A highlight of Thursday’s competition at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby Show was the inaugural $15,000-added 7 & Up Non Pro Derby, which featured 25 entries aboard their experienced reining horses, age seven and older.

Samantha Griffin of De Winton, Alberta, Canada, and Dun Playin Tag dominated the 7 & Up Non Pro Derby by scoring a 225 – 5.5 points ahead of the competition. The seven-year-old gelding, owned by her father Lance Griffin and sired by their stallion Whiz N Tag Chex (x Brennas Dunit Fancy), has over $212,000 in NRHA earnings, including a Bronze Medal with Duane Latimer at the 2010 AlltechR FEI World Equestrian Games and a reserve championship in amateur reining at the 2010 AQHA World Championship Show with Samantha. The pair took home a Lawson trophy and $1,875 for the win.

Hes At Bat (Rowdy Yankee x Rambos Smart N Smoke), piloted by Breanna Van Der Schaff of College Station, Texas, earned the level 4 reserve championship with a 219.5. Van Der Schaff and her eight-year-old gelding also won the level 3, level 2 and level 1 divisions taking home several Lawson trophies and over $3,900.

Jessica Sternberg, United Kingdom, marked a 216.5 aboard Bar Room Remedy (Y2K x Chic In The Bar) to claim the reserve championships in the level 3, 2 and 1 divisions and $1,880 in prize money. Rosanne Sternberg owns the seven-year-old gelding.

In the evening, Reining fans and friends gathered at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum to honor the 2010 NRHA World Champions and 2011 NRHA Hall of Fame inductees. NRHA congratulates Hall of Fame inductees: Shawn Flarida, Bob Kiser, Mandy McCutcheon, Ronnie Sharpe, Boomernic, Collena Chic Olena, Shining Spark, and Wimpys Little Step.

Friday activities at the NRHA Derby show include the $87,500-added NRHA Non Pro Derby finals, NRHyA Youth Meeting and Speech Contest, and nine ancillary classes.

The 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; Darling 888 Ranch; Horse&Rider; John Deere; Kiser Arena Specialists; Markel Insurance Company; MD Barns; Merial; 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; Silver Spurs Equine; SmartPak and Xtra Quarter Horses, plus Event Sponsors Back on Track, Cool-A-Zone, Fowler Dodge, Scott Cleaners, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery and Metro Golf Cars.

Incorporated in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is the standard setting body of the sport of Reining. NRHA, with their International Headquarters in Oklahoma City, is responsible for promoting the sport of Reining and working to ensure the highest standards of competition. To learn more about the NRHA, its programs and family of corporate partners, visit www.nrha.com.