Springfield, Ohio enjoyed the thrills of some incredible runs during the Buckeye Reining Series McGee Farms Derby, but none were more impressive than the Non-Pro and Open Derby Finals.
The crowd erupted at Champion Center as Madison Thiel scratched Gun A Lida’s neck. The Dublin, Ohio rider and the 2018 chocolate palomino stallion marked a 222.5 to win the Levels 3 and 4 Non-Pro Derby by a three point margin in front of 2017 mare Dainty Little Spook (Smart Spook x Dainty Little Step x Wimpys Little Step).
Thiel and “Crosby” won a total of $5,754 on May 26 for owner and Madison’s mother, Cyndi Thiel.
Gun A Lida is by EquiStat $9 million sire Gunnatrashya and out of Spook A Lida by Smart Spook. “Crosby” is no stranger to McGee Farms, as the flashy stallion won the Level 4 Open Futurity there with trainer Brandon Brant as a 3-year-old in July 2021.
Before the McGee Farms Derby, Gun A Lida had $79,652 in recorded EquiStat earnings.
Reining is a family affair for the Thiel’s. Not only immediate family but in the Brant Performance Horse show barn as well. While Crosby is technically owned by Cyndi, Madison’s 8-year-old niece Kaylynn Thiel would strongly argue that the beautiful stallion is her horse.
The family has been with Brant for six years now and he helped the Thiels pick out Crosby as a 2-year-old. Madison was thrilled to begin riding Crosby this year in the derbies and to find success on what the Thiels call a “Brandon made horse,” this weekend.
“I wish there was a class where I could just stop that horse, because it is the coolest feeling in the world,” Madison said with a laugh. “Really just having that feeling of accomplishment as a team was my favorite part of the whole ride and knowing that I wouldn’t have changed anything about my run.”
Madison fell in love with the buckle she won for her incredible ride, and she will proudly wear as she rides at the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City, June 13-25.
