Jose Vazquez and Moonshine Juice Win NRHA Derby Non-Pro

The National Reining Horse Association Derby in Oklahoma City, Okla., named new Non-Pro Champions on Friday, June 30. Jose Vazquez and Moonshine Juice (Smart Like Juice x Wind Her Up Shine) grabbed the Level 4 Non-Pro title.

After marking a 221 from the 18th draw in the second section of the Non-Pro, Vazquez, Markham, Ill., and the 2007 stallion, owned by Smart Like Juice Inc., could not be caught. The duo landed the Level 4 Non-Pro Championship and added a Prime Time win for good measure.

The Reserve title was split with a pair of 220s between Equi-Stat Elite $1 Million Reining Rider Mandy McCutcheon and Ruben Pacheco Cuevas.

McCutcheon, Aubrey, Texas, rode McQuay Stables Inc.’s, Always Gotyer Gunsup (Colonels Smoking Gun [Gunner] x Always A Dunit), a 2007 mare. Pacheco Cuevas, Wynnewood, Okla., was aboard Sugar Chics Gunnit (Colonels Smoking Gun [Gunner] x Sugar Chics Dunnit).

Tamra Kyle, Whitesboro, Texas, who rode in the first section of the Non-Pro finals, marked a 217.5 to earn a Reserve Championship in the Prime Time Non-Pro aboard her husband, Pete’s, KR Ima Another (Tejons Peppy Doc x Im So Anson).

Complete results to the NRHA Derby Level 4 Non-Pro finals.

Complete results to the NRHA Derby Prime Time Non-Pro finals.

Level 3 Non-Pro

A Level 4 Co-Reserve Champion title was quite an accomplishment for Wynnewood, Okla.-based Ruben Pacheco Cuevas, but it wasn’t the sweetest part of the night. When he marked a 220 in the second section of the Non-Pro piloting his 2006 stallion Sugar Chics Gunnit (Colonels Smoking Gun [Gunner] x Sugar Chics Dunnit), he secured the Level 3 Non-Pro win.

Originally from Mexico City, Pacheco Cuevas is thankful for his resort business, which allows him to enjoy the sport of reining. With this win, Pacheco Cuevas banked more than $21,000, pushing his earnings over the $100,000 mark and the horse’s past the $50,000 milestone.

Sailor Made (Sailing Smart x Doc Santa Belle) carried Sarah Johnson, Gainesville, Texas, to a Reserve Championship in the Level 3 with a 217.5 score. The duo’s performance earned $9,577. The horse is owned by Johnson’s husband, Craig.

Complete results to the NRHA Derby Level 3 Non-Pro finals.

Level 1 & 2 Non-Pro

In a breakout performance, J. Harper Conner took top honors in Levels 1 and 2 with a score of 215.5. Riding Conner Petra Zeitler’s 2007 mare Sparkling Bells (A Sparkling Vintage x Cowboys Belle Bar), Conner was the last of the qualifiers in those divisions to ride.

A pair of 215s held the top spot when Sparkling Bells and Conner, Dallas, Texas, walked into the arena, but the horse-and-rider team bested the field by 1/2 point, earning more than $10,000. Before this win, Sparkling Bells’ record reflected $14,928 in earnings and Conner had $24,272.

Standing strong with their scores of 215 each, Jennifer Gilliam, Ione, Calif., and Layla Choate, Hazel, Ky., tied for Co-Reserve titles in both the Level 1 and Level 2 divisions.

Choate, riding Upstream Inc.’s Bonitas Latin Chic (Lil Ruf Peppy x Sheza Bonita Whiz), a 2006 mare, was the first draw in the second section.

Gilliam piloted Hick A Shine (Shine With A Twist x Hickorymissy), owned by Janiene Borror, to her titles.

Complete results to the NRHA Derby Level 2 Non-Pro finals.

Complete results to the NRHA Derby Level 1 Non-Pro finals.

Youth Non-Pro

Jaci Marley, Plainview, Texas, bested the field of 27 in the Youth Non-Pro to win a Championship aboard Dun Git A Nicadual, owned by her mother, Jennifer.

Dun Git A Nicadual (Mister Nicadual x Gotta Git Ya Dun) carried Marley, 16, to a 214 for the win. Marley said this achievement means a lot to her, as she dedicated her ride to her father, who died earlier in the year.

Complete results to the NRHA Derby Youth Non-Pro finals.