The 2025 NRHA Non Pro Futurity concluded with a thrilling slate of finals and more than $1.1 million paid across the Non Pro divisions, once again proving why this event remains one of the most prestigious stages in the sport of reining. With all finals contested on a clean slate, competitors delivered elite performances across every level.
2025 NRHA CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finals Champions
Level 4 Champions: Gina Schumacher and CS Sailor Made
Gina Schumacher and CS Sailor Made (Snip O Lution x La Bigia Sailor), owned, bred and nominated by XCS Ranch LLC marked a 221 to take the title. Schumacher and her home-raised mare topped her preliminary score of 219 to secure the Level 4 Non Pro Futurity Championship. Schumacher was top 5 on all three of her finals entries, all by XCS Ranch’s stallion, Snip O Lution.
Level 3-1 Co-Champions / Level 3-1 Challenge Co-Champions: Maria Luiza Michelin Fagundes and Nyourwildest Dreams
Level 3-1 & Level 3-1 Challenge Co-Champions / Youth & Youth Challenge Champions: Owen Deary and Smoking Bubblegun
Maria Luiza Michelin Fagundes and Nyourwildestdreams (Magnum Chic Dream x Gunna Be Custom) set an early lead in Section 1 with a 217.5. Fagundes and the mare, owned by Jose Fernando Fagundes and nominated by breeder Devin Warren, tied for the Non Pro Level 3-1 and Non Pro Level 3-1 Challenge titles.
Owen Deary and his own Smoking Bubblegun (A Vintage Smoke x Bubblegun), matched Fagundes’ score, and were also crowned Youth and Youth Challenge Champions with their impressive performance. Smoking Bubblegun was bred and nominated by Kimberly Tillman.
Prime Time Co-Champions: Susan Strelioff and A Modern Beginning
Prime Time Co-Champions & Prime Time Challenge Champions: Matthew Wilson and Alpha Shineceeshine
Susan Strelioff and A Modern Beginning (Modern Gun x Nifty Beginning), owned by Strelioff and nominated by breeder Wendy Williams, and Matthew Wilson and Alpha Shineceeshine (Shine Chic Shine x Cee My Gun), owned by Wilson and nominated by breeder Alpha Quarter Horses LLC shared the Prime Time championship. Strelioff set the early Prime Time standard with a 217 (including handicap), matched by Wilson, who tied for the Prime Time lead and secured the Prime Time Challenge win.
Dr. Jim Morgan Masters Champions: Ellen Lloyd Cummins and Dunit The Spooky Way
Ellen Lloyd Cummins and Dunit The Spooky Way (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Dunit The Gunner Way), owned, nominated and bred by Cummins, scored a 211 to claim victory in the inaugural Dr. Jim Morgan Masters class. Drawing first in Section 1 of the Non Pro Finals, the duo set the benchmark that held through the rest of the competition.
Chrome Cash Champions: Maria Luiza Michelin Fagundes and Nexttopguninstructor
Maria Luiza Michelin Fagundes and Nexttopguninstructor (Americasnexttopgun x CCR Magnum Guns), owned by Jose Fernando Fagundes and nominated by breeder Dorothy Sanford, marked a 221 in the prelims to earn the Chrome Cash title and $2,530.
The Road to the Finals
The path to the finals featured intense preliminary competition. Fagundes and Nexttopguninstructor set the early pace with a 221 in Section 1, leading multiple Non Pro divisions into the finals.
In the Prime Time, Kim Muehlstaetter and Grand Marshall (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Mischief N Guns), owned by Sydney Muehlstaetter, bred by Sergio Elia and nominated by AnneSolbraekke, posted a 217.5 in Section 1 and maintained their lead into the finals.
Youth riders delivered standout performances, too. Sarah Rose Jons and Lil Red Corvette (Gotta Twist It Up x Dunit With A Spook), owned by Sotol Investments LLC and nominated by breederSandra Bentien, took an early lead with a 216, later overtaken by Madison Rafacz and Mann In Tha Mirror (FM Cottonwood x Mizz Freeze Frame), owned by nominator Shannon Rafacz and bred by Alejandro Ramirez, who scored 218 heading into the finals.
The inaugural Dr. Jim Morgan Masters Non Pro also saw tight competition. Ellen Lloyd Cummins led Section 1 with a 212.5 before Julie Ridgeway and Dreamys Story (Wimpys High Bid x Msdreamy), owned by Rolling Hills Ranch LLC and nominated by breeder Frederick Christen, briefly took the Section 2 lead with a 214.
The 2025 NRHA Non Pro Futurity once again showcased the depth of talent in the non pro ranks. From seasoned veterans to rising youth stars, competitors delivered world-class performances in one of reining’s most electric environments.
Tomorrow, December 7, is the final day of the 2025 NRHA Futurity. The day is slated to feature fierce competition among NRHA Professionals. Follow along with the action on the NRHA ThorSport LiveStream at nrhafuturity.com. Section 1 commences at 8 a.m. followed by the MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Finals at 5 p.m.
