Americans dominate at the FEI World Reining Masters Finals, Saturday, October 21 in Denver, Colorado, taking home both the Gold and Silver medals. Gold Medalist Shawn Flarida of Springfield, Ohio, scored 223.5 in the Masters Open Division riding Tinsel Nic. He earned an unofficial $17,906.25 gaining him an elite distinction within the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA). Flarida now joins the Two Million Dollar Rider Club. World Champion Reiner Tim McQuay is the only other rider in NRHA history to earn that two million dollar distinction. After his gold medal win, Flarida says, “It’s an awesome feeling to win, especially when you know that you’re competing against he best horsemen from around the world.â€
Fellow American, Tom McCutcheon of Aubrey, Texas, placed second taking home the Silver medal and unofficially $14,325. McCutcheon earned 223 riding Smartest Chic Olena. McCutcheon says he pulled Smartest Chic Olena out of a three-year retirement to compete in the Masters Finals. Before the competition, McCutcheon said he was excited to see how Smartest Chic Olena would do.
The Bronze medal in the Masters Open Division went to Shawna Sapergia of Canada. Sapergia scored 221.5 riding BL Whiz Kid to earn about $9,311.
The crowd at the Masters Finals cheered for all the international riders from 18 different countries including Israel, Dominican Republic, Germany, Belgium and France, but when the two American reiners took the arena the home crowd went wild! After the awards ceremony and the playing of the National Anthem, it was announced that Flarida exceeded two million dollars in NRHA lifetime earnings. Again the spectators jumped to their feet for yet another standing ovation.
After the ceremonies and celebration, all three medalists took a victory lap to show their appreciation for such a warm reception by the crowd. All of the international riders say the felt it was an honor to compete in the FEI World Reining Masters Finals. The NRHA congratulates them on their accomplishments.
