Shawn Flarida, of Springfield, Ohio, is the leading open rider at the Florida Reining Classic. From 2004 to 2015, he rode five horses to total show earnings of $21,264. His leading money-earner is 2015 Derby Level 4 Open Champion Wimpys Littlecolonel (Wimpys Little Step x One Right Chic x Smart Chic Olena), a 2009 stallion bred by Double Run Farm, of Leland, North Carolina, and owned by George Lawrence, of Gainesville, Texas. • Photo by Pat Feuerstein
Florida Reining Classic (2004-2015)
Top 10 Open Riders
1. Shawn Flarida, Springfield, OH, $21,264
2. Dean Brown, Campbell Hall, NY, $20,449
3. Matt Palmer, Elverson, PA, $14,661
4. Rocky Dare, Salem, NJ, $13,918
5. Martina Morell, Erieville, NY, $13,138
6. Gabe Hutchins, Aubrey, TX, $12,479
7. Bryant Pace, Sanger, TX, $12,358
8. Mike McEntire, Selma, NC, $11,579
9. Brandon Brant, London, OH, $9,639
10. Wayne LaFortune, Taneytown, MD, $8,291
Top 10 Non-Pro Riders
Shannon Rafacz, of Citra, Florida, pictured with Lenas Whizabelle, is the Florida Reining Classic’s leading non-pro rider. She has ridden four horses to more than $14,000 in earnings at the show. Lenas Whizabelle (West Coast Whiz x Sugarmans Belle x Lenas Sugarman), a 2010 mare bred by Nittany Quarter Horse Group, of Jefferson Township, Pennsylvania, who won the Derby Level 4 Non-Pro in 2014, is Rafacz’s leading money-earner with $8,938. • Photo by Waltenberry
1. Shannon Rafacz, Citra, FL, $14,136
2. David McGee, King, NC, $13,247
3. Josiane Gauthier, Lucama, NC, $10,163
4. Bundy Howell Lane, Gates, NC, $9,141
5. Javier Melo, Miami, FL, $9,017
6. Veronica Lentini, Tioga, TX, $9,005
7. Vicki Lambert, Hempstead, TX, $8,665
8. Lyndsey Jordan, Georgetown, KY, $8,477
9. Lisa Bissell, Fort Valley, GA, $8,309
10. Sherry Wayne, Taylors, SC, $8,053
Top 10 Breeders
Clinton Anderson, of Stephenville, Texas, is the show’s leading breeder with three horses banking $18,763 at the Florida event. His top performer is Chics Dig Scars (Smart Chic Olena x Princess In Diamonds x Shining Spark), who has won more than $10,000. • Photo by Darrell Dodds
1. Clinton Anderson, Stephenville, TX, $18,763
2. Nittany Quarter Horse Group, Jefferson Township, PA, $14,209
3. Harold Lepler, Brewser, NY, $11,185
4. Francois Gauthier, Lucama, NC, $10,481
5. Cinder Lakes Ranch LLC, Powell Butte, OR, $9,005
6. Vicki Lambert, Hempstead, TX, $8,665
7. Lagle/Savage LLC, Salesville, OH, $8,477
8. Rhett Peeples, Ringgold, GA, $7,914
9. Jamie Bissell, Fort Valley, GA, $7,234
10. Paul Blake, Canyon, TX, $6,092
Top 10 Owners
David McGee, of McGee Farms LLC, in King, North Carolina, is the No. 1 owner with earnings of $22,677. McGee is pictured riding 2008 gelding Chics Dig Scars to the Derby Levels 3 and 2 Non-Pro co-championships and the Level 1 Championship in 2013. The gelding is the farm’s leading money-earner with $13,199 banked. • Photo by Waltenberry
1. McGee Farms LLC, King, NC, $22,677
2. Shannon Rafacz, Citra, FL, $16,267
3. Javier Melo, Pinecrest, FL, $15,151
4. R. Santagata/A. Bedross, Campbell Hall, NY, $14,993
5. Leigh Garber, Cazenovia, NY, $13,138
6. Buddy Howell Lane, Gates, NC, $11,447
7. Francois Gauthier, Lucama, NC, $10,675
8. Double Run Farm, Leland, NC, $9,918
9. Veronica Lentini, Tioga, TX, $9,005
10. Carl & Victoria Lambert, Hempstead, TX, $8,665
Top 10 Sires
Wimpys Little Step is the Florida Reining Classic’s leading sire with six of his offspring having won a total of $38,087 for an average of $6,348. His No. 1 money-earning offspring at the event is Wimpys Littlecolonel, with $8,078 in earnings. • Photo by John Brasseaux
1. Wimpys Little Step, $38,087
2. Smart Chic Olena, $34,598
3. Colonels Smoking Gun (Gunner), $32,584
4. Topsail Whiz, $23,291
5. Nu Chex To Cash, $19,696
6. Smart Spook, $18,824
7. Magnum Chic Dream, $18,107
8. Dun It Gotta Gun, $16,428
9. Jacs Electric Spark, $15,951
10. Smart Like Juice, $13,021
Florida Reining Classic History (2004-2015)
Year / Location / Entries / Added / Total Purse
2004, Ocala, FL, 542, $31,600, $58,690
2005, Ocala, FL, 873, $58,800, $85,053
2006, Jacksonville, FL, 376 $36,400, $48,121
2007, Jacksonville, FL, 317, $25,400, $36,468
2008, Jacksonville, FL, 360, $25,400, $36,895
2009, Jacksonville, FL, 335, $25,700, $35,399
2010, Jacksonville, FL, 501, $46,000, $68,026
2011, Jacksonville, FL, 431, $46,000, $60,416
2012, Jacksonville, FL, 616, $65,500, $98,744
2013, Jacksonville, FL, 854, $76,650, $131,055
2014, Jacksonville, FL, 919, $88,900, $155,276
2015, Jacksonville, FL, 1,096, $82,700, $137,918
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