Competing as draw ten in the field of 35, Todd Sommers and Whiz It A Chic set the bar with a 229.5! Former NRBC Champions, million dollar riders, and other accomplished trainers took their shot – but no one could wrest the lead away.
That is, until draw 35. As Shawn Flarida entered the Great Southwest Equestrian Center on Shine Chic Shine, by Smart Chic Olena out of Ebony Shines, the crowd quieted. Flarida has marked big scores in the NRBC before – he’s a two-time Champion of the NRBC, and is the leading rider for the National Reining Horse Association with over $4 million in earnings.
From the first big stop of pattern 9 through the equally impressive spins, rollbacks, circles, and lead changes, the man in the green shirt and the palomino stallion enthralled the crowd. When the score – another 229.5 – was announced, the excitement was palpable.
Flarida and Sommers agreed to run-off for the Championship. “With this much money on the line and this big of event, there’s no decision – you gotta run for it,” said Sommers, who went first. Whiz It A Chic was as solid in the run-off as the regular Finals – and marked another 229.5.
Exiting the arena, Sommers wished his long-time friend good luck, and the battle was on. “When you’re running against Todd Sommers – you know he is going to be awesome and you just hope you can do it,” said Flarida. He and Shine Chic Shine laid it all on the line one more time – and were rewarded with a 231!
“Shine Chic Shine was great tonight. I knew he was a really good horse, but the heart and strength he showed tonight – there is no way to describe it.” Flarida paused, considering his words, and then added, “He definitely has my heart.”
Flarida and the partnership of Amabile and Strusiner received a check for $75,000, a deluxe four-horse trailer from Twin Cities Featherlite, a custom saddle from Eagle Mountain Saddlery, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, a custom jacked from Just Stitch It, a Whisper Bit from M3 Products, Rios of Mercedes boots, a custom had from Shorty’s Hattery, 25 lbs of Resilience supplement, a Catena watch, the signature blue crystal NRBC trophy, and other NRBC memorabilia.
And the reward for the other half of the Championship team? “Water and some much needed rest,” Flarida noted. When asked about his cheering section, whose voices could be heard over the rest of the crowd, he said simply, “I have the best team in the industry.”
Todd Sommers and Whiz It A Chic didn’t leave the NRBC empty-handed. In fact, the Reserve title equated a payday of $57,000. Whiz It A Chic, owned by Stoney Russell, is by Who Whiz It and out of Chic Out Mamma. “He’s been a special horse all along,” said Sommers, who achieved NRHA Million Dollar Rider status during the NRBC Finals a year ago. “He keeps getting better and better. He’s a great minded horse and really talented. I’m just glad I get to ride him.”
Level 4 Open Finals | |||||
