The National Reining Horse Association’s All-Time Leading Money Earner, Tim McQuay, added an additional title to his resume as he won the Fiesta in the Park’s $5,000-added Open. Tim’s win was one of many festive highlights during the day’s events at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
Tim and Shiners Mistress, a 4-year-old Shining Spark mare out of Missy Lena, rode in as draw No. 2 to post the 222.5 high score. Tim started working with Shiners Mistress, owned by Wallis Winegar, Aubrey, Texas, in February and finished reserve at the Carrizo Oil & Gas Sparktacular Derby before traveling to Lexington. Tim and the mare competed in the Fiesta Open Maturity on Wednesday and after recovering from a stumble finished in 11th place.
The competition kicked off with the NRHA and AQHA Youth classes in the morning. Hampton Deck rode Mr Solanos Kid to win the Youth 14-18 Championship. Mr Solanos Kid, a 5-year-old gelding by Brennas Kid and out of Solanos Melody, carried Hampton to a 212.5. In the Youth 13 & Under, Jenna Blumer and Play Sugarman, a 6-year-old gelding by Lenas Sugarman and out of Play For Chic, took the Championship title after a 209.5-point run. Both Hampton and Jenna are competing in the USEF Youth Championships Sunday morning.
Veronica Phillips, Sidney, Ohio, captured the Limited Non Pro win this afternoon riding her 5-year-old gelding, Missin Oilcat. Missin Oilcat, by Cattin and out of Miss Doc N Oil, marked a 143 to win the 18-entry class.
The Fiesta is taking place alongside the Kentucky Hunter and Jumper Association show and as a special treat, four of the nation’s best hunter/jumper competitors tried their hand at reining. In a showdown between Aaron Vale, Louise Serio, Geoff Teal and Tommy Serio, Aaron and Louise tied with a 213.5 for the win. Also highlighting the evening, NRHA Non Pro competitor Sally Broten from River Falls, Wisconsin, wowed the crowd with a bridle-less run on her great gelding Mega Ditto, the NRHA’s All-Time Leading Money Earning Non Pro Horse.
The inaugural Fiesta in the Park continues at 8 am Saturday with the Rookie and Intermediate Open classes. Saturday’s main event, the $75,000-added Adequan®/USEF Open Championship, will begin at 6pm with 23 of the nation’s greatest reining horses looking for an invitation to compete in Italy. The United States will send two reiners to the FEI World Reining Masters in Manerbio, Italy in September and Saturday evening’s event is a stepping-stone to that invitation. The Fiesta concludes Sunday, August 29, with the USEF Youth Championship, Open and Non Pro Freestyle and the $10,000-added Fiesta Non Pro Classic. For more information on the Fiesta in the Park, contact Pro Management at 580-759-2572 or visit www.fiestainthepark.com.
