The 2013 edition of the National Reining Breeders Classic Open Level 4 finals provided suspense, excitement, and paid out a whole lot of cash. The original field of 209 entries had been whittled down to the top 31, all vying for the $75,000 first place prize.

Thiago Boechat and Wimpyneedsacocktail were the second-to-last entry in the finals, and laid down a blistering run with smooth circles, fast spins, and extreme stops. The judges replied with an equally impressive score – a 231.

“He felt very good. Last year we were here and he wasn’t 100 percent, but this year he felt good and when I asked him he gave me 120 percent.” Boechat added, “Winning this – it’s unbelievable. It’s definitely a dream come true.”

Wimpyneedsacocktail is by Wimpys Little Step out of Seven S Mimosa. The 6-year-old stallion is owned by Xtra Quarter Horses of Purcell, Oklahoma, who also owns his sire Wimpys Little Step. “We are so proud of all the Wimpy babies. There were eight in the Level 4 finals and then the top two were Wimpy’s, so that’s is pretty big,” Boechat said following the awards ceremony, where he collected the Level 4 and Level 3 Open titles.

Along with more than $102,899 in prize money, Boechat and Wimpyneedsacocktail earned a year’s use of a 4-horse Featherlite horse trailer from Twin Cities Featherlite, a custom saddle from Continental Saddlery, a custom saddle from Kyle tack, Gist Silversmiths buckles, two pairs of Rios of Mercedes boots, SmartPak gift certificates, product from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Whisper Bits, WonPads, and a watch from Catena USA.

Jordan Larson and Wimpys Littlecolonel marked a 230 to win the Open Reserve Championship and $54,000. Owned by George Lawrence, Wimpys Littlecolonel is by Wimpys Little Step out of One Right Chic.

Troy Heikes piloted RSD One Hot Deal to the Open Level 3 Reserve Championship with a score of 224, collecting a check for $16,982. RSD One Hot Deal, by Dealin Dirty out of No Freckles Please, is owned by Denise Bixler.

The NRBC concludes Sunday, April 21. For complete results, click here.

Petroll and Lyon Split NRBC Open Level 2 Championship

The National Reining Breeders Classic Open Level 2 Finals ended in a Co-Championship shared by Bud Lyon and Sebastian Petroll. Each received checks for $8,427, Gist Silversmiths buckles, a custom saddle from Jim Taylor Saddles, a Whisper Bit, SmartPak gift certificates, a WonPad, and product from Santa Cruz Biotechnology.

Lyon was riding Rolex N Chex, owned by Logan Pluhar. “This was great. I actually finished reserve in this division a couple years ago, so it was nice to get another crack at it,” he said. “I stole my youth kid’s horse for this event – Logan wasn’t able to show here. I feel fortunate that I was able to do some good.”

Rolex N Chex is by Nu Chex To Cash out of Miss Moth Money. “He was really good. He came out and warmed up well and showed great – I couldn’t have asked for better,” he said. Rolex N Chex will go back to Logan for future events, as the pair prepare to defend their American Quarter Horse Association Youth World Championship in August.

Petroll was riding Gunsmokes TNT for Mary Jansma. “This is awesome – a huge success. It’s always fun when a horse goes out and proves how good he is. I’m so excited for his owner, too,” he said.

Petroll has ridden Gunsmokes TNT, by Colonels Smoking Gun out of Toodie Star, for over a year. “We started out big with a huge stop. This is a big arena and he is a little horse, so he was struggling in his second circle, but he has such a big heart,” he said. “When it was time to stop he was showing off again.”

After a rest, Gunsmokes TNT’s next stop will likely be the National Reining Horse Association Derby in June.

The NRBC began Monday, April 14, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, and concludes Sunday, April 21. For complete results, click here.

Fernando Salgado and Whizzer Whiz Take NRBC Open Level 1 Title

Prior to the National Reining Breeders Classic Open Level 1 Finals, Fernando Salgado had never won a reining event in the United States. That all changed on Saturday evening when he rode Whizzer Whiz, owned by Xtra Quarter Horses, to a score of 222.5 to claim the Open Level 1 Championship!

“It’s amazing. This is so nice for me and I’m so happy,” the 24-year-old said of Whizzer Whiz, by Topsail Whiz out of Best By Tari. “In the first-go we had some bobbles, but tonight this horse was amazing.”

For two years Salgado has worked for Xtra Quarter Horses, which also owns Wimpys Little Step, sire of the NRBC Open Champion. “I feel so comfortable working there. Thiago (Boechat) and I get along really well, so it’s just like friends riding our own horses at home,” he said.

The Open Level 1 Championship title was worth $1,644, and also came with a custom saddle from Martin Saddlery, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, a Won Pad, a gift certificate to SmartPak, and a Whisper Bit.

Ryan Rushing and Legend In Texcess marked a 222 to finish the Level 1 Open with the Reserve Championship, worth $1,001. Legend In Texcess, by Custom Legend out of Jewels Lil Sparkle, is owned by Connie Lisette LeHocky.

The NRBC began Monday, April 14, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, and concludes Sunday, April 21. For complete results, click here.

Brent Wright and Spookaroanie Win NRBC Open Prime Time Championship

On Saturday evening, National Reining Horse Association Million Dollar Rider Brent Wright took home the Open Prime Time Championship for the National Reining Breeders Classic. Wright was riding his horse, Spookaroanie, to win $1,950. The pair also qualified for the finals of Open Levels 4, 3, and 2, and collected an additional $20,797.

Wright purchased Spookaroanie, by Smart Spook out of Little Roan Chick, last September from Rosanne Sternberg. “I actually rode him for Rosanne before buying him for myself. He’s a nice horse but was just a little green,” he said. “He was good tonight but he did show just a little bit of that inexperience. He still has another year of it though.”

Wright added that he and Spookaroanie’s next show would be the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City.

Carol Metcalf and Whattadualpep were the Open Prime Time Reserve Champions, earning $1,650 for owner Shannon Miers. Whattadualpep is by Mister Dual Pep out of Whattaroyalprincess.

The NRBC began Monday, April 14, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, and concludes Sunday, April 21. For complete results, click here.