Place | Money | Score | Horse | Rider | Owner |
1 | $75,000.00 | 229.8 | Shine Chic Shine (Smart Chic Olena X Ebony Shines) | Flarida;Shawn | Amabile & Strusiner |
2 | $57,000.00 | 229.5 | Whiz It A Chic (Who Whiz It X Chic Out Mamma) | Sommers;Todd | Russell;Stoney |
3 | $38,000.00 | 229.0 | Tinker With Guns (Colonels Smoking Gun X Tinker Nic) | Fappani;Andrea | Rancho Oso Rio |
4 - 5 | $32,000.00 | 228.5 | Whizkey N Diamonds (Topsail Whiz X Princess In Diamonds) | Flarida;Shawn | Rhodes River Ranch / CDR Farms |
4 - 5 | $32,000.00 | 228.5 | Heza Shiney Kodo (Kodo X Sheza Shinette) | Bergen;Todd | Holy Cow Performance Horses LL |
6 - 7 | $27,000.00 | 227.5 | Lost In Tinseltown (Jacs Electric Spark X Dun It In Tinseltown) | Schmersal;Craig | Anderson;Tim |
6 - 7 | $27,000.00 | 227.5 | Spooks Gotta Whiz (Spooks Gotta Gun X Prettywhizprettydoes) | Larson;Jordan | Kimball;Michell Anne |
8 - 9 | $23,000.00 | 226.5 | Magnum With A Dream (Magnum Chic Dream X Shine On Sayo) | Visser;Joshua C | Visser;Joshua C |
8 - 9 | $23,000.00 | 226.5 | Custom Cash Advance (Custom Crome X Cash In Roan) | Latimer;Duane W | Luga, LLC |
10 - 11 | $20,500.00 | 226.0 | Stop Like A Dream (Magnum Chic Dream X Best Stop) | Larson;Jordan | Leal;Gilberto |
10 - 11 | $20,500.00 | 226.0 | Conquistadors Sandy (Conquistador Whiz X Ritas San Jo) | DeFreitas;Peter | Double Run Farm LLC |
12 - 13 | $19,000.00 | 225.5 | Plum Tinseled (Tinsel Nic X Jays Sugarplum) | Giesbrecht;Brad | Sternberg;Rosanne |
12 - 13 | $19,000.00 | 225.5 | Some Kinda Shine (Shine Of A Kind X Precious Lady D) | Mills;Matthew | Marley III;Frank E. |
14 | $18,000.00 | 225.0 | Jacs Lil Spook (Smart Spook X Miss Whoa Jac) | Zimmerman;David | Newell Quarter Horses |
15 - 16 | $13,500.00 | 224.5 | Star For The Chicks (Smart Starbuck X Dun It By Chick) | Honstetter;Arno | Peterson;Janet |
15 - 16 | $13,500.00 | 224.5 | Way Too Thirsty (Smart Little Thirsty X Shining High Roller) | Schmersal;Craig | Hill-Schmersal |
17 | $9,000.00 | 224.0 | SL Lenas Chick (Lena Spark X Dual Chickadee) | McCutcheon;Tom | Koepsell;Roxanne |
18 - 20 | $8,100.00 | 223.5 | Nics Custom (Custom Crome X Nics Whiz) | Larson;Jordan | Millstid;Frank |
18 - 20 | $8,100.00 | 223.5 | Whiz Jewels (Topsail Whiz X Hot Hollywood Jewels) | Gagnon;Luke | Ryan;Courtney S. |
18 - 20 | $8,100.00 | 223.5 | Kachina Tag N Chex (Whiz N Tag Chex X Kachina Oak) | Latimer;Duane W | Griffin;Lance |
21 | $7,600.00 | 222.0 | Custom Spook (Smart Spook X Custom Spinderella) | Fappani;Andrea | Rancho Oso Rio |
22 | $7,400.00 | 221.5 | Baja Hollywood Whiz (Topsail Whiz X Hollywood Stunt Girl) | Huss;Dan L | Shearer;Robert J. / Shearer;Melissa |
23 | $7,200.00 | 221.0 | Country Custom (Custom Crome X Calatrava) | Muehlstaetter;Martin | Dooley;Tom |
24 - 25 | $7,050.00 | 220.5 | Lil Gun Dunit (Lil Gun (Colonels Lil Gun) X Hollywood Baby Dunit) | Meer;Marcy Ver | Bar Double C Ranch |
