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Thompson & Jordan Split NRHA Derby Non-Pro Victory

RThompson14Ron ThompsonThe 2014 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby featured the finals in Non-Pro competition on June 27: the $78,000-added Level 4, $60,000-added Level 3; $32,500-added Level 2, $15,000-added Level 1 and $5,000-added Prime Time divisions. Out of the original 217 horses and 650 entries, the top 56 horse-and-rider teams qualified to compete in the finals at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. This year’s Derby finals were the richest ever, paying approximately $322,000 to owners and nominators.

Thompson, of Whitesboro, Texas, owns Taris Dreamer, a 2009 gelding that has earned nearly $140,000 in NRHA competition. Together, they have won an NRHA Futurity Prime Time Non-Pro Championship, a National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Level 4 Non-Pro Championship and two NRBC Prime Time Non-Pro championships. In 2011, the gelding was consigned to the NRHA/Markel Insurance Futurity Prospect Sale. During this year’s Derby finals, they won $15,344 in the Level 4 and $2,660 for winning the Prime Time. Werner Hermus nominated Taris Dreamer (Magnum Chic Dream x Taris San Cutter) and earned the $808 nominator incentive.

MadeByMagnumMade By Magnum & Lyndsey JordanIn addition to the Level 4 honors, Jordan and Made By Magnum took home the Levels 3 and 2 Non-Pro championships. Jordan, of Georgetown, Ky., owns the 2010 stallion by Magnum Chic Dream and out of Ready Make Cowboy. Made By Magnum, also nominated by Jordan, has earned nearly $30,500 in NRHA monies, including a third place in the Level 2 Open division at the 2013 NRHA Futurity with Robin Schoeller. Jordan has won $46,300 in NRHA competition, an Adequan North American Affiliate Championship, a Limited Non-Pro World Championship, plus an NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship. Their derby paycheck amounted to $39,416, including the 5 percent nominator incentive.

Level 1 Non-Pro

With a score of 220.5, Jack Medows, of Cuba, Mo., and Surprizentheprincess (Jerry Lees Surprise x Princess In Diamonds) clenched the Level 1 Non-Pro Championship. They placed third in Levels 3 and 2, as well as fourth in Level 4. Medows’ mother, Amy, owns the 2009 mare that was nominated by Clinton Anderson. Medows won $27,706, including the 5 percent JMedows14Jack Medows & Surprizentheprincessnominator incentive for Anderson.

Youth Non-Pro

The Youth Non-Pro Championship was determined in the go-round earlier in the week. The championship honors went to Genevieve Shifrin, of Aspen, Colo., and Bella Juice (Smart Like Juice x Bella Conquistador) for owner/nominator Cache Performance Horses LLC.

NRHA Sire & Dam Awards

The NRHA congratulated Magnum Chic Dream, owned by Viola Scott, for the performance of his offspring – Taris Dreamer and Made By Magnum – in the Non-Pro finals. Magnum Chic Dream earned $2,500 and an NRHA Sire & Dam bronze for his foals’ efforts. Colonels Smoking Gun (Gunner) was also recognized for Check Out My Guns’ finish and was awarded $500 from the NRHA Sire & Dam Program.

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