WOODSIDE– You know it’s going to be a weeklong battle in the saddle in every division when the increase in top horse and rider combinations over last year is a whopping 55 percent.

The 2014 Reining By The Bay once again surpassed expectations, drawing more reiners and spectators than before as the best in the west competed for more than $200,000 in added money and prizes at the Horse Park at Woodside on July 23-27.

Again, there were familiar stars this year — Tish Fappani and her longtime partner Premier Diamond (Like A Diamond x Sexy Chexy Nic) took top honors in the class of 17 exhibitors in the Non Pro Level 4 maturuity, earning $2,307 — and there were some who rose to the head of the class.

Kelly Moran of Laguna Hills and the 5-year old mare Wimpy’s Mega Step (Wimpys Little Step x Moonstone Mega) pulled off a clean sweep of the Level 4 and Level 3 divisions of the Non Pro Derby, marking a score of 219.5 and earning a paycheck for the day of $7,798.

“We got Wimpy’s Mega Step about a year and a half ago from Martin Larcombe in Texas, said Moran. “She’s a really sweet horse, and very ‘ADD’, which is why I was a little worried about pattern six, because there is a whole lot to look at outside that big pen.”

“My goal was to keep her going fast enough that she wouldn’t have time to look at anything”, added Moran, who has been coming to Reining By The Bay for 10 years. “I was a little concerned in my last stop because my reins were all tangled up, so I didn’t have any steering. I kicked and she went with it. Tracer (Gilson) has done an amazing job with her this year at the NRHA Derby and the NRBC, but this was our first time winning a L4 Derby, so that was really exciting and very surreal.”

She considers Reining By The Bay in her top three shows of the year, along with the High Roller Reining Classic and National Reining Breeders Classic.

“The weather is great — although a bit toasty this year — and a gorgeous facility, and there is a great crowd that comes, she said. It’s always a really good time.”

Cam Essick and Who Loves You still lead the 2014 Non Pro Trifecta Reining Challenge standings for the six-day trip to the Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico through the Reining By The Bay show, with earnings of $9,886.61 between Cactus Reining Classic and Reining By The Bay.

For Fappani, Premier Diamond continues to shine after their Derby years together. He had been bred and raised by a client of her husband, Andrea, before they purchased him as a 4-year old.

“He got hurt as a 3-year old, so he didn’t have a futurity career”, said Tish. “I have had a blast on him for the last four years. We’ve had offers to sell him over the years but he’s part of the family. He’s such a good gentle horse, and something that both our kids can get on, lope around and change leads on.”

She likes the maturity classes, as they provide a place for the older horses to show. “Like this horse — he never got to show when he was younger due to injuries”, she said. “He was able to get through his Derby years, he’s still fresh. This division gives him a place to keep going and showing.”

Martin Muehlstaetter and his 10-year old Wimpy’s Little Buddy (Wimpys Little Step x All Thats Dun) could not be beaten in the $5,000 Added SmartPak L4 Open Maturity, taking home $3,470.

“We bought him as a 4-year old from Andrea Fappani when he showed him at the NRBC, NRHA Futurity and NRHA Derby,” Muehlstaetter said. “My wife showed him for two years and did really well on him, and then I started showing him as an early 6-year old.”

He took him to the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky and represented Team Austria, then sold him to a client who has enjoyed success the last few years. As an Austrian team member, he’ll compete on him at the 2014 WEG competition this month in Normandy, France.

Muehlstaetter was in the winner’s circle again on Electric Barbie (Jacs Electric Spark x MJ Hollywood Barbie) owned and bred by Marc and Kathy Gordon, marking a 222.5 to earn Electric Barbie $8,868 in total prize money.

It was a knock-down, drag-out fight in the Level 4 Open Derby, and the scores reflected the incredible efforts put forth by the 21 horses and riders. At the end of the day, Andrea Fappani and Mr. Electric Spark (Jacs Electric Spark x Sailin Rowdy) owned by Reining Partners LLC marked a 226.0 to take home top honors and a check for $10,994.

Fappani wil lbe making his first trip to the World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

“I switched my nationality with the FEI in 2010 when I first tried out for the team,” he said. “I moved over here because I wanted to compete at the highest level. Four years ago, when I tried, I didn’t make the team. I wasn’t going to wait another 4 years.”

Horse show producer and co-founder Amanda Brumley said the increases in her event’s exhibitor participation caught her by surprise.

