The first step to getting a piece of the big money is advancing past the preliminary round, and Casey Deary and Down Right Amazing took a big one. The pair marked a 225.5 to win the round, worth an incredible $15,663.

The five-year-old stallion, owned by DAG Ventures LLC, is by NRHA $13 Million Sire Gunner and out of Shesouttayourleague. Deary actually rode Shesouttayourleague to earnings of more than $250,000, including the 2015 NRHA Futurity Open Championship and the 2017 NRHA Derby Championship.

In the Level 3 Open, Fernando Salgado piloted Gunnabeabrightstar to a 222.5 for the top spot. Owned by Neiberger Performance Horses, the six-year-old stallion is by NRHA $7 Million Sire Smart Spook and out of Abbie Be Tuff.

Kari Ann Klingenberg and Peace Love N Jewels won the Level 2 Open preliminary round for owners Tulare Trust. The five-year-old mare, also by Smart Spook, is out of Whiz Jewels.

In the Level 1 Open Classic, Neiberger Performance Horses repeated with a win when Hannah L McCullough scored a 218.5 on All About Business. The seven-year-old mare is by Smart And Shiney and out of Anne Get Your Gunner.

Duane Latimer rode Hesa Rockin Whiz for Roxanne Koepsell and scored a 222.5 (including handicap). The six-year-old stallion is by NRHA $12 Million Sire Topsail Whiz and out of Bueno Poco Dunit.
Last but not least, Redhot Vintage scored a 220.5 in the Development Division to take the top spot. Trevor Elliot Dare rode the four-year-old stallion by Platinum Vintage out of Redhot Walla for Sandy Vargo.

In the Level 4, a score of 220 was needed to advance to the Finals, while in the Level 3 the magic number was a 218. Riders in the Level 2 marking a 214 or better advanced, as did Level 1 riders with a 206.5 or higher. Prime Time exhibitors who scored above a 213 (including handicap) also earned a spot in the Finals.

The Open Finalists were celebrated during the Matt Mills Reining Horses Open Draw Party Thursday evening. The event provided the opportunity to enjoy lots of laughs and camaraderie before the high-stakes finals weekend began.

The first section of the Open Finals, featuring finalists in Levels 3, 2, 1, and Prime Time, kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. The Level 4 Open Finals will begin at 5 p.m. Find a complete schedule at www.NRBC.com.

Matt Mills Sponsors Open Draw Party

The night before finals competition is slated to begin is always an exciting time. With the Open preliminary rounds concluding just an hour before, attendees gathered for the Open Draw Party, sponsored by Matt Mills Reining Horses upstairs in the Sponsor Area.

Mills and his wife, Karen, are not only longtime sponsors of the NRBC, they’re both avid competitors. Both have seen much success inside the Coliseum, and Matt is an NRHA Million Dollar Rider.

At the Open Draw Party, finalists were invited to come pick up their commemorative 25th NRBC wine glass, which held each finals draw position on the base of the glasses. Contestants were also able to pick up their first go checks.

Being presented with the biggest check of the night, worth $15,663, was Level 4 first round winner, NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary. Deary topped the first round of the Open preliminaries with a score of 225.5 on Down Right Amazing. Owned by DAG Ventures LLC, Down Right Amazing is by Gunner out of Shesouttayourleague.

The Open Finals will be held Saturday, with the first section beginning at 8 a.m., and the Level 4 Finals kicking off at 5 p.m. 

Congratulations to Thursday's Tellepsen and Wheless Arena Winners

Horse show action continued at the 2022 National Reining Breeders Classic, held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Along with the premier event held in the Coliseum Arena, the NRBC also features two full slates of horse show classes that take place in the Tellepsen and Wheless Arenas. Exhibitors who compete in both slates of classes have the chance to win high point buckles as well. The first of those were awarded on Thursday.


Limited Non Pro High Point - Ainsley Larcombe & Tinseltown Memory
Youth rider, Ainsley Larcombe, walked away with the Limited Non Pro High Point award at this year’s NRBC. The 16-year-old showed Tinseltown Memory, a four-year-old mare by Gunners Tinseltown, out of Wimpys Memorabilia.

“She was really good and super easy to show. She’s getting easier to figure out. Today, she had a little bit of trouble on her first spin, but it was still consistent and easy.”

Larcombe noted how the mare is the same horse every day, and her favorite attribute is how easy it is to trust her.
“If she’s feeling good, she’s probably going to show good. There’s no tricks behind it. My aunt bought her from the Legacy Sale last year, and Dad has helped me train her.”

Competing in the arena is a family affair, and Larcombe thanked her parents, aunt, sister, and everyone who helped her prepare for the NRBC.


Limited Non Pro (2) Co-Champions - Breanna Lappe & Wimpy Pale Face

The winner of the Limited Non Pro (2) on Thursday was a tie between Breanna Lappe riding Wimpy Pale Face and Kirk George riding A Custom Spook. Held in the Tellepsen arena, the co-champions both scored a 140.5.

Lappe showed the five year old gelding sired by Pale Face Dunnit and out of Wimpys Lil Doll. She noted the horse’s best moves were his spins and stops.

“I just went in and kind of went through it smoothly because I haven’t rode him in a couple of weeks,” she said. “It went pretty smooth for the most part.” Lappe thanked her family for taking care of her horse and her trainer, Austin.

