Levels 2 & 1 Open

ARC Gunna Mark Ya & Trent Harvey • Photo by Kristin PitzerThe third time was the charm for Whitesboro, Texas, trainer Trent Harvey. He competed at the NRBC for the past two years and had some success by making the Level 1 finals. But in this year’s finals, he and ARC Gunna Mark Ya scored a 223.5 – winning both the Level 2 and Level 1 championships.

“This is my first Level 2 finals, so that was an achievement in itself,” he said. “Winning here is a dream come true. Ever since I was young and dreaming about riding reiners, this was the biggest thing. It’s huge. I just thank the Lord and my parents for giving me the love of horses, and Casey Deary for giving me this great opportunity.”

Harvey and ARC Gunna Mark Ya (Gunnatrashya x Shiney Miss Marker x Shining Spark) scored a 217.5 in the preliminary round.

“She was real good in the prelims. She was a little upset circling to the left, so it didn’t look as nice, but the rest of the run was beautiful,” he said. “My game plan for the finals was just to make sure she was quiet and relaxed, and then we went in there and I left it up to the Lord.”

All told, Harvey and ARC Gunna Mark Ya won $11,276 and prizes that included a saddle from Continental Saddlery, a saddle sponsored by Jim Taylor and the Deshotels family, two Gist Silversmiths buckles, gift certificates to Thomas Moore Feed and Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Whisper Bits and NRBC memorabilia.

Ruben Vandorp took the Level 2 Reserve title with a 222 on his horse KR Rufin It, who is by Einsteins Revolution and out of A Ruf Gal (by Lil Ruf Peppy). Vandorp and the Pete and Tamra Kyle-bred stallion won $5,210.

In the Level 1, Arnaud Ferret and Lil Money Gun claimed the Reserve Championship with a 220, collecting $1,654. Lil Money Gun, who is by Colonels Lil Gun and out of Miss Shiney Cat (by Shining Spark), is owned by Paul and Pam Rohus.