“We had to make some adjustments to accommodate it with a facility without lights,” she said. “Our exhibitors are awesome! They cruised through the last minute changes, and were really understanding. Another shock was the spectator turn out. WOW! From day one, the seats were full. During the Open Derby followed by Trading Reins it was standing room only. Since the first Reining by the Bay in 1999, this event has come a long, long way and I am so grateful for the support we have received to get this event to what it is today.”

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2014 Reining By The Bay Champions
July 23-27, 2014 * Horse Park at Woodside, Woodside, Calif.

Class/ Horse/ Rider/ Owner/ Score/ Money
OP L4 Maturity Wimpys Little Buddy/ M.Muehlstaetter/ K.&M.Muehlstaetter/ 151/ $3,470.25
NP L4 Maturity Premier Diamond/ T.Fappani/ T.Fappani/ 146.5/ $2,306.53
PT NP Maturity Nics Little Bud/ B.Coburn/ B.Coburn/ 145/ $2,450.98
OP Wimpys Little Buddy/ M.Muehlstaetter/ K.&M.Muehlstaetter/ 151/ $315.04
Int OP Maddox/ C.Rammerstorfer/ C.Rammerstorfer/ 145.5/ $298.80
Ltd OP No Wimpy Cowboys/ C.Leon/ T.Jenkins/ 144.5/ $109.67
Rookie PRO No Wimpy Cowboys/ C.Leon/ T.Jenkins/ 144.5/ $109.67
OP Wrangler Derby Dayz/ T.Foran/ T.Sheridan/ 145/ $269.88
Maddox/ C.Rammerstorfer/ C.Rammerstorfer/ 145/ $269.88
Int OP Maddox/ C.Rammerstorfer/ C.Rammerstorfer/ 145/ $278.21
Ltd OP No Wimpy Cowboys/ C.Leon/ T.Jenkins/ 143.5/ $106.44
Rookie PRO No Wimpy Cowboys/ C.Leon/ T.Jenkins/ 143.5/ $106.44
NP Starbucks Finest/ K.Kempel/ K.Kempel/ 145/ $264.05
Gettin Magnumtized/ A.N.Westlund/ K.Warn/ 145/ $264.05
PT NP Gettin Magnumtized/ A.N.Westlund/ K.Warn/ 145/ $132.89
NP Masters Gunball Machine/ K.Copus/ Copus Perf. Horses/ 141.5/ $103.21
Int NP Starbucks Finest/ K.Kempel/ K.Kempel/ 145/ $246.58
Ltd NP Starbucks Finest/ K.Kempel/ K.Kempel/ 145/ $118.85
Gettin Magnumtized/ A.N.Westlund/ K.Warn/ 145/ $118.85
NP Premier Diamond/ T.Fappani/ T.Fappani/ 146.5/ $286.28
PT NP Custom Catalac/ G.Stone/ G.Stone/ 143/ $111.61
Gettin Magnumtized/ A.N.Westlund/ K.Warn/ 143/ $111.61
NP Masters Mr Jacks Enterprise/ S.Stone/ S.Stone/ 141.5/ $106.22
Int NP Gettinaway Whizit/ K.Blackledge/ Warledge/Blackledge/ 145/ $308.91
Ltd NP Who Whiz That Girl/ L.Bernbaum/ R.Bernbaum/ 71.5/ $110.53
Ladies Hollywood Big Chex/ J.Tabor/ J.Trattner/ 69.5/ $18.75
Maxstep/ J.Tabor/ R.Pederson/ 69.5/ $18.75
Ladies NP Wimpys High Bid/ B.Joyce/ Story Book Stables/ 70.5/ $55.00
Gents HR Hesa Smokin Gun/ R.Paul/ Day Creek Ranch/ 71/ $55.00
Gents NP Daddy Day Care/ D.Copus/ Copus Perf. Horses/ 69/ $15.00
Ladies Hollywood Big Chex/ J.Tabor/ J.Trattner/ 69.5/ $33.75
Ladies NP Tangys Classy Boy/ C.Callander/ C.Callander/ 70/ $59.50
Gents Smokin Something/ D.Hanson/ S.Barton/ 68.5/ $50.00
Gents NP Misters Smokin Gun/ K.Banks/ K.Banks/ 69.5/ $15.00
