2021 Best of the West

Ruben Vandorp on Mr Farenheit and Andrea Fappani on No Photos tie for Best of the West Open Futurity Championship

The Best of the West Reining & Southwest Affiliate Regional Championships, held October 5-10, 2021 in Scottsdale, Ariz. provides reiners from across the world a friendly, affordable place to show. With derbies, futurities, two full slates of ancillary classes, and innovative new classes and awards like the Long Stirrup classes and Never Won A Buckle awards, there truly is something for everyone. The beautiful venue, surrounded by mountains and cacti, in the pleasant fall weather of the desert, has cuisines for all tastes nearby. With impressive payouts on top of all of that, the Best of the West is not a show to miss.

While Andrea Fappani has long been a fixture on the leaderboards, Ruben Vandorp has been coming in hot. The two NRHA Professionals ran head-to-head in the Best of the West Futurity on two great 3-year-olds.

Miss Modern Vintage carries Marco Ricotta to the Open Futurity Level 3 Championship

On his own, home-raised filly, Marco Ricotta scored a 223½ to win the Level 3 Open Futurity at the Best of the West.

Miss Modern Vintage is by Platinum Vintage and out of Miss Whizzletown. “We are really proud of her,” Ricotta said. “She was really good here at the Best of the West. She is really solid and strong.”

The team plans to continue to prepare the mare for the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City at home. Ricotta thanked his crew, his customers, and his wife, Jenny.

Click HERE to watch Marco’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

NVR Lil Ruf Tinker & Cody Stark Claim Level 1 Open Futurity Win

Cody Stark teamed up with NVR Lil Ruf Tinker to win the Level 1 Open Futurity with a score of 219. The sorrel mare, owned by Sandy and Gary Vickery, is by NRHA 4 Million Dollar Sire Tinker With Guns and out of Ruf Dixie Chic.

Stark knew going in that if he made it thru his turnarounds and circles, she would take it from there. “When I got through that, I put my hand down and ran and stopped her. She did what she always does: stopped big
and rolled back really good,” said Stark. “All the credit goes to her.”

The Vickerys and Stark look forward to a small futurity near Stark’s home in Hodgekiss, Colo. to complete the
filly’s year and have high hopes for her in the 4-year-old derbies next year.

“I would like to thank my wife, Kelsey, and the mare’s owners, Gary and Sandy Vickery,” Stark said.

Click HERE to watch Cody’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Lucca Fappani Rides Talladega Ice to the Non Pro Futurity
Level 4 Championship

Lucca Fappani and Talladega Ice claimed the win in the Level 4 Non Pro Futurity at the Best of the West with a
score of 219½.

“He’s a big stopper, he tries hard every time, when you go in you don’t have to stress about it, you know he is going to stop,” said Fappani. “He turned good both ways just like outside. He was with me the whole time. It was really clean, and we had some good speed, and I was happy because he didn’t get excited at all. He stayed right with me then he ran down, and stopped big three times, I was really happy.”

Fappani plans to school a little more in preparation for the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City.

Click HERE to watch Lucca’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Non Pro Futurity Level 3 won by Kylie Warn and Gunna Make Mischief

Watching a foal grow up is rewarding but going on to win on the foal that you raised is icing on the cake. Kylie Warn and Gunna Make Mischief took top honors winning the Level 3 Non Pro Futurity at the Best of the West with a
score of 214.

Gunna Make Mischief is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya and out of Mischievous Step. Warn
bought Mischievous Step with Gunna Make Mischief on her side and says that the broodmare is a joy to have around for her son to ride.

“She is not a huge turner, but she got turned okay,” Warn said of Gunna Make Mischief. “She circled really good and stayed with me everywhere. She is a huge stopper so she got down the pen really well and got stopped. Now, I know I can go a lot faster on her.”

Warn plans to continue working and preparing for the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City and gives thanks to her husband, her trainer, Arno Honstetter, and his whole team at Story Book Stables.

Click HERE to watch Kylie’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Robert Peterson claims Non Pro Futurity
Levels 2 and 1 Co-Championships

With a 211½, Robert Peterson and Gotta Silver Gun tied for the win in both Levels 2 and 1 of the Non Pro Futurity at the Best of the West.

