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Cade McCutcheon Tops NRHA Derby Level 4 Non-Pro

CMCMGCade McCutcheon & Custom Made Gun • Photo by Kelsey PondThe 2015 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby held an electric Non-Pro finals today, including live commentary for the audience at home of the $183,000 estimated Non-Pro added money (added money is subject to change based on nominations). Probably the best story from the exciting evening of competition was that the future of NRHA took the top three placings in the Level 4 Non-Pro, as the three top riders crowned were all youth.

There were 218 horses entered in the Non-Pro, all vying for top honors in the Jim Norick Coliseum. The winning horse of the NRHA Derby in each level will receive:

  • Custom Montana Silversmiths Trophy Buckle
  • A Bob’s Custom Saddle
  • Rios of Mercedes boots
  • Classic Equine Product
  • Platinum Performance CJ
  • SmartPak Gift card

Level 2 & 1 Champions will receive a Shorty’s Caboy Hattery certificate

The Level 4 Non-Pro Champion will also receive the use of a Sundowner trailer for one year, courteous of Twin Cities South Trailers, the official trailer of the NRHA Derby.

Level 4 Non-Pro

Cade McCutcheon, aboard Custom Made Gun, quickly grasped the lead and held on in the NRHA Derby Level 4 Non-Pro with a score of 219, as well as secured the title of Youth Non-Pro Champion. McCutcheon, of Aubrey, Texas, has $143,765 in NRHA lifetime earnings. McCutcheon and Custom Made Gun tied for the Level 4 Non-Pro Reserve title at the National Reining Breeders Classic earlier this year. Custom Made Gun is sired by Colonels Smoking Gun (Gunner) and is owned and nominated by McQuay Stables. McCutcheon takes home $17,538.54 for his win in the Level 4 Non-Pro and $2,408.56 for winning the Youth Non-Pro. The nominator was awarded $923.08.

Jack Medows ($106,495 NRHA lifetime earnings) and Genevieve Shifrin ($51,857 NRHA lifetime earnings) tied for the title of Reserve Champion in the Level 4 Non-Pro. Medows, of Cuba, Missouri, won $10,714.82 with $563.94 going to the nominator. Shifrin, of Basalt, Colorado, also won the Level 3 competition, both scoring a 217.5. Medows showed Spooks Smoken Wimpy, a 2009 gelding sired by Wimpys Little Step. Spooks Smoken Wimpy was nominated by Marc Gordon and is owned by Amy Medows.

Level 3 Non-Pro 

Genevieve Shifrin showed Bella Juice, a 2009 mare sired by Smart Like Juice, owned and nominated by Cache Performance Horses. Shifrin earned top honors in the Level 3 Non-Pro and took home a $23,383.38 paycheck for her Level 4 and Level 3 placings with $1,230.70 going to the nominator. Shifrin and Bella Juice earned the title of NRHA Derby Youth Non-Pro Champion in 2014.

Levels 2 & 1 Non-Pro 

Following a run-off from a three-way tie in the Level 2 Non-Pro competition and a two-way tie in Level 1 Non-Pro, Footwork Revolution, a 2010 stallion sired by Einsteins Revolution out of Fancy Footwork and nominated by Troop Quarter Horses. His owner and exhibitor Katsy Leeman came out of the arena victorious with a run score of 215.5 and tie-breaker score of 219.  Leeman, from Massillon, Ohio, also took home Reserve Champion honors in the Level 3 Non-Pro competition. Altogether, Leeman earned a paycheck of $19,839.89. The nominator earned $1,044.20.

Prime Time Non-Pro

Jenanne Overgaard, of Carefree, Arizona, took top honors in the NRHA Derby Prime Time Non-Pro competition showing Electric Grid, a 2010 gelding sired by Jacs Electric Spark out of GVS Cherokee Jac, taking home a check for $3,106.53.

For complete coverage of the NRHA Derby, subscribe to Quarter Horse News.