24 - 25 | $7,050.00 | 220.5 | Shining N Sassy (Shining Spark X Sassy O Lena) | McQuay;Tim | Koepsell;Roxanne |
26 | $6,600.00 | 220.0 | Mizzen Whizzen (Smart Chic Olena X Mizzen Topsail) | Beckley;Jesse | Copland;Marilyn |
27 | $6,400.00 | 219.5 | Miss Silver Gun (Colonels Smoking Gun X Miss Taris Rey) | Muehlstaetter;Martin | Stanislaw Jr.;Otto |
28 - 29 | $6,100.00 | 219.0 | Im No Wimp (Wimpys Little Step X Smart Little Calena) | Metcalf;Carol | Miers;Mark Shannon |
28 - 29 | $6,100.00 | 219.0 | Dun It Chexinic (Bueno Chexinic X Ds Fancy Footwork) | Bell;Brian | Troop Quarter Horses |
30 | $5,000.00 | 218.5 | Sail On Kuna Whiz (Topsail Whiz X Shining Maid) | Brown;Dean B | Santagata;Robert |
31 | $0.00 | 218.0 | Dunit For Sugar (Reminic N Dunit X Ready Sugar Surprise) | Mills;Matthew | Westbrook;Brian |
32 | $0.00 | 217.5 | McLovin (Smart Chic Olena X Carmel Creme Command) | Crawford;Todd | Thompson;T. Sharnai |
33 | $0.00 | 213.0 | Smart Like Valentino (Smart Like Juice X Smart Little Jewel) | McCutcheon;Scott | Sternberg;Rosanne |
34 - 35 | $0.00 | 0.00 | Quistador (Conquistador Whiz X Missin Becky) | Flarida;Shawn | Revenberg;Augustine(Gus) / Revenberg;Gaynia |
34 - 35 | $0.00 | 0.00 | Next Best Step (Wimpys Little Step X Lady Whiz Chex) | Wright;Todd | Musone;Fred J |
| Level 3 Open Finals | |||||
| Place | Money | Score | Horse | Rider | Owner |
| 1 | $31,129.64 | 226.0 | Conquistadors Sandy (Conquistador Whiz X Ritas San Jo) | DeFreitas;Peter | Double Run Farm LLC |
| 2 | $18,948.47 | 225.0 | Jacs Lil Spook (Smart Spook X Miss Whoa Jac) | Zimmerman;David | Newell Quarter Horses |
| 3 | $14,211.36 | 223.5 | Whiz Jewels (Topsail Whiz X Hot Hollywood Jewels) | Gagnon;Luke | Ryan;Courtney S. |
| 4 | $12,181.16 | 222.0 | Chicsdundreamin (Magnum Chic Dream X Goody Goody Dun Drop) | Smith;Samuel J | Roper;Tim |
| 5 - 7 | $9,474.24 | 221.5 | Out West Whiz (West Coast Whiz X Sugars Lil Duchess) | Gauthier;Jonathan | Tuttle;Darlene |
| 5 - 7 | $9,474.24 | 221.5 | Collenas Little Wimp (Wimpys Little Step X Collena Chic Olena) | DeFreitas;Peter | Double Run Farm LLC |
| 5 - 7 | $9,474.24 | 221.5 | Baja Hollywood Whiz (Topsail Whiz X Hollywood Stunt Girl) | Huss;Dan L | Shearer;Robert J. / Shearer;Melissa |
| 8 - 9 | $6,090.58 | 221.0 | Me Smart Tarzan (Smart Shiner X Tarizana) | Ahissar;Kaya | Ruckman;Shaunda Rai |
| 8 - 9 | $6,090.58 | 221.0 | Country Custom (Custom Crome X Calatrava) | Muehlstaetter;Martin | Dooley;Tom |
| 10 | $4,737.12 | 220.5 | Lil Gun Dunit (Lil Gun (Colonels Lil Gun) X Hollywood Baby Dunit) | Meer;Marcy Ver | Bar Double C Ranch |
| 11 | $4,060.39 | 220.0 | Mizzen Whizzen (Smart Chic Olena X Mizzen Topsail) | Beckley;Jesse | Copland;Marilyn |
| 12 | $3,383.66 | 219.5 | Miss Silver Gun (Colonels Smoking Gun X Miss Taris Rey) | Muehlstaetter;Martin | Stanislaw Jr.;Otto |
| 13 - 15 | $2,030.19 | 219.0 | Miss Honey Gun (Gunner X Elderberry Honey) | Petroll;Sebastian | Barker;Kathy |
