IntheKnow ITK01 SHSmokeNSparks NKent 16W

In the Know: The Arabian Guys

IntheKnow ITK01 SHSmokeNSparks NKent 16WAt the Wild Card Reining Challenge, Nathan Kent and Sage Hill Arabians-bred SH Smoke N Sparks (AR), owned by Connie O’Brien, picked up the Half-Arabian Level 1 Open Championship. • Photo by Waltenberry

Nathan Kent and Preston Kent both train reining horses, but they had an unconventional start in the industry. The brothers grew up breaking Arabian colts and riding them in the mountains of Idaho. Their father, Dave Kent, has owned Arabians since he was a little boy and has been breeding them to use on their ranch for 30 years, according to Nathan.

InthePast DocQuixote

In the Past: Doc Quixote

InthePast DocQuixoteDoc Quixote was known as the “good luck horse,” who consistently directed profit to those who owned all or part of him. • QHN File Photo

An asking price of $12,000 for a top cutting futurity prospect in today’s performance horse market is virtually unheard of. Forty-three years ago, though, it sounded like a lot of money to non-pro cutter Paul Crumpler, of Wichita Falls, Texas, who, on the advice of legendary trainer Shorty Freeman, flew to California to look at a 3-year-old named Doc Quixote. Leon Harrel, who had the horse in training for owners Neil and Linda Mussallem, of Gilroy, California, helped negotiate the sale.

IntheStats 01 CommandersNic CSchmersal Fut02W

In the Stats: NRHA Derby

IntheStats 01 CommandersNic CSchmersal Fut02WCommanders Nic (Boomernic x Miss Bam Bam Command x Docs Fritzie Command) and Equi-Stat Elite $3 Million Rider Craig Schmersal won the 2004 NRHA Derby Open  and placed second in 2003. The 1999 stallion, bred by Shannon Jones of Queen City, Arizona, has lifetime earnings of $258,815. • Photo by Waltenberry

IntheMoney 01 GoLittleStarlight

In the Money: Shrewd Breeding Buys (Part 3)

IntheMoney 01 GoLittleStarlightGo Little Starlight, pictured with Pete Branch in 2004, sold through the 2008 Polo Ranch Dispersal Sale and went on to produce NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open finalist CD Highlights.In the last two issues of the QHN Insider, In the Money took a look at the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) and National Reining Horse Association futurity Open finalists and the mares that produced them. This time, the focus shifts to Reno, Nevada, and the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Snaffle Bit Futurity, where there were 25 Open finalists last year. Of those, eight were out of mares that, at some point in their lives, were offered through a major Western performance horse industry sale.

TopsailWhiz Large

NRHA Welcomes First Eleven Million Dollar Sire

TopsailWhiz LargeTopsail WhizAlways in a league of his own, Topsail Whiz has made yet another milestone in the world of reining. The late Topsail Whiz has now become the National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) only Eleven Million Dollar Sire.

Sienna

Horse Color Inspections Offered at AjPHA Youth World Show

SiennaAt the AjPHA Youth World Show, owners will the opportunity to test their minimally marked APHA-registered Paint Horses to see if they qualify for regular registry. • Photo by Kristin PitzerDo you have a minimally marked Paint Horse that you think qualifies for the American Paint Horse Association’s (APHA) regular registry? Head on over to Fort Worth, Texas, with your horse in tow for a complimentary color inspection during this year’s American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) Youth World Championship Show.

WhoWhizAPaintedChic

Free Horsemanship Clinics Offered at AjPHA Youth World Championship Show

WhoWhizAPaintedChicMarissa Harrell rode Who Whiz Apaintedchic (PT) to two World titles at the 2015 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show. • Photo by Larry WilliamsBarbara Cox and Stormy Mullins – competitors, trainers and clinicians – will bring their special connection with horses to the 2016 American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) Youth World Championship Show through a pair of free horsemanship clinics on July 8-9 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center's John Justin Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

TRC Clinic2

Tulsa Reining Classic Announces 2016 Clinicians

TRC Clinic2Matt Mills will be hosting this year's "View From the Judge's Chair."The Global Reining Sport Group is pleased to announce the quality clinicians slated to teach at the Tulsa Reining Classic, scheduled for Aug. 29-Sept. 4. Top-notch professionals Justin “Gunny” Mathison, Terry Thompson and Matt Mills will serve as this year's educators.