Tracer Gilson takes the Level 4 title of the $16,000-added Open Futurity on Da Big Kahuna, owned by Joe and Karen Moran of Laguna Hills.

John O’Hara photo

WOODSIDE – According to Pat Warren of Rancho Oso Rio, the Horse Park at Woodside, home of Reining By The Bay, is the ultimate place to hold a horse show. Pat should know as she’s lived near the Park for many years and, along with Amanda Brumley of Brumley Management Group, is one of the founders of the Reining By The Bay.  Now in its 18th great year as the California Reining Community’s all-time favorite show, Reining By The Bay offers world class competition in the most beautiful setting imaginable. “The facility has really grown over the years,” Pat muses. “From a place of fenced, dirt fields, to a grand facility that hosts many, many shows annually in eight different arenas. They can handle #1000 show horses now. We would do even more reining shows here if we could just get the dates.”

The 2016 Reining By The Bay Show ran from July 18th through the 24th.  The entire show is held outdoors, from the sunshine-filled arena with its views of the hills, the Pacific Ocean and Half-Moon Bay, to the outdoor stabling and large, festive tents where the Johnson Culinary Group offers delectable dining throughout the show. The show offered relaxed competition throughout the week and then, really heated up the party on Friday morning when the $16,000 Added 3-Year-Old Open Futurity took center stage. Tracer Gilson won the Level 4 with Da Big Kahuna (Wimpys Little Step x Princessontheprowl by High Brow Cat). Bred and owned by Joe and Karen Moran of Laguna Hills, California, it was Gilson’s first RBB Level 4 Open Futurity win.

“We raised Da Big Kahuna here at the ranch, so it’s a particularly proud moment.” says Tracer. “We will take him to a few shows and then we are going to be at Congress with him this year. All of our riders did very well at the RBB show this year. Blair Moffet and Sheza Smart Wimpy took Level 2, 3 and 4 in the Non Pro Maturity. But best of all, our daughter Lilly won the 10 & Under Short Stirrup on Brennas Dream, a great horse generously loaned to her by Loren Booth. Lilly loved it! It was her very first buckle. She’s been wearing one of mine for quite a while and I think she’ll probably still do that and hang the new one in her room. Lilly just turned ten and rides at least five days a week. She’ll be at the High Roller in September. She’s getting out of school that Friday to get there in time to show.”

On Saturday Jennifer Gilliam of Pine Grove, California took two horses she bought previously at auction, and posted scores sharp enough to win in Levels 3 and 4 in the Non Pro Futurity. Her 3-year-old chestnut mare, The Prima Ballerina (Topsail Whiz x Dancer Nic by Tinsel Nic) won the $8,500 Added 3-Year-Old Non Pro Futurity. She bought the mare as a yearling in 2014 from Schmersal Reining Horses at the Legacy Breeders Sale.  Jennifer then took third in the same competition with her second mare, Shine Kitty Shine (Shine Chic Shine x Cowsmart Cat by Smooth As A Cat), a Palomino she purchased in 2015 at the NRHA/Markel Insurance Futurity Prospect Sale. Together they brought home over $4,800. “We call The Prima Ballerina ‘Abby’,” says Jennifer. “I started her as a 2-year-old but Mike Boyle has done most of the training. She is a very sound and easy mare. This was the first time I’d ever ridden her and really asked her to show. ‘Abby’ was perfect and gave me 100%. After some time off she’ll go to Idaho. I will take ‘Shine’ to the High Roller in September.”

