Oklahoma City, OK – June 23, 2009 – The 2009 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby in Oklahoma City, Okla. is the third-largest NRHA-approved event in the world and hosts the $30,000 added Non Pro Derby and the $80,000 added Open Derby. The show offers in excess of $234,000 added money for both Derby and ancillary competitors, as well as guaranteeing $50,000 to the winner of the NRHA Derby Level 4 Open division champion.
Samantha Griffin of De Winton, Alberta, Canada and Lance Griffin’s This Chic N Whiz (Smart Chic Olena x This Chex On Top) are leading the $80,000 added Level 4 Non Pro division go round with a score of 219.5. Just one-point behind with a 218.5 was Marietta, Oklahoma’s Fliss Sassella and Twilight Rooster (Roosters Wrangler x Not Too Shiny). The duo have the second place score in the Level 4 Non Pro division, high score for the Level 3 Intermediate Non Pro Derby division and Prime Time Non Pro division. Twilight Rooster is owned by Rich and Fliss Sassella.
The Level 2 Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro Derby division leader is Kickit In The Bud (Nic It In The Bud x Peppys Little Orphan). Marcia Cole Walker rode her horse to a 216.5 to lead these divisions and earn a second place ranking in the Level 3 Intermediate Non Pro Derby. Walker hails from Dandridge, Tennessee.
Gunnin For Diamonds (Like A Diamond x BH Top Gun) and Devon Spencer made their way from Evergreen, Colorado to mark a 215.5. The score was good enough at the end of the day to rank first in the Youth Non Pro Derby division, second in Level 1 Non Pro, second in the Level 2 Limited Non Pro and third in the Level 3 Intermediate Non Pro divisions.
The NRHA Derby played host to ancillary competition on Monday as well. In the $2,000 added Novice Horse Level 1, Kristi Berg’s Cadillac Jac (Jac Be Quick x Sen Sen Patti) and Michael Berg scored a 218.5 to take the win and $989.25. Skeet McQueen (Skeets Peppy x Miss Trickynic) and Matthew Flarida earned $990.08 in the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 for owner Ann Quattrocchi. The pair marked a 221.5 for the win. Norma Sather’s Won With Me (Lean With Me x Playgirls Miss) and Abigail Mixon won the AQHA Open Reining class held with the first slate of ancillary classes on Monday.
Limited Non Pro riders took to the Coliseum Arena after the conclusion of Monday’s Non Pro Derby First Go, First Section. Dream It Magnum (Magnum Chic Dream x A BH By Dun It) and Kathy Barker won the class, an NRHA Pewter and prize money with a 214 for owner Larry Barker.
