OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – A single point separated the top two Open finalists June 26 at the 2010 National Reining Horse Association Derby, as $3 million reiner Shawn Flarida rode Gunnatrashya to a 235 that bumped $2 million man Craig Schmersal and Boom Shernic into reserve despite a sterling 234.

The $155,000-added Open Derby finals at the Oklahoma State Fair Park was the climax of the 2010 NRHA Derby Show that paid out in excess of $600,000 in derby and ancillary classes. Riders from eight countries competed in the show this year.

The Ohio-based Flarida and Gunnatrashya (Gunner x Natrasha), the 2009 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open champions, took home $50,000 and the use of a four-horse Cimarron Trailer, NRHA Lawson trophy, Bob’s Custom Saddles trophy saddle, Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, gift certificates from Rios of Mercedes, Pard’s Western Shop, Platinum Performance, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery and SmartPak, a pair of Classic Equine ProTech boots, and Flair Equine Nasal Strips. Gunnatrashya is a 4-year-old stallion owned by Arcese Quarter Horses and bred by Katarina Dorminy. Prior to the Derby, the duo had won $157,388 in NRHA earnings.

Schmersal, the onetime California trainer who now calls Overbrook, Okla., his home, looked in the driver’s seat after going 64th of 72. He arrived to the Derby confident in Boom Shernic’s chances after the duo won the National Reinind Breeder’s Classic April 20. Together, they had amassed more than $238,000 together in NRHA competition before the Derby, which added another $35,000.

“After the NRBC, I thought I could do it again,” Schmersal said. “He felt better to me here. He’s just been right there for me all the time.”

Flarida knew he had a tall order in facing Schmersal and Boom Shernic.

“I didn’t know if I could beat him, but I knew I sure could challenge him,” he said. “This horse just tries and tries and tries. He’s pretty special.”

As the sire of the NRHA Derby Level 4 Champion, Gunner won the NRHA Sire & Dam sire award including $1,500 and a Sire & Dam bronze. Gunner is owned by McQuay Stables of Tioga, Texas.

Todd Sommers and Whiz It A Chic (Who Whiz It x Chic Out Mama) scored a 227.5 and the Level 3 Open division championship for $12,791. The four-year-old stallion is owned by Stoney Russell of Longview, Texas and bred by Dawn Shaver.

Sommers, of Whitesboro, Texas, won the use of a three-horse Cimarron Trailer, NRHA Lawson trophy, Bob’s Custom Saddles trophy saddle, Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, gift certificates from Rios of Mercedes, Pard’s Western Shop, Platinum Performance, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery and SmartPak, a pair of Classic Equine ProTech boots, and Flair Equine Nasal Strips. Sommers and Whiz It A Chic also earned the top Level 3 Open composite score, to win the coveted Kiser Edge, donated by NRHA Corporate Partner Kiser Arena Specialists.

Brandon Brant, London, Ohio, scored a 226 aboard Dun It With A Splash to win both the Level 2 and 1 Open division championships. Finishing in reserve was Dun It With A Splash (Reminic N Dunit x BB Holly Doll) is a 5-year-old stallion owned by Joe Wolfe of Catlettsburg, Ky., and bred by Susan T. Goldman.

The Derby also hosted the NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship, featuring 12 of the nation’s top collegiate riders. California native Carrie Von Uhlit earned the championship title by riding Dunnit With A Chex to a 147.5. Von Uhlit, of Winters, recently graduated from Texas Christian University and has over $11,731 in NRHA earnings. Dunnit With A Chex (Nu Chex To Cash x Dunit Like A Cowgirl) is a four-year-old mare donated for the competition by owner Todd Hamilton.

More results: http://www.nrhaderby.com