The Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC) continued to see tough competition which concluded in a run off to decide the champions of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) classes.
Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 & Level 2 Co-Champions
NRHA non pros Jenna Meimerstorf and Spence Bell decided to co-champion the Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 and 2 after earning a 219.5.
Jenna Meimerstorf rode the Amy Medows-bred Long Live Diamonds (Walla Walla Whiz x Chicsdreamofdiamonds) to the titles.
“He was super honest all the way through the pen,” she said of the 4-year-old stallion owned by Todd and Julie Meimerstorf. “My biggest thing this week was showing like I have been practicing and letting him do his job. He did outstanding. He is really fun to circle and puts his head low and is pretty automatic and fancy.”
The pair made the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Non Pro Levels 3-1 Finals earlier this year.
“I want to thank my parents as well as [NRHA Professional] Yonathan Baruch and all of the team that has supported me this week—they have been awesome!”
Spence Bell rode Blaze Of Glori (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Myo Starlight), a horse that is incredibly special to him.
“She is the result of half of my life breeding horses,” he said. “I owned her mother and her grandmother so it is very special to us.”
The mare will still be derby-aged next year so the duo has plans to continue showing in those events.
“I want to thank [NRHA Professional] Trent Harvey, Dallas [Cunningham], and my family—it is just a big team,” he said.
Bell mentioned the title means even more to share it with Meimerstorf, especially since both riders’ horses were trained by NRHA Professional Dallas Cunningham. Bell’s 5-year-old mare, Meimerstorf’s stallion, and Krista Marshall’s gelding were all part of his program, according to Bell.
“Three out of the four horses in the co-championship [run off] were trained by Dallas Cunningham. Three horses from the same barn as babies and ended up as show horses later—that’s really cool.”
NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1
Sakari Wilkinson rode her own LV Borgata (HF Mobster x Smart Kachina Olena), bred by NRHA Corporate Partner lxtul Quarter Horses, to a score of 221 to win the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1.
“I have only had her for about a year and this was our best run together so far, so it was a really good end of the season,” said Wilkinson. “We showed in the rookie classes here and finished 5th out of the 100 entries. We have had a really good season together this year.”
Wilkinson, who committed to the Southern Methodist University National Collegiate Equestrian Association team for next year, is hoping the mare can go with her to college. “I plan to do some derbies with her next year, and then when I go to school, I may continue showing her, but we will see how it goes. I really like her personality. She is very mellow and easy-minded. It makes it easy to ride her,” she added.
“My parents have always supported me with horses. Since I was 8 years old, so I really want to thank them for that,” said Wilkinson and also thanked all her trainers, who have helped her over the years. “I ride with [NRHA Professional] Jeronimo Leal Lobo, who trains my reiners and Kyle Noyce, who I ride cowhorse with. I would not be where I am today without them,” said Wilkinson.
NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2
It took a run off to break the four-way tie in the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 class to determine the champions. Krista Marshall and Flinn And Tonic (In Like Flinn x Lil Trashya Shiney), bred by Carluccio Orsi, walked out with the title after scoring a 223 in the run off.
“I’m not sure that everyone appreciated the run off, but I knew we had more in us, so I wanted to go back in. We ended up getting a 223 and that was the highest score of all the 98 entries in the two days,” said the champion fresh off her win.
Marshall has had the horse since he was a yearling and the duo has won close to $37,000 together coming into this year’s NRHA Futurity. “He is 4 years old this year, and we had a great season together. A couple of weeks ago, he was a reserve champion at the [American Quarter Horse Association] AQHA World Show. Last year, we showed at the NRHA Futurity, and this year has been just amazing for us,” she said.
“He is an amazing horse,” said Marshall about her mount. “I can just put my hand down, put my legs into him, and ask for all the gears. He will drop his head down and just roll. He makes it so much fun, and it was a great way to finish the season on such a high note,” she continued. “He will definitely get a much-deserved break. I could not appreciate him more. Next year, I will do some derbies on him. It will be a ‘go, fight, win’ for us.”
Marshall thanked her family for all their support. “My son had heart surgery today, so it has been a hard day, but my husband keeps it all together. It is tough to be a mom and compete on the highest level, so I am very thankful to [my family]. [NRHA Professional] Dan Huss and his wife, Wendy, have been amazing to me,” she added. “I couldn’t have a better trainer, better program, better horses. I am a really grateful girl.”
Marshall is not done at the NRHA Futurity as she and her gelding Gunnabea Chic Magnet (ARC Gunnabeabigstar x Ms Chic Poco Pine), bred and nominated by Wolf Hills Farm LLC, will show in the Non Pro Futurity Finals on Friday.
NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3
Gavin Warren rode his father, Devin’s, 8-year-old gelding Doctor Dreamer (Magnum Chic Dream x Gunners Dazey), to win the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3 Championship. The gelding, bred by KC Arrow Partners, has been in the Warren’s barn for a while, but this is the first season for the duo to enter the showpen together.
“I like his brain. He is always reliable. If I have two horses to warm up, I can rely on him to do his job even without an extensive warmup,” he said about his horse.
“Our run today was good and very smooth. We ran in and stopped, and after the spins, I just got to put my hand down, circled, and tried to mark big. Next year, I would like to repeat the success we had this year and do even better,” Gavin added.
Gavin thanked his parents for all their help getting him and his horses ready. “My mom makes sure that we are entered in everything and on schedule, and my dad helps me train my horses. My girlfriend and our whole team are also very supportive.”
Action in the Adequan® Arena continues Thursday, December 5, with the NAAC 13 & Under, the NRHA 13 & Under, and the NRHA Youth 10 & Under Short Stirrup classes. Follow along with the free NRHA ThorSport LiveStream at nrhafuturity.com/livestream.