| 13 - 15 | $2,030.19 | 219.0 | Nics Little Bud (Nic It In The Bud X Chex Out The Cowgirl) | Gagnon;Luke | Coburn;Bill |
| 13 - 15 | $2,030.19 | 219.0 | Im No Wimp (Wimpys Little Step X Smart Little Calena) | Metcalf;Carol | Miers;Mark Shannon |
| 16 | $0.00 | 218.5 | Sail On Kuna Whiz (Topsail Whiz X Shining Maid) | Brown;Dean B | Santagata;Robert |
| 17 | $0.00 | 218.0 | Moonshine N Juice (Smart Like Juice X Wind Her Up Shiner) | Ivie;Nathan | Hatch;Brenton |
| 18 | $0.00 | 217.5 | McLovin (Smart Chic Olena X Carmel Creme Command) | Crawford;Todd | Thompson;T. Sharnai |
| 19 | $0.00 | 216.0 | Nu One Gun (Nu Chex To Cash X Princess One Gun) | Schoeller;Robin | Arcese Quarter Horses |
| 20 | $0.00 | 213.0 | Smart Like Valentino (Smart Like Juice X Smart Little Jewel) | McCutcheon;Scott | Sternberg;Rosanne |
| 21 - 22 | $0.00 | 0.00 | Peekomacho Del Cielo (Gallo Del Cielo X Peek A Boot) | Flaherty;Patrick | Deweese;Jennifer |
| 21 - 22 | $0.00 | 0.00 | Next Best Step (Wimpys Little Step X Lady Whiz Chex) | Wright;Todd | Musone;Fred J |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Level 2 Open Finals | |||||
| Place | Money | Score | Horse | Rider | Owner |
| 1 | $12,251.75 | 225.0 | Jacs Lil Spook (Smart Spook X Miss Whoa Jac) | Zimmerman;David | Newell Quarter Horses |
| 2 - 3 | $6,525.39 | 222.0 | Dolled Up Gunner (Gunner X Mifs Doll) | Larson;Taylor M | Larson;Jordan / Larson;Taylor M |
| 2 - 3 | $6,525.39 | 222.0 | Spook Dance (Smart Spook X Shining Dancer) | Pulley;Sean | Sternberg;Rosanne |
| 4 - 5 | $4,527.82 | 221.0 | Strawberry Tag (Whiz N Tag Chex X Ms Lindy Roanstad) | Williams;Billy | Kimball;Michell Anne |
| 4 - 5 | $4,527.82 | 221.0 | Me Smart Tarzan (Smart Shiner X Tarizana) | Ahissar;Kaya | Ruckman;Shaunda Rai |
| 6 - 7 | $3,462.45 | 220.5 | Conquistador Star (Conquistador Whiz X Aleena Starlight) | Dare;Trevor | Brownlee;Stephen |
| 6 - 7 | $3,462.45 | 220.5 | Ruf Dixie Chic (Lil Ruf Peppy X Dixie Chic Olena) | Baruch;Yonathan | Vickrey;Sandy / Vickrey;Gary |
| 8 | $2,663.42 | 219.0 | Smoke N Misty (Gunner X Chukas Misty) | Seelhof;Austin | Sternberg;Rosanne |
| 9 | $2,130.74 | 218.0 | Moonshine N Juice (Smart Like Juice X Wind Her Up Shiner) | Ivie;Nathan | Hatch;Brenton |
| 10 - 11 | $1,731.23 | 217.5 | What About Juice (Smart Like Juice X Tari What) | Huddleston;Rob | Smart Like Juice Inc. |
| 10 - 11 | $1,731.23 | 217.5 | Its All About Smart (Smart Spook X Its All About Cash) | Hudson;Matthew | Equine Plus |
| 12 | $1,331.71 | 216.5 | Nu Chex To Trash (Nu Chex To Cash X Natrasha) | Vetter;Judith | Dorminy Plantation |
| 13 - 14 | $932.20 | 215.0 | Wimpys New Pal (Wimpys Little Step X Bran New Enterprise) | Salgado;Fernando | Xtra Quarter Horses, LLC |
| 13 - 14 | $932.20 | 215.0 | Colonels Smokin Oak (Colonels Smoking Gun X Doc Oaks Charm) | Williams;Billy | Peterson;Elden & Terre |
| 15 | $532.68 | 214.5 | Dunit A Lil Ruf (Lil Ruf Peppy X A Bueno Poco Dunit) | Salmon;Ann | Salmon;Ann |
| 16 | $0.00 | 214.0 | Starzz In Hollywood (Smart Starbuck X Sara Goes Hollywood) | Brownshadel;Patti | Brownshadel;Patti |
| 17 | $0.00 | 213.5 | Chexy Whiz (Topsail Whiz X Chicks Aand Chec) | Wilhelm;Melanie | George;Michelle |
| 18 | $0.00 | 212.5 | Im Soda Surprised (Jerry Lees Surprise X Soda Chic Miss) | Smedley;Talmage | Miller;Sharon |
| 19 | $0.00 | 208.0 | Step To The Bar Jac (Wimpys Little Step X Impulsive Melody Jac) | Norwood;Bill | Koenig;Cheryl |
| 20 | $0.00 | 205.5 | Its All About Bud (Nic It In The Bud X Its All About Cash) | Franks;Jason | Johnson;Betty |
| 21 | $0.00 | 204.5 | Remin Dun It (Remin Whiz X Mi Sugar Dun It) | Boyd;Don | Svensson;Ann Kristin |
| 22 - 23 | $0.00 | 0.00 | Peekomacho Del Cielo (Gallo Del Cielo X Peek A Boot) | Flaherty;Patrick | Deweese;Jennifer |
| 22 - 23 | $0.00 | 0.00 | Next Best Step (Wimpys Little Step X Lady Whiz Chex) | Wright;Todd | Musone;Fred J |
| | | | | | |
| Level 1 Open Finals | |||||
| Place | Money | Score | Horse | Rider | Owner |
| 1 | $1,725.00 | 225.0 | Jacs Lil Spook (Smart Spook X Miss Whoa Jac) | Zimmerman;David | Newell Quarter Horses |
| 2 - 3 | $918.75 | 222.0 | Spook Dance (Smart Spook X Shining Dancer) | Pulley;Sean | Sternberg;Rosanne |
| 2 - 3 | $918.75 | 222.0 | Dolled Up Gunner (Gunner X Mifs Doll) | Larson;Taylor M | Larson;Jordan / Larson;Taylor M |
| 4 - 5 | $637.50 | 221.0 | Me Smart Tarzan (Smart Shiner X Tarizana) | Ahissar;Kaya | Ruckman;Shaunda Rai |
| 4 - 5 | $637.50 | 221.0 | Strawberry Tag (Whiz N Tag Chex X Ms Lindy Roanstad) | Williams;Billy | Kimball;Michell Anne |
| 6 - 7 | $487.50 | 220.5 | Conquistador Star (Conquistador Whiz X Aleena Starlight) | Dare;Trevor | Brownlee;Stephen |
| 6 - 7 | $487.50 | 220.5 | Ruf Dixie Chic (Lil Ruf Peppy X Dixie Chic Olena) | Baruch;Yonathan | Vickrey;Sandy / Vickrey;Gary |
| 8 - 9 | $337.50 | 219.0 | Smoke N Misty (Gunner X Chukas Misty) | Seelhof;Austin | Sternberg;Rosanne |
| 8 - 9 | $337.50 | 219.0 | Lucky Cee Blair (Dun Gotta Gun X Cee Blair Lady) | Pool III;James N (Trey) | Kimmel;Jerry |
| 10 | $262.50 | 218.0 | Moonshine N Juice (Smart Like Juice X Wind Her Up Shiner) | Ivie;Nathan | Hatch;Brenton |
| 11 | $225.00 | 217.5 | Its All About Smart (Smart Spook X Its All About Cash) | Hudson;Matthew | Equine Plus |
| 12 | $187.50 | 216.5 | Nu Chex To Trash (Nu Chex To Cash X Natrasha) | Vetter;Judith | Dorminy Plantation |
| 13 - 14 | $131.25 | 215.0 | Wimpys New Pal (Wimpys Little Step X Bran New Enterprise) | Salgado;Fernando | Xtra Quarter Horses, LLC |
| 13 - 14 | $131.25 | 215.0 | Colonels Smokin Oak (Colonels Smoking Gun X Doc Oaks Charm) | Williams;Billy | Peterson;Elden & Terre |
| 15 | $75.00 | 213.5 | Chexy Whiz (Topsail Whiz X Chicks Aand Chec) | Wilhelm;Melanie | George;Michelle |
| 16 | $0.00 | 212.5 | Im Soda Surprised (Jerry Lees Surprise X Soda Chic Miss) | Smedley;Talmage | Miller;Sharon |
