After turning in a spectacular performance that earned a masterful score of 232 (that’s an average of better than 77), Kelly Zweifel, Italy, won the Open, Intermediate Open and Limited Open divisions of the 2006 NRHA Derby on Master Snapper (Snapper Cal Bar) owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi. Kelly is the first woman to win the Open Division of this prestigious event. And, while Master Snapper is not the first European-owned Derby Champion, he is the first to be bred, born, raised and trained in Europe. Impresa Agricola Cuoghi is located in Italy and Master Snapper took a plane to get to Oklahoma City!

Kelly, a native of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin, River Falls, graduate, trained Master Snapper as a two-year-old and won the 2004 Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) Futurity as well as the 2005 Derby and Maturity. Altogether, Kelly added over $65,000 to her NRHA Lifetime Earnings!

Shawn Flarida, Springfield, OH, riding the 2005 NRHA Futurity Champion KR Lil Conquistador (Conquistador Whiz) owned by Cheree Kirkbride, Ocala, FL, ran a pattern that challenged Zweifel with every maneuver. Shawn scored a 228.5 to earn the Open Division reserve championship and $39,622.07.

The field was tough and deep. For instance, NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider/NRHA Hall of Fame member Tim McQuay, Tioga, TX, riding Chic Magnetic (Chocolate Chic Olena) owned by the Peter Cofrancesco Jr Estate, Sparta, NJ, placed third overall and won the $5,000 added Prime Time Open Division.

While Zweifel won three divisions of the NRHA Derby, there was a tie for second place in the Intermediate Open between Jerry Fowler, Polson, MT, riding San Juan Whiz (Topsail Whiz) for Shaw Performance Horses, Inc, Missoula, MT, and Chris Dawson, Gainesville, TX, riding Spinnin Sparks (Shining Spark) owned by Black Rock Ranch, Coeur D’Alene, ID. Josh Visser, Marietta, OK, riding Groovy Chexinic (Bueno Chexinic) owned by Paula Loseke, Aubrey, TX, was second in the Limited Open Division.

Spectacular Saturday

After a dramatic runoff, Jamie Abel, Manlius, NY, a senior at Morrisville State College in Morrisville, New York, who is coached by Spike Homes and Bonnie Miller, won the NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship on Berry Great Twist owned by Smart Like Juice, Inc and generously provided Jose Vazquez. Keith Ceddia, Sunbury, OH, a freshman at Ohio State University is coached by Ollie Griffith and placed second on Lenas Rocket Man owned and provided by Jim Blumer, Jr.

Maura Doone, Gahanna, OH, won the NRHA Youth 14-18 class on Lenas Irish Whiskey owned by her father, James Doone, while Maggie Gratny, Leavenworth, KS, finished second on Chic Olena Light owned by Mark Gratny. Emily Winegar, Aubrey, TX, earned the win in the NRHA Youth 13 & Under Division on Good Time Show Girl and was second on Moostone Mega. Both horses are owned by Green Valley Ranch.

Dun It Got Lucky, consigned by Sally Broten Horse Company, River Falls, WI, and purchased by Roxanne Koepsell, Aubrey, TX, was the high seller in the NRHA Derby Spotlight Sale at $54,000.