High Roller Reining Classic Derby Non-Pro Ends in Tie

Bill Rhoads and Mega Maggie Mae, pictured at the 2016 NRHA Derby • Photo by Waltenberry

With older, well-seasoned horses, the derby classes bring a lot of excitement to the High Roller Reining Classic. The Derby and Stakes Non-Pro took place Sept. 14 at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas, and with 111 draws, there were quite a few competitive teams in attendance.

In the Derby Level 4 Open, two horses and riders each marked a 224.5, giving them Co-Championship and a $6,442 paycheck. Bill Rhoads and Mega Maggie Mae marked the score first, and shortly after, Cade McCutcheon and McQuay Stables’ Custom Made Gun matched it.

Mega Maggie Mae (Magnum Chic Dream x Cinco De Mega x Marthas Mega Jac) and Rhoads have had a fairytale career together. The duo won Levels 3, 2 and 1 at the 2015 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity, and followed up that win with a Level 4 Non-Pro Championship at the 2016 NRHA Derby. The mare boasts lifetime earnings of $140,984, and Rhoads, of Whitesboro, Texas, stands at almost $165,000.

Cade McCutcheon and Custom Made Gun, pictured at the 2016 Tulsa Reining Classic • Photo by Waltenberry

McCutcheon, of Aubrey, Texas, rode Custom Made Gun to the 2015 NRHA Derby Level 4 and Youth Non-Pro championships. They also topped the 2016 Tulsa Reining Classic Non-Pro and the 2016 NRHA Derby Youth Non-Pro. McCutcheon’s bankroll stands at $326,576, while Custom Made Gun has reached $98,553. The stallion is by Colonels Smoking Gun (Gunner) and out of the Hollywood Dun It mare Custom Made Dunit. He is a full brother to 2009 mare Customized Gunner ($96,526).

Stakes Level 4 Non-Pro

Mandy McCutcheon and Baileys Not Painted (PT), pictured at the 2017 Tulsa Reining Classic • Photo by Waltenberry

The McCutcheons had a great show, with both Cade and his mom, Equi-Stat Elite $2 Million Rider Mandy, taking home a championship. Mandy’s was in the Stakes Level 4 Non-Pro when she rode Baileys Not Painted (PT) to a 223.5, winning the Level 4 and $7,327. They also placed third in the Derby Level 4 for an additional $3,656.

Baileys Not Painted (Gunners Special Nite x Darlins Not Painted [PT] x Smokin Chic Olena [PT]) recently carried Mandy to the Tulsa Reining Classic Derby Level 4 Non-Pro Co-Championship. His dam, Darlins Not Painted, is a producer of nine money-earning offspring.

The stallion stands at earnings of $22,100.

Derby & Stakes Level 3 Non-Pro

Michael Garnett and Hollywood Nites, as well as Tish Fappani and Spooks N Jewels, marked a 222 to take the Derby and Stakes Level 3 Non-Pro co-championships and the Stakes Level 4 Co-Reserve Championship. They also tied for fourth in the Derby Level 4. Each collected a total of $14,496, and Garnett received an additional $623 for winning the Prime Time Non-Pro with Hollywood Nites.

Tish Fappani and Spooks N Jewels at the 2017 NRBC. • Photo by Waltenberry

Garnett, of Lincoln, Nebraska, now stands at $348,331 in earnings, according to Equi-Stat. Hollywood Nites (by Gunners Special Nite) surpassed the $55,000 threshold. A large chunk of that came from when he was ridden by Pedro Baiao to the 2016 NRHA Futurity Level 2 Open Championship. The stallion is out of Dun It For Chex (by Hollywood Dun It), a producer of 18 money-earning offspring that have amassed a total of $743,809. He is a half-brother to Starbucks Sidekick ($195,090, by Smart Starbuck) and Dun It For Whizkey ($169,060, by Topsail Whiz).

Fappani rode Spooks N Jewels to the 2017 National Reining Breeders Classic Derby Level 3 Non-Pro Championship earlier this year. The stallion sports earnings of more than $67,000, and Fappani, of Scottsdale, Arizona, just crossed the $530,000 marker. Spooks N Jewels is by Smart Spook and out of the Topsail Whiz mare Whiz Jewels. He is the mare’s highest-earning offspring.

Derby & Stakes Levels 2 & 1 Non-Pro

Nick Schmersal piloted Gold Digging Dunnit to a 221, which ultimately won the Derby and Stakes Levels 2 & 1 Non-Pro championships. For the four titles, he and BS Syndicate, who owns Gold Digging Dunnit, won a total of $14,082. They also collected $4,938 for placing fourth in the Stakes Level 4 and third in the Stakes Level 3.

The stallion is by Pale Face Dunnit and out of the Hollywood Dun It mare Dun It Reining. His lifetime earnings stand at $84,293. Schmersal, of Overbrook, Oklahoma, had $9,408 on his bankroll prior to the High Roller, and that number has been elevated to $28,428.

In the Level 2, Genevieve Shifrin rode Whimps Chickee to a 220.5 and received the Derby Level 2 Non-Pro Reserve Championship. She took home $3,345 for owner Cache Performance Horses. Whimps Chickee is by Wimpys Little Step and out of the Smart Chic Olena mare Here Chickee Chickee.

The Derby Level 1 Reserve Championship went to Rosie Irish and Reed Her Like A Lady (Reed N Reminic x Tangys Classy Lady x Tangys Classy Peppy). The duo marked a 219 and collected $2,926.

Derby Masters Non-Pro

A 220.5 gave Rick Christen and Xtra Voodoo Step the Derby Masters Non-Pro title, which came with $1,024. They also tied for seventh in the Derby Level 4 and placed third in the Prime Time. Altogether, they collected $3,050. Xtra Voodoo Step is by Wimpys Little Step and out of Voodoo Chic (by Smart Chic Olena).

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