Oklahoma City, OK – June 26, 2008 – Five reiners have two horses in contention for the finals of the $80,000 added Open Derby in Oklahoma City. The 2008 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby hosts this reining competition at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, June 23 - 28. The first section of the Open Derby go round concluded Wednesday, June 25 with the second session scheduled for today.
The top 25 scores in the Open Derby go round advance to the clean-slate finals. At this point in the competition, five reiners have two horses in the running including: Shawn Flarida (Wimpys Little Chic and Western Whiz), Randy Paul (Taris Designer Genes and Tinker With Diamonds), Cody Sapergia (Dun Playin Tag and Peppy Dun Hollywood), Andrea Fappani (Spooks Gotta Gun and Tinsel Jac) and Casey Hinton (Smarty Starlight and Play Dual Rey).
$2.8 Million Rider Shawn Flarida, from Springfield, OH, set a tough pace in the Open Derby with a 227 on Wimpys Little Chic (Wimpys Little Step x Collena Chic Olena). The duo has been successful in the Oklahoma State Fair Coliseum with a win in the 2007 NRHA Open Futurity last November. Wimpys Little Chic is owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, from Weatherford, TX. Randy Paul and Taris Designer Genes, 2006 NRHA Open Futurity Champion, finished second in the first section with a score of 223.5.
Sam Smith is leading the way in the first section of the $50,000 added Intermediate Open division go round. Smith scored a 222 on Startimes Last, owned by Duane Hicks, from Marietta OK.
Clinton Anderson’s score of 218.5 sent him straight to the top of the standings in the first section of the $5,000 added Limited Open division go round. Shine On Retsina (Shining Spark x Retsina) is owned by Anderson who hails from Belle Center, OH.
In the $4,000 added Non Pro class, first place went to Joshua Hattig, from Frederick, CO. He scored a 220 and earned $1631 aboard Dudes Whippersnapper (Steadys Dude x Miss San Snap). The four-year-old is owned by Bradford Hattig of Berthoud, CO.
Jana Simons, from Aubrey, TX, won the $2,000 added Intermediate Non Pro class on Gunner Hold Your Fire (Gunner X Hold That Spot). Simons scored a 214.5 to win $877. Gunner Hold Your Fire is owned by Simons.
The winner of the $500 added Prime Time Non Pro class was Michael Garnett, from Lincoln, NE. Garnett scored a 215 on his Ashleys Great Kid who is the 2005 Intermediate Non Pro Derby Champion (The Great Kid x Solanos Skip Brick). He earned a payout of $312.
A phenomenal number of people are taking advantage of the NRHA’s free live-streaming video of the Derby. Thousands of reining fans have tuned in at www.nrha.com to watch online from the comfort and convenience of their own computers.
