2014 NRHA Futurity Update: Dec. 3rd

NRHA press release by: Christa Morris – The world’s best open riders and horses set their aim on qualifying for the nearly $500,000-added National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Open Futurity Finals at the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show.

The show runs through December 6 at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Okla. with the NRHA Futurity Open finals being featured on the closing day. With today’s conclusion OF the open semi-finals, fans moved one step closer to seeing the crowing of the 2014 NRHA Futurity Open Champion.

In the Lucas Oil Level (L) 4 Open, yesterday’s leaders held the top positions, with one new addition, Xtra Electric Meter and Craig Schmersal, who tied for third:

– 1st: Chexmaster (Nu Chex To Cash x Snip O Gun) with Franco Bertolani for owner Slide or Die LLC and nominator Hilldale Farm – Semi-Finals – 223.0 / Go 1 – 221.5 / Composite – 444.5

– 2nd: Snip O Lution (Einsteins Revolution x Snip O Chex) with Martin Larcombe for owner XCS Ranch and nominator Cinder Lakes Ranch – Semi-Finals – 217.5 / Go 1 – 224.0 / Composite – 441.5

– 3rd/4th: Pinesail Jac (Tinsel Jac x Sailin Lil Ruf) with Andrea Fappani for owner and nominator Raul Leal – Semi-Finals – 222 / Go 1 – 219 / Composite – 441

– 3rd/4th: Xtra Electric Meter (Jacs Electric Spark x Metermaid To Order) with Craig Schmersal for owner Eric Unger and nominator Xtra Quarter Horses, LLC – Semi-Finals – 222 / Go 1 – 219 / Composite: 441

The L3 open and L2 open division leader remained unchanged. Wimpy Chic (Wimpys Little Step x Chics Fancy Lady) and Gabriel Diano held the lead with a 440 composite score. They earned a 221.5 in the semi-finals to add to their go-round score of 218.5. Thales Rocha Bordignon owns the stallion that was nominated by Ericka Smith.

There was a tie for second place in the L3 open division composite (437.5): Little Rooster Spark ridden Peter Defreitas and Redhot Walla ridden by Nicole Renick.

Defreitas and his Little Rooster Spark (Gallo Del Cielo x Shining Little Angel) improved on their go-round score of 216.5 with a 221 in the semi-finals. Franco Mari nominated the 3-year-old stallion. Little Rooster Spark was previously consigned to the NRHA / Markel Insurance Futurity Sales.

Redhot Walla (Walla Walla Whiz x Roosters Redhot) and Nicole Renick made a fierce run in the semi-finals to add a 222 to their 217.5 from the go-round. Michelle Preston’s Redhot Walla (nominated by Rhodes River Ranch) and Renick also took second place in the L2 open division and won the L1 open division composite.

The second-place duo in the L1 open division was FM Shine N Tag Chex (Whiz N Tag Chex x Shine With Wanda, owned by Tricia Jaeger, nominated by Fausto Mattioli) and Jordan Kole Price with a 433.5 composite score. FM Shine N Tag Chex was sold in 2012 at the NRHA / Markel Insurance Futurity Sales.

The top open horse and rider combinations, based on composite scores from the first go-round and semi-finals, will advance to the NRHA Open Futurity Finals, including the Lucas Oil L4 Open, on Saturday, December 6. The bubble to qualify for finals are: L4 – 434, L3 – 428.5, L2 – 426 and L1 419.5.

Watch the free live webcast, keep tabs on full results and get the latest news at nrhafuturity.com, facebook.com/nrhareining or twitter.com/nrha.

CONGRATULATIONS:
NRHA / MARKEL INSURANCE FUTURITY SALES CONNECTIONS
NRHA congratulates the following horses that were previously consigned to the NRHA / Markel Insurance Futurity Sales:

• Snip O Lution owned by XCS Ranch, LLC
• FS Taris Walla Whiz owned by Tim Anderson
• ARC Gunnabeabigstar owned by HDC Quarter Horses
• Little Rooster Spook owned by Peter Defreitas
• Shine N Spook owned by Clark Reining Horses, LLC
• ARC Gunna Sparkya owned by Rabboni Reining Horses
• FM Shine N Tag Chex owned by Tricia Jaeger
• Custom Vickie owned by Steven Simon

SHOW SUPPORTERS
The NRHA would like to thank the following corporate partners for their support of the NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show: Adequan, Anderson Bean Boot Company, Bob’s Custom Saddles, Cardinal Reining Horses, Center Back Pads, Classic Equine, Darling 888 Ranch, Downunder Horsemanship, Horse&Rider, John Deere, Kiser Arena Specialists, Kyle Tack, Markel Insurance Company, Merial, Miller International – Cinch / Cruel Girl, Montana Silversmiths, NFuelN Local, Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Pard’s Western Shop, Platinum Performance, Purina, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, Santa Hill Ranch, Silver Spurs Equine, SmartPak, Schmersal Reining Horses, Twister Trailer and Xtra Quarter Horses.

In addition, NRHA thanks NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show Event Sponsors:
Platinum Futurity Sponsors: Ram, Scott Cleaners, KO Trading, Sandbur Productions, Protect the Harvest and Lucas Oil
Gold Futurity Sponsors: Caboy Hattery and Equine Oasis
Silver Futurity Sponsors: Avila’s Pro Shop, Forewheeler Golf Cars, E-Z Go and Arenus