- We Help Equine Businesses
Cutting Horses
Cutting is an equestrian sport showcasing the skills of the west with that of modern horsemanship, below you can see an example of the best cutting horses. If you would like to list your cutting horses for sale please email us at classifieds@stableexpress.com
Craig Schmersal is one of the youngest trainers on the NRHA`s top ten list, the 3rd all-time leading rider, and an NRHA Two Million Dollar rider. He finished 2009 as the NRHA`s third highest money earner for the year.
Craig has won numerous AQHA and NRHA Open World Championships. In 2004, Craig won the NRHA Open Derby on Commanders Nic. One of his early accomplishments was earning a position on the United States Equestrian Team. In 2002, the team competed in Jerez, Spain where they took home the Gold Medal for the United States. In 2005, Craig returned Spain to win the Gold Medal in the FEI World Reining Masters Open Division on Tidal Wave Jack, against a field of riders from 17 countries.
Craig`s goals include showing his Futurity horses where he has successfully proven himself to be one of the most competitive trainers bringing multiple horses every year to the Open finals.
In Feb 2010, riding Whizs Katrina, Craig won the Seminole Hard Rock Reining Derby, pushing his LTE over the $2M mark, making him only the third NRHA rider to earn that distinction.
In 2008 Schmersal and Mr. Dual Rey represented the United States at the FEI World Reining Championships in Manerbio, Italy, where they were team silver medalists in addition to also capturing the individual bronze Medal.
Mr. Dual Rey had another strong year in 2009 winning the Open Congress Championship at the AQHA Congress. This pair won the National Reining Breeders Classic in April. Schmersal and Mr. Dual Rey also went on to win the Adequan/USEF National Reining Open Championships presented by Equine Motorcoach for a second year in row.
Schmersal and Mr. Dual Rey represented the US at the FEI World Reining Masters in December of 2009 finishing in tenth place.
At the 2010 Hard Rock Reining Classic Schmersal won the Open Derby on Whiz`s Katrina. This win unofficially pushed his lifetime earnings over two millions dollars, this puts him in elite company as one of only three people to gain NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider status.
At the 2010 Adequan/USEF Open Reining Championships, Schmersal rode the Quarter Horse Stallion Boom Shernic to a third place finish. Craig also rode Mister Montana Nic to fifth place in the competition.
With Boom Shernic and Mister Montana Nic, Schmersal has been named to the nominated entry for the Adequan US Reining Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Craig and his wife Ginger have a ranch and a breeding and training facility in Overbrook, Oklahoma. Together they raise their four children and produce world-class reiners.
Northwest Florida Quarter Horse Assoc. Horse Show
The Northwest Florida Quarter Horse Association is holding a show on June 29, 30 and July 1st at the Escambia Equestrian Center in Pensacola, FL.
The show will start at 6pm on Friday and 9 am on Saturday and Sundays events will start on Saturday night at 6pm and then continue at 9am on Sunday
Some of the events covered are Barrels and Poles, Reining, Western Riding, Hunter and Equitation classes. The judges are Dan Moreland, James Rudolph and Mark Russell.
The Escambia Equestrian Center is located at 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola, Florida
“I came home from school one day in second grade and decided that I had had enough,” Shawn says with a laugh. “I didn’t see any point to learning anything more when I could spend my time a lot better in the barn! All I wanted to do was train horses, for as long as I can remember.”
Despite his lack of educational interest, Shawn graduated from high school in 1988 and went to work for his brother, Mike Flarida, who had an established and successful business as a reining trainer.
Shawn branched out on his own in 1989, and married his high school sweetheart, Michele in 1992. The couple now has three children, Cody, 15, Courtney, 8, and Sam, 6.
“I had eight clients,” Shawn said of his start in the horse training business. “I barely eked out a living, but I never doubted it was what I was meant to do!”
The Beginning
From the beginning, Shawn has seen success in the show pen. His first NRHA paycheck came in 1981, and they’ve gotten progressively bigger ever since. He rode Moores Generator in the Limited Non Pro division at a show in Old Washington, Ohio, for that first check, and continued his winning ways throughout high school. In 1988, he won sixth in the NRHA Limited Non Pro Futurity aboard Kings San Sara. That same year, Shawn graduated high school and began his career as a professional horse trainer.
To start out, Shawn went to work for his brother, Mike, also a reining trainer and two-time NRHA Futurity Champion. He spent six months there and decided, with the full support of Michele, to go out on his own. He leased a barn in Miamisburg, Ohio, and was on his way.
Since beginning his reining career as a youth, the All-America Quarter Horse Congress has been a staple in Shawn’s schedule. In 1994, he captured his first Congress Open Futurity Championship aboard Dunnits Easter Bunny, owned by John Essman.
Early on, Shawn was successful as a trainer. He took two horses to the 1990 NRHA Open Futurity finals, and in 1991 he won the NRHA Derby Limited Open Reserve Championship. That same year, he had two horses in the NRHA Limited Open Futurity and finished fourth and eighth on Pobres Pauls Peach and King O Lena, respectively. In 1992, he was back in the Open Futurity finals on Lenas Sparkle, and in 1993, he won his first big paycheck when he won fifth in the NRHA Open Futurity on Peponitas Mr, owned by John Essman.
Since that first win in 1994, Shawn has won the event a total of nine times, and finished as the reserve champion five times. He also has won more than 25 Congress Open event championships.
Major Milestones
In 2002, Shawn’s career hit another milestone when he qualified San Jo Freckles, owned by Michael Harper, for the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, riding for Team USA. Shawn captured the individual gold medal and helped his team, which included Craig Schmersal, Scott McCutcheon and Tom McCutcheon, also capture the team gold medal.
As the wins added up, so did Shawn’s NRHA rider earnings. In 2002, he added a big chunk of change to his record when he captured the prestigious NRHA Open Futurity title – his first – on Wimpys Little Step, owned by Mark Schols. The $175,000 paycheck for the win brought him inches away from becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, and in 2003, he became the third rider to earn that distinction, following NRHA Hall of Fame members Bill Horn and Tim McQuay.
After hitting the initial Million Dollar mark, Shawn’s career began an upward trajectory that just keeps growing. In 2004, he once again won the NRHA Open Futurity, this time on Rosanne Sternberg’s Smart Spook. He also earned major awards in Europe, including the World Reining Trophy reserve championship, the Reining Challenge Open championship in Kreuth, Germany, and another reserve title at the Americana in Augsburg, Germany.
The following year was another outstanding one for Shawn, as he once again captured the NRHA Open Futurity Championship, this time riding KR Lil Conquistador, owned by Cheree Kirkbride. Prior to that, he captured the NRHA Open Derby title on Smart Spook, and also won the Congress title on KR Lil Conquistador.
KR Lil Conquistador
By 2006, Shawn was not only in the habit of winning consistently, but also started capturing the top two spots at the shows. He did just that at both the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic with Walla Walla Whiz, owned by Arcese Quarter Horses, and Western Whiz, owned by Sammy Ely, and at the Congress Open Futurity with Senor Tejano Whiz and BR Sheza Cameo Jac, both owned by 4R Performance Horses. Earlier in the year, he also reached another elusive goal, winning his first NRBC Championship on Einsteins Revolution, owned by Wagner and Vandorp. He also finished as the Open Reserve Champion at the NRHA Derby on KR Lil Conquistador.With all the winnings adding up fast, it was no surprise that in late October 2006, Shawn hit another huge milestone – becoming just the second NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider, following Tim McQuay.
The following year was another whirlwind for Shawn. He began the year by riding KR Lil Conquistador to the Open title at the Wimpys Little Step Derby, and later won his second NRHA Derby title on Walla Walla Whiz. Again, he took top honors in Tulsa, winning first on Wimpys Little Chic, owned by Arcese, and second on RC Fancy Step, owned by Jimmy Pierce and Mark Schols. “RC” also captured the Congress Open Futurity for Shawn, making it his sixth win at the event. With a barnful of talented, athletic horses, Shawn headed to the 2007 NRHA Futurity with high hopes – and once again, he did not disappoint. Scoring a 231.5, “Lexi” stole the hearts of nearly everyone and helped Shawn capture his fourth NRHA Open Futurity Championship.