Gotta Silver Gun is by NRHA Triple Crown Winner Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Miss Taris Rey. “He is really easy, good-minded, and makes it fun,” Peterson said. “He really shocked me. He made it fun to the left. The right he wasn’t with me as much, but he did his job. His stops were easy for him. He is a big stopper.”

The team is excited about the future and looks forward to competing in the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City.

Click HERE to watch Robert’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Tiffany Bauer ties for the win in the Non Pro Futurity Levels 2 and 1

With a score of 211 1/2, Tiffany Bauer earned co-championships in both Levels 1 and 2 of the Non
Pro Futurity riding Lida Spook (Gunners Tinseltown x Spook A Lida), owned by her mother, Brenda Andrews. The pair have only been together since August.

Lida Spook is Bauer’s first Futurity horse, and it has been a change. When asked the difference between her Derby horses and Futurity horse, she said, “[Futurity horses] are just so pure. They are waiting for you to tell them what to do, and sometimes I forget that. It’s been an adjustment, but a fun one.”

Click HERE to watch Tiffany’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

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Andrea Fappani Rules The Best of the West Open Derby
Tying Himself on Cee Mr Stop and Trash Talking Spook

Winning the Best of the West Open Level 4 Derby is a feat in itself and tying yourself is incredible; however, that is exactly what Andrea Fappani did.

Cee Mr Stop (Hollywoodstinseltown x Cee Miss Hollywood) owned by Kelly Moran and Trash Talkin Spook (Gunnatrashya x I Spook) owned by Marilyn Overgaard both scored big to take home the win.

Fappani says these horses are a prime example of how great the judging system is. He said, “They are both very different types of horses, but it shows how you can do the pattern completely differently and come up with the same
score at the end.”

Fappani scored 224s on both horses. Fappani thanked the owners, Kelly Moran and Marilyn Overgaard along with the whole Fappani crew.

Click HERE to watch Andrea’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Open Derby Level 3 Championship goes to Ronni Rey Gun ridden by Marie Kleiner

A last-minute decision can be risky, but it paid off for Marie Kleiner and Ronni Rey Gun when they scored a 221 to win the Open Derby Level 3.

Ronni Rey Gun, by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya and out of Miss Taris Rey, is owned and shown by Mark Blake of Blake Performance Horses, LLC.

Kleiner said, “He didn’t warm up quite as good as I wanted him to, but he went in there and was with me the whole time. I could push him in his circles, and he ran and stopped really good. I was very happy with him.”

She added that she is thankful for Craig, Mark, and the whole team at Schmersal Reining Horses. Click HERE to watch Marie’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Dallas Wedel guides Xtra Herecomesthesun to the Open Derby Levels 2 & 1
Championships

Dallas Wedel piloted Xtra Herecomesthesun, owned by Catherine Jooyan, to score a 217½, not only to win the Open Derby Level 2 but the Level 1 as well.

Wedel said that “Zia” was a challenge in the beginning, but he has learned a lot. “She thinks a lot – she wants to be ahead of me – so I’ve really had to think about how to get her to listen and not get ahead of me all the time and stay out of trouble,” he said.

The challenge proved to be worth it. “When they stop like she does, it doesn’t matter. She could be dumb, she could be really smart, like she is; You’re going to love her because she stops huge.”

Wedel thanked Zia’s former owner Richard Martinelli for trusting him to find the mare, his wife and crew taking care of things at home, his friend, Garret Thurner, his mentor, Cyndi Harris, and the horse’s owner Catherine Jooyan.

Click HERE to watch Dallas’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Kristi Wiggins on RCS Ramiro Sweeps the Non Pro Derby at Best of the West

Kristi Wiggins and RSC Ramiro (Gunner x Shesa Wimpy Lilqueen), owned by Everett Wiggins, swept the leaderboard in the Best of the West Non Pro Derby scoring a 219 to win Levels 4 – 1.

