2016 Cactus Reining Classic Weekend Recap

Cactus Reining Classic

Friday, March 4th, 2016

Cactus Classic competition began at 8 am sharp Friday morning and the warm, beautiful weather made it a certainty everyone wore a smile to start the day. In the outdoor Arena 4, Stacey Hamilton and Whiz I Was Smart posted a sizzling 73 to win the Novice Horse Non-Pro Level 2. One point behind her, Scottsdale locals, Wimpys Cat Step and Sheley Brien took reserve honors. In the Novice Horse Non-Pro A Fine Lil Peppy and Kelsey Duede spun into the winner’s circle while Brenda Joyce teamed Dun Lost My Mercedes to second place honors. Arena 6 featured the Ladies Non Pro, won by Kathleen Jackson and Shine Spook Shine, while David Weller won the DRHA Gents NP with Hollywood Chocolena. There were some impressive entries, both numbers and talent, in the Rookie classes. Diamond Oak and Paige Barton took the buckle in the Rookie Level 2, beating the balance of the 43 total entries. With one less entry to defeat in their group, Taylor Bradshaw and Tinselena Nic won the Rookie Level 1. Janet Bache and Sailing With Tejon won BOTH the Prime Time Rookie and the DRHA DRHARK Rookie.   

Officially, there were 14 competitions slated for Friday, March 4^th at the Cactus Reining Classic. ALL of them were important to more than a few “somebodies”, but it was difficult to keep folks from focusing all of their attention on the $40,000 Added Protect The Harvest Non Pro Derby. Harper Connor of Dallas, Texas had the best runs of the Level 4 group, placing first on Jacs Princess and reserve on Vintage GQ. Harper was also 11^thwith Revolutionary Jewels, taking home around $10,000 for his efforts overall. Julie Ridgeway showed her beautiful Palomino mare to third and won the PT Non Pro Aged Event. Kim Muehlstaetter and Lil Magnum Chic won the Level 3 Intermediate Non-Pro just a half point ahead of Camela Essick and Hollier Than Thou. Samantha Belcher won the Level 2 Limited Non Pro Aged Event on Taser Gun and Morris Kulmer and Chics Dream won BOTH the Level 1 Non Pro Aged Event and Masters Non-Pro Derby.

At the beginning of Friday evening, Brumley Management hosted a delightful Taco party in the Equidome with all the trimmings at the west end of the rotundra in the Equidome. All together it was a sweet evening with lots of people drifting in and out of the dinner area, enjoying good food and iced tea. It was just a wonderful, family way to catch up with friends and fellow horsemen, compliments of Brumley Management and the Cactus Reining Classic show.

Saturday, March 5th, 2016

Saturday at the Cactus Classic began with a bang!  Right out of the gate the morning started with the $10,000 Added SmartPak Non Pro Maturity. Jessica Sternberg and Shiners Chic took home the Level 4 money but the morning’s biggest winners were Kate Buchanan and Vintage Neptune. The team took the Level 1, 2 and 3 prizes and loped home with over $2,300 and lots of buckles and goodies. Nobody does prizes like the Brumley shows! Loren Booth won the PT Non Pro Maturity with Sheza Smart Wimpy.

In the Novice Horse, Jordan McBurney teamed his young Diamonds N Whizkey in the Novice Horse, BOTH Level 1 and Level 2, tying with Devin Warren and One More Nite in Level 1 and Devin and Gunners Blonde Chic in the Level 2. In the Youth competition, Luca Fappani rode the well-known Premier Diamond to a 72.5 and a win in the Youth 13 & Under. Chandler Winard made the Winner’s Circle with Tags Golden Star in the Youth 14-18 and Anna Clausen scored a 71 with Gangsters Wiseguy to win the Rookie Youth. Kendall Wigen and Chexoutthisreminic took top honors in the 10 & Under Short Stirrup.

Hanna Hopper had a great ride and a 72 score with Im Magnificent to win the Green As Grass and the Green Reining. Anna Clausen and Gangsters Wiseguy finished a solid second in both classes.

 Of course the big competition of the show, the $70,000 Lucas Oil Open Derby, was what everyone was waiting to see. It started at 1:00 and within 15 minutes Casey Deary had posted a 220 on Lenas Sparkplug to get the ball rolling. Mid-afternoon, Jordan Larson posted a 222.5 on Ruff Lil Magnum that stood under Tracer Gilson and Shiners Gotta Whiz hit the 223.5 mark just after dinner. At that point Jordan Larson came back with a resounding 226 on a shiny copper penny of a horse named ARC Gunnabeabigstar. Meanwhile Matt Mills (Wimps Cool Breeze) was in a Level 3 tie with Dan Huss (Ms Dreamy) throughout the day, and as the day grew older the discussion regarding a possible ride-off was getting more and more serious. Finally Matt brought in Gotta Trigger Man, scored a solid 223.5 and broke his own tie. He and Dan took their tie to second place and settled with a toss.

When Harper Cooper/ Silver Spur’s Palomino stallion, Platinum Vintage faced the in gate about five runs from the end of the Derby, Andrea Fappani was talking to no one and completely focused. He knew he was on a very good, seasoned Reining horse, but he’s only had him a very short while. Winning this Derby was going to take a perfect performance. The big horse with the platinum braids hit the pen like a copper-colored streak and scored the Derby winning 230 Fappani needed to take the money.

Sunday, March 6th

 Final days at shows are always a little slower and quieter. By the time the Equidome was up and running on Sunday morning there were already people packing and taking down drapes in the stabling area, anticipating the drive back to California, Oklahoma and Texas.

Still, starting at 8 am and working toward a mid-afternoon closure, there were three rings on board, all of them with a full complement of open, non-pro or Youth competition.

The Rookie Non-Pro had plenty of attention and entries. The Level 2 was won by Jenny Ricotta and SS Spyderman with a 72.5. Donita Mullins and Heza One Step Ahead took reserve and won the Rookie Level 2 and the Prime Time Rookie. Carla Odetta scored a 71.5 with Ruf Electrical Whiz to win the DRHA Rookie competition and take reserve in the Level 1 Rookie. Winning the Prime Time Rookie also made Donita Mullins the first annual recipient of the Bruzzy Cooke Memorial Trophy for the Cactus Classic Prime Time Rookie winner. Donita was awarded the trophy at a special ceremony with Polly Cooke following the classes.

Caroline Buchanan and Spark Me Again won the Youth 13 & Under, Paige Barton and Diamond Oak took the Youth 14-18 and Coleton Oleen won the Rookie Youth with Cruising For Chics. Kendall Wigen won the 10 & Under Short Stirrup with Chexoutthisreminic for the second day running and took High Point lead in that division regionally.

Michael Berg and Guns on Sunset won the Novice Horse Level 2 with a score of 73. Just a half-point separated the champion from the reserve, Shane Brown and Walla Girl is a Whiz. Wimpin and Saar Ben Hamo won the Novice Horse Open, with Martin Padilla and Lokotas Whizen April a strong second.

The 12^th annual Cactus Reining Classic was, once again, a great show for professionals, non-pro, youth and families in general. It combines good times, fabulous competition and judging, great food and gatherings with the industry’s best saddles, trophies and buckles.

Join us for more fun at the Wild Card Show, South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada over Memorial Day this May.

It’s been another Cactus Reining Classic to remember.