NRHA Open World Championship Shootout Winners: Fappani, Schmersal, and Vanlandingham

NRHA press release by Christa Morris – The $75,000-added National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Open World Championship Shootout brought some of the best reining horses in the world to the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Thursday, December 4.

Entries included the earners of nearly $2.3 million, plus past Shootout Co-Champion Shiners Chic, past Shootout Reserve Co-Champion Custom Cash Advance, NRHA Futurity Champion Lil Joe Cash; and National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Champions Wimpyneedsacocktail and Blue Collar Tag.

The packed house also enjoyed watching Reining’s top open riders including members of the NRHA Million Dollar Club: Shawn Flarida, Craig Schmersal, Andrea Fappani, Tom McCutcheon and Jordan Larson.

The Shootout ended with a top score of 223 turned in by Lil Joe Cash (Nu Chex To Cash x RS Lilly Starlight) and NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani for owner Lil Joe Cash, Inc. To date, the 2008 stallion has earned $246,800 in NRHA competition including the 2011 NRHA Open Futurity Championship. The Shootout paycheck added another $21,300 to his earnings. This is the fourth Shootout title for Fappani.

Right behind was What A Wave (Tidal Wave Jack x What A Sunrise) and NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal with a 221. Karl and Terri Roberts own the 2008 stallion that has earned more than $105,000 during his NRHA career, plus another $14,500 for his placing in the Shootout. What A Wave and Schmersal won the reserve championship at this year’s NRBC.

Third place went to the defending Shootout Champion Shiners Chic (Smart Chic Olena x Ebony Shines) and Jason Vanlandingham. They marked a 220.5 and earned $10,200 for owner Rosanne Sternberg. The 2005 gelding had $234,500 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings prior to the Shootout.

Previous Shootout Winners
2013: 1st – Colonels Smart Spook and Jordan Larson, 2nd/3rd Custom Cash Advance and Larson, 2nd/3rd – Smoking Whiz and Andrea Fappani

2012: 1st tie – Sail On Top Whizard and Bernard Fonck / Shiners Chic and Andrea Fappani, 3rd – Smoking Whiz and Andrea Fappani

2011: 1st – Tinker With Guns and Andrea Fappani, 2nd – Whizkey N Diamonds and Shawn Flarida, 3rd tie – Custom Cash Advance and Duane Latimer / Great Sun Burst and Bernard Fonck

2010: 1st – Yellow Jersey and Andrea Fappani, 2nd – Smart Spook and Rudi Kronsteiner, 3rd tie – Mister Montana Nic and Craig Schmersal / Wimpys Little Chic and Shawn Flarida

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.

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