Oklahoma City, OK – October 23, 2008 – The World Wealth Report by Merrill
Lynch/Capgemini estimates that only .15% of the world’s population have
achieved “millionaire” status. In the world of Reining, only 11 competitors
have crested the millionaire peak – until now. Craig Johnson of Middletown,
New York is unofficially among the elite few NRHA Million Dollar Riders with
$1,000,093.97 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings. Johnson is the 12th NRHA Member to
become an NRHA Million Dollar Rider.
Johnson, an NRHA Professional, has trained and exhibited horses for three
decades. He started his career showing halter and performance horses before
he chose the Sport of Reining as his specialty. The Middletown, New York
resident has qualified for the NRHA Futurity finals since 1980 rarely
missing the finals in the event. Johnson has earned the reputation of a
respected exhibitor, clinician, trainer and coach. The two-time NRHA
Futurity Open Champion also earned NRHA wins in the Derby and SuperStakes
and is a multiple American Quarter Horse Association and American Paint
Horse Association world champion as well. Johnson’s lifetime earnings are
more than $993,000.
Some of Johnson’s major NRHA achievements include:
1983 – NRHA Open Futurity Champion on Lucky Bay Glo.
1984 – NRHA Open SuperStakes Champion on Mainly Martha.
1985 – NRHA Open Futurity Champion on Sparkles Rosezana.
1987 – Lazy E Open Champion on Zans Diamond Sun.
1989 – NRHA Open Derby Champion on Sparkles Suzana.
1991 – Lazy E Open Reserve Champion on Zan Parr Corolla.
1993 – NRHA Open Derby Reserve Champion, NRHA Open SuperStakes Champion and
Lazy E Open Champion on Lenas Gyrator. Open Reserve World Champion on Smart
Chic Olena.
1993 – Open Derby Reserve Champion on Lenas Gyrator.
Other reiners who have surpassed the $1 Million Dollar Rider NRHA Lifetime
Earnings mark include Bill Horn, Tim McQuay, Shawn Flarida, Duane Latimer,
Todd Bergen, Dell Hendricks, Craig Schmersal, Andrea Fappani, Tom
McCutcheon, Mandy McCutcheon and Brent Wright. Tim McQuay and Shawn Flarida
have each surpassed the $2 Million Dollar Rider milestone. Johnson, Brent
Wright and Nu Chex To Cash will be recognized at the upcoming
American Affiliate Championship Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Wright
earned his NRHA Million Dollar Rider and Nu Chex To Cash became a Million
Dollar Sire earlier this year.
