Reining

Reining

The Adequan U.S. Reining Squad for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games The following horse-and-athlete combinations have been named to the Adequan U.S. Reining Squad for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and are in alphabetical order. Combinations will be named as Team members or Individuals no later than the Horse Inspection on August 24, 2014.

The reining competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will take place August 25-30, 2014 at the Caen Exhibition Centre in Caen, France.

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Reining - Squad Champion on NQH Little Jac. At the 2008 Reining by the Bay, Fappani won the Open Derby Championship on the six-year-old stallion Spooks Gotta Gun, who is one of the few deaf horses to compete in reining. Fappani also rode Tinsel Jac to the Open Derby Reserve Championship.

In 2009, Fappani rode Lean with Peppy Chex to a sixthplace finish in the CRI2* at Reining by the Bay. At the High Rollers Classic, he and Tinsel Jac were second in the CRI2*.

The next year, he placed seventh in the CRI2* at the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) with Custom Casino, and took sixth and ninth on Custom Legend and Einsteins Revolution, respectively, at the Adequan/USEF National Reining Championship.

In 2011, Fappani rode Yellow Jersey to a second-place finish at the NRBC. Fappani had a solid year in 2013. At the NRBC, he finished second and fifth in the USEF Open Reining class with Stars Photo Credit: Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo

Andrea Fappani

Born: April 1, 1977 Residence: San Marcos, Calif.

Custom Cash Advance – 2006 Quarter Horse stallion owned by Silver Spurs Equine Andrea Fappani was born and raised in Italy, but moved to the U.S. in the 1990s. In 2006, Fappani reached National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Million Dollar status. He is the youngest rider and the first European ever to do so.

Fappani now rides under the American flag.

When Fappani relocated to the U.S., he spent five years

For The Chicks and Dreamy Little Sailor, respectively. Fappani and Stars For The Chicks scored another second-place finish in the CRI3* at the Kentucky Reining Cup. He began 2014 in a big way by winning the Sun Country CRI3* with Smoking Whiz. The pair then finished third in the CRI3* at the Kentucky Reining Cup, which served as the first round of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial. Following the second and final round of the Championship and Selection Trial, Fappani and Smoking Whiz ended up in fourth place and earned a spot on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad. He also finished in fifth place with Custom Cash Advance.

Fappani and his wife, Tish, have two sons, Luca and Jeremy. The Fappanis run a successful training and breeding business, Fappani Performance Horses, in San Marcos, Calif.

as an assistant to Todd Bergen, who also is a NRHA Million Dollar Rider. In 1997, he placed sixth in the Non Pro division at the NRHA Futurity.

In 2000, Fappani won the NRHA Futurity Intermediate Open Championship riding Hagans Sugarman. He became the first European rider to win the NRHA Futurity Open Championship in 2001 with RR Star.

At the 2004 NRHA Derby, Andrea was Co-Reserve 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Reining - Squad Dunnits Easter Bunny in 1994, for the first of eight times.

In 2002, Flarida represented the U.S. at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, on San Jo Freckles. He returned home a Team and Individual Gold medalist.

During 2004, Flarida again found success in Europe. He collected the World Reining Trophy Reserve Champion title, the Reining Challenge Open Championship in Kreuth, Germany, and the Americana Reserve title in Augsburg, Germany.

In 2006, Flarida began a streak of collecting both Champion and Reserve honors at the same show. At the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic, he won with Walla Walla Whiz and was second riding Western Whiz. That same year, he also won his first NRBC Championship on Einsteins Revolution.

2008 was a huge year for Flarida. He was the first person to win first and second at the National Reining Breeders Classic. Aboard Wimpys Little Chic, Flarida won the NRHA Futurity, the NRBC, and the NRHA Derby – the first time Photo Credit: Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo

Shawn Flarida

Born: April 30, 1969 Residence: Springfield, Ohio Spooks Gotta Whiz – 2007 Quarter Horse stallion owned by Michell Kimball Shawn Flarida knew from a very young age that he wanted to train horses. Upon graduating from high school in 1988, he went to work for his brother, Mike Flarida, who already was running a successful business as a reining trainer.

Flarida has won five NRHA Open Futurity championships, as well as eleven All-American Quarter Horse Congress Futurity titles. He is the all-time NRHA leading money earner, and the only NRHA Five Million Dollar Rider.

