Wagman & Schild lead the pack
The 2005 NRHA Derby Show at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, got underway on Monday morning, May 16 with the first go round, first section of the NRHA Non Pro Derby for four-, five-, and six-year-old reining horses. The first 62 entries in the field of 133 contestants set the pace with Marc Wagman, Talala, Oklahoma, and Lee Schild, Mokena, Illinois, each scoring a 216.5 to tie for the lead.

Marc rode Better Not Rest, a five-year-old by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Custom Crome and out of the 1988 NRHA Futurity Open Division Reserve Champion Rest Stop. Better Not Rest, with Shawn Flarida riding, was a 2003 NRHA Futurity Open Division finalist and came to this competition with NRHA Lifetime Earnings that exceed $20,000.

Lee rode his Juiced Up Doc, a five-year-old by Smart Like Juice out of Jokes Startime. Juiced Up Doc, ridden by Mike Flarida, was a 2003 All American Quarter Horse Congress Futurity Open Division finalist. Lee has competed successfully on this equine athlete in Aged Event, Non Pro, and Prime Time competition, and came to the Non Pro Derby with Lifetime Earnings approaching the $50,000 mark.

There are four divisions of the NRHA Non Pro Derby: the $15,000 added Non Pro, $7,500 added Intermediate Non Pro, $5,000 added Limited Non Pro, and $5,000 added Prime Time. The remaining Non Pro entries will ride today, Tuesday, in the first go round, second section to determine who will advance to their clean slate finals on Friday afternoon and evening.

The NRHA Derby Open Divisions will start their go rounds on Wednesday, May 18. This high dollar event offers four divisions as well: the $80,000 added Open, $50,000 added Intermediate Open, $5,000 added Limited Open, and $5,000 added Prime Time. The NRHA Derby Open clean slate finals is scheduled for Saturday afternoon and evening.

Ancillary Action
In addition to the NRHA Derby, a full slate of NRHA ancillary classes is being offered. They got underway with the $2,000 added Novice Horse Open class on Monday afternoon. Todd Bergen scored a 219 on ARC Magic Enterprise, owned by Arcese Quarter Horse U.S.A., to best the field of 16 hopefuls. Tom Foran, riding Rawhide Kid for Christine Burns scored a 217.5 for second place earnings of $918.34.

The Spotlight Sale
The NRHA Derby Spotlight Sale is scheduled for Saturday May 21 at 10 a.m. preceded by the Derby Spotlight Sale Demonstration and Champagne Brunch between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. This sale showcases yearlings, two- and three-year-old prospects, show horses, and broodmares and is a must for anyone interested in the sport of Reining.