Oklahoma City, OK – February 6, 2008 – It’s one of the highest honors the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) can bestow upon one of its members, horses or breed alliance partners. To be inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame is a very prestigious honor. During the NRHA Convention, which wrapped up Saturday, February 2, the NRHA welcomed five new members into its Hall of Fame. The final evening of the convention was filled with special honors, laughs and a few tears as the NRHA inducted new members into the Hall of Fame and honored the top riders, owners and horses of 2007 and other accolades.
Three horses, an NRHA Alliance Partner and a long-time member have now joined some of the most recognizable names in the sport of Reining. Through their involvement and significant contributions they’ve changed the sport and the NRHA. The 2008 inductees are the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), Dr. Jim Morgan, DVM, Mr Gun Smoke, Taris Little Vintage, and Miss Okie Too. After recognizing all of the NRHA Hall of Fame members in attendance, the NRHA paid a special video tribute to each new inductee.
First to be inducted were the horses, Mr Gun Smoke, Taris Little Vintage and Miss Okie Too.
For reiners, Mr Gun Smoke (Rondo Leo x Kansas Cindy) is most closely associated with the Hall of Fame’s first inductee, often referred to as the “Father-of-Modern-Day Reining,” Dale Wilkinson. As the only rider to win the NRHA Futurity and NCHA Futurity, and the only member of the NRHA, AQHA, and NCHA Halls of Fame, it’s not surprising that with Wilkinson in the saddle this stallion became a household name, first through his success in the cutting pen and later as top sire who significantly impacted the sport of Reining. Two of his offspring preceded their sire in the Hall of Fame-Hollywood Smoke and Miss White Trash. To put Mr Gun Smoke’s impact, through the generations, into perspective-without Mr Gun Smoke there would be no Trashadeous, no Gunner, and no Wimpys Little Step.
Taris Little Vintage (Peppy San Badger x Taris Vintage) began her short, three year, competitive career by placing third in the 1994 NRHA Futurity. She was the highest placing mare in the Futurity that year. In 1995, she became the AQHA World Champion in Junior Reining. As a four and five year old, the bay mare also made the 1995 and 1996 NRHA Open Derby Finals. At that time, six year olds were not eligible to show in the Derby. In those three years of competition, Taris Little Vintage earned close to $49,000! Following her success in the show pen, Taris Little Vintage became a great producer; the only mare to produce two NRHA Futurity Open champions out of different sires. In 1999, Hollywood Vintage, by Hollywood Dun It, earned the win for Alan and Kay Needle. Taris Designer Genes, by Mr Boomerjac, was the 2006 Futurity champion for Rancho Oso Rio. In NRHA competition, her offspring have earned more than $421,000.
Miss Okie Too (Muskeg x Glendas Miss Okie) is the dam of 13 NRHA money-earners. Her offspring, all sired by Five Million Dollar Sire and Hall of Fame inductee Hollywood Dun It, have averaged $15,000 in earnings for a combined total of more than $200,000. Miss Okie Too’s offsprings’ earnings total tops $3,000,000. They’ve carried youth, rookie, non pro, and open riders to the pay window. Those fortunate enough to ride one of her offspring include names like Tim McQuay, Mandy McCutcheon, Monica Hicks, Bonnie Hippensteel, Doug Carpenter, Terry Thompson, Jose Vazquez, Dario Carmignani, and Steve Archer.
Then it was Dr. Jim Morgan’s turn to be honored. Dr. Jim Morgan, DVM, is one of NRHA’s most well-known, successful and looked-up-to competitors. He’s served the association on the board of directors and various committees. He’s a past NRHA World Champion, NRHA Derby Non Pro and Futurity champion. His accomplishments in the show arena have most often been aboard horses he’s bred and trained. Dr. Morgan’s son-in-law, Reid Fady, spoke about Morgan’s love for his family and love for Reining. It was a heartfelt speech that brought tears to many eyes. When Dr. Morgan stepped to the podium he received a standing ovation from the hundreds of people in attendance. It was obvious that his contribution to the sport and the friendships he has made have not gone unnoticed by Dr. Morgan who thanked many and expressed how honored he was to be a member of the NRHA Hall of Fame.
The support that NRHA has received from the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) is unprecedented. As leaders in the horse world they long ago realized that what was good for the reining horse was good for the American Quarter Horse. As benefactors and partners, they’ve helped advance Reining worldwide. Their support was paramount in acceptance by the USET and FEI, the first western discipline to be so recognized.
Mr. Frank Merrill, President of the AQHA, accepted the Hall of Fame bronze. Merrill talked about Reining as one of the predominant equestrian disciplines featured by the AQHA. He also expressed the importance of the partnership between the AQHA and the NRHA. Merrill finished by thanking the NRHA from the millions of AQHA members worldwide.
