Seventeen-year-old Madison Gustin won her first National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby Non-Pro Championship on Friday, June 19. In fact, she and Win My Cash won two.
Gustin, of Weatherford, Texas, and Win My Cash marked a 214.5 to win the Derby Levels 2 & 1 championship and a combined $12,638. It was Gustin’s first derby win ever.
“I’m on cloud nine. This is a dream come true,” she said.
Gustin and Win My Cash, nominated by Carluccio Orsi, competed in the first section of the Derby Non-Pro.
“She’s been pretty nervous recently, so I just went in hoping for her to stay calm, have a clean run, and improve from the first go,” Gustin said. “She was perfect for me and let me take her. We ran a little harder, and it was a lot of fun.”
Win My Cash’s Journey
Win My Cash is by 2011 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion Lil Joe Cash and out of Win My Shine (by Shining Spark). The mare was trained by Kaci O’Rourke of Pond Hill Performance horses.
“We bought her during her 3-year-old year at the Futurity where Kaci showed her,” Gustin said. “It’s been quite the journey.”
Gustin has ridden with Casey Deary since she was 8 years old.
“I thank everyone at Deary Performance Horses. They’re all so supportive and have helped me get where I am. Casey Deary has been the absolute best coach there is. Thank you to my parents for never giving up on me and allowing me to follow my dreams,” she said.
Level 2 Reserve Championship
At 214, the Level 2 Non-Pro Reserve Championship went to Black Gun Face and Addisyn Schmersal. Bred by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC, Black Gun Face is a 2016 stallion by Equi-Stat Elite $1 Million Sire Pale Face Dunnit and out of Blazing In Black (by Rowdy Yankee).
Level 1 Co-Reserve
The Level 1 Non-Pro Reserve Co-Championship went to Giorgia Medows and Rachel Tillman with a 212.5.
Medows piloted Isnt She Perfect, a 5-year-old mare by Equi-Stat Elite $3 Million Sire Walla Walla Whiz and out of Miss Silver Gun (by Colonels Smoking Gun [Gunner]).
Tillman rode Benjamin Sprite, a 6-year old gelding by Equi-Stat Elite $4 Million Sire Custom Crome out of Whiz Jewels (by Topsail Whiz). The gelding is owned by Kelly Tillman and was nominated by Bahn Quarter Horses.
