Oklahoma City, OK – April 14, 2009 – The world’s top FEI dressage and jumping riders will take a fast-paced course in the art and sport of Reining during the Rolex FEI World CupTM in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 18 at the Thomas & Mack Arena. Dressage and Jumping riders Anky Van Grunsvan, Charlotte Bredahl-Baker, Rodrigo Pessoa and Will Simpson will be paired with National Reining Horse Association Professionals Rick Weaver and Ann Fonck in the first-ever International Reining Celebrity Challenge. Eight American Quarter Horses will help their new protégés through four-days of preparation ending in Saturday’s reining feature event. An excited and generous group of owners and trainers are en route from California to the Thomas & Mack Arena loaded with top-notch horses, saddles, bridles, show attire, and everything imaginable to prime the riders for the test.
Tom and Kirstin Foran; David and Becky Hanson; Mike Boyle and a supportive group of owners who will be supplying an experienced field of Reining horses for this event. Meet the amazing equine athletes ready to compete on the Rolex FEI World stage this weekend.
Dun Its Chico (2002 American Quarter Horse – Hollywood Dun It x Smart Chinas Chic by Smart Chic Olena) Owned by Susan Williams, Gilroy, CA; Bred by McQuay/Easton LLC, Tioga, TX; NRHA Lifetime Earnings $44,313; 2007 AQHA Amateur World Champion Reining; 2006 AQHYA Reserve World Champion Reining; AQHA Year-End High-Point Youth Reining – 3rd Place; AQHA World Show Earnings $9,011; 58 AQHA Points
Reeboks Rerun (2002 American Quarter Horse – Reeboks Kid x Workmans Fisty by Workmans Jose) Owned by Careena Laney, Portola Valley, CA; Bred by Kyle Johnson, Ringold, GA; NRHA Lifetime Earnings, $37,805; 2005 Cinch NRHA Non Champion Pro Futurity Limited Non Pro division; 2005 NRHA Futurity Non Pro Gelding Incentive Reserve Champion; 2008 NRHA Rookie Professional World Champion; 2006 Open and Amateur AQHA Region Six Regional Experience Champion Reining
Arapaho Sailor (1999 American Quarter Horse – Cee Blair Sailor x Tabascos Turmoil by Docs Tabasco) Owned by Patrick and Leah Boylan, Grass Valley, CA; Bred by David Connor, Ocala, FL; NRHA Lifetime Earnings $36,514; Cinch NRHA Futurity Champion Limited Non Pro division; much success in NRHA North American U.S. Regional Finals and Championships
Dun Its Manhatten (2002 American Quarter Horse – Hollywood Dun It x Haidachino Cherry by Haidas Magic) Owned by John Booth, Anaheim, CA; Bred by Tim & Colleen McQuay, Tioga, TX; NRHA Earnings $17,851; 2008 Novice Horse Non Pro North American Affiliate Champion; NRHA Futurity finalist Open Division; NRHA Certificate of Merit; AQHA Select World and AQHA World Show Amateur Reining finalist; AQHA World Show Earnings $2,352; 35.5 AQHA Points
Hickorys Award (2000 American Quarter Horse – Hickory Chic Olena x Awards Grace by SMF Lenas Award) Owned by Shelley Brazill, Los Feliz, CA; Bred by Cheryl Curtis, Wolf Creek, OR; NRHA Earnings $14,085; AQHA World Show Senior Reining qualifier; two-time AQHYA World Show Reining qualifier; AQHA Top Five Year-End High-Point Senior Reining; AQHA Top Ten Year-End High-Point Open Reining; AQHA Performance Register of Merit; 68 AQHA Points
Sir Pine By Boomer (2000 American Quarter Horse – Boomernic x Tonya Lea Pine by Great Pine) Owned by Kim & Jessica Tourino, Temecula, CA; Bred by Pamela Elkin, Walkerton, IN; NRHA Earnings $10,686; NRHA Futurity finalist Open Division; NRBC Derby finalist Open Division; AQHA World Show Junior Reining qualifier; AQHA Performance Register of Merit; 27.5 AQHA Points
Whizle Fritz (2002 American Quarter Horse – Topsail Whiz x Madame Fritz by Fritz Command) Owned by Leah Boylan, Grass Valley, CA; Bred by Bob Loomis Quarter Horses Inc, Marietta, OK; NRHA Earnings $7,137; NRHA Derby Reserve Champion Limited Open division; NRHA Novice Open Top Ten; NRHA Certificate of Merit; Whizle Fritz is sired by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Topsail Whiz
A Hollywood Pep (2005 American Quarter Horse – Lil Ruf Peppy x Sara Goes Hollywood by Hollywood Dun It) Owned Lori and Steve Ardis, Orange, CA; Bred by Tom McCutcheon, Aubrey, TX; This talented young stallion’s career is just beginning. With limited showing, “Pep” has proven that he has the mettle to be an exemplary show horse. He will be debuting this year as a Derby Horse.
In addition to providing these outstanding horses to share with the FEI Riders, Kirstin Foran also will be playing a major role in the opening entertainment. Riding Dun Its Manhattan, Kirstin will be giving a freestyle reining demonstration on Friday, April 17. On Saturday, April 18, she will have the honor in carrying the American flag in a Salute to Ole Glory, and finally, will be handing off the American flag to the next nation to host the FEI World Cup in 2010 in the Passing of the Flag ceremonies.
“I’m very honored to be able to share reining with a so many equine enthusiasts from around the world,” Kirstin said. “It will be an opportunity to share our passion for reining horses, as well as give back to the NRHA for all they do in promoting reining on a world stage. I’m excited about this opportunity, and I hope we bring more people into reining as a result!”
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) are co-sponsors of the International Reining Celebrity Challenge.
