Oklahoma City, OK – October 3 – Reining is known for being an action-packed sport, and the NRHA Reining competition right now at the 2006 All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, OH, is not disappointing fans in any way.
The first classes, held Sunday afternoon, turned into an exciting finish for the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Division. Unofficial results show just one and a half points separated the first and second place riders and a half a point between second and third. With 70 runs … riders waited a long time to find out the winners. Shannon Raymond edged out the competition to win first place with a score of 214.5. Raymond says it was a nail-biting experience, but definitely worth it. “It was surprising. I came up here with no plans. I just wanted to show and have fun. He’s a new horse, fresh horse, 5 years old. I think the most nerve-wracking thing was going draw 21 with 70 in it and having to wait through the last 50 horses because I didn’t think the score would hold and after about 15 or 20 horses and I started paying attention to the scores and realized it could really be a shot. So then I got there and it was pretty nerve wracking. But it’s nice to win the Congress. I’ve been doing this a long time and I’ve only won it twice. It’s really nice to come away with a win.” As owner and rider of Taris Gold Dancer, Raymond won $1,100.55 in prize money.
C.R. Hogendorp was awarded second place in the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Division. Hogendorp rode Hercs Starlight to a score of 213 and walked away with $792.39 in prize money. Hercs Starlight is owned by Cradlepine Ranch, LLC. Jim Babcock slid into third place just a half a point behind Hogendorp. Owner and rider Babcock scored 212.5 riding Cowgirls Are Smart. Babcock earned $572.28 in prize money.
In the NRHA Novice Horse Open Division, crowd favorite Shawn Flarida rode his way to first place on Ima Tinseltown owned by Charles R. Vaughan from Lafayette, Indiana.
Flarida scored 222.5 winning $1,005.63. Brian Welman came in second with a score of 218.5 riding Brennas Golden Dunit, owned by John P. Rivard of Hot Springs, South Dakota. Welman’s finish brought in $734.88 in prize money. Third place went to Mark Arballo riding Able To Shine. Mark’s score of 214 earned him prize money totaling $502.82. Able To Shine is owned by Aaron Marx of Melville, New York.
NRHA Reining events began on Sunday, October 1st and continue until Saturday, October 7th.
