sushi Sixty Six  

Sushi Sixty Six (Inferno Sixty Six x Madeof Pure Spangled), owned by Alan and Allison Chappell, took Allison to the top of the Non Pro Level 3 leaderboard with a 218.5. The mare was bred by Cardinal Hill Training Center and nominated by Giorgia Codeluppi.

Level 2 Non Pro Derby Co-Leaders: Kylie Schreibvogel and Blair McFarlin

Two competitors tied at the top of the Level 2 Non Pro Derby. Co-Leader Kylie Schreibvogel rode Dunitona Specialnite (Gunners Special Nite x Dun It Won It) to a crowd-pleasing 218. The Yonathan Baruch-trained gelding was early in the section draw, and at one point topped all four preliminary divisions. Schreibvogel was all smiles after her run on the 6-year-old bay gelding (Gunners Special Nite x Dun It Won It), who was bred and nominated by Daphne Bowers.

Also marking a 218, Blair McFarlin rode Sundrop, sired by Hollywoodtinseltown, to the co-leader spot. McFarlin, from Franklin, Tennessee, piloted her homebred 5-year-old palomino into the new OG&E Coliseum in matching gold, foretelling their high-scoring run. The 2020 gelding (x Sheza Chic Olena) has $10,552.90 in earnings and was nominated by McFarlin.

Prime Time and Masters Non Pro Derby Leaders: Mark Warrack and Disko Inferno

Mark Warrack and Disko Inferno, owned by his wife, Jamie Walters, scored a 217.5 to take the high-scoring spot in both the Non Pro Derby Prime Time and the Non Pro Derby Masters divisions at the 6666 Ranch Derby presented by Markel.  The 2019 gelding (Inferno Sixty Six x Whizful Sailing) was nominated by Laura Schwartz and is nearing $20,000 in lifetime earnings. Warrack, of Agua Dulce, California, and Disko Inferno started out the year winning the Cactus Reining Classic, also in the Non Pro Masters division.

Youth Non Pro Derby Leaders: Emma Vanlandingham and SHR Hollywood Kid

Emma Vanlandingham rode SHR Hollywood Kid, owned by her father, NRHA $4 Million Rider Jason Vanlandingham, to a 217.5 and the high score of the first section of the Youth Derby. Emma is nearing $200,000 in lifetime earnings and rode SHR Hollywood Kid (The Kids Gotta Gun x Shinin In Hollywood) to fifth this year in the National Reining Breeders Classic Non Pro Level 4 finals. The 6-year-old mare was bred and nominated by Robert Santagata.

Non Pro Novice Horse Derby Leaders: Kelsey Price and The Slim Reaper

Kelsey Price piloted The Slim Reaper to a 218 to top the Non Pro Novice Horse Derby. The 2023 Non Pro Futurity Level 3 C0-Champion aimed at taking the new show arena by storm, laying down a run in her gold-and-black outfit fit for a champion. Price and her husband, NRHA Million Dollar Rider and The Run For A Million Champion Kole Price, co-own the 2021 bay stallion bred and nominated by Ian Cantacuzene Jr.

With ties at the top, commanding scores, and momentum building in every division, the Non Pro Derby preliminaries are setting a high bar for the days ahead. The spotlight continues on the non pros for two more days of prelims. For schedules, results, and more coverage from the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, visit nrhaderby.com.