Wiggins has only owned RSC Ramiro for one year; the 2020 Best of the West was their first show together. “This year has been a whirlwind. We are finally getting each other figured out,” said Wiggins. “I am excited for what the future holds, and I hope we can keep going up from here, or at least stay consistent.”

Wiggins had one more class that week. She planned to show a different mare in the Novice Horse, and RSC Ramiro was to be shown by Marie Kleiner in the Open Derby.

Click HERE to watch Kristi’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Lauren Booth rides Trashin Your Dreams to the top of the Prime Time Non Pro Derby

With a score of 217½, Lauren Booth and Trashin Your Dreams (Gunnatrashya x Brennas Dream) tied for the win in the Prime Time Non Pro Derby.

The gelding is owned and raised by Booth and was named after Booth’s late friend and horsemanship legend, Benny Guitron. “We showed his mom and raised him ourselves, it’s been fun,” Booth said. “Tracer Gilson was a Futurity finalist on him and won quite a bit on him, so he decided to let me start showing him. I showed him at Woodside, and we did really well there; this was my second time showing him. He was just solid in everything I asked of him. He’s a fun
one.”

Future plans for the team are to compete in the Non Pro ancillary classes at the Best of the West and at the Cactus Reining Classic.

Click HERE to watch Lauren’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Addisyn Schmersal rides Face The Attitude to Youth 14-18 Derby Title

It was Addison Schmersal and Face The Attitude’s (Pale Face Dunnit x Miss Lil Addy Tude), final Derby together, and they sure didn’t disappoint. The duo scored a 217 to win the Youth 14-18 Derby.

The team came together for a remarkable run. “She stopped really good, and circled good as well,” Schmersal said. “She spun great, but the pattern was very long.”

Schmersal will also be showing the mare in the Pro Amateur Stakes but is unsure of their plans for the next time they will show together.

Click HERE to watch Addisyn’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Youth 13 & Under Derby Championship goes to McKenna Bein and Dee Jersey Boy

Being born during the Scottsdale Arabian Reining Show must have been good luck for McKenna Bein. She and Dee Jersey Boy (Yellow Jersey x Dual Dee Bay), owned by McKenna, herself, secured the win in the Youth 13 & Under Derby with a 204.

Bein has owned the 6-year-old gelding for two years. They have been working hard to get to this point where they can score big. Bein said, “I could have been a little better mentally, but he was good and picked up the slack.”

The team was only entered into the Derby, so it was their
one and only chance at this show. “He has a lot of talent.
He’s a one-of-a-kind horse and gives me his all,” Bein gushed.

The duo completed their time at the Best of the West with
this win, but Bein’s next stop is Tulsa, Okla. for an Arabian
show, where she will compete in the Arabian Horsemanship, Showmanship, Ranch Riding and Trail.

Click HERE to watch McKenns’s video interview with
Virtual Horse Help.

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Southwest Affiliate Regional Champions Crowned

Fred Bosscha & Ashley Wilson Hammer Share ARC Open Championship

When NRHA announced the new Showdown format for the North American Affiliate Championships, Ashley Wilson-Hammer jumped at the chance to run for the extra payouts. Entering her usual derby horse, The Star Jersey (Yellow Jersey x Nicastar Lite), for owner, Patrick J Baxter, she did more than qualify. The dynamic duo also won an ARC Open Co-Championship when they scored a 72.

Despite not being able to prepare the horse as much as Hammer had planned, their run went smooth. “I haven’t shown him much outside, but he was great,” Hammer said. “He didn’t even know we were showing. It was super low stress for him.”

The team’s next stop is the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City, where they look forward to the Affiliate Championships.

Click HERE to watch Ashley’s video interview with Virtual
Horse Help.

It all started with a bet, but it definitely paid off after Fred Bosscha and ARC Wimpysgottagun scored a 72 to win the ARC Limited Open Championship and ARC Open Co- Championship.

Bosscha and ARC Wimpysgottagun’s owner, Barbara Townsend, challenged one another to qualify for the NRHA Affiliate Finals at the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City:
him in the Intermediate and Limited and her in the Rookie.

“Today went really well. We only had a slight bobble that we will work on at home,” said Bosscha. “I just love that horse. He is so easy and flashy.”

