The first go-round of the $540,000 added National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Open Futurity ended today at the 2012 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show. Reining fans can enjoy the show until December 1 at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

The name of NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Gunner is readily seen in the pedigrees of those horses placing at the top of the go-round. In today’s fourth section, Americasnextgunmodel (Gunner x Cee Dun It Do It by Hollywood Dun It) and NRHA Professional Casey Deary (Weatherford. Tex.) tied for the top score with a 224.0. The American Quarter Horse mare, owned by Dana Conrad (Weatherford, Tex.), won the level 4 open division at the 2012 High Roller Reining Classic Futurity and placed third in the level 4 open division at the 2012 NRHA Cowtown Classic Pre Futurity with Deary aboard.

Earlier in the week, Gunners Star (Rr Star x Gunners Smokin Jane by Gunner) and NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal (Overbrook, Okla.) also earned a 224 to tie for first in the level 4 open division. The American Paint Horse gelding is owned by Frank Costantini, Jr. and Bill Bradley. My Chics Got Guns (Gunner x Smart Chics Could by Smart Chic Olena) and Schmersal ended the go-round in third with a 223.5. KC Performance Horses, LLC (Bayfield, Colo.) owns the dual-registered mare.

Gunnin For Chicks (Gunner x Dun It By Chick by Hollywood Dun It) and NRHA Professional Nathan Piper (Aubrey, Tex.) clenched the lead in the level 3 open division with a 223. Piper and the Mark Bradford’s stallion have earned more than $21,000 with strong outings at the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity, Hollywoodstinseltown Futurity and Rocky Mountain Summer Slide Futurity.

Cash For Legend (Custom Legend x Cash In Roan by Topsail Cody) and NRHA Professional Sean Johnson (Kellyville, Okla.) ended up second in the level 3 open division and first in the level 2 open division with a 221 for owner Couture Reiners (Tulsa, Okla.).

Pedro Baiao (Maysville, Okla.) aboard Wimpys Cable Lena (owned by Robert Anderson of Flanders, N.J.) and Cody Clock (Simi Valley, Calif.) riding Chexawalla (owned by Day Creek Ranch LLC of Simi Valley, Calif.) tied for first place in the level 1 open division.

A portion of first go-round entries will move on to the second go-round as follows:
– Level 4 open division – Top 200 scores, plus ties (Bubble score: 211)
– Level 3 open division – Top 150 scores, plus ties (Bubble score: 210.5)
– Level 2 open division – Top 100 scores, plus ties (Bubble score: 209)
– Level 1 open division – Top 100 scores, plus ties (Bubble score: 203)

The second go-round begins on Monday, November 26 following the first go-round, first section of the $260,000 added Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity. The top horse-and-rider combinations, based on composite scores from the first and second go-round, will advance to the Open Futurity Finals on Saturday, December 1 where the winner of the level 4 open division will earn a check for $150,000 as well as incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners and award sponsors.

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW

It’s the most elite reining event in the world with 3,000 entries competing for more than $2 million in cash and prizes. More than 1,300 horses and 127,000 visitors come from nearly 20 countries to compete and watch the excitement unfold. During its 10-day run, the show contributes more than $67 million to the overall Oklahoma City economy.

The show features the $540,000-added NRHA Open Futurity Finals on Saturday, December 1 when the winning entry is guaranteed a check for $150,000, as well as incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners and award sponsors. The NRHA / Cinch Non Pro Futurity offers an additional $260,000 in added money for non pro reiners, which will be awarded on Friday, November 30. Nearly $100,000 in nominator incentive money also will be distributed to those individuals who originally nominated horses to the NRHA Nomination Program, despite whether or not they still own the horse.

The NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show offers a variety of spectator events and activities including a western gift market, NRHA / Markel Insurance Horse Futurity Sales, NRHA Open World Championship Shootout presented by Equine Sports Medicine, Silver Spurs Equine Rookie of the Year and 4R Performance Horses Hometown Heroes Slide & Freestyle Reining benefitting the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Go to nrhafuturity.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show Supporters

The NRHA would like to thank the following corporate partners for their support of the NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show: Adequan, Arenus, Bob’s Custom Saddles, Cinder Lakes Ranch and Reproduction Center, Classic Equine, Darling 888 Ranch, Downunder Horsemanship, Horse&Rider, John Deere, Kiser Arena Specialists, Markel Insurance Company, Merial, Miller International – Cinch / Cruel Girl, Montana Silversmiths, Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Pard’s Western Shop, Platinum Performance, Purina, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes / Anderson Bean Boot Company, Silver Spurs Equine, SmartPak, Twister Trailer and World Development Group International.

In addition, NRHA thanks NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show Event Sponsors:
• Platinum Futurity Sponsors: 4R Performance Horses, Equine Sports Medicine, KO Trading, RAM, Roleski Ranch, Sandbur Productions LLC and Scott Cleaners
• Gold Futurity Sponsors: Cowdog Saddles, Equine Oasis, Kyle Tack, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, Soft Ride and The New West
• Silver Futurity Sponsors: Avila’s Pro Shop, E-Z Go, Forewheeler Golf Cars, Heat-A-Zone and Millennium Luxury Coaches

Incorporated in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is the standard-setting body for 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.