Press Releases

For Immediate Release
December 3, 2006
National Reining Horse Association

Randy Paul Wins the NRHA Futurity on Taris Designer Genes …the first mare to win the event since 1990!

Oklahoma City, OK - December 3, 2006 - Randy Paul, Scottsdale, AZ, beat a field of spectacular three-year-olds to bring Taris Designer Genes (Mr Boomerjac x Taris Little Vintage), owned by Rancho Oso Rio, to the winner’s circle of the 2006 NRHA Futurity $100,000 added Open Division and a guaranteed paycheck of $125,000!

Paul showed with tremendous confidence, scoring a 227. “I felt really good showing her,” said Randy. “And I was going to sell her pretty darn cheap in September.” But, when several people told Randy he needed more horse, it inspired him to try a little harder and this wonderful mare responded. “We decided to keep her after the second go,” said Randy. “I need a good horse for next year.” He’s got one!

Taris Designer Genes is the first mare to win the Futurity’s Open Division since 1990 when Doug Milholland won the event on Silver Anniversary (AQHA Two T Whisky Royal), owned by Terry Hunt. And talk about mare power – Taris Little Vintage, the dam of Taris Designer Genes, produced the 1999 NRHA Futurity Open Division Champion, Hollywood Vintage, shown by Dell Hendricks and owned by Alan and Kay Needle.

The “Ladies Night Out” theme continued with the Open Division Reserve Champion, Collenas Finest Tafy. Ridden by Brian Bell, Smithfield, NC, for Double Run Farm, Collenas Finest Tafy is by Footworks Finest and out of Collena Chic Olena. Brian scored a 226.5 for second place and a paycheck made out for $103,110.96

In a dramatic runoff for first place in the $50,000 added Elite Trailer Intermediate Open Division, Shawna Sapergia bested Matt Flarida by a half point. Shawna, from Cochrane, AB, Canada, rode This Chics On Top, a three-year-old daughter of Smart Chic Olena and out of This Chex On Top, owned by Outrider Ranch Ltd. Shawna is a beautiful rider and she put together two beautiful patterns on Finals night. Shawna earned $23,249.56 for the win.

Matt Flarida, Midway, KY, rode Custom Blackberry, a son of Custom Crome and out of Be Berry Sweet, owned by Craig Jobe. Matt was aggressive where he needed to be aggressive – soft and pretty when called for. The quality of both his rides was amazing. Matt earned $19,331.19 for the reserve championship.

Gunnin For Diamonds (Like A Diamond x BH Top Gun), shown by Arno Honstetter, San Marcos, CA, won the $20,000 added APHA Gelding Award for owner Juston Palmer. The Great Guntini, by Gunner and out of Miss Wicked Filena, was shown by Mike McEntire and was the winner of the American Paint Horse Association Paint Preferred Award for owner John Faulkner.

The day started with the Performance Horse Rookie of the Year competition. Jennifer Hoffman, from Wesley Chapel, FL, scored a 215.5 on her Spats Dot Com to best a field of 21 riders. She represented the Florida Reining Horse Association.

Don Thomas was second on Broady BH Dunit owned by Tori Thomas, Hayesville, OH. Don rode for the Central Ohio Reining Horse Association, scored a 212.5. Both riders qualified for the event at the Eastern US Affiliate Finals in Springfield, OH.

Reining enthusiasts saw sunshine and snow – and one heck of a show!

For complete results contact the NRHA Office at 405-946-7400 or log on to the NRHA website at www.nrha.com.