Bosscha has big hopes for ARC Wimpysgottagun and his owner, Barbara Townsend, on Sunday to qualify for the NAAC in the Rookie. Then they are off to the North American Affiliate Championships.

Click HERE to watch Fred’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Bridgette LeeAnne Neese wins ARC Rookie Professional Co-Championship

With a 69½, Bridgette LeeAnne Neese and Gunnaoutshinya (Gunnatrashya x Out Shinin Wimpy) a.k.a. “JD” owned by Seven Sisters Trust, scored a spot in the three-way tie in the ARC Rookie Professional.

JD was the very first horse Neese rode when she moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., to work for Marco Ricotta. Although he was a challenge to ride at first, Neese is proud of how far they’ve come.

“Who would have known that a year and a half later he would be in my string, and I would be showing him,” said Neese.

Neese says he has been a lot of fun to show. “I am bummed it is his last derby year, but I look forward to showing in the Open next year.”

Their run was a little rocky as JD was unsure of the cameraman’s intentions, but the pair came together as a team to
score big. “He was very good in the circles, slowed down nice, and turned good. He beat me to the first stop a little bit,
but our next two stops were really good. He was really there for me,” Neese shared.

The team will show Sunday in the Open slate before they begin preparing for the North American Affiliate Championships hosted by the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City.

Click HERE to watch Bridgette’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Rebecca Woodward shares ARC Rookie Professional Championship

Rebecca Woodward makes the long trip to Scottsdale, Ariz., from Gordonville, Texas each year for the Best of the West. This year, she will return with at least an ARC co-championship in the Rookie Professional after she rode Riding Cromed Out Gunner to a 69½. The 9-year-old gelding, owned by Seven Sister’s Trust, is by Cromed Out Mercedes out of Smoking Gypsy Rose.

Even though things didn’t quite go as planned, the Gordonville, Texas resident and her mount made up for it in other parts of the pattern. “He came in there, and he came to show,” said Woodward.

She has been riding Cromed Out Gunner for about two
years and knows him well. She said with a chuckle, “He is
an honest boy, and he’s a little lazy.”

After the Best of the West show, Cromed Out Gunner will resume his role as his owner’s mount at the Select World before she and Woodard decide whether or not to also show him at the Paint World. Woodward looked forward to showing in the Pro Amateur class on Sunday for the first time to “have a little fun” with it.

She thanked all of her clients for trusting her with their
horses, her husband for his support and for helping her
make the, sometimes, long hauls across the country. She
also said, “I always thank God for all the beautiful horses I
get to ride.”

Click HERE to watch Rebecca’s video interview with
Virtual Horse Help.

Linde Von Koeding ties for ARC Novice Horse Open Level 2 Championship

Linde Von Koeding and Shining On Spook (Smart Spook X Shining High Roller) shared the win in the ARC Novice Horse Open Level 2 with a score of 72 to bring home a check for $150.

Linde has had Shining On Spook for about a year and
has been showing him a short 6 months. “He is very honest and very fun to show,” Linde said. “We went to the center, and he did good. He fired in both turns really nice, and circled great. I was really happy. He was right there with me the whole time. He ran in and stopped really nicely along with the rollback. Overall, just a very clean run and performance.”

The team plans to show again at the Best of the West in the ARC Open before deciding to attend the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City.

Click HERE to watch Linde’s video interview with Virtual
Horse Help.

Marco Ricotta shares ARC Novice Horse Open Level 2 and Takes the Level 1 Championship

With a score of 72, Marco Ricotta and 4-year-old Mr Electric Spook (Mr Electric Spark x Whizin Off Spooks) won the ARC Novice Horse Open Level 1, and an ARC Novice Horse Open Level 2 Co-Championship. Mr Electric spook is owned by Buckshot Farms.

“He’s coming along pretty good. I got him late this year,” Ricotta said. “Compared to where we were in Vegas, he turned around pretty good. The shutoff happened a little too
quick, and he sat back a little too much in the first right turn. The left turn was good – he shut off quick, so no penalty. In the left circle, he did good and came back a little too hard, but no penalties. The three stops and the left circle were the ones that got plus points.”

