The 2004 NRHA Open Derby got underway bright and early on Wednesday morning, May 19th.  Contestants competed in four divisions: the Open, Intermediate Open and Limited Open.  Monies earned determine eligibility for these divisions.  There is also a Prime Time Division for competitors 50 years of age and older.  The NRHA Open Division Derby Champion is guaranteed $50,000! One hundred and three horses competed in the first go, first section.  The remaining four-, five-, and six-year-old reining horses will perform on Thursday - all vying for a slot in the clean slate finals to be held on Saturday.

 

The top four horses in the first section of the Open Division are bred to do the job.  They represent NRHA Million Dollar Sires (Reminic, Shining Spark and Hollywood Dun It) and NRHA Hall of Fame members (Gunner and Hollywood Dun It).  Craig Schmersal, riding the Montana Nic Syndicate’s entry, Mister Montana Nic by Reminic and out of Mollie Montana, scored a 222 to tie for first with Randy Paul riding Pat Warren’s Gunflower by Gunner and out of Slidin Miss Daisy.  There was a tie for third place between Troy Heikes riding Jacs Electric Spark owned by Heikes and Sally Brown and Brent Naylor aboard Dun With Caution owned by RVR Performance Horses.  Jacs Electric Spark is by Shining Spark and out of Hello Hollywood.  Dun With Caution is by Hollywood Dun It and out of Cautious. 

 

Naylor and Dun With Caution lead the Intermediate Open Division with Jerry Fowler riding Ebony Shines owned by Manntana, LLC sitting in second place with a score of 221.  Ebony Shines is by Shining Spark and out of Ebony Whiz.  Sam Smith and Joe Wolfe’s Okies Check Mate, by Okie Pauls Document and out of Dry Reins Sable, scored a 220.5 and placed third in this section.

 

Fowler and Ebony Shines are at the head of the class in the Derby Limited Open Division.  Adair Reiners LLC’s Dun It To Rein, by Hollywood Dun It and out of Heir To Rein, earned a score of 218 for rider Maverick Smith and is sitting second.  Khi Bergmann scored a 217.5 on Mercury Starlight owned by Kim and Debra Sloan to place third.  Mercury Starlight is by Grays Starlight and out of Dox Lady Amhurst.

 

The NRHA Open Derby 1^st go round 2^nd section begins Thursday, at 8:00 a.m.

 

Bonnie Hippensteel Wins $4,000 Added NRHA Non Pro

 

Bonnie Hippensteel was draw #34 in the field of 37 horses competing in the $4,000 added Non Pro class, which was run concurrently with the $2,000 added Intermediate Non Pro.  Bonnie scored a solid 223 on Checkernic to best the 222 earned by the Reserve Champion, Mandy McCutcheon riding Silk N Hollywood owned by Tim McQuay.  Christina Knox earned a 220 on her Commandalena, placing third in the Non Pro and winning the Intermediate Non Pro class.  There was a tie for second in the Intermediate Division between Hampton Deck riding Chex N Sugar owned by Jo and Timothy Deck and Lisa Bissell riding her Glendas Smoken Trash.  Both riders scored a 216.5.

 

The NRHA Derby will continue at the Oklahoma State Fair Park through Sunday, May 23^rd.  The Derby Spotlight Sale is scheduled for Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. with the Derby Open division finals slated to begin Saturday afternoon.  The week will end on Sunday with International Day featuring the USEF Young Rider Reining Medal Finals and the $75,000 added Bayer/USEF Open Reining Championship Finals. For more information contact the NRHA office in OKC: 405-946-7400.