BURBANK—Each year, the California Reining Horse Association puts on “the show of shows” of the West Coast, and this year was no different when the CRHA Challenge lit up the Los Angeles Equestrian Center Oct. 24-28.

Southern California’s biggest reining competition drew top horses and riders from throughout California, Arizona, and Nevada. Coming away with special awards this year were Charmain Sauro, who rode Zins Rowdy Whiz to the CRHA Reiner of the Year Award; Rex Ross, recipient of the Rick Flathers Sportsmanship Award; Marilyn Scheffers, who rode Gunna Juice You to the Gatolotto Memorial Buckle; and Allison Williams who took home a trailer as well as the Rebecca Goss Memorial Trophy after the duo swept the CRHA and NRHA Rookie Level 2 events.
Setting this show apart from CRHA’s other shows is the number of aged events available to competitors.

Friday night saw tough competition in the Yellowstone Non Pro Derby. Kristen Booth swept the Level 4, 3, and 2 Non Pro Derby with a massive score of 149.5 aboard Kristin L Kutchuk’s Baby’s Got Blue Eyes. Brook Boyle, aboard Barbi and Michael Boyle’s Sunset Nite claimed second in the Level 4 and 3, only one point behind Booth. The Level 1 Non Pro Derby also saw big scores with Maria Danieli-Krueger taking the with with a score of 147 aboard Equestrian Properties’ Shining On Spooks.

The Yellowstone Open Derby Level 4 championship was claimed by Andrea Fappani riding Freddie Brasfield’s Wimpys Lil Tag. Kari Klingenberg piloted Foothills Farm’s Spooks Whiz Jewels to second place in the Level 4 Yellowstone Open Derby and claimed the win in the Level 3 and 2 cards.

The action continued Saturday morning as riders competed for first in the CRHA and NRHA Rookie classes. Allison Williams and her RickyBacInHollywood swept the CRHA and NRHA Rookie Level 2 classes while Petra Ehrhardt and her Colonels Splashy Gun took the win in the CHRA and NRHA Rookie Level 1 classes. Placing second in the CRHA and NRHA Rookie Level 1 was Anne Brumleu with her own Dunit With A Blond. Brumleu was also champion in the CRHA and NRHA Prime Time Rookie Classes.

Following the Rookie classes we saw 11 horses in the Non Pro Futurity. Taking the win in the Level 4 was Kim Muehlstaetter of Scottsdale, Az. Muehlstaetter marked a 147.5 on her own Gunnaflashmycash. Reserve in the Level 4 and taking the win in the Level 3, 2, and 1 divisions was Lindsay Paul Foreman and Dave Belson’s Tinkers Toy Gun.

Not to be outdone by the non-pros, the Open Futurity riders laid down some beautiful runs. Leading off was Andrea Fappani and Freddie Brasfield’s Shooting Off Sparks. Andrea would eventually take the win in the Level 4 on his final ride. And second to last go of the class, Designed To Spark (Rancho Oso Rio). Fellow Arizona trainer Matt Mills secured the Championship in the L3 Open Futurity aboard Tim & MaryBeth Ruckman’s Smarty Face Dunnit. Mills was also third in the Level 4 aboard the palomino gelding. Taking the Level 2 and Level 1 championship was Martin Padilla aboard Kurt Tate’s Lokota Yellow Rose.

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