Paige Pastorino and Taylor Made Magnum swept both DRHA Rookie slates and took home her first trophy saddle as DRHA High Point.

John O’Hara photo

WOODSIDE — The excitement of Reining by the Bay draws competitors away from scorching temperatures throughout the Country. The San Francisco Peninsula’s coastal fog and ocean breezes are welcomed by all. ‘Uniqueness” is the adjective most used to describe this premier event. The Bay Area’s attractions are incredible. The Horse Park is about 30 minutes south of San Francisco and just 30 minutes to the west is the quaint coast-side town of Half Moon Bay. The Horse Park itself is located next to Stanford University and the Silicon Valley and all of its offerings. With so many fantastic sites close by the Horse Park, many attendees take time to visit San Francisco, view the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy fantastic seafood dishes at renowned restaurants. One trip to Reining by the Bay cannot cover all that the San Francisco Peninsula has to offer. NRHA Professional Martin Meuhlstaetter from Scottsdale, Arizona states “If this was an AQHA show with no money or prizes we would still attend.”

In its 18th year, paid out in excess of $250,000 in cash and prizes, ensuring its place on the Top 10 of the National Reining Horse Association’s event list.

The Lucas Oil Open Derby is one highlight of the event. The Bay Arena is 150’ wide by 300’ long, and the footing is meticulously prepared and groomed to provide the most optimal footing for tough competition.
This year, a new record for the event was achieved when NRHA 4 Million Dollar professional Andrea Fappani took a clean sweep of the Lucas Oil Level 4 Open Derby winning first, second and third on his three mounts. The palomino mare Wimpys Little Tag, Whiz N Tag Chex x Wimpys Little Chic, showed off her exceptional talent those bloodlines gave her by marking a 227.5 for owner Freddie Brasfield from Tennessee and a paycheck of $12,929.

Thebettertohearuwith (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Chex Out The Cowgirl), owned and raised by Bill Coburn of Los Angeles, took the Reserve Championship with a score of 226.5 and a paycheck of $8,888.69, followed by Rancho Oso Rio’s entry Spooks Show Time marking 223.50 and received a paycheck of $7,676.59. Total Fappani winnings for his Trifecta sweep $29,494.28.

“Reining by the Bay is always a great show for our team, but this year was even better,” Fappani said. “All three of my Derby horses showed great and gave me everything I asked them to.”
Ricky Nicolazzi, another rider from the Fappani team, aboard Dunnits Special Nite (Gunners Special Nite x Dun It For Chex) tied for Reserve in the Level 3 Open Derby and was Champion in the Level 2 Open Derby, winning $5,683.60 for owners Rancho Oso Rio. Tom Foran, riding Walla Walla Starbuck for Sleipner, LLC., was the rider who tied with Nicolazzi.

“Reining by the Bay has always been one of our favorite shows since its inception,” said Foran. “The arena is huge with great ground so you can really showcase a horse. You have to really put a run together as the competition doesn’t get much tougher. My Derby horse (Walla Walla Starbuck) has shown great all year. He felt honest everywhere. He is one of the nicest horses I’ve ever had the pleasure to train and show.”

The Protect The Harvest Non Pro Derby also boasted some impressive runs. Kim Muehlstaetter from Scottsdale, Ariz., took home the Level 4 Championship aboard her home grown mare, Tinselchex (Hollywoodstinseltown x Nu Tuf Lil Chex) with a score of 219.5. The winning paycheck was $5,899.43. Muehlstaetter is no newcomer to the winner’s circle at Reining by the Bay, having collected multiple championships in the derby and futurity divisions. This year, she took the Level 4 Non Pro Futurity Championship aboard Spooks Grand Slam (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Shiney Diamond Lady), besting her Derby score by one point with a 220.5.

“Reining by the Bay is a great venue to prepare a 3-year old,” Muehlstaetter said. “I like to show my futurity horse in a big pen for the first outing, giving them more time to relax between maneuvers. The show pen at Reining by the Bay provides the perfect atmosphere. I was thrilled with how well he (Spooks Grand Slam) showed for me here.”