More to Come
As good as 2007 was for Shawn, 2008 was even better. After winning second at the Bill Horn Shootout in Ocala, Fla., he rolled into the Wimpys Little Step Derby in Murfreesboro, Tenn., with winning on his mind. RC Fancy Step stepped up to the plate, winning the event for him, while Walla Walla Whiz won second. KR Lil Conquistador also performed well at the event, winning fourth and becoming just the second horse in NRHA history to win more than $300,000.
And that was just the beginning.
Gordyville brought another set of first-second placings, with Western Whiz and Hollywoodgundunnit, owned by Arcese, taking home the open derby winnings. And at the NRBC, Flarida once again set major records, becoming the first rider to ever win first and second at the event. Wimpys Little Chic also saw a milestone at the event, becoming the first NRHA Futurity Champion to ever win the NRBC. “Lexi” scored a 233 for the championship, while RC Fancy Step finished second with a 231.5.
Wimpys Little Chic
It should come as no surprise that in 2008, Shawn was poised to make history once again. No horse had ever won the top three reining in the world – the NRHA Futurity, the NRBC and the NRHA Derby – that is, until Wimpys Little Chic and Shawn came on the scene. The pair slid into reining history after winning all three events with a score of more than 230 on each run.
At the 2008 NRHA Futurity, Shawn became the NRHA’s first-ever Three Million Dollar Rider.
The 2009 season once again kicked off with a bang, as Shawn again caputured the Open Derby title at the Wimpys Little Step Derby, held in Cloverdale, Ind. It was his second consecutive win at the event on 5-year-old RC Fancy Step, owned by Buffalo Ranch.
Gunnatrashya
At the 2009 NRBC, Flarida took both Wimpys Little Chic and RC Fancy Step to the finals, where he finished 2nd on the mare and tied for 3rd on the stallion. At the 2009 Derby, he once again dominated, this time winning the event for the fourth time on RC Fancy Step, with a score of 232.5. Wimpys Little Chic finished third with a 229.5, with her earnings putting her over the $400,000 in earnings – the first reining horse in history to do so.
Shawn capped off the year by once again capturing the All-American Quarter Horse Congress Futurity Championship and the NRHA Open Futurity title aboard Gunnatrashya. It was the third time in Shawn’s career that he captured both titles back-to-back, and only the fourth time in NRHA history that the feat has been accomplished. In fact, this was one of his winningest seasons to date, with $581,591.03 in earnings at the close of the show season.
The 2010 show season saw Shawn continue to put checks in the win column. He won the 2010 NRHA Derby aboard the incomparable Gunnatrashya with a big score of 235 and then won the USEF WEG Team selection trials just two weeks later aboard RC Fancy Step. He dominated most regional futurities in 2010 earning the win at the NCRHA futurity, the Dominy Plantation futurity, the Tulsa Classic John Deere Futurity, the Tradition futurity and his ninth Congress Open futurity. Aboard the ever reliable RC Fancy Step, Flarida was the high scoring rider in the WEG Team competition and lead Team USA to the Team gold medal. At the close of the 2010 NRHA futurity Shawn had earned over $116,000 at that one event and boosted his annual earnings to $423,403.18. In fact, at the futurity he became the first rider in NRHA history to have accumulated earnings in excess of $4 million dollars!
At point in his career where most would be slowing down, Shawn keeps his eye out for the next great prospect and hopes to shape it into his next champion. It is the desire to find and mold another champion that continues to drive this talented rider and trainer.
Despite his phenomonal success, Flarida can be counted on to remain his usual, humble self. Notoriously superstitious – and always showing in a green shirt – Shawn’s focus is on working hard at home and being the best horseman he can be. He is a dedicated family man, and his mom and dad, Bill and Betty Flarida, often travel with the family to shows.