In the $40,000 Added Protect The Harvest Non Pro Derby, Samantha Roper was a hands down winner on Big Crème Chic (Big Chex To Cash x Cremes Chic Olena by Smart Chic Olena). Samantha and Big Crème Chic were the 2015 AQHA World Amateur Reining Champions. Coached by Andrea Fappani, Samantha and her 6-year-old gelding nearly swept the field, taking Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 and earning over $11,000 in the process. Andrea Fappani himself saved his best for last in the $57,000 Added Lucas Oil Open Derby, where he placed first and third place tie on Electric Genes, Thebettertohearuwith and Pinesail Jac, respectively.  Electric Genes (Jacs Electric Spark x Taris Designer Genes by Mr Boomerjac) blew into the arena at the very end of the competition with an utterly spectacular run. The mare sprouted wings coming through the gate and then tore the ground apart. The run was fast and furious, with every move perfectly executed. The crowd went crazy … and then went crazy again when they announced the 230.5 score. Pat Warren, Electric Genes’ owner leaped out of her seat. Pat raised the mare and still owns her dam, Taris Designer Genes, NRHA Open Futurity Champion. Thebettertohearuwith (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Chex Out The Cowgirl by Lean With Me) posted a 225 with Andrea for owner Bill Coburn. The 4-year-old made his debut appearance last year at Reining By The Bay winning the Level Four Open Futurity and a check for $8,298.44. Pinesail Jac (Tinsel Jac x Sailin Lil Ruff by Lil Russ Peppy), also owned by Rancho Oso Rio, was tied for third. The 4-year-old gelding earned the NRHA Open Reserve Championship title in Oklahoma City less than a month ago. Tanya Jenkins and Tricked Out Spook (Spooks Gotta Gun x Rowdy Brinna by Rowdy Yankee) scored a 227 to take second. “This is a pretty special horse and I knew he had what it takes to score well here,” says Tanya. “This horse is easy, good-minded and just a great guy. He likes his job and would rather be ridden than do most anything else.”

A major sponsor at Reining By The Bay this year was Smoking Roosters Ranch, Ashley Kelkenberg and the Patrizio Fumagalli family. The Fumagellis moved here from Italy three years ago and are hoping to have their ranch ready to open its doors January first. They had a great show at Reining By The Bay. “I rode Magnificent Dreamer at Reining By The Bay this year,” says Ashley. “We won the Level 1 Open Derby and were third in the Level 2. The big news for us is the new ranch at 144th Street and Rio Verde Drive in Scottsdale. There’s a 40-stall show barn and a big covered arena. It’s set on 10 acres and includes an outdoor track, and 6 to 10 turn-out pens are planned as well.” Pat Fumigalli owns both Magnificent Dreamer (Magnum Chic Dream x Heavenly Rooster by Gallo Del Cielo (Rooster)) and the horse that he rode at Reining By The Bay, Diamonds In My Dreams (Like A Diamond x Brennas Dream). “When I arrived here from Milan I wanted to start my daughter Michele riding with a coach,” says Pat. “We found Ashley and we’ve been riding and showing ever since. I started in the Green classes, moved up to Rookie and now I’m working at the Non Pro division. We have 8 horses of our own and will be boarding Ashley’s customers’ horses as well. My daughter rides on the weekends, I ride every day and my wife is enjoying photographing the horses. I am very happy.”

In addition to being a show that makes absolutely everybody very happy and anxious to return, Reining By The Bay is a paradise of feasting for horsemen. There are few horse shows on any equine circuit that offer the exhibitor the range of food put forth by the Brumley shows in general and at this show in particular. From the made-to-order deli sandwiches, pasta and brownies at the week’s beginning, to the daily lunches of baked salmon, tri-tip and pulled pork, to the weekend’s omelet and pancake bar – cooked on request! Special meals included the Rancho Oso Rio Wine and Cheese Party on Friday evening with a splendid assortment of cheese, crackers and hot appetizers, and the annual RBB Exhibitor dinner Saturday night which featured roast beef, turkey and all of the trimmings, plus the famous RBB cakes. Along with amazing food, the show’s gently orchestrated competition schedule was designed to allow everyone some leisure to visit the wonderful sights of San Francisco, Palo Alto, the beaches and parks, and the restaurants at Half-Moon Bay and Fisherman’s Wharf (as if anybody needed to leave the show and find food). Even the judges have caught on to the visiting perks.

Drake Johnson, NRHA Judge from Wray, Colorado has judged the RBB show twice and has nothing but praise for the California competition. “The Futurity horses were great quality, both Non-Pro and Open,” Drake says. “They were on their game and on their way to High Roller in September and Oklahoma City later in the year.  It’s always such a joy to see high level animals, like the Open Derby horses work. As judges we have the best seats in the house, we just report what we see and have the pleasure and excitement of watching world class horses and rides. My wife and I also took some time and went up to Napa the day before the show started and then visited Half-Moon Bay and had some great seafood. Would I come back to Reining By The Bay? Absolutely. We would both come back.”

Brumley Management Group, LLC still has one more great show to go for 2016. They have also saved the best for last … the world famous Brumley September show, the High Roller Reining Classic, once again in Las Vegas at the South Point Equestrian Center.  For information contact Amanda Brumley at 602-677-3774 or e-mail brumleymanagementgroup@gmail.com.