With all the pomp and ceremony you would expect from a prestigious international event, the inaugural $100,000 FEI World Reining Masters Finals Presented by NetJets got underway on Thursday, December 2, 2004.  Representatives from 16 countries competed in two divisions: The Open and the Restricted.  The Open Division consisted of two representatives of the 2002 World Equestrian Games Finalists: U.S.A., Canada, Italy, Germany, and Great Britain.  The Restricted Division consisted of one representative from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.

 

U.S.A.’s Todd Crawford, riding Matt Dillon Dun It, scored a 220.5, earned the gold and $17,906.25 for owners 3 Peaks Ranch, Bend, Oregon, in the Open Division. U.S.A.’s Todd Sommers scored a 219.5 for second place earnings of $12,892.50 aboard Lucy Van Swearingen’s Remin Whiz.  “The Two Todds” are both top NRHA professionals.  Crawford was the 1995 NRHA Open World Champion with Lifetime Earnings of almost $500,000.  Sommers is a multiple NRHA Futurity Champion whose Lifetime Earnings are approaching the $1,000,000.00.

 

Switzerland’s Jeannette Kraehenbuehl is a Non Pro reiner, who rides with the skill and poise of a top professional.  Coached by the 2004 NRHA Open World Champion, Martin Larcombe, Jeannette guided her own ARC Golden Boy to third place in the Open Division and first place in the Restricted, earning over $17,000 for her efforts. Demonstrating the unique camaraderie inherent within the reining community, Brazil’s Jango Salgado placed second in the Restricted Division on a horse provided by Todd Crawford, Commandalena owned by Christina Knox. Jango earned $6,446.25 for the placing. Austria’s Rudi Kronsteiner, rode Shiners Chex Mix, owned by Melanie Pogue of Vallonia, Indiana, to third place and a paycheck of $4,775.00.

 

Highlights of the evening included Lukas Jirak’s fourth place ride in the Restricted Division.  Lukas is a Youth competitor who won the hearts of each and every spectator as he performed with confidence aboard SR Sweet N Low owned by Dawne Spenrath of Bon Accord, AB, Canada.  As large groups of spectators cheered for the country’s riders, the contingent from Germany, introduced us to their signature Whooooa as each German rider ran to their sliding stops. 

 

U.S.A.’s Todd Sommers noted that is was an extraordinary experience to represent your country in an international event.  From the strong support from the spectators, it was obvious this sentiment was felt by reiners worldwide.

 

The Classic S Ranch, NRHA, AQHA and the Reining Horse Sports Foundation generously donated funds to make this a very lucrative, as well as prestigious event, one that will be remembered and treasured by each contestant - and the spectators who were fortunate to witness first hand, the inaugural 2004 FEI World Reining Masters Finals, held in conjunction with the NRHA Futurity & North American Affiliate Championship Show, at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK.