Goodbye to Commanders Nic

The seventh-highest money-earner in National Reining Horse Association history, Commanders Nic, died May 17 from colic complications. The 1999 stallion (Boomernic x Miss Bam Bam Command x Docs Fritzie Command) was owned by the Commanders Nic Partnership, which includes the Schmersal Ranch, Dorminy Plantation and Driscoll Ranches, and was bred by Shannon Jones, Paola, Kan.

“He was part of our family,” Ginger Schmersal said. “We are very lucky to have had him in our lives and our breeding program. We will miss him, but thankfully [we] have his offspring in the barn to remember him by.”

In his career as a reining horse, Commanders Nic earned $258,815, according to Equi-Stat. Craig Schmersal rode him to a fourth-place finish in the Open at the 2002 NRHA Futurity worth $53,632. After securing his first earnings, “Commander” went on to win a 2003 NRHA Derby Reserve Championship for $40,533 and a 2004 NRHA Derby Champion title for $52,000.

“Commander was honest and gave 100 percent every time I showed him,” Craig said. “I see the same thing in his offspring. Those kind of horses don’t come along many times in a lifetime.”

Commanders Nic’s first performing offspring came from his 2006 foal crop. His 28 money-earning get have amassed a combined Equi-Stat record of $122,308 with only three years of eligible foals.

Nics Dream Command (Roxannes Dream Girl x Hollywood Dun It), bred by Catherine Castel, Macau, France, is Commander’s No. 1 performer with an Equi-Stat record of $12,666. Right behind the 2007 gelding is Commanders Wishbone (Miss N The Waves x Tidal Wave Jack), bred by the Schmersals, Overbrook, Okla., with $12,032 in earnings.

In addition to 26 successful reiners, Commanders Nic has produced a money-earning barrel racer – Bartender Nic (Baroom Chickie x Bueno Chexinic), also bred by the Schmersals, with $11,140 – and a reined cow horse – Bueno Commander (Bueno Glendanic x Bueno Chexinic), bred by Stacie and J.T. Snow, Hillsborough, Calif., with $230.

As a 13-year-old sire, Commanders Nic died at a young age. The stallion will be laid to rest at the Dorminy Plantation in Florida, where he spent his last breeding season.

“I was lucky to have the opportunity be partners on him and show him to a very successful career,” Craig said. “He was always there for me. I will really miss him.”