JULY 2000 BACK ISSUE
Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 07/2000; 2:00:00PM.
NRHA: Conquistador Whiz and Duane Latimer dealt a winning hand at the 2000 NRHA Derby
OKLAHOMA CITY-- The Reining industry's leading contenders flocked to Oklahoma City to try their hand at winning a share of more than $300,000 at the NRHA's 2000 Derby, held at the Oklahoma State Fair Arena, May 17-20.Conquistador Whiz (Topsail Whiz / Sugarita Chex), ridden by Duane Latimer of Ardmore, OK, and owned by George Shifrin of Aspen, CO were dealt the winning hand as they dominated the NRHA Open Derby Championship with a score of 226.5 and a finals paycheck of $20,249.42. Conquistador Whiz, a five-year-old Quarter Horse stallion, is an NRHA Silver Certificate and NRHA Certificate of Merit earner.
In a three-way tie for the Reserve Open Derby Championship, Paps Major Dad, ridden by Tom McCutcheon, co-owned by wife, Mandy, Pilot Point, TX, Tivitos Sugar Bar, ridden by Shawn Flarida, owned by Four Spins and Company of Catlettsburg, KY, and Bob Loomis Quarter Horses' West Coast Whiz, another Duane Latimer piloted Topsail Whiz offspring, earned $13,075.05 each, with a 222.5 score.
Intermediate Open Derby Champion Keyhole Cowboy (Master Cowboy Jac/ Keilind Great Bar), was ridden by Kim Wagoner of Layton, UT for owners Loren and Debi East of Bountiful, UT. A score of 216.5 earned the pair $7,982.73.
Four entries scored a 215 for Reserve Co-Champion honors, including a second Kim Wagoner mount, Forever Sparked, for Loren and Debi East, Fed Ex, ridden by Shelli Ries of Whitesboro, TX, for owner Samantha Wynn of Alvin, TX, Night Time Shiner, ridden by Dale Bennett of Marietta, OK and owned by Mill Iron S Ranch of Kyle, SD, and Magnum Chic Dream ridden by Patti Brownshadel of Hempstead, TX, owned by Viola Scott of Brenham,TX. Each entry earned $4,815.44 for their efforts.
Fed Ex and Shelli Ries were named Limited Open Derby Champions with a score of 217, earning them $2,008.87. Reserve Limited Open Co-Champion honors went to Night Time Shiner and Lenas Cee Cutter, ridden by Frederik Thomsson of Pauls Valley, OK, for owner Petra Roth Leckebusch of Germany. Each earned $1,423.87.
The Non Pro Derby Championship was awarded to Douglas Holmes of Heber City, UT, riding Miss Moth Money (Smart Little Calboy/ Whata Major Delight) with a score of 222 and $8,965.25 in winnings. Reserve Champion Marc Wagman of Talala, OK, and Tougher Than The Rest scored 220.5 to earn $7,059.41.
The Intermediate Non Pro Derby Champion, Lance Griffin of Dewinton, AB, Canada and Peppy Chic Olena (Smart Chic Olena/ Peppy Polka Doc) scored 213.5 to earn $3,184.75. Ginger Schmersal of Menifee, CA, riding Top Hickory and Kayce Lynne Wagner of Orange, CA, aboard A Little Minnie Jac shared the Intermediate Non Pro Reserve Co-Champion title. A score of 217 earned each $2,166.52.
A score of 215.5 garnered Kayce Wagner and A Little Minnie Jac (A Little Shady Jac/Minnie Freckle) the Limited Non Pro Derby Championship and $2,145.89. Reserve Champion, with a score of 214, went to Jena Smith of Big Rock, IL, riding Paul Ivan Olena and earning $1,078.46.
NRHA would like to thank it's corporate sponsors, Cinch, State Line Tack, Pfizer Animal Health, Sundowner Trailers, Saddlesmith of Texas, Buckeye Nutrition, Markel Insurance, and Horse and Rider magazine for making this year's show such a success.
The National Reining Horse Association is the governing body of the sport of reining responsible for enforcing the standards of competition, promoting the sport, and educating its members and the general public about the proper performance of the reining horse in the show arena. NRHA sanctioned 317 events in 1999 and distributed 3.6 million dollars in competition purses.
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Contact: Alexandra Drenning, Media Coordinator
(405) 946-7400 ext. 110 office (405) 946-8425 fax
e-mail: media@nrha.com
