The qualifying go round for the 2004 NRHA Open Derby finished on Thursday afternoon with 48 horses advancing to their clean slate finals in the Open, Intermediate Open and Limited Open divisions to be held on Saturday, May 22, 2004. 

 

Craig Schmersal, who scored the highest go round score of 226 on Commanders Nic, owned by Craig and his wife Ginger, will be riding three horses in the finals: Commanders Nic, Mister Montana Nic owned by Montana Nic Syndicate, and Timorie Budge’s Tazmanian Sailor.  Andrea Fappani scored a 223.5 on NQH Little Jac owned by Juston Palmer to place second in the qualifying go round.  Randy Paul, riding Gunflower for Pat Warren scored a 222 to tie with Justin Mathison on Silver N Hickory, owned by MMCO Corporation and Schmersal on Mister Montana Nic.

 

A scant half point separated the top three horses in the Intermediate Open Division.  Brent Naylor, riding RVR Performance Horses’ Dun With Caution is leading the Division with a score of 221.5.  Jerry Fowler is just a half point behind with a score of 221 earned on Ebony Shines owned by Manntanna LLC. Sam Smith earned a 220.5 on Joe Wolfe’s Okies Check Mate for third place.

 

Fowler is also leading the Limited Open Division on Ebony Shines.  Maverick Smith is sitting second on Spring Dun It owned by Service Electronics, followed by Fowler on his own Whizard Black Jac.

 

For the first time ever, a Prime Time Open Division was included in the NRHA Open Derby.  Brent Wright placed first on Custom Mahogany owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA and second on Steve Simon’s Custom Pistol.

 

Shannon Raymond Wins Novice Horse Non Pro

 

There was a run-off to determine the winner of the $2,000 added Novice Horse Non Pro class.  Multiple NRHA World Champion Shannon Raymond earned the win riding Tatoo Tun Gunner.  Scott Davis, riding Malcom Davis’ Shines Za Dandy finished in second place.  There was a tie for third place between Doug Toney riding Playin The Hardrock and Veronica St-Onge riding Hot Hollywood Jewels owned by Patrice St-Onge.

 

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 am 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.