On Tuesday, the Novice Horse Non Pro competitors ruled the Adequan® Arena at the World’s Hottest Reining in Oklahoma City. Competitors vied for trophies and bragging rights in the $1,000 Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 3, 2, and 1, before the Para Reining exhibitors took center stage. The competition continues in the Adequan® Arena each day of the show, allowing exhibitors of all levels to compete at the prestigious 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.
NRHA $1,000 Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3 Slate 1 Champions: Sarah Rose Jons and Shiners Topgun
| 2019G (Colonels Shining Gun x The Prima Ballerina) | Owner: Sotol Investments LLC, Comfort, TX |
| Score: 142 | Breeder: Jennifer Gilliam, Pine Grove, CA |
“Shiners Top Gun, aka ‘Stanley,’ is a big goofball, and he has a lot of personality, sometimes too much! He is full of personality and has a huge heart in the show pen and always tries,” said Sarah Rose. “I’m shocked we won because I showed in the Derby yesterday, and he wasn’t that great, but today he came through with a big score and was very good, very quiet.”
NRHA $1,000 Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 Slate 1 Champions: Delaney Lee and Hit The Walla
| 2018G (Walla Walla Whiz x Dun It By Chick) | Owner: Cathy Lee, El Dorado Hills, CA |
| Score: 142.5 | Breeder: Mark Bradford, Aubrey, TX |
“He is so special to me; I love him so much,” Lee said. “He is actually my first reiner and we got so lucky with him. He is the sweetest thing ever! My favorite thing to do is stop him because he’s a really big stopper. He’s a good turner, and his circles are always so pretty because he has nice, long legs.”
NRHA $1,000 Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 Slate 1 Champions: Lindsey McCutcheon and Dreamy Lil Gun
| 2019M (Magnum Chic Dream x Freckles Nu Lil Gun) | Owner: Scott and Kathleen McCutcheon, Whitesboro, TX |
| Score: 137.5 | Breeder: Kathleen Roach, Spanish Fork, UT |
“We bought this mare as a 2-year-old and she was a little behind, so we gave her time to grow up and get better in her maneuvers, and she has been my steady-eddy Novice horse,” said McCutcheon. “She’s pretty much the same all the time. I wouldn’t say she’s the most fun horse to ride at home because she is a little lazy, but she’s been a good little show horse for me.”
NRHA Para Reining Grade 5 Champions: Elizabeth Kelley and Pale Face Whiz
| 2015G (Pale Face Dunnit x Lady Naskiia Whiz) | Owner: Lucky Quarter Ranch, Collinsville, TX |
| Score: 139 | Breeder: Everett Wiggins, Cave Creek, AZ |
“It is great to show here; it’s such a challenge and I love it when there are other Para riders,” said Kelley. “Reining to me is not a sport where you’re not competing against other riders but competing against yourself. I always tell Jared Leclair, my trainer, the one thing I am going to try and improve on, because that, to me, is what makes it fun. I always want to push a little bit harder.”
NRHA Para Reining Grade 3 Champions: Everlee Leyva and Benjamin Sprite
| 2014G (Custom Crome x Whiz Jewels) | Owner: Heidi Staiger, Phoenix, AZ |
| Score: 132.5 | Breeder: Bahn Quarter Horses LLC, Wildwood, MO |
“I started riding two and a half years ago, and reining is challenging for people like me but it helps me so much. It keeps me active so I stay fit and healthy,” said Leyva, 16. “My sister has been reining for nine years, and I wanted to try it. It has been amazing to show[reining], and it has changed my life.”
The action continues Wednesday with another day of packed ancillary competition. For schedules, draws and all things Derby, visit nrhaderby.com and stay tuned as the World’s Hottest Reining keeps rolling in Oklahoma City.
