As the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) bids adieu to the storied Jim Norick Coliseum, The Firemen and Kaci O’Rourke made history tonight. They scored a 229 to win the prestigious NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity, a title never before won by a woman. They also topped the Level 3 Open.

“I would like anyone to know to stay true to yourself,” O’Rourke said as she reflected on being the first woman to win the Level 4 Open on reining’s biggest stage. “If you want something, you have to work for it, but be willing to work for it and stick to your dreams, and it will come. It felt like everything fell into place and happened how it was supposed to happen.”

This year’s edition of the show reached a new pinnacle with $1.64 million added and a record-breaking $3.2 million-plus payout. The purse was larger in all four levels of the Open and Non Pro than ever before, with $2.28 million paid out in the Levels 4-1 Open Futurity. With so much on the line, the crowd erupted with each maneuver as O’Rourke and The Firemen put together a dynamic, powerful run.

“I have no idea how he could hear me. It was so loud, I was just praying he was going to stay with me,” O’Rourke said. “As I was going through my run, I kept thinking, ‘Wow, he’s there.’ He gave me confidence throughout the run. He kept checking back in and telling me it’s all good. It was an amazing feeling.”

The Firemen and O’Rourke took home the lion’s share of the pot, adding $420,000 (including nominator incentives) to their bankroll after tonight’s performance in the MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open finals. The win more than doubled the Cross Roads, Texas-based NRHA Professional’s NRHA lifetime earnings.

“I’m speechless. It’s all been a blur,” O’Rourke said. “I’m just so thankful for this horse, and I’m so thankful that God placed him in my life because he’s incredible.”

The Firemen was nominated by NRHA Corporate Partner Tamarack Ranch, who bred the stallion. O’Rourke and her husband, NRHA Professional Jack Daniels, bought the horse as a yearling, and Daniels started him as a 2-year-old.

“He was such a reactive, intense horse that he was challenging in the first month or two,” O’Rourke said. “But my husband always believed in him and knew how special he was.

“He’s like driving a Ferrari,” she continued about “Thiago.” “He’s so intense, and he’s so talented. Everything is so easy for him, but he’s a horse that has to have a really strong relationship with the rider. He and I are pretty close, and I think that’s what got us through tonight.”

When owners Peter and Courtney Morgan purchased The Firemen in January, they promised O’Rourke they would keep him in her program. Despite offers from buyers, they held true to their commitment. They were rewarded with their first Level 4 Open Futurity title.

“We’re absolutely blessed and grateful,” Courtney Morgan said. “It’s absolutely magical. I just wanted it to be her; she has worked so hard. They are great team members.”

O’Rourke returned the sentiment, expressing gratitude to the Morgans for their continued encouragement and support. She also acknowledged her team and her family, as well as her previous mentors. But most of all, she wanted to thank Daniels for being a true partner.

“We’re a team, and this is both of our win,” she said. “We win together and go through things together. He rides the horses as much as me. It’s 100% both of us.”

Levels 2 & 1 Open Futurity Champions: Frozen Starburst & Leonardo Kellermann

It was an emotional night for NRHA Professional Leonardo Kellermann, whose season came to a spectacular end when he piloted Frozen Starburst to the Levels 2 and 1 Open Futurity Championships. It all came to fruition in front of his parents, who were able to come watch him show at the Futurity for the first time.

“I was just so happy to be here that the pressure was OK. I was more happy than actually nervous,” Kellermann said. “This is more than expected by far. I worked for five years for [NRHA Hall of Famer] Andrea [Fappani]. All the hard work and learning created a solid base, and it looks like it’s working.”

“This horse is a stud, but he’s the sweetest he can be,” the native Brazillian continued of Frozen Starburst. “He’s gorgeous and he knows he is. He’s powerful in the best way. At the same time he has the power, he is calm and sweet-minded. The same way he goes 100 miles an hour, he comes back just relaxed and stays calm. He’s a special reining horse.”

The horse-and-rider team’s 222.5 score earned them a total of $151,564 (including nominator incentives) — $13,000 in Level 1 and $50,000 in Level 2, as well as $35,644 for the Level 3 Open Co-Reserve Championship and $52,919 for an eighth-place tie in Level 4.

“He was incredible. He showed me everything he had,” said Kellermann, who rode in his first Level 4 Open finals tonight. “He turned big, stopped big, and did everything I asked. It was just amazing to be in there and be able to show a good horse.”

Frozen Starburst is by NRHA $3 Million Sire SG Frozen Enterprize and out of Hollywood Starburst. Bred by Ubere Agropecuaria Eireli, the stallion was born in Brazil. He was purchased in January 2022 by current owner and nominator Janice Laney of 7 Lakes Ranch and moved to Purcell, Oklahoma.

“I moved to 7 Lakes about a year ago, and that’s when I started riding him,” Kellermann recalled. “I saw the potential he had, and he’s always been a favorite. He’s an amazing-minded horse with all the maneuvers.”

As Draw 13, Kellermann knew he clinched the Level 1 Open Futurity title when he walked back through the Gateway of Champions, but he had to wait to see how the rest of the results would fall. After learning his score also held to top the Level 2 Open, he was moved to tears.

“Wow! This is even better,” Kellermann said, also acknowledging his friends who competed alongside him tonight. “We don’t compete against each other; we compete against ourselves. I want to win, but it’s the best I can for myself and my horse. That’s the good thing about the reining. We can be friends and compete the same day. It’s a big family.”

The NRHA Corporate Partner 7 Lakes Ranch team had a phenomenal showing at the NRHA Futurity. Kellermann also finished third and fourth in the Level 1 Open aboard Catching Sparks and The Whizperer, respectively. Fellow 7 Lakes trainer NRHA Professional Mirko Midili rode Mark My Word to the top of the Level 4 Open go-round and semifinals to lead the composite. The duo scored a final-round 224 to tie for fifth, worth $81,034.

“It’s hard to describe in words what a year we had,” Kellermann said. “I’ve been consistent at pretty much every show this year. To be able to finish the year like that, for the whole 7 Lakes team, it’s amazing. I’m really proud. With a team like we have, it makes everything easy.”

Prime Time Open Futurity Champions: Vulcano & Franco Bertolani

Vulcano and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Franco Bertolani exploded into the Jim Norick tonight from Draw 25 to mark a 222.5. That score landed the team the Co-Reserve Championship in the Level 3 Open and an eighth-place tie in Level 4. With their 1.5-point handicap, it also secured them the Prime Time Open Futurity Championship.

“I tried to be clean,” Bertolani said of his performance. “There was a lot of runs before me with some bobbles and mistakes, so I tried to be clean. I’m so happy with him. He was with me the whole time.”

Vulcano, a son of NRHA Hall of Famer Spooks Gotta Whiz and Dun It In Silver, was bred by Diane Sibley. The stallion was purchased as a weanling and nominated by James Turpen. Bertolani started the colt and rode him throughout the horse’s 2-year-old season. Then Turpen made Bertolani an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“This year in June, I bought half of him, so I’m a co-owner,” Bertolani said of his involvement in the Vulcano LLC partnership, which owns the stallion. “He’s always been a really nice horse. He can do everything, but he circles really well. I can put my hand on his withers, and he’ll take care of me.”

Bertolani said he learned a lot about Vulcano during the first go-round and the semifinals in Oklahoma City. That allowed him to adapt his strategy for the finals. The NRHA Professional tweaked things in preparation, and he was happy with the result.

“This year, this horse was special. It’s really tough [to compete] right now,” Bertolani said. “It has to be your night, and everything has to go good. It’s so hard. When he’s a little more physically mature, I think he can give a little more. But he has a great mind, and he was with me the whole time.”

Vulcano and Bertolani ended their evening with a hefty $93,313 paycheck, including nominator incentives. That total pushed the horse’s NRHA lifetime earnings to more than $116,000. Bertolani’s record now reflects $1.8 million.

Looking to the future, Vulcano is scheduled for some rest and relaxation after working hard throughout his 3-year-old season. The plan, Bertolani said, is to let him blossom as a derby horse and consider the stallion for a prospective breeding career.

“My next plan is to go make this horse a stud,” Bertolani said. “He has all the things I really like — he’s got the color, he’s got flash, he’s built really good — and I think he can be a nice junior stud next year, then we’ll go from there.”

For a look back at all of the action at the World’s Richest Reining, visit nrhafuturity.com.