Day two of the 2016 High Roller Reining Classic spotlighted the kids and it’s so much fun to watch them compete. From the tiniest Short Stirrup competitors to the teens that are already eyeing Non Pro buckles, they are a delight to catch in action. In the Short Stirrup division Addisyn Schmersal teamed Cromer Out Whiz to win with a solid 70 score. The Youth 13 & Under class was the largest of the “kid” classes with 19 entries, though the Youth 14 -18 was not far behind with 18 teenagers participating. Winner of the 13 & Under was Luca Fappani, riding Custom Spook, the horse Andrea Fappani rode at the HRRC last year to win the USEF Open. Luca tied for second as well, riding his mom’s horse, Premier Diamond. Caroline Buchanan tied with him for second, riding Lucky Cee Blair. Caroline won the individual Gold Medal at last year’s HRRC Youth Tournament. Kate Buchanan (Bronze individual Medal in the 2015) won the 14-18 with her good Vintage Neptune. Kaylee Naylor was second with Spookamatic. All of these winning kids are from Scottsdale, except for Addisyn who hails from Oklahoma. In the Breed Restricted Arabian competition Siena Krueger won the 13 & Under with VLQ Friendly Fire and Abbey Weiss won the 14-18 on Dun With Style RA.
Both the Lucas and the Preifert Arenas were very active on Saturday. The Youth classes were larger than anticipated and ran late, eventually pushing the show up to 10 pm Saturday night. In the Rookie competition Laura Johnson and Vintage Sparks won the Level 2 and 1 Rookie, as well as the DRHA Rookie and the Green Reiner. Joe Moran and AR Guns N Roses won the Prime Time Rookie and Leah Miller and Jac Be Whizard won the Green As Grass. After the kids finished up in the Lucas Arena, Robyn Schiller teamed Plenty Of Guns to win the Novice Horse Non Pro with a solid 72 and then took second as well, posting a 71.5 with CD Star Commander and taking home total prize money just over a $1000 for her efforts. Dan Huss won the Novice Horse Level 2 with Chics Dream for owner, Morris Kulmer of Bountiful, Utah. Shane Brown and Wimpys Lucky Girl were a half point behind to take second place for Holly Van Duys of Westcliffe, Colorado. At evening’s end Crystal McNutt teamed Zee Gunslinger to win the NARHA 4/5 Yr Old Open Arabian Futurity, taking home over $1,600 for the run.
Following the WPR (World Para Reining) competition was television coverage for the local Tina Montana show, “What’s Country in Vegas”. The camera crew was visible all Saturday afternoon, interviewing and filming the WPR riders especially the charming and energetic Freddy Win and his talented Reiner, Downright Juicy (Trucker). “Trucker” is owned by Juli Moran and trained by Ashley Kelkenberg.
In addition to all of the above competition on its “day two”, Sunday will showcase the much anticipated NARHA Half-Arabian Open Futurities. The program that began several years ago as the ARBC has now evolved into the NARHA, the National Arabian Reining Horse Association. It’s a fledging group with a lot of energy and promise for tomorrow.
Watch all of the High Roller Reining Classic action LIVE via live stream broadcasting on www.HorseShowGlobal.com, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram, #HRRC.