Throughout the 1990s, Flarida won many championships, including the NRHA Derby Limited Open Reserve Championship in 1991 and 1993. He won his first big paycheck when he was fifth in the NRHA Open Futurity on Peponitas Mr, and he won the All-American Quarter Horse Congress on

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this had ever been done. It was also in 2008 that Flarida became the first-ever NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider.

2009 played out to be another great year for Flarida, as he was second in the USEF National Championship on KR Lil Conquistador. The pair also won the CRI2* at the Kentucky Cup Reining event in July. On Smart Spook, Flarida won the CRI2* at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic.

Flarida claimed victory in the 2010 Adequan/USEF Open Reining Championships riding RC Fancy Step with a total score of 446.5. He was also seventh at the same competition on Wimpys Little Chic. Riding RC Fancy Step, Flarida completed the 2010 season by winning the Team Gold medal at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky. Flarida had outstanding 2011 and 2012 seasons. He started 2011 with a fifth-place finish at the National Reining Breeders Classic with KR Lil Conquistador, and nine days later the pair won the Kentucky Reining Cup CRI5*. Flarida returned to the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup on Wimps Chocolate Chip in 2012, piloting the horse to Flarida’s second straight victory at the event. He continued his winning ways at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic. With Shiners Chic, he won the USEF Open Qualifier and the 2012 Adequan/ USEF National Open Reining Championship.

Reining - Squad 2013 was another winning year for Flarida. Kicking things off at the Kentucky Reining Cup, he and Wimps Quixote Cody took top honors in the CRI3*. The pair’s score of 226.5 helped Team Ariat Boots win the Team CRI3* Open FEI Reining competition. Flarida returned to Kentucky in July and claimed another CRI3* victory with RC Fancy Step. The pair then took the All-American Quarter Horse Congress by storm, collecting another CRI3* win.

Flarida began 2014 in a big way at the Kentucky Reining Cup. With Spooks Gotta Whiz, he claimed his third consecutive win at the Kentucky Reining Cup, earning top honors in the CRI3*, which served as the first round of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial. To top off the weekend, Flarida maintained his excellent form in the second round and won the National Championship and Selection Trial, claiming the Adequan/ USEF Open Reining National Championship title and earning himself a spot on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad.

Flarida and his wife, Michelle, have three children, Cody, Courtney, and Sam. The family runs a successful training business in Springfield, Ohio.

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Reining - Squad CRI3*.

He began 2014 at the Kentucky Reining Cup. In the CRI3*, which served as the first round of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad, Heikes and Lil Gun Dunit were fifth. Following the second round, the pair finished sixth in the Championship and Selection Trial, earning themselves a place on the Squad.

Heikes and his wife, Andrea, own and operate Troy Heikes Quarter Horses.

Photo Credit: Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo

Troy Heikes

Born: July 12, 1964 Residence: Scottsdale, Ariz.

Lil Gun Dunit – 2006 Quarter Horse gelding owned by Denise Bixler and Steve Tarani Troy Heikes is a respected professional trainer with over $500,000 in lifetime NRHA earnings. He has made the finals of every major NRHA category-two event, including the NRHA Open Futurity, the NRHA Open Derby, the NRBC, CRBC, and the AQHA Congress Futurity. Troy also is a multiple APHA World Champion and AQHA World Show finalist, and has won the Kansas Sunflower Slide Futurity, the RMRHA Summerslide Futurity, and the CRBC Futurity.

Heikes owned and found great success with Jacs Electric Spark, an NRHA Open Futurity & Derby Finalist and NRBC Finalist, with over $85,000 in NRHA earnings.

Heikes scored top performances in 2013. At the NRBC he and Lil Gun Dunit were sixth in the USEF Open Reining class. The pair improved to fourth at NRHA Derby in the

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Reining - Squad an NRHA Judge.

In September 2008, Larson and Lena Gallo traveled to Manerbio, Italy, to be part of the U.S. team at the FEI World Reining Championships. Larson left Italy an Individual Gold and Team Silver medalist. He finished out the year with a second-place finish with Lena Gallo in the Open Reining class at the FEI World Reining Masters.

