National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Two Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida is doubling his chances to qualify for the 2007 NRHA Open Derby Finals. Flarida landed both first and second place in the first section of the $80,000 added Open Derby go round on Walla Walla Whiz and Senor Tejano Whiz.
Flarida, from Springfield, OH, scored a 225.5 and first place on Walla Walla Whiz (Topsail Whiz x Shiney Walla Wanda) owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, from Weatherford, TX. He’s in second place following the first section on Senor Tejano Whiz (Topsail Whiz x Tejana Chic) with a score of 224.5. Senor Tejano Whiz is owned by 4 R Performance Horses, from Boerne, TX.
Abigail Mixon, from Overbrook, OK, is leading the way in the first section of the $50,000 added Intermediate Open division go round. Mixon scored a 222 on Spooks Gotta Gun (Grays Starlight x Katie Gun), owned by Duane Hicks, from Marietta, OK.
Crystal McNutt Brock’s score of 221.5 sent her straight to the top of the placings in the first section of the $5,000 added Limited Open Derby go round. Brock rode In It For The Chics (Smart Chic Olena x BH Hollywood Lady), owned by Story Book Stables, from Tucson, AZ. Brock lives in Scottsdale, AZ.
After more than 100 runs in the first section of the go round on Wednesday, the crowd was treated to several ancillary classes that evening; the $4,000 added Non Pro, $2,000 added Intermediate Non Pro and the $500 added Prime Time Non Pro (all running concurrently).
In the $4,000 added Non Pro class, first place went to Trisha Hamilton, from Scottsdale, AZ. She scored a 219 and a payout of $2,017.31 on Lenas Taxman (Lenas Wright On x Zans Light Sparkles). Lenas Taxman is owned by Bob & Linda Hamilton from Scottsdale, AZ.
Kerry Newell, from Newton, KS, won the $2,000 added Intermediate Non Pro class on Hailstorm Jaci (Shine Like Hail x Cowboys Mysti Jac). Newell scored a 220 to win $1,215.69. Hailstorm Jaci is owned by Newell Quarter Horses, LLC, from Newton, KS.
The winner of the $500 added Prime Time Non Pro class was Timothy D. Bartlett, DVM from Vincennes, IN. Bartlett scored a 218 on his Oakwood Please (Chic Please x Oakwood Trim). He earned a payout of $300.88.
On Thursday, the second section of the $80,000 Open Derby go round begins at 8:00 am followed by the $2,000 added Novice Horse Non Pro NRHA ancillary class, American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Amateur, American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Regular Amateur and APHA Solid Amateur classes, which all run concurrently. Also Thursday, the Celebration of Champions will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm in Barn 3. The annual Bar-B-Q dinner is sponsored by NRHA Corporate Partner, Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau.
A phenomenal number of people are taking advantage of the NRHA’s free live-streaming video of the Derby. In just two days, thousands of viewers have tuned in to watch all the Derby action on their computers. Go to www.nrha.com to watch the 2007 NRHA Derby online.
Besides world-class reining, there are several other events for everyone to attend. Those who are in the market for a reining horse might want to attend the NRHA/Markel Insurance Spotlight Sale on Saturday, May 19. There are 60 consignments of yearlings, two-year-olds, three-year-olds, show horses and broodmares to choose from. The NRHA/Markel Insurance Spotlight Sale begins at 10:00 am in Barn 3.
Also on Saturday, there’s lots of fun for kids of all ages. Join the National Reining Horse Youth Association for the NRHyA Youth Day & Derby Block Party. The entire day will be filled with fun for all ages and benefit a worthy cause at the same time. The Block Party is free, but participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items or a monetary donation to benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. The block party begins at 1:00 with a petting zoo, moonwalk, rock climbing wall, a demonstration by the Oklahoma City Mounted Police as well as a Reining demonstration with NRHA Professional John Horn.
