Friday started early with a seminar by Jody Brainard, widely respected NRHA judge and noted for his world famous “Secrets of Judging” clinic which he synopsized for the Wild Card. With thirty years in the business, Brainard has judged every major NRHA competition and it really shows in the humor and quality of his presentation. Anytime a new show offers a free seminar there’s always the chance that only two or three people will show. Not so here. Over a hundred came, and extra chairs had to be quickly hunted up to accommodate everyone. Jody’s presentation was on the Rotundra and it was followed immediately by Andrea Fappani’s clinic in the main arena. Andrea went over some of his unique and innovative training techniques, featuring his personal methods for circling and speed control, basic exercises he considers to be an important key to fine tuning and winning with high performance horses. In addition to being a great trainer and rider, Fappani has become an outstanding teacher and advocate of exceptional horsemanship.
The morning clinics were followed by Youth competition. Luca Fappani won the Youth 13 & Under with Gimme Major Bucks, Taylor Stephens and Custom Big Chex won the Youth 14 to 18, with Paige Neufeld and her Arabian, Black Jack Jerry taking top honors in the 14 to 18 Breed Restricted. McKenna Bein won the 10 & Under Short Stirrup on MK Check Please. In the Rookie divisions Taylor Bradshaw and Tinselena Nic (AKA “Lucas”) won both the Level 1 and 2, while Leah Miller and Jac Be Whizzard laid claim to the Green As Grass, Green Reiner and DRHA Rookie divisions. Misty Steinhauer and Short Circuit Jac took home the Prime Time Rookie title and Lorraine Larramendy won the Rookie Masters on Timber Winner.
The Wild Card Reining 4 Year Old Non Pro Futurity was a big deal for Lindy Longfellow and her sweet Palomino, CW On Juice. The pair came home with wins in Levels 2, 3 and 4. Jill Ramleth and her wildly colored Crystalized Gunner won the Level 1, and Abbey Weiss and TR Flash Flood won the HA Level 4. The Half-Arabian ARBC competition didn’t start until early evening but it pretty much went home with Crystal McNutt, who won well over $20,000 with her 1st (TR Por Quixote), 2nd (TR Flash Flood) and 3rd (Wheres Wanda RA) place finishes. Nathan Kent won the Level 1 and $6,396.15 riding SH Smoke N Sparks for owner Connie Cole O’Brien and his brother, Preston, took second with SH Rockin Reminic.
It was a very good day with the WPR team competition finishing up in style and giving the crowds a real good look at determination and courage on horseback. Tonight, everyone is looking forward to veterinarian Kris Crowe’s Wild Card seminar on getting equine athletes ready for top competition, Saturday morning at 9 am. If you can’t be with us, watch it LIVE on www.HorseShowGlobal.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. #wildcardreining
