RANCHO MURIETA — Murieta Equestrian Center’s 2009 Reining Derby Spectacular and Show, presented by West Coast Equine Foundation, once again proved to be a competitive event which was popular with many riders and spectators, especially Central and Northern exhibitors, officials said of the May 14-17 show at Murieta Equestrian Center.

Prior to the show’s $20,000 Topsail Cody Memorial Open Derby Challenge, Andrea Fappani of San Marcos had won more than a dozen championships in a row, including the National Reining Breeders Classic Open finals. An NRHA Professional and One Million Dollar Rider, Fappani continued his win streak by taking the WCEF Open Derby aboard the palomino stallion Shiner Olena (Smart Chic Olena x Miss Shiner Dear), owned by Katarzyna Roleska. They scored 226 to earn $11,412.

Fappani was also in the money for the Open Derby by taking fifth place on RR Hi Ho Star, owned by Brook Hokana; and sixth place riding Crominic, owned by Manuel Bonzano.

Tanya Jenkins of Temecula had a great ride aboard Rest Our Case, owned by ROC Partnership, for the Open Derby Reserve Championship with a 224.5 score and earning $7,846.

One of Jenkins’ clients, Marilyn Scheffers, rode Chics Sidewinder to first places on both days in the Novice Non Pro class to become the Novice Non Pro Circuit Champion. Scheffers was also the NRHA Non Pro Reserve Circuit Champion, having placed second in the NRHA Non Pro class on both days.

Proceeds from the show benefit the West Coast Equine Foundation, a Murieta Equestrian Center program which provides scholarships and to youth pursuing an education in horse-related fields.

Other MEC Reining Derby champions included:
• $5,000 Int. Open Derby: Riccardo Nicolazzi and UB A Stylin Peppy
• $2,500 Ltd. Open Derby: Michael Boyle and Shepords Star
• $2,000 Non Pro: Shelby St. Hilaire and NQH Little Jac
• $250 Primetime Non Pro: Cindy Roberts and Gata Mia
• $500 Int. Non Pro: Shelby St Hilaire and NQH Little Jac
• $2,000 Open: Gabe Davide and Chicadero
• $500 Int. Open: Trent Pedersen and Shadownics
• $500 Ltd. Open: Trent Pedersen and Tejons Boomencommand
• $5,000 Non Pro Derby: Lindy Longfellow and SLJ Sweet N Juicy
• $3,000 Int. Non Pro Derby: Lindy Longfellow and SLJ Sweet N Juicy
• $1,500 Ltd. Non Pro Derby: Sara Pinckney and Flasshyverde

For complete show results, visit the Web site: www.murietaequinecomplex.com