Oklahoma City, OK – November 29, 2007 – NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida scored a 230 and a 226.5 to clinch the top two high scores in the second go-round of the Open Futurity. The excitement surrounding the 2007 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show is building up to the Open Futurity Finals, Saturday, December 1, when one rider will be awarded a check for $125,000.
On Wednesday, during the final section of the 2nd go, Flarida, of Springfield, OH, marked a 226.5 on Wimpys Little Chic owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, of Weatherford, TX. In Monday’s first section of the go, Flarida scored a 230 on RC Fancy Step, owned by Mark Schols and Jimmy Pierce.
The highest scoring rider from the second go in the Intermediate Open division was Matt Flarida, of Midway, KY. The 2006 Intermediate Open Futurity Reserve Champion scored a 224 on Style In Storm owned by Dave and Barbara Wilkins, of Shelbyville, KY.
Robin Schoeller, of Springfield, OH, scored the highest in the second go of the Limited Open division. Schoeller marked a 219.5 on Wimpys Pinesail owned by Charles Vaughan, of Lafayette, IN.
There was plenty of reining action on Wednesday in the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show and NRHA Ancillary classes. Catherine Achtenhagen, of Ocala, FL won the Adequan® North American Affiliate Non Pro Championship on her Dualing Chic. First place in the Ancillary Non Pro class went to Melissa Hood of Columbia, MO. Hood showed her Watch This Way.
Gunnin For Diamonds and Juston Palmer won the Adequan® North American Affiliate Intermediate Non Pro Championship with a score of 214. Gunnin’ For Diamonds is owned and shown by Palmer. Hood also placed first in the Intermediate Non Pro Ancillary Class.
Sally Hoppe, of Salem, OR, scored a 213.5 on Shadownics to win the Adequan® North American Affiliate Prime Time Non Pro Championship. Shadownics is owned by Ron & Sally Hoppe. The Prime Time Non Pro Ancillary class was won by Kerry Newell, of Newton, KS. Newell scored a 214 on Hailstorm Jaci, owned by Newell Quarter Horses LLC.
Top honors in the Adequan® North American Affiliate Limited Non Pro division went to Sunday Maust, of Idaho Falls, ID. Maust scored a 213 on her Max McLain. First place in the Limited Non Pro Ancillary class went to Shauna Oseen, of High River, AB, Canada. Oseen showed her Docs Last Boomernic. She scored a 214.
All of the Adequan® North American Affiliate Champions earned the opportunity to participate in the Elite Trailer Affiliate Sweepstakes at the end of the NRHA Futurity Show. NRHA Corporate Partner Elite Trailers will give away one year’s use of SIX brand new 4-horse Mustang trailers to SIX lucky winners!
Before the Open Futurity finals on Saturday, December 1, the North American Affiliate Champions will receive the chance to draw for one of the six Elite trailers. The first six division champions to draw the winning envelope will drive away with one year’s use of a new trailer from Elite! The NRHA would like to thank Elite Trailers for their generous contribution to the NRHA Affiliate Program and affiliate members through the Elite Trailer Sweepstakes.
There’s also something new at this year’s 2007 Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show. It’s called the North American Regional Team Championship. The top three riders in each NAAC division will earn points according to the number of horses shown. At the end of the NAAC, one of the nine affiliate regions in the US and Canada will be awarded with a check for $500. Following Wednesday’s competition, the South Central region is in the lead with 106 points.
Be sure to catch the Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity Finals beginning Friday afternoon, November 30. Later Friday evening will be a special Invitational Freestyle event featuring many past freestyle reining champions.
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 where one rider will be awarded a check for $125,000 at the end of the night. There are plenty of events to see at the 2007 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show now through December 1 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK.
