The 2013 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby featured the finals in non pro competition on Friday: the $80,000-added level 4; $60,000-added level 3; $25,000-added level 2; $15,000-added level 1 and $5,000-added prime time divisions. Out of the original 209 horses and 612 entries, the top 59 horse and rider teams qualified to compete in the finals at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Okla. This year’s Derby finals were the richest ever paying approximately $317,000 to owners and nominators.

Mandy McCutcheon (Aubrey, Texas) and Always Gotyer Gunsup (Gunner x Always A Dunit, $152,400 NRHA LTE) tied for the top score in the first go-round with a 221.5. She returned to the finals to top that score earning a 224. The NRHA Million Dollar Rider and Always Gotyer Gunsup ($152,400 NRHA LTE) previously won the 2012 National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Level 4 Non Pro Championship, 2012 NRHA Derby Level 4 Non Pro Reserve Championship and 2013 NRBC Level 4 Non Pro Reserve Championship. McQuay Stables, Inc., of Tioga, Texas, owns the 2007 mare.

For the championship run, McCutcheon earned more than $17,700, an NRHA Lawson trophy, a $5,000 gift certificate from Twister Trailer, a saddle from Bob’s Custom Saddles, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, a $200 SmartPak gift card, Purina feed, a pair of Rios of Mercedes boots, Assure Guard, Platinum Performance CJ, a Classic Equine pad, a pair of Classic Equine skid boots, $100 gift card from Pard’s Western Shop and a headstall from The New West.

Marley and AR Oakies Last Stand – Level 3 and 2 Champs
With less than 10 horses left in the finals, NRHA youth member Jaci Marley (Plainview, Texas) carved out the top spot in the level 3 and level 2 non pro divisions with a 222. She rode her mother Jennifer Marley’s Ar Oakies Last Stand (Starlights Wrangler x Okie Dokie Dunnit) to win more than $34,000, plus the reserve championship in the level 4 non pro division.

Marley ($39,300 NRHA LTE) earned two sets of champion prizes for her ride: two NRHA Lawson trophies, two $2,500 gift certificates from Twister Trailer, two saddles from Bob’s Custom Saddles, two Montana Silversmiths buckles, two $200 SmartPak gift cards, Purina feed, two pairs of Rios of Mercedes boots, Assure Guard, Platinum Performance CJ, two Classic Equine pads, two pairs of Classic Equine skid boots, two $100 gift cards from Pard’s Western Shop and two headstalls from The New West.

Shifrin and Taylor Made Magnum – Level 1 Non Pro Champions
Genevieve Shifrin (Aspen, Colo.) qualified to the non pro finals in four divisions on Taylor Made Magnum (Magnum Chic Dream x Beaus Liberty Belle, $13,760 NRHA LTE). The team marked a 218 to win the level 1 non pro division and to place in the top ten in levels 2-4. The 2007 stallion is owned by George Shifrin.

For their efforts, the pair won $23,770, an NRHA Lawson trophy, a $2,500 gift certificate from Twister Trailer, a saddle from Bob’s Custom Saddles, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, a $200 SmartPak gift card, Purina feed, a pair of Rios of Mercedes boots, Assure Guard, Platinum Performance CJ, a Classic Equine pad, a pair of Classic Equine skid boots, $100 gift card from Pard’s Western Shop, a headstall from The New West and a hat from Shorty’ Caboy Hattery.

Shifrin also won the reserve championship on Chex N Flashy (Hot Smokin Chex x Boggies Barbee, owner George Shifrin) with a score of 216.

Jeffcoat and Coburn – Prime Time Co-Champions
Matching scores of 219 settled prime time non pro division at this year’s NRHA Derby: Michael Jeffcoat (Waurika, Okla.) aboard Spooks Gotta Run (Spooks Gotta Gun x Prettywhizprettydoes) and Bill Coburn (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) riding Nics Little Bud (Nic It In The Bud x Chex Out The Cowgirl). Jeffcoat’s 2008 stallion earned more than $56,500 in NRHA competition prior to the finals. Nics Little Bud ($90,000 NRHA LTE) is owned by Coburn.

The co-champions earned $1,890 each and split the prizes: an NRHA Lawson trophy, a $2,500 gift certificate from Twister Trailer, a saddle from Bob’s Custom Saddles, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, a $100 SmartPak gift card, Purina feed, a pair of Anderson Bean boots, a pair of Rios of Mercedes boots, Assure Guard, Platinum Performance CJ, a pair of Classic Equine Legacy boots, a pair of Classic Equine skid boots, $100 gift card from Pard’s Western Shop and a headstall from The New West.

FOR THE LATEST NEWS
For the latest news from the NRHA Derby Show, be sure to follow NRHA on Facebook and Twitter. Score updates, event reminders and video will be posted daily to keep reiners around the world informed as the news develops. Visit nrhaderby.com daily to watch the runs at your convenience 24/7.

TOMORROW AT THE SHOW
The last day of the 2013 NRHA Derby Show starts at 7 a.m. in Coliseum with NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship. The highlight of the week – NRHA Derby Open Finals start at 1 p.m. with the first section including $135,000-added level 3, $55,000-added level 2 and $25,000-added level 1 open divisions. Second section starts at 6 p.m. and includes levels 1-3 as well as the $215,000-added Level 4 Open Derby.

The Adequan^® Championship Arena will offer last portion of ancillary classes including Rookie Levels 1 & 2, Youth 13 & Under, AQHA Youth 13 & Under, APHA Youth Regular 13 & Under, Youth 14-18, Jackpot Unrestricted Youth, AQHA Youth 14-18, APHA Regular Youth 14-18, APHA Solid Youth All Ages and USEF National Youth Reining Championship.

Pale Face Dunnit and Schmersal Reining Horses present an Ice Cream Social on the east side of Arena 7, next to the Adequan Championship Arena, at 1 p.m. Come cool off with some cold treats as we wrap up the end of the NRHA Derby!

Watch the live webcast, keep tabs on the leaders and find out about the latest news and upcoming events at nrhaderby.com, facebook.com/nrhareining or twitter.com/nrha.

NRHA Derby 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, Boehringer Ingelheim, 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 Derby Event Sponsors

• Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, Scott  Cleaners, KO Trading, Sandbur Productions, LLC., Cool-A-Zone, The New West,  Business Link, Fowler Dodge and Santa Hill Ranch.

For more information on the NRHA, or the sport of Reining, please visit nrha.com or call (405) 946-7400.