The Muehlstaetter name hit the top of the Level 4 Open Futurity Championship as well as. Kim’s husband Martin rode Spookneedsacocktail (Wimpyneedsacocktail x Snap Crackle Spook) to a score of 219.5 to take the win for owner Tami Schiltz. The Muehlstaetter winnings did not stop there. Martin tied with Gabe Hutchins entry Xtra Wimpy Voodoo (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Wimpys New Pal) owned by Tamarack Ranch, for Reserve in the Level 4 Open Futurity aboard Bullets Whizzen By (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Docs Lil Bullet) and owner Michael Garnett, both marking a 217.5. This year was Hutchins first time attending the event.

“Reining by the Bay is one of the best shows I have ever attended,” said Hutchins. “The arena and atmosphere make an experience you will never forget. With the experience that Brumley Management has running horse shows, it’s one you have to attend!”

Tom Foran was also in the money on his Futurity entry Gunna Sail Away (Gunnatrashya x Sailing Spark), as the pair marked a 216.50 to win the Level 2 and 3 Open Futurity.

“This year I was fortunate to get to show a 3-year old by Gunnatrashya, (Gunna Sail Away). Austin Roush started him and did a great job. He just keeps getting better and better,” said Foran.
The SmartPak Non Pro Maturity is a fantastic opportunity for horses seven years of age and older to shine. This year was no exception. Keri Blackledge and her horse Gettinaway Whiz It (Topsail Whiz x Getaway Lark) swept away with the Level 2, 3 and 4 division championships. Robyn Schiller and her horse, Plenty Of Guns (Dun It Gotta Gun x Plenty Of Rest) were Reserve champions in the Level 2, 3, and 4 and Champions in the Level 1.

Schiller had high praise for her 10-year-old gelding.

“He is super consistent and fun to circle,” she said. “He knows his job, so all we do is keep him fit. We had the best run ever in the first slate of the Non Pro classes and taking the Non Pro High Point Championship. Overall a fantastic show for us!”

Morris Kulmer is no newcomer to the winners circle, and his gelding Dreamy Little Sailor (Magnum Chic Dream x Enjoy A Lena) has been right there with him. Dreamy’s NRHA lifetime earnings exceed $119,376, a remarkable accomplishment for this little gelding with a big heart. Morris and Dreamy took the Championship in the SmartPak Prime Time and Masters Non Pro Maturity. This is the second to last show for Dreamy. The 15-year-old gelding will be retired after the 2018 AQHA Select World Show.

The coveted Bob’s Custom Saddles High Point Trophy Saddles are always an event favorite. This year four saddles were awarded in the Ancillary divisions; Prime Time Non Pro, sponsored by Cow Dog Saddles, Limited Non Pro, sponsored by Bob’s Custom Saddles, Rookie Level 2, sponsored by Rhodes River Ranch and DRHA Rookie, sponsored by Rancho Oso Rio.

It took two consistent runs to claim these victories, and the winners were beside themselves with delight. Ashley Jackson and Smart Like Steady (Steady Tradition x Bar S Docs Gay Bar), a 2005 gelding, won the Limited Non Pro High Point Championship with a 73 in slate one. Laura Johnson and her 2010 model Vintage Sparks (A Sparkling Vintage x Chic Hickory Doc) kept it consistent and won the Prime Time High Point. Revolutionic (Einsteins Revolution x Nics Whiz) with rider Megan Lynch won both the Rookie Level 1 and 2 High Point Championships and took home the Level 2 High Point Bob’s Custom Trophy Saddle.

A newcomer to the winners circle, Paige Pastorino and Taylor Made Magnum (Magnum Chic Dream x Beaus Liberty Belle), swept her competition winning both slates of the DRHA Rookie and taking home her first trophy saddle as DRHA High Point Champion. Paige’s mother Dana was excited.

“We had an amazing show,” she said. “Paige accomplished her goal of winning her first saddle, and my 3-year-old, Mister Nicashine, was reserve in the Level 2 Open Futurity with our trainer Ollie Galligan. It’s such a fun and well-managed show with great footing. We are really looking forward to next year,.

An avid fan and participant at Reining by the Bay, actor William Shatner, had an impressive ride in the first slate of the Non Pro divisions, marking a 71 aboard KR Electrified (Jacs Electric Spark x Faded Lac) to win the Masters division, tie for third in the Intermediate Non Pro and Prime Time Non Pro, and tie for fourth in the Limited Non Pro. When asked what he thought of the show, Shatner called in one of the greatest shows in the country.

“I will be showing here every year, as long as I am still breathing,” he said.

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