The first section of the first go round of the 2006 NRHA Derby began on Wednesday morning at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. Todd Crawford set a blistering pace in the $80,000 added Open Division on Mister Nicadual (Mister Dual Pep) owned by Jerry Kimmel. Crawford’s typically exciting, deep sliding ride earned the high score of 225. But the competition runs deep. Tom McCutcheon slid to perfection on Tammy Beaman’s Major Jesse (Major Vaquero) and is sitting second with a 224.5.

Just a half point behind, Chris Dawson, riding Spinnin Sparks (Shining Spark) for Black Rock Ranch, LLC, scored a 224 to place third. Dawson is the number one rider to beat in the $50,000 added Intermediate Open Division. Demonstrating the International popularity of the sport of Reining, Jared Leclair placed second in this Division with a 222.5 earned on Especial Diamond (Like A Diamond) owned by Claudio Signori of Italy.

Chris Ferguson, riding Escalante Chic (Chic Please) owned by Adair Reiners, LLC, is leading the $5,000 added Limited Open Division with a score of 218 followed by Nicole Brown aboard Don Leach’s Shiners Q Chex (Shining Spark) owned by Don Leach with a 216.5

Qualified riders in each division will advance to their clean slate finals that start on Saturday at 2:00 pm and continue into the evening performance. Saturday’s program includes the NRHA Derby Spotlight Sale featuring the top bloodlines in the performance horse industry.

Tricia Hamilton Wins the Non Pro

Tricia Hamilton, Scottsdale, Arizona, scored a 219 to win the $4,000 added NRHA Non Pro class on Lenas Taxman owned by her parents, Bob and Linda Hamilton. She earned $1,868.73 for her ride. There was a tie for second between Mandy McCutcheon riding Silver Benz owned by Mandy and her husband Tom and Mike Garnett riding his Ashleys Great Kid. Both riders scored a 217 and earned $1,291.62.

The $2,000 added Intermediate Non Pro class was run concurrently with the Non Pro trophy reining. Allison Serio, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, won that Division handily with a 217 earned on Okie Dun Did It owned by Louise Serio. Allison earned $1,221.03 for her ride. Carrie Russom placed second with a 215 earned on her Shootin Taw and added $969.64 to her NRHA Lifetime Earnings.

The show schedule continues today with the first go round, second section of the NRHA Open Derby followed by the $2,000 added Novice Horse Non Pro class. The National Reining Horse Youth Association’s Fun Day starts at 1:00 pm and the Celebration of Champions, which includes an NRHA Town Talk meeting starts at 6:00 pm. The NRHA Derby runs through Saturday, May 20. For more information on the NRHA Derby Show contact the NRHA Office at 405-946-7400 or log on to the NRHA website at www.nrha.com.