Limited Non Pro (2) Co-Champions - Kirk George & A Custom Spook
The winner of the Limited Non Pro (2) on Thursday was a tie between Breanna Lappe riding Wimpy Pale Face and Kirk George riding A Custom Spook. Held in the Tellepsen arena, the co-champions both scored a 140.5.

George’s horse, A Custom Spook, is sired by Spooks Gotta Whiz out of the mare Custom Princess. It has been seven years since George has competed at the NRBC, and he is glad to be back.

“I love the facility. It’s a fun, great show. It usually falls on Easter, but we were able to get here on Monday this year. Abby, our trainer, shows today too so we are excited about that.”

He made the most of his return to the NRBC and also thanked his wife for all of her support.

Limited Open (2) Champions - Kaleb Nicholson & Dirty Jersey
Dirty Jersey and rider Kaleb Nicholson took the Limited Open (2) win on Thursday in the Wheless Arena.

Nicholson is an assistant trainer for NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary, and has shown the seven-year-old gelding off and on for the past two years.

Dirty Jersey, owned by Michelle Porter, is by Yellow Jersey out of Spark Chocolate.
“He’s himself every day,” he said. “I know what I’m getting every day.”
Nicholson thanks Casey and Nicole Deary, and Michele and Ed Porter.

Limited Open High Point - Naike Bell & With Addy Tude
Bell is a name that’s practically synonymous with reining horses. Naike Bell won the Limited Open High Point buckle Thursday afternoon aboard Kirk Johnston’s With Addy Tude. The five-year-old mare is by Gunnatrashya out of Miss Little Addy Tude.

“I played it safe today because my horse is really green,” Bell said. “It went better than what I was expecting. I think now I can trust her.”
This was the mare’s third time showing, and Bell will show her again on Friday. This team will be dialed in, ready for the next competition.

“I still need to work on my rollbacks, but she has been really even everywhere,” Bell shared.

Rookie Pro (2) Champions - Katie Davis & Chicsdundreamin
It was a good day for the Casey Deary team, with Katie Davis winning the second slate of the Rookie Pro on Chicsdundreamin.

The seasoned gelding is 15 years old and by Magnum Chic Dream out of the mare Goody Goody Dun Drop.

“I was glad to see it was pattern two, which is a really nice schooling pattern,” Davis said. “I was able to stay on pattern and have a nice run while still going really long in the stops up and down the middle and waiting to spin until the end is a nice change of pace.”

Davis won the High Point on the gelding here last year, and he will be shown in the short stirrup Friday by Joy Deary.

Rookie Pro. High Point - Eric Grondin & CBK A Nu Kinda Spark
Quebec, Canada, rider, Eric Grondin was the Rookie Pro High Point winner on CBK A Nu Kinda Spark, owned by Patricia Jackson.

Grondin works for his friend Luke Gagnon and has learned a lot over the years.

“I’m very lucky to show this little horse with a big heart,” he said of CBK A Nu Kinda Spark, by Jacs Electric Spark out of HR Wright On Cash. “He’s really honest.”

To win the high point award, the rider must compete in both slates of classes on the same horse. A horse like CBK A Nu Kinda Spark, who is a huge stopper, makes it easy and fun for a talented rider like Grondin.

Rookie L1 (2) Champions & L2 (2) Co-Champions - Dawn Butler & TR Mic Magnum
Dawn Butler had an impressive day aboard TR Mic Magnum. Butler split the win in the Rookie Level 2 (2) and won the Level 1 (2) out right. TR Mic Magnum, by Magnum Chic Dream out of Hung Up On The Girl, was purchased last November, and the NRBC was only the pair’s fourth show together.

“This is our first time at the NRBC. It’s a super fun show, very exciting,” Butler explained. “Last year, I got to come with Rylee, and this is the first year that I’ve gotten to show.”

Rylee is Butler’s daughter, who spoke highly of the team’s success.
“My mom has been my biggest supporter,” Rylee said. “I grew up in this dirt, and so there’s nothing that makes me prouder than seeing her succeed and come out here and really show how much work she’s put in and have that pay off for her.”

Congratulations Yellowstone Paramount Network Rookie Shootout Qualifiers!
Five qualifiers to the Yellowstone Paramount Network Rookie Shootout finals will compete for bragging rights and a one-of-a-kind award this evening in the Coliseum Arena. The top five composite scores from both slates of Rookie competition advance to the Shootout, which is held prior to the Open Classic Challenge. 
The top 5 Yellowstone Paramount Network Rookie Shootout qualifiers:

    •    Stormi Carpenter & Hollywood Nites
    •    Dawn Butler & TR Mic Magnum
    •    Joetta Bell & Gunnabelectric
    •    Karly Diane Kopp & Sugaway Spooks
    •    Susannah Rose & Xtra Gotta Step

The champion’s award, which was recently unveiled to be a quality-crafted, Yellowstone branded sitting bench was constructed by Robert Webb of MyTCoat Commercial Outdoor Furniture, and sponsored by the Paramount Network’s Yellowstone. The skilled rider who takes this prize home is sure to feel like they’re sitting right at home on the Dutton Ranch. All five Shootout qualifiers receive custom Yellowstone Paramount Network Rookie Shootout buckles.
A Yellowstone Shootout Consolation round for those finishing outside the top five will be held Sunday.

By NRBC Press Release