Gunner Becomes National Reining Horse Association’s First 13 Million Dollar Sire

Photo © Magoteaux
Photo © Magoteaux

For a quarter-century, most everyone has had a favorite Gunner story or special memory. It might be the mighty moves of an astonishing athlete. It could be a joyful recollection of seeing him in the Norick Arena entrance in Oklahoma City as the crowd erupted in cheers the moment his floppy-eared profile came into sight. It might simply be an unforgettable run burned into someone’s memory – because there were plenty of those. It might be the magic at the birth of one of his foals.

Read MoreGunner Becomes National Reining Horse Association’s First 13 Million Dollar Sire

Midili Continues the Week’s Winning Streak Claiming the IRHA Open Futurity Championship

Photos by Bonaga Communication
Photos by Bonaga Communication

In front of a full house on Saturday night in Cremona, Italy, the 37th edition of the $426,264 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity closed with the $289,181-added Open Futurity Finals.

First to go in Section 2 of the Open $196,686-added Level (L) 4 Open Finals, Mirko Midili set the bar by posting a 221.5 on Frozen Natrashya, a stallion owned and bred by Angelucci Quarter Horses by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of Frozen Tari. Eighteen horses later, Midili burst into the oval arena of CremonaFiere with Spark Made Whiz, a stallion by Spark N Whiz out of Mare Made owned by Luga Quarter Horses and bred by Silvano Ronzullo. With an explosive ride, the Italian Professional bested his own score by performing to a 223 which remained the top score with four horse and riders left to go.

Read MoreMidili Continues the Week’s Winning Streak Claiming the IRHA Open Futurity Championship

Verschueren and Smart Little Ruffle Lead the 2021 NRHA European Derby Non Pro Qualifier

Photo By Wanted Photo
Photo By Wanted Photo

Lyon, October 28—The 2021 edition of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Derby held during Equita Lyon, Lyon, France, welcomed the €66,000€-added* Non Pro Derby (*subject to change in nominations), presented by NRHA Corporate Partner Markel Insurance with the support of gold sponsor NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Reining Horses.
Performing to a great ride, Dries Verschueren of Belgium rode Smart Little Ruffle (NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook x Ruffle Me Up) to a 217, enough to lead the Level (L)4 and L3 qualifiers. The 6-year-old American Quarter Horse mare is owned by Golden Paint Ranch.

Read MoreVerschueren and Smart Little Ruffle Lead the 2021 NRHA European Derby Non Pro Qualifier

Giovanni Masi & Nico Sicuro Lead ARHA 4-Year-Old L4 Open Futurity Go Round, Jonas Bujnoch Dominates Levels 3, 2 and 1

Photos by IHP Media Partner Tom Hautmann
Photos by IHP Media Partner Tom Hautmann

57 horses were entered in the four levels of the Austrian Reining Horse Association (ARHA) Open Futurity Go rounds for four-year-old horses. In the L4, the top 18 horses advanced to the final, for which a score of at least 212.5 had to be achieved. And the top rides were very close together. Nico Sicuro aboard Dance Wimpy Spook (Wimpys Little Step x Dance Little Spook) and Giovanni Masi de Vargas aboard La La Boom (Remins Remedy X Boomax Rm) took the lead scoring a 217.5 each.

Read MoreGiovanni Masi & Nico Sicuro Lead ARHA 4-Year-Old L4 Open Futurity Go Round, Jonas Bujnoch Dominates Levels 3, 2 and 1