| 17 | $0.00 | 205.5 | Its All About Bud (Nic It In The Bud X Its All About Cash) | Franks;Jason | Johnson;Betty |
| 18 - 20 | $0.00 | 0.00 | Pure Whizability (Topsail Whiz X JD Milligan) | Cook;Cutter | Kimball;Michell Anne |
| 18 - 20 | $0.00 | 0.00 | Peekomacho Del Cielo (Gallo Del Cielo X Peek A Boot) | Flaherty;Patrick | Deweese;Jennifer |
| 18 - 20 | $0.00 | 0.00 | Next Best Step (Wimpys Little Step X Lady Whiz Chex) | Wright;Todd | Musone;Fred J |
| | | | | | |
| Open Prime Time Finals | |||||
| Place | Money | Score | Horse | Rider | Owner |
| 1 | $1,950.00 | 223.5 | Chicsdundreamin (Magnum Chic Dream X Goody Goody Dun Drop) | Smith;Samuel J | Roper;Tim |
| 2 | $1,650.00 | 223.0 | Baja Hollywood Whiz (Topsail Whiz X Hollywood Stunt Girl) | Huss;Dan L | Shearer;Robert J. / Shearer;Melissa |
| 3 | $1,050.00 | 222.0 | SLJ Im Stubbornjuice (Smart Like Juice X Wind Her Up Shiner) | Burton;Albert | Smart Like Juice Inc. |
| 4 - 5 | $712.50 | 220.5 | Shining N Sassy (Shining Spark X Sassy O Lena) | McQuay;Tim | Koepsell;Roxanne |
| 4 - 5 | $712.50 | 220.5 | Im No Wimp (Wimpys Little Step X Smart Little Calena) | Metcalf;Carol | Miers;Mark Shannon |
| 6 | $600.00 | 219.0 | McLovin (Smart Chic Olena X Carmel Creme Command) | Crawford;Todd | Thompson;T. Sharnai |
| 7 | $450.00 | 218.0 | Lil Nubar Gun (Colonels Lil Gun X Nu Bar Freckles) | Brainard;Jody | Burns;Anne-Marie |
| 8 | $375.00 | 217.5 | Dunit A Lil Ruf (Lil Ruf Peppy X A Bueno Poco Dunit) | Salmon;Ann | Salmon;Ann |
| 9 | $0.00 | 217.0 | Starzz In Hollywood (Smart Starbuck X Sara Goes Hollywood) | Brownshadel;Patti | Brownshadel;Patti |
| 10 | $0.00 | 216.0 | Custom Cash Copy (Custom Crome X Cash In Roan) | Wright;Brent J | Xtra Quarter Horses, LLC |
| 11 | $0.00 | 214.5 | Dunit In Wranglers (Starlights Wrangler X A Bueno Poco Dunit) | Hinton;Casey | Hinton;Casey / Hinton;Kathy A |
| 11 | $0.00 | 214.5 | Smart Like Valentino (Smart Like Juice X Smart Little Jewel) | McCutcheon;Scott | Sternberg;Rosanne |
| 12 | $0.00 | 213.0 | Smart Like Valentino (Smart Like Juice X Smart Little Jewel) | McCutcheon;Scott | Sternberg;Rosanne |
| 13 | $0.00 | 211.5 | Nic Tuck (Bueno Chexinic X Little Roan Chick) | Paul;Randy | Getzwiller;Lori |
| 14 | $0.00 | 207.5 | Remin Dun It (Remin Whiz X Mi Sugar Dun It) | Boyd;Don | Svensson;Ann Kristin |
| | $0.00 | SCR | Mega Watt Shine (Marthas Mega Jac X Bella Della) | McCutcheon;Scott | McCutcheon;Scott / McCutcheon;Kathleen M |
| | $0.00 | SCR | SL Sparks Flying (Lena Spark X Dainty Starlight) | Schroeder;Robbie | Sweet Lake Land & Oil Co. Inc. |
| | $0.00 | SCR | Eyed Be A Royal Chic (Smart Chic Olena X Eyed Be A Princess) | Smith;Samuel J | Snyder;Lee V |
| | $0.00 | SCR | Charisma N Chrome (Custom Crome X Miss Sissy Gun) | Huss;Dan L | Gordon;Marc |
| | $0.00 | SCR | Roosters Shiner (Gallo Del Cielo X Shiney Dresser) | Moser;Mike | Moser;Mike |
| | $0.00 | SCR | Master Pepto (Peptoboonsmal X Shiney Missy) | McQuay;Tim | Lovett;Lyle |
source: www.nrbc.com
