Oklahoma City, OK – November 25, 2007 – Professional bull riders are used to spinning on the back of a wild bull, but spinning a highly-trained reining horse proved to be a challenging task for some of the top names in bull riding! The Reining Horse Sports Foundation’s (RHSF) 4R Performance Horses “8” Second Celebrity Slide teamed up nine of the best bull riders in the world with nine of the best reiners in the world to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma. As well as having the top reiners in the NRHA as their coaches, nine Make-A-Wish kids served as honorary coaches for the teams. The special event brought thousands of fans to the 2007 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK.
First out of the gate was Ednei Caminhas, a 2002 PBR World Champion. His coach was NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider and Million Dollar Owner Tim McQuay. Ednei set the bar high for the rest of his bull riding friends. He looked like a reining pro out there with his smooth slides and spins on Okie Dun Did It, owned by Louise Serio, of Kennett Square, PA.
Second came legendary bull “fighter” Rob Smets. He’s known as “Kamikaze” because he’s one of the most fearless athletes in the sport of bull riders. Smets puts his life on the line for many bull riders until they are out of harm’s way. Smets coach was Tim Lynch. Lynch has a special bond with many of the Make-A-Wish kids because he too is fighting cancer. Smets had a great ride until it was time to spin. He lost count and over-spun the first time. The crowd helped by counting along with his second set of spins. After his ride, Smets joked about his ability to count. Lynch laughed, “The only number he’s ever learned is eight!” Smets rode Hollywood All Star, owned by Jordan Donnelly, of Aubrey, TX.
Third in the draw was Ross Coleman. His coach was NRHA Million Dollar Rider Todd Bergen. The crowd continued their circle counting but this time everyone in the stands yelled a big “Whoa!” when it was time to stop. After the ride, Coleman told RHSF Fundraising Chairperson and roving reporter Terry Owens if he had tuned up a little more he could have done better.” Coleman rode Owens’ Moon Stone Chex.
Mandy McCutcheon, the first and only woman and the first and only Non Pro to become an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, donated her time to help coach Professional Bull Rider All-Around Champion Cody Lambert. Lambert had a great ride on Jerry Kimmel’s Dunitinthe Nicoftime.
Fifth in the draw was J.W. Hart, known as the “Ironman” of the PBR for competing in the most consecutive events, 197. Hart’s coach was NRHA Million Dollar rider Craig Schmersal. Following Hart’s ride on Whiz To Dream owned by Holly Casey, of Mansfield, GA, he said he thinks he’ll stick to bulls. Hart, from Oklahoma, told the crowd he was excited to ride and did it all for his Make-A-Wish coach, 10-year old Steele.
Next out of the chute came Matt Bohon who said he skipped a lot of college rodeo scholarships to enter the PBR. Bohan’s coach was NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida. Bohan got a little tripped up on the spins in his reining pattern on top of the horse with a fitting name, Dizzy Lizzy. As he walked out of the arena, PBR announcer Randy Schmutz told the crowd, “As you can see, Matt loves spinning bulls to the left!”
Draw 7 was Oklahoman Cord McCoy who received some expert coaching from NRHA Million Dollar Rider Dell Hendricks. McCoy is an accomplished bull rider who has made an amazing come back in the past three years following a life threatening kick in the head during a saddle bronc ride. Following his run on Starbucks Sidekick, owned by Adair Reiners LLC, of Mesa, AZ, McCoy said, “That was pretty awesome! My sidekick (Starbucks Sidekick) knew what he was doing a lot more than me!”
Next to last, draw 8, came Brazilian bull rider, Paulo Crimber. Crimber is a serious contender for this year’s PBR World Championship title. Crimber’s coach was NRHA Professional Casey Hinton. Following Crimber’s ride, on Paid By Corona, owned by Tom & Betty Donato, of Weatherford, TX, Crimber hopped off, grabbed Hinton and the two did a little dancing at the out gate.
The final bull rider was Oklahoman Justin McBride. McBride is the top all time money earner in the PBR with lifetime earnings of $4.9 million dollars. McBride’s coach was NRHA Million Dollar Rider Tom McCutcheon. As McBride left the arena, he tipped his hat to the crowd. Outside the arena, McBride told the crowd, “I think this world champion (Sorcerers Apprentice) knew a lot more about reining than I did.” Sorcerers Apprentice is owned by Rancho Oso Rio, of Scottsdale, AZ. McCutcheon said he was so happy to be involved with such a great event and was so thrilled to help benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma.
The 4R Performance Horses “8” Second Celebrity Slide wasn’t just an exhibition, these bull riders were being judged! With three placings to be awarded, third place went to Cody Lambert with a score of 209.5. Paulo Crimber won second place with a score of 211. First place went to the first in the draw, Ednei Caminhas who scored a 216.5.
Following the event, all of the bull riders went around the arena signing autographs and meeting fans. They even signed autographs for quite a while for the kids of all ages who lined up outside the arena. The bull riders eventually made their way to the VIP Reception hosted by the RHSF and 4R Performance Horses. Guests paid $100 a ticket for an up close and personal visit with the bull riders as well as fabulous fare by Ovations catering.
One of the most touching moments of the evening and one that RHSF event organizers had been working toward for months was the presentation of the check to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma during the VIP Reception. RHSF President Bill Peel presented representatives a check for $10,000 raised from the 4R Performance Horses “8” Second Celebrity Slide. The total amount raised from the event is still being tabulated because many people at the reception and in the crowd also donated thousands of dollars to Make-A-Wish of Oklahoma®.
Competition is building at the 2007 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show. Looking ahead to a few must-see events at the NRHA Futurity; Thursday evening, November 29, brings spectacular international competition in the FEI World Reining Masters 2007. Don’t miss the Cinch Non Pro Futurity Finals beginning Friday afternoon, November 30. Later Friday evening, a special Invitational Freestyle event featuring the best freestyle riders in America takes place.
Saturday, December 1, will be a day chock full of exciting events including the Performance Horse Rookie of the Year, a special clinic with Stacy Westfall presented by Horse & Rider magazine, the Champagne Brunch with Legends, the NRHA/Markel Insurance Futurity Prospect sale, and the Elite Trailer Sweepstakes. All leading up to the main event! The Open Futurity Finals Champion will be awarded a check for $125,000 at the end of the night. Lots of things happening at the 2007 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show.