With The Best of the West being held so close to home, Ricotta is having a busy week. “Everyone wants to show here. It’s close and affordable,” he said. Ricotta also has several Derby and Futurity horses entered.

Click HERE to watch Marco’s video interview with Virtual
Horse Help.

Morris Kulmer takes the ACR Prime Time Non Pro Championship

Morris Kulmer and his long-time partner, NVR What A
Lucky Joe, a.k.a “Joe”, won the ARC Non Pro, Non Pro,
Prime Time Non Pro, Masters Non Pro and the ARC Prime Time Non Pro with a score of 72½. Earlier in the week, they were co-champions in the Prime Time Non Pro Derby with a score of 217½.

This may have been the team’s final Derby, but Morris
said Joe is one horse that will be with them forever and may even become a ranch horse for his wife. He said, “I got him as a 3-year-old. He just got a little better every year.”

The team looks forward to competing in the NAAC at the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City. “I think it’s a great opportunity. All of the new classes are great for getting more people interested,” he commented. “The sponsors are great, and I think it will only get better.”

Morris thanked the staff at the Best of the West, including Kathy Gould and her crew, Virtual Horse Help, Dan Huss and his crew for helping keep his horse going, God for letting him be on this earth this long, and his wife and family for their support.

Click HERE to watch Morris’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Veronica Williams tops the ARC Intermediate Non Pro

A 15-hour trip with a toddler, two 100-pound dogs, a husband, and a new horse can be intimidating, but it paid off big for Veronica Williams and Humble And Kind, a.k.a. “Rosie”, as they scored a 71 to secure the win in the ARC Intermediate Non Pro at the Best of the West.

Rosie is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya and out of Bejewled. Williams bought Rosie in July, so this was their first show together. “It was pattern 12 so it was a run-in and everything went well. She was with me everywhere. We had some lead change issues, but other than that, she was really good,” said Williams. “We needed a confidence-building run, and she gave that to me.”

Williams gives thanks to her husband, Billy, their customers, clients, and friends. “It takes a village to show a horse,” she said with a smile.

Click HERE to watch Veronica’s video interview with
Virtual Horse Help.

Kalena Reynolds Named ARC Limited Non Pro Co-Champion

With a score of 69 ½, Kalena Reynolds and Magnatize, affectionately known as “Thomas”, came together as a team to win a co-championship in the ARC Limited Non Pro.

Thomas is by NRHA $4 Million Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Dunit N Continental. While Reynolds admits that there is always something to
improve, she is very proud of what they have accomplished thus far. “I have really been working on clicking with him in the stops, and making sure we get our rundowns good,” Reynolds said. “We did that, so I was very happy.”

The duo’s next stop is the NRHA Futurity for the North American Affiliate Championships. “I think the new format is so cool, it gives so much opportunity for everyone who isn’t showing in the Futurities or the Derbies. It is going to grow our industry so much,” she said.

Click HERE to watch Kalena’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

ARC Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 2 and 1 claimed by Mary Riley Cachat

The objective for Mary Riley Cachat and her horse Spooks Show Biz (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Dolittle Lena) was to get a score so they could qualify for the North American Affiliate Championships. They did more than that when they scored a 70 and secured a co-championship in the ARC Novice Horse Non Pro Levels 1 and 2.

Riley is grateful for her mother, who has been a really big help and a great “show mom”, and also her trainers, Mike and Kristi Berg.

Click HERE to watch Riley’s video interview with Virtual
Horse Help.

Gayle Samuelson Claims ARC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 Win

Gayle Samuelson and her horse, Mob Money, scored a 70 to claim co-championships in the ARC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 and the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level Mob Money is by HF Mobster and out of Whizin Off Spooks.

Samuelson said, “Pattern 3 gave us a lot of time to relax
and get around the pen. He was relaxed and happy. It was
really good.”

Under the help of her new trainer, Gabriel Borges, Samuelson
has learned a lot and it shows. She commented, “Gabriel helps me tremendously. I learn so much every day.”