“My dad is my best friend, and he’s a great horseman as well,” Shawn has said of his father, Bill. “My family is the most important thing in my life, and I know I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if it weren’t for the love and support of my wife as well. She’s sacrificed a lot for me and my career.”
As the three Flarida kids grow up, it’s likely that the tradition of great horsemanship will continue. Cody, currently a high school sophmore, is a scholar/athlete competing as a varsity wrestler and football player. Always very academically oriented, Cody is excelling in high school but also is making his mark as an athlete. He started wresting and playing football in middle school and has applied the notorius “Flarida intensity” to his studies as well as sports. As a freshman at Shawnee, Cody started on the Junior Varsity team and was also a member of the Varsity team. Both teams made it to the playoffs and Cody was an integral part of their success. With football season over, his focus has turned to wrestling and the season will be in full swing after the holidays.
Courtney is member of the Lady Rams cheer squad and can be found leading her team to victory some top flight cheering. In fact, the Lady Rams took second place in a cheer competition this fall. As the youngest, Sammy, is probably the one most likely to follow in the family business. When he’s not wrestling, Sam can usually be found in the barn. For the last year he has been riding “Whitey” and has decided that it is now time for him to head to the show pen. “He knows the pattern already and is just waiting for the nod from his mother,” Shawn said. “He is definitely interested in riding and has just started talking about showing this year.” . “He told Michele once that he wants to be a cowboy when he grows up,” Shawn shared. “But he wants to be ‘better than Daddy.’ He probably will be!”
Of course a family with interests as diverse as the Flarida’s needs a coordinator to make sure everything stays organized. Without Shawn’s wife, Michele, every member of the family freely admits that it would be chaos! Michele not only takes care of the daily business needs, she keeps Shawn’s daily schedule under control. In addition, she is a busy mother of three active children. Between football, wrestling and cheerleading practice and all the booster necessites, Michele is always on the run. Then throw in several horse shows a month and a 40 stall training barn, it’s hard to figure out how she manages it all. But she does, and with a big smile!
Stop the Flow is a 14.2 hand stallion by Mr Peponita Flo. Mr Peponita Flo`s NCHA lte`s are 42,000+, and he has produced numerous NCHA money earners--including Shakin Flo (the 1998 NCHA Horse of the Year LTE`s of 400,000+), Mo Flo Stop the Flow is 7/8 brother to Shakin Flo and a full brother to Mac E Cheese (LTE`s 10,000+). Stop the Flow`s dam is Lynx Centerfold, an NCHA producer. Stop the Flow has never been shown due to an injury as a weanling.
His pedigree makes him good...his athletic ability, conformation and disposition make him great!
Sire of: Wheres yer Daddy (aka No Spot Leopard), is owned and ridden by Debbie Patterson. (Two time NCHA Non-Pro World Champion). Wheres yer Daddy is the winner of 20,000+ with limited showing!!
Breeding fee $500
Chute fee $200
P.O. Box 774 | 28 W Frontage Road| Wheatland, WY 82201 | wyodvm@yahoo.com
Matt Crumrine
As a professional trainer, Matt Crumrine has won many titles throughout his career. He has also earned multiple NRHA bronzes, pewters and plaques. Following are just a few of his accomplishments:
Tammy Crumrine & Tanger Rey And Seven, Matt Crumrine & Shorty Lena`s Promise
2002 - SWRHA Year End Open Reserve Champion
2002 - 4th in the Nation, AQHA Jr. Reining pts. earned
1999 - SWRHA Year End Open & Ltd. Open Champion
1998 - OQHA Jr. Reining Champion
1997 - OQHA Jr. Reining Champion
1997 - Appaloosa National Jr. Western Riding Champion
1997 - Paint Congress Cow Horse Champion
1997 - Pinto National Reining Champion
1995 - OQHA Jr. & Sr. Reining Champion
Tammy Crumrine`s accomplishments include:
2001 - RMHRA Summer Slide Rookie Champion
1991 - 2 Yr. Old Snaffle Bit Reserve Champion
1991 - Buckskin World Jr. Pleasure Reserve Champion
CRHA Open Circuit Champion; Del Mar National Champion Hