The 2010 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby showcased the $155,000 added Open Derby finals on Saturday, June 26 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Okla. The NRHA Derby Show paid out in excess of $600,000 in the derby and ancillary classes, and riders from eight countries were represented at the show this year.

Shawn Flarida rode Gunnatrashya to a scorching 235 to win the Level 4 Derby Open division championship and $50,000. Gunnatrashya (Gunner x Natrasha) is a four-year-old stallion owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA and bred by Katarina Dorminy. Prior to the Derby, the duo won the 2009 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open championship and over $157,388 in NRHA earnings.

Flarida, an NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider from Springfield, Ohio, won the use of a four-horse Cimarron Trailer, NRHA Lawson trophy, Bob’s Custom Saddles trophy saddle, Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, gift certificates from Rios of Mercedes, Pard’s Western Shop, Platinum Performance, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery and SmartPak, a pair of Classic Equine ProTech boots, and Flair Equine Nasal Strips.

As the sire of the NRHA Derby Level 4 Champion, Gunner won the NRHA Sire & Dam sire award including $1,500 and a Sire & Dam bronze. Gunner is owned by McQuay Stables of Tioga, Texas.

Craig Schmersal, Overbrook, Oklahoma, and Boom Shernic were close behind with a 234 to win the Level 4 Open Derby reserve championship and over $35,000. Boom Shernic is owned by the Boom Shernic Syndicate of Brenham, Texas. Prior to the Derby, the duo earned over $238,000 together in NRHA competition.

Todd Sommers and Whiz It A Chic (Who Whiz It x Chic Out Mama) scored a 227.5 and the Level 3 Open division championship for $12,791. The four-year-old stallion is owned by Stoney Russell of Longview, Texas and bred by Dawn Shaver.

As the sire of the NRHA Derby Level 3 Open Champion, Who Whiz It earned $1,000 and a Sire & Dam trophy. The stallion is owned by Clint Haverty of Krum, Texas.

Sommers, of Whitesboro, Texas won the use of a three-horse Cimarron Trailer, NRHA Lawson trophy, Bob’s Custom Saddles trophy saddle, Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, gift certificates from Rios of Mercedes, Pard’s Western Shop, Platinum Performance, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery and SmartPak, a pair of Classic Equine ProTech boots, and Flair Equine Nasal Strips. Sommers and Whiz It A Chic also earned the top Level 3 Open composite score, to win the coveted Kiser Edge, donated by NRHA Corporate Partner Kiser Arena Specialists.

Brandon Brant, London, Ohio, scored a 226 aboard Dun It With A Splash to win both the Level 2 and 1 Open division championships. Dun It With A Splash (Reminic N Dunit x BB Holly Doll) is a five-year-old stallion owned by Joe Wolfe of Catlettsburg, Kentucky and bred by Susan T. Goldman. The duo earned over $6,500 and NRHA Lawson trophies, Bob’s Custom Saddles trophy saddles, Montana Silversmiths trophy buckles, gift certificates from Rios of Mercedes, Pard’s Western Shop, Platinum Performance and SmartPak, two pairs of Classic Equine ProTech boots, and Flair Equine Nasal Strips.

Prime Time Open Champion Tim McQuay and RR Dunit Like A Star scored a 223 in the go round to win the championship and $2,400. RR Dunit Like A Star (RR Star x Seven S Willow) is a six-year-old stallion owned and bred by Lundin Farm. McQuay also won an NRHA Lawson trophy, Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, gift certificates from Pard’s Western Shop, Platinum Performance and SmartPak, a pair of Classic Equine ProTech boots, and Flair Equine Nasal Strips.

NRHA would also like to congratulate several history-makers at the 2010 Derby. Rosanne Sternberg of the United Kingdom earned NRHA Million Dollar Owner status when Brad Giesbrecht rode her Shiners Chic (Smart Chic Olena x Ebony Shines) and Plum Tinseled (Tinsel Nic x Jays Sugarplum) in the Level 4 and 3 Open finals.

Wimpys Little Chic reached legendary status by becoming the first horse in NRHA history to earn over half a million dollars in NRHA Lifetime Earnings. Shawn Flarida rode the six-year-old mare (Wimpys Little Step x Collena Chic Olena) owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA to a 228.5. The duo earned over $15,000 in a tie for fourth in the Level 4 Open division.

The Derby also hosted the NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship, featuring 12 of the nation’s top collegiate riders. Carrie Von Uhlit earned the championship title by riding Dunnit With A Chex to a 147.5. Von Uhlit, Winters, California, recently graduated from Texas Christian University and has over $11,731 in NRHA earnings. Dunnit With A Chex (Nu Chex To Cash x Dunit Like A Cowgirl) is a four-year-old mare donated for the competition by owner Todd Hamilton.

For complete results, video of the top runs of the day, the show blog and much more, visit nrhaderby.com.

NRHA would like to thank the following corporate partners for their support: AdequanR; Arenus, Bob’s Custom Saddles, Cimarron Trailers; Cinder Lakes Ranch and Reproduction Center; Classic Equine; Horse&Rider; John Deere; Kiser Arena Specialists; Markel Insurance Company; MD Barns; Montana Silversmiths; Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau; Pard’s Western Shop; Platinum Performance; Purina Mills; Quarter Horse News; Rios of Mercedes / Anderson Bean Boot Company; Rocky Mountain Clothing Company; SmartPak and Wimpys Little Step, plus Event Sponsor Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, Flair and Metro Golf Cars.

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From the NRHA Reiner Carol Trimmer Katie Hendrickson

Media Contact: Christa Morris NRHA Manager of Marketing & Communications [email protected] (405)946-7400