Larson was the 2009 APHA World Champion, riding Dolled Up Gunner. He also was second in the CRI at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic with Einsteins Revolution, and sixth with Moonshine N Juice in the Open Finals at the NRHA Futurity. Larson closed out 2009 with a 10th-place finish in the CRI2* at the AQHA World Championship Show with Ali Oops.

At the 2010 National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC), Larson and Make It With A Twist finished second in the CRI2*.

He scored a big win in 2013, taking top honors in the Photo Credit: Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo

Jordan Larson

Born: March 21, 1981 Residence: Whitesboro, Texas HF Mobster – 2008 Quarter Horse stallion owned by Heritage Farm Jordan Larson has always had a passion and love for horses and reining. He was homeschooled through high school, graduating early so he could begin his reining career by apprenticing for Doug Milholland in 1997.

In 2001, while working for Pete Kyle, Larson won his first major title, the NRHA Limited Open World Championship,

USEF Open Reining class with Custom Cash Advance at the NRBC. Larson has performed well in 2014. At Winter Slide, he was fifth with Shining Shoes in the Open Reining class.

Larson then traveled to the Kentucky Reining Cup with HF Mobster. The pair was fourth in in the CRI3*, which served as the first round of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad.

In the second round Larson and HF Mobster improved to a third-place finish, earning them a place on the U.S. Reining Squad for WEG. Larson and his wife, Taylor, who is also an NRHA professional, work together as a team in their business, Larson Performance Horses. Larson has three children, Hannah, Cash, and Chloe.

on Amber N Oak. In 2002, Larson took it his riding to the next level by stepping out on his own, moving to a facility in Whitesboro, Texas, that was built for him by his first clients.

By 2008, his winnings had topped $290,000 and for the previous two years he had been the youngest professional to be in the NRHA Top 20 standings. At the NRBC, he claimed the USEF Gold medal on Lena Gallo, as well as the $25,000 Open Title. Additionally, Larson recently became 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Reining - Squad 2011.

At the NRHA Futurity in 2003, McCutcheon and Booger Peppy Lena were fifth in the Non Pro Futurity Finals. She also placed 19th with Blow Pop in the same division. Also in 2003, McCutcheon and Blow Pop were Reserve Champions in the Non Pro Finals at the SWRHA Futurity.

In 2007, she became the first woman to reach NRHA Million Dollar Rider status.

At the high Roller Reining Classic in August of 2009, McCutcheon and I Spin For Chics were fifth in the CRI2*.

McCutcheon followed that result up in 2010 with a thirdplace finish on Mister Nicadual in the CRI* at the Cowboy Capital Classic.

In 2011 and 2012, she paired with Don Julio Whiz to take fifth in the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup CRI3* both years. In 2013, the pair was ninth in the CRI3* at the Kentcuky Reining Cup. 2014 has been a big year for McCutcheon. She and Yellow Photo Credit: Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo

Mandy McCutcheon

Born: October 20, 1976 Residence: Aubrey, Texas Yellow Jersey – 2004 Quarter Horse stallion owned by Tim and Colleen McQuay Mandy McCutcheon is part of American reining royalty.

Her father is world-famous reiner Tim McQuay, who not only is an NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider, but also a Team Gold and Individual Silver medalist from the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games and Team Gold medalist at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Mandy is also married to Tom McCutcheon, an NRHA Million Dollar Rider and Team and Individual Gold medalist from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. She has earned many accolades herself, being one of the industry’s leading riders as the only woman and Non Pro to surpass $2 Million in earnings, and was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in

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Jersey were second in the CRI3* at the Kentucky Reining Cup, which served as the first round of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial.

The pair took second-place honors once again in the second round to be named the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Reserve Champions and earn a spot on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad.

She is the first woman and Non Pro to ever represent the U.S. at a Reining World Championship.

With her husband, Tom, she has a son, Cade, and a daughter, Carlee.

Reining - Squad Futurity in October, winning the Open there as well.

In 2002, he was a member of the Gold medal-winning U.S. team at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. He also brought home the Individual Silver medal riding Conquistador Whiz.

In 2008, McCutcheon and Ruf Hearted Jac were members of the Silver medal-winning U.S. team at the FEI World Reining Championships in Manerbio, Italy. They were also eighth individually.

McCutcheon won the Individual and Team competitions on Darlins Not Painted at the 2009 Kentucky Cup CRIO4*.

