All Nite Spook, pictured with Matthew Armenta at the 2012 Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity, and Kennedy Bryant are the 2017 Adequan NAAC Silver Spurs Equine Rookie of the Year Champions. • Photo by Primo Morales

Kennedy Bryant and All Nite Spook Crowned Adequan® NAAC Silver Spurs Equine Rookie of the Year Champions

The grandstands at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) stayed filled with supportive friends, families and coaches throughout the day on Thursday, Nov. 30, to see which competitor’s dream of becoming the Adequan® NAAC Silver Spurs Equine Rookie of the Year would come true. At the end of the day, the Adequan® Arena saw yet another run off, this time between Canadian Magalie Boulanger, representing Association Quebecoise de Reining Inc., and Kennedy Bryant, representing the Southwest Reining Horse Association.

Both competitors scored a 216.5 in their first runs, but it was Bryant who took the Adequan® NAAC Silver Spurs Equine Rookie of the Year title in a field of 65 competitors after earning a 220.5 in the run-off. Bryant rode her own All Nite Spook (Smart Spook x Dun It Fri Dee Nite x Hollywood Dun It), an 8-year-old gelding, to their highest score since they have been together.

“Becoming the [Silver Spurs Equine] Rookie of the Year feels amazing,” Bryant said. “This goal was something that my trainer [NRHA Professional] Bud Lyon suggested, and ever since then, we have worked towards that goal. He wants to be a good horse and listen most of the time. Sometimes he doesn’t, but it makes these moments mean even more.”

Lyon spoke highly of his intelligent and determined 16-year-old student who qualified for the finals in Oklahoma City at the South Central Affiliate Regional Championship (ARC).

“Her memory retention is her best asset,” he said. “I can tell her something one time, and she files that concept away and immediately knows how to implement it. Her ability to process information and put it into action is incredible.”

Bryant also won the Adequan® NAAC Rookie Level 2 out of 63 competitors, the $200-added NRHA Rookie Level 2 and NRHA Rookie Level 1.

“This moment was possible because of my parents, family, friends and trainers,” Bryant said. “They all helped me get here, and I could not have done it without them.”

Boulanger and FS Hollywoodwrangler (Starlights Wrangler x MJ Malibu Barbie x Hollywood Dun It) took Reserve honors in the Adequan® NAAC Silver Spurs Equine Rookie of the Year, NAAC Rookie Level 2 and NRHA Rookie Level 1 after the run off.

“I am very happy,” said Boulanger, representing the Eastern Canada ARC. “We have been together three years, and it has been fantastic the entire time. We get along so well, and I just love him.”

The 9-year-old gelding is owned by Boulanger and was bred by Bill and Patty Fingland.

“I want to thank my coach, [NRHA Professional] Manon Moisan, who is back in Canada, and my family and friends for being here today,” she said.

Taking Reserve honors in the $200-added NRHA Rookie Level 2 were Madison Gustin and her own Guns R Spooky (Smart Spook x Berry Yer Guns x Colonels Smoking Gun [Gunner]) with a 215.5. The 7-year-old gelding was bred by WT Waggoner Estate.

For more information on schedules, tickets, hotel accommodations, sponsors and more, visit nrhafuturity.com.