BURBANK — The California Reining Horse Associations capped off its 2017 year with good competition and good times, as competitors brought the Los Angeles Equestrian Center to life for its year-end Challenge show and the National Reining Horse Association Affiliate Qualifier.

One of the association’s great fall traditions is the CRHA Reiner of the Year, and the 2017 winner, Micki Quinn, had quite a show. Riding her Jacs Electric Velvet, Quinn brought home hardware after winning the Non Pro, Limited Non Pro, Maturity classes, and she also got to take home the Becca Goss Memorial Foundation trophy, Gatolotto Memorial buckle, Topsail Cody Memorial trophy — and a hrose trailer from All American Trailer. That is your 2017 CRHA Reiner of the Year!

A new CRHA award, the Rick Flathers Sportsmanship Award, was presented this year to trainer Penni Gerardi of Agoura Hills. The award honors a person who has distinguished herself or himself by demonstrating acts of sportsmanship and ethical behavior. Donated by his friends and family, the award memorializes a favorite colleague who passed March 7, 2016, on the trail behind his home in Orange Park Acres following an accident on horseback. The award was presented by Nancy Flathers, whom Rick met in 1972 at the El Toro Stables in Orange County and later married. The couple were supportive, positive, and generous members of the CRHA, and along with his wife, Rick was an early club member and an enthusiastic presence at the CRHA shows. Rick was always encouraging not only to his wife, who was an avid competitor and successful Non Pro, but to his barnmates, fellow showmen and peers, setting an example of sportsmanship and goodwill that was infectious. A member of the CRHA since its inception, Rick was not only a financial supporter, but was also happy to give his time to the CRHA Board of Directors for several years, adding value not only as a competitor, but as a businessman, helping to shape what would ultimately become the flourishing association that CRHA is today.

The CRHA camaraderie at this year’s show lasted throughout the weekend, and social innovations like the CRHA-sponsored omelet breakfast on Saturday morning were popular.

Of course, good competition was the order of the weekend, and it was served up, too. Tracer Gilson of Sanger took Joe Moran’s stallion, Chexmaster, to the Level 4 and Level 3 Open Championships, respectively.

In Non Pro action, Teresa Holland had a dominant weekend, taking home the Non Pro Derby Championship in addition to Non Pro wins in Levels 1 through Level 4 on Holly Rowdy, owned by J&T Enterprises.

In Open Futurity classes, Mike Boyle shined on Sunset Nite, owned by Barbi Boyle, winning the Open Futurity Championship as well as titles in Levels 2 through 4. The Non Pro Futurity standout was Xtra Prettycocktail, ridden and owned by Frederick Christen to the Non Pro Futurity Level 4 Championship. Christen also took his Xtra Voodoo Steo to the Novice Horse Level 2 Championship. Shine On Chex, ridden by owner Jill Rameth, won the Non Pro Futurity Level 3 title and was reserve in the Level 4.

In Open Derby action, Karl Klingeberg rode Foothills Farm’s Whizzkeys Lil Gun to the the Level 1 and Level 2 titles,and they also captured the Open Mare Championship.

Heather Smith Porter had a string of success with her Lil Joe Tag, capturing the Rookie Level 1 and Level 2 crowns to go along with the Prime Time Rookie Championship.

In Youth classes, Peyton McGowan shined with Banjoboonsmal, winning the 13-under Championship, with Lilly Rae Gilson capturing the 10-under Short Stirrup Championship on Loren Booth’s Brennas Dream.

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