Green As Grass Extra Smart Whiz/ M.Ingalls/ Ingalls Lnd&Livestck/ 72/
Green Reiner Extra Smart Whiz/ M.Ingalls/ Ingalls Lnd&Livestck/ 72/ $73.60
Green As Grass Extra Smart Whiz/ M.Ingalls/ Ingalls Lnd&Livestck/ 69/
Green Reiner A Shining Magnum/ F.Puerta/ F.Puerta/ 70.5/ $57.80
10-under Short Stirrup Slide Zone/ L.Hanson/ D.Hanson/ 68/
Youth 13-under Taris Topsail/ E.Madsen/ E.Madsen/ 68.5
Youth 14-18 West Coast Hick/ K.Ranhoff/ K.Ranhoff/ 71
Rookie Youth Custom Cash Flow/ B.Contreras/ B.Contreras/ 69
Nov Horse L2 Whoz A Whiz/ E.Rammerstorfer/ R.&S.Hoppe/ 72/ $289.30
Nov Horse OP Whoz A Whiz/ E.Rammerstorfer/ R.&S.Hoppe/ 72/ $270.13
Nov Horse NP L2 Gettinaway Whizit/ K.Blackledge/ Warledge/Blackledge/ 73/ $298.80
Nov Horse NP Tangys Classy Boy/ C.Callander/ C.Callander/ 70/ $262.06
Nov Horse L2 Whoz A Whiz/ E.Rammerstorfer/ R.&S.Hoppe/ 73.5/ $279.80
Nov Horse OP Whoz A Whiz/ E.Rammerstorfer/ R.&S.Hoppe/ 73.5/ $262.06
Nov Horse NP L2 Gettinaway Whizit/ K.Blackledge/ Warledge/Blackledge / 72/ $282.71
Nov Horse NP Tuffys Dixie/ D.Brummett/ D.&K.Brummett/ 70/ $236.51
Our Happy Hour/ H.Robison H.Robison/ 70/ $236.51
Rookie L2 Lookie A Diamond/ J.Holloway/ J.Holloway/ 73/ $54.42
Rookie L1 Lookie A Diamond/ J.Holloway/ J.Holloway/ 73/ $68.91
Smart As A Bug/ E.Heldermon/ E.Heldermon/ 72/ $47.71
Hollywood Big Chex/ J.Trattner/ J.Trattner/ 72/ $47.71
PT Rookie Custom Smart Olena/ J.Moran/ J. & Ka. Moran/ 72/ $38.44
DRHA Rookie Smart As A Bug/ E.Heldermon/ E.Heldermon/ 72/ $48.00
Rookie L2 Roosters Shiner/ T.Carlson/ A.Walewski/ 71.5/ $43.17
Banjo N Black/ D.Ingalls/ Ingalls Lnd&Livestck/ 71.5/ $43.17
Rookie L1 Banjo N Black/ D.Ingalls/ Ingalls Lnd&Livestck/ 71.5/ $58.25
PT Rookie Step To The Bar Jac/ K.Adamic/ K.Adamic/ 70.5/ $33.82
DRHA Rookie Roosters Shiner/ T.Carlson/ A.Walewski/ 71.5/ $40.00
NP Futurity A Flash Of Juice/ K.Muehlstaetter/ M.Muehlstaetter/ 217/ $3,461.88
Int NP Futurity Soula Train/ J.Gilliam/ J.Gilliam/ 214.5/ $1,824.88
L4 OP Futurity Electric Barbie/ M.Muehlstaetter/ M.&K.Gordon/ 222.5/ $5,353.13
Int OP Futurity Electric Barbie/ M.Muehlstaetter/ M.&K.Gordon/ 222.5/ $3,515.31
Ltd OP Futurity Rickybacnhollywood/ T.Gilson/ L.Booth/ 220.5/ $2,103.75
NRHA L4 NP Derby Wimpys Mega Step/ Ke.Moran/ J.&Ka.Moran/ 219.5/ $4,679.06
NRHA L3 Int NP Derby Wimpys Mega Step/ Ke.Moran/ J.&Ka.Moran/ 219.5/ $3,119.38
NRHA PT NP Derby Holier Than Thou/ C.Essick/ C.Essick/ 219/ $951.25
NRHA L2 Ltd NP Derby Custom Catalac/ G.Stone/ G.Stone/ 217.5/ $2,051.31
NRHA L1 NP Derby Freckles Nu Lil Gun / J.Ridgeway/ J.Ridgeway/ 216.5/ $1,378.28
L4 OP Derby Mr Electric Spark/ A.Fappani/ Reining Partners/ 226/ $10,994.38
L3 Int OP Derby Tags Golden Star/ D.Huss/ R.Shearer/ 225/ $4,979.06
L2 Ltd OP Derby Tags Golden Star/ D.Huss/ R.Shearer/ 225/ $3,283.75
L1 OP Derby BH Is Packin Heat/ B.Gibori/ M.Fleek/ 220/ $2,056.00