Samuelson is excited to be qualified for the North American
Affiliate Championships at the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma
City.

Click HERE to watch Gayle’s video interview with Virtual
Horse Help.

Logan Flaherty Crowned ARC 13 & Under Champion

The ARC 13 and Under Champion was Logan Flaherty riding Cashing Black Chex (Big Chex To Cash x Blazing In Black) to a score of 71.

This was the horse and rider team’s first year showing together, and it has proven to be a favorable match. The team had a goal to qualify for the North American Affiliate Championships at the NRHA Futurity, and they did just that. “He was really, really good,” Flaherty said. “Even though he
was a little bit tired from showing last night in the Pro-Am,
he did great.”

The geldings’ favorite reward is to have his gums rubbed
after showing. “If you touch his lip, he will raise his lip for
you to rub his gums and his teeth. He likes it.”

Flaherty is thankful to Kim Nevin and Tim Anderson for
allowing him to show Cashing Black Chex this year, and
his dad, Patrick, for helping him, and his mom, Janelle, for
always getting him ready.

Click HERE to watch Logan’s video interview with
Virtual Horse Help.

Layla Flaherty Earns ARC Short Stirrups Co-Championship

Layla Flaherty shared top honors in the ARC Short Stirrup class when she scored a 68½ to tie for the win. Flaherty rode SS Spyderman who is by NRHA 12 Million Dollar Sire Topsail Whiz out of Chics Velvet Lady.

“He picked up the wrong lead to the right, but we are working on that. Overall, he was a really good boy,” Flaherty said.

Flaherty’s future goals with SS Spyderman include winning a Green Reiner class. She thanked her dad, Patrick, and SS Spyderman’s owner, Jenny Ricotta.

Click HERE to watch Layla’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Victoria McClure takes ARC Short Stirrup Co-Championship

It was a successful show for Victoria McClure and her gelding, This Guns For You a.k.a ‘Flash”. The 17-year-old campaigner is by Lil Gun out of Suzie San Badger. The team scored a 68½ to earn an ARC Short Stirrup Co-Championship at the Best of the West.

Although the partnership is new, it was evident that the horse and rider shared a connection and worked as a team. McClure shared, “I think I should have studied the pattern two minutes more, but the rest went really well. He’s a good boy.”

McClure thanked her trainer, Marie Kleiner, as well as her parents.

Click HERE to watch Victoria’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

KC Belcher claims the ARC Prime Time Rookie Championship & the Prime Time Rookie Never Won A Buckle

As the sun went down in Scottsdale and on an exciting week of showing at the Best of the West, there was still
one team of champions waiting to be crowned. KC Belcher and the horse she leases from Kathryn Gabriel, Spookin in the Dark (Smart Spook x This Chex On Top), a.k.a. “Ace”, scored a 71 ½ to take home the title of ARC Prime Time Rookie Champions. Because she had never won a buckle before, Belcher was also the JW Performance Horses Prime Time Never Won A Buckle winner.

In the short year that Belcher has been leasing Ace, they have been quite the team. “He’s a cool horse. He steps up and does what you ask,” said Belcher. “He’s always there for me.”

After performing double duty for both Belcher and Gabriel this week, Ace still excelled to bring home the wins.

When asked who Belcher thanked, she was quick to give credit to her trainer, Ashley Kelkenberg, saying, “She is the best trainer that I could ask for. She is always there for us. Her advice and guidance have been the game-changer for me and Ace.” She also expressed gratitude to her daughter Samantha, her parents, and Gabriel.

Click HERE to watch KC’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

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Ancillary Circuit Champions Awarded at the Best of the West

Green Reiner Levels 2 and 1 Circuit Championships and Never Won A Buckle Earned by Robin Filbry

Anyone who has won a buckle remembers their first one, and that will no doubt be the case for Robin Filbry after her successful weekend at the Best of the West. Filbry not only won her first buckle, but she will be going home with three, after scoring a 70½ on Red Hot Whizkey, securing the win in both levels of the Green Reiner ancillary class, both circuit buckles, and the new Never Won A Buckle award.

