NRHA Derby Level 4 Non-Pro Champions Mandy McCutcheon & Always Gotyer GunsupThe 2013 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby featured the finals in Non-Pro competition on Friday, June 28: the $80,000-added Level 4; $60,000-added Level 3; $25,000-added Level 2; $15,000-added Level 1 and $5,000-added Prime Time divisions. Out of the original 209 horses and 612 entries, the top 59 horse-and-rider teams qualified to compete in the finals at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Okla. This year’s Derby finals were the richest ever paying approximately $317,000 to owners and nominators.
Mandy McCutcheon, Aubrey, Texas, and Always Gotyer Gunsup (Colonels Smoking Gun [Gunner] x Always A Dunit), who has $152,400 in NRHA lifetime earnings, tied for the top score in the first go-round with a 221.5. She returned to the finals to top that score earning a 224. The NRHA Million Dollar Rider and Always Gotyer Gunsup previously won the 2012 National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Level 4 Non-Pro Championship, 2012 NRHA Derby Level 4 Non-Pro Reserve Championship and 2013 NRBC Level 4 Non-Pro Reserve Championship. McQuay Stables Inc., of Tioga, Texas, owns the 2007 mare.
For the Championship run, McCutcheon earned more than $17,700, an NRHA Lawson trophy, a $5,000 gift certificate from Twister Trailer, a saddle from Bob’s Custom Saddles, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, a $200 SmartPak gift card, Purina feed, a pair of Rios of Mercedes boots, Assure Guard, Platinum Performance CJ, a Classic Equine pad, a pair of Classic Equine skid boots, a $100 gift card from Pard’s Western Shop and a headstall from The New West.
Levels 3 and 2 Non-Pro
Levels 3 & 2 Non-Pro Champion Jaci MarleyWith less than 10 horses left in the finals, NRHA youth member Jaci Marley, Plainview, Texas, carved out the top spot in Levels 3 and 2 Non-Pro with a 222. She rode her mother, Jennifer Marley’s, AR Oakies Last Stand (Starlights Wrangler x Okie Dokie Dunnit) to win more than $34,000, plus the Reserve Championship in the Level 4 Non-Pro division.
Marley, who boasts $39,300 in NRHA lifetime earnings, earned two sets of Champion prizes for her ride: two NRHA Lawson trophies, two $2,500 gift certificates from Twister Trailer, two saddles from Bob’s Custom Saddles, two Montana Silversmiths buckles, two $200 SmartPak gift cards, Purina feed, two pairs of Rios of Mercedes boots, Assure Guard, Platinum Performance CJ, two Classic Equine pads, two pairs of Classic Equine skid boots, two $100 gift cards from Pard’s Western Shop and two headstalls from The New West.
Level 1 Non-Pro
Genevieve Shifrin, Aspen, Colo., qualified to the Non-Pro finals in four divisions on Taylor Made Magnum (Magnum Chic Dream x Beaus Liberty Belle), who has $13,760 in NRHA lifetime earnings. The team marked a 218 to win the Level 1 Non-Pro and to place in the top 10 of Levels 4, 3 and 2. The 2007 stallion is owned by George Shifrin.
For their efforts, the pair won $23,770, an NRHA Lawson trophy, a $2,500 gift certificate from Twister Trailer, a saddle from Bob’s 
Level 1 Non-Pro Champion Genevieve ShifrinCustom Saddles, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, a $200 SmartPak gift card, Purina feed, a pair of Rios of Mercedes boots, Assure Guard, Platinum Performance CJ, a Classic Equine pad, a pair of Classic Equine skid boots, a $100 gift card from Pard’s Western Shop, a headstall from The New West and a hat from Shorty’s Caboy Hattery.
Shifrin also won the Reserve Championship on Chex N Flashy (Hot Smokin Chex x Boggies Barbee), also owned by George, with a score of 216.
Prime Time Non-Pro
Matching scores of 219 settled Prime Time Non-Pro division at this year’s NRHA Derby: Michael Jeffcoat, Waurika, Okla., aboard Spooks Gotta Run (Spooks Gotta Gun x Prettywhizprettydoes) and Bill Coburn, Sherman Oaks, Calif., riding Nics Little Bud (Nic It In The Bud x Chex Out The Cowgirl). Jeffcoat’s 2008 stallion earned more than $56,500 in NRHA competition prior to the finals. Nics Little Bud, who has garnered $90,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings, is owned by Coburn.
The Co-Champions earned $1,890 each and split the prizes: an NRHA Lawson trophy, a $2,500 gift certificate from Twister Trailer, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, a $100 SmartPak gift card, Purina feed, a pair of Anderson Bean boots, Assure Guard, Platinum Performance CJ, a pair of Classic Equine Legacy boots, a pair of Classic Equine skid boots, a $100 gift card from Pard’s Western Shop and a headstall from The New West.
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