He began 2010 with a second-place finish in the CRI2* at the Cowboy Capital Classic with Chexy Dun It. At the 2010 Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championships in July, McCutcheon rode Gunners Special Nite to the Reserve Champion title. In the fall, McCutcheon achieved the highlight of his career when he won Team and Individual Gold medals at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Photo Credit: Alleyn Evans for Shannon Brinkman Photo

Tom McCutcheon Born: March 27, 1967 Residence: Aubrey, Texas

Dun Git A Nicadual – 2008 Quarter Horse gelding owned by Jennifer Marley Listed as one of the reining world’s leading riders, Tom McCutcheon has NRHA lifetime earnings of more than $1 million, making him part of the elite group of million dollar riders. McCutcheon is a multiple NRHA Futurity finalist and has twice earned the NRHA Derby Open Reserve Championship, as well as being a four-time Gordyville Breeders Cup Open Reserve Champion. McCutcheon is a past National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Champion and is a twotime USEF Open Reining Champion. He has also been a finalist at every major NRHA event.

In 2001, McCutcheon rode Smartest Chic Olena to win the NRBC Open title. At the 2001 NRHA Open Futurity, he rode Sailin Ruf to a third-place finish out of 445 entries. The pair also won the Southwest Reining Horse Association’s

with Gunners Special Nite.

McCutcheon success continued into the new year where he finished seventh and 10th in the NRBC. On Chic Olena Starbuck, he placed fourth in the 2011 Kentucky Reining Cup CRI5*, before finishing the year with a second at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic.

In 2012, McCutcheon and Chic Olena Starbuck finished second at the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup CRI3*. At the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic the pair was sixth in the Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championship and the USEF Open Qualifier.

At the 2013 Kentucky Reining Cup, McCutcheon and Pretty Peppy Chic were third in the CRI3*. The pair also helped Team Cosequin to a third-place finish in the win the Team CRI3* Open FEI Reining competition.

McCutcheon began 2014 with a second-place finish in the NRBC Reining Open class aboard Dun Git A Nicadual.

The pair then traveled to the Kentucky Reining Cup where they finished seventh in the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial, earning a spot on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Squad.

McCutcheon is deeply rooted in the reining industry. He is married to fellow world-class reiner Mandy McCutcheon and his father-in-law is world-renowned reining competitor, 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Reining - Squad owner, and trainer Tim McQuay. McCutcheon is the owner of Tom McCutcheon Consulting Services, a worldwide consulting firm for the reining industry. In addition, he is co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NRBC, the largest added money reining event and stallion incentive program in history. He is also a member of the NRHA Professionals Committee.

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Reining - Staff medal-winning U.S. teams at the 2002 Nations Cup, the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, followed by the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

Petska owns and operates Petska Performance Horses and Whitesboro Equine Therapy out of Whiteboro, Texas, with his wife, Lisa, and their children, Chelsea and Tanner.

Photo Credit: Shannon Brinkman

Jeff Petska

Born: July 30, 1965 Residence: Whitesboro, Texas Chef d’Equipe Jeff Petska grew up in Nebraska, where he became involved in the equine industry on the college rodeo team at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. He then started with performance horses at the Pitzer Ranch in Nebraska.

His career continued under the employment of Carol Rose from 1990 to 1996.

Today, Jeff Petska is known for his many accomplishments in reining, including being an NRHA Open Futurity finalist, an AQHA World Champion, and an AQHA Reserve World Champion.

Petska currently serves as an NRHA judge, an AQHA judge, a board member of the NRHA, as well as chair and vice-chair of NRHA Professionals. Petska has been involved with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) since 2002, when he became the Chef d’Equipe for the Gold 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Reining - Staff

Photo Credit: USEF Archive

Leah Oliveto

Born: April 15, 1988 Residence: Lexington, Ky. Team Leader Leah Oliveto, a native of Tarpon Springs, Fla., spent her high school years competing in the Hunter/Jumper ring and working as a student at Fire Ant Farm under the direction of legendary trainer John Mann. Oliveto graduated with a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida, where she also rode on the Hunt Seat Team. Oliveto’s start at the USEF began as an intern in the Marketing Department in the summers of 2008 and 2009. She began full-time work for the Federation in 2010, assisting with the organization of the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North and working as a press officer for U.S. teams at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Oliveto made the move to the Sport Programs department in 2011, and works dually for the disciplines of Reining and Dressage.

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