Red Hot Whizkey is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Whizkey N Diamonds and out of Roosters Redhot.

Confidence was key to the team’s success today. “This
horse is super talented,” Filbry said. “I just went in there today and said, ‘we’re doing this.’ He also showed his heart off. We did it.”

Filbry thanked Brent Naylor for getting them ready and believing in them.

Click HERE to watch Robin’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Kaylene Cunningham Scored the Youth 14-18 High Point Championship

Kaylene Cunningham and her partner, KB Bucks N Guns a.k.a “Marcello”, made top marks at their first show together scoring a 73 to win the ARC Youth 14-18 and tie for the High Point Championship. KB Bucks N Guns is sired by Gunner and out of Smart Whizzin Jenny.

“I just kinda waited for him to get under me, pushed him a little bit, then he was there,” said Cunningham. “I didn’t lose any control, and just let him do his job.”

The team looks forward to attending the NRHA Futurity
and the North American Affiliate Championships.

Cunningham thanked her Mom, her trainer, Shane Brown, and Marcello.

Click HERE to watch Kaylene’s video interview with
Virtual Horse Help.

Jan Peterson Sweeps all Non Pro Circuit Championships

The Non Pro ancillary circuit championships were cleanly swept away in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the Best of the West. Jan Peterson and Sunglasses At Nite kept their scores consistently high enough in the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Limited Non Pro, Prime Time Non Pro, and Masters Non Pro at claim High Point Buckles in each of those classes.

Sunglasses At Nite is sired by the All-Time Leading Siring son of Gunner, Gunners Special Nite, and out of Chexy Dun It.

Even after changing from split reins to romels, Sunglasses At Nite came to win. “It felt like a really good run, and I didn’t care about the score. We just wanted to get our lead changes on time, run long – all of the things that we have been trying to improve on.” said Peterson. “It’s nice hearing the score, but it’s more about having a really nice run on a horse we’ve been working really hard with. That was phenomenal!”

Peterson thanked her husband, her trainer, Andrea Fappani, his wife, Tish, Fappani’s assistant, Erik Caddeo, who helps her most, and the entire Fappani crew. She said, “They have been phenomenal to ride with. It’s been a really long year but a good one.”

Click HERE to watch Jan’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

William Solentor named Short Stirrup Circuit Champion

William Solentor had a successful weekend at the Best of the West. After two consistent runs, he will return home with the Short Stirrup Circuit Championship.

Solentor was aboard Big League Yankee who is by NRHA Million Doller Sire out of Cody Cee Cutter and owned by Ryan Mills. “He has been all over the world,” Solentor said.

“I am very lucky to have him.”

The team plans to work on speeding up their spins while preparing for the next show, but before that, Solentor will give Big League Yankee his favorite treat: carrots.

“I would like to thank my grandma, my trainer, and my horse,” Solentor said.

Click HERE to watch William’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.

Danielle Stutz named Inaugural 19 & Up Long Stirrups Champions

Danielle Stutz and her horse, Colonel Hesa (Hesa Zee x Sheza Colonel Judy) a.k.a Colonel, switched things up from Ranch Riding to enter the new Long Stirrup 19 & Up class at the Best of the West.

The Long Stirrup classes are open to anyone who isn’t entered into any other classes at the show. It allows people to have never shown a reiner before, such as parents, grooms, siblings, etc., to experience it. NRHA membership, ownership, and licensing are not required. Participants only need to be AZRHA members.

“It was really exciting to be in a brand-new class,” said Stutz.

The team won the Long Stirrup with a score of 68½. They have been together for a year and a half, and “Colonel” is Stutz’s first horse making this win extra special.

The Long Stirrup classes, which include a Youth 18 & Under and Adult 19 & Over, worked pattern B. “It’s a little bit of a weird pattern, so it messed with my head a little bit,” she explained. “He takes really good care of me, so I think our run went really well. I am pretty proud of myself, and I am super proud of him.”

Stultz is thankful for her trainer, Jessica Bein, everyone at the barn, her husband, her kids, and her parents.

Click HERE to watch Danielle’s video interview with Virtual Horse Help.