Oklahoma City, OK – June 24, 2008 – The 2008 NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City, Okla. not only hosts the $30,000 added Non Pro Derby and the $80,000 added Open Derby, but also hosts many other classes for the youth and non pro reiner to the 50 and older crowd and rookie professionals.
George Lawrence and This Chicsdundreamin (Magnum Chic Dream x Hermosa Dun It) are leading the first section of the $15,000 added Intermediate Non Pro and the $7,500 added Limited Non Pro divisions. Their score of 217.5 was good enough to tie for the second highest score in the first section of the $30,000 added Non Pro Derby.
The leader in the Youth Non Pro division is Carlie McKinzie. She scored a 215.5 aboard Mr Moth Money (Jerry Lees Surprise x Miss Moth Money) owned by George and Cindy McKinzie. The Wenatchee, Wash. resident has earned nearly $100,000 thus far in her youth career.
Three ancillary class winners were named on Monday night including the Novice Horse Open, APHA Solid Open and AQHA Open classes.
Singer/songwriter Lyle Lovette’s Hollywood And Shine and rider Marco Ricotta won the $2,000 added NRHA Novice Horse Open and AQHA Open classes with an impressive 219. Ricotta, of Italy, has lifetime earnings of nearly $60,000. He was a finalist in the 2007 Futurity’s NRHA Intermediate Open division on Dun It Got Lucky. Debbie Arballo and Whizs Bronze Star finished second in the Novice Horse Open with a 218.5.
The APHA Open Solid class went to the team of Lisa Coulter and Angels Mark. Coulter, of Aubrey, TX, rode Robert Thompson’s five-year-old gelding who is by Mark This Spot and out of the Gunner mare Gunners Angel Marie. Andi Paul and Darlins Not Painted placed second in the class.
With nearly one-half million dollars to be awarded, 2008 NRHA Derby runs June 23-28 in Oklahoma City. 20 corporate partners and derby sponsors make this major international reining event possible. Those sponsors include: Adequan, Century Investment Group, Rocky Mountain Clothing Company, Cimarron Trailers, Classic Equine, C.R. Morrison, Kiser Arena Specialists, Jerry Kimmel, Land O’ Lakes/Purina Mills LLC, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Markel Insurance Company, MD Barns, Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pard’s, Performance Horse, Platinum Performance, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes/Anderson Bean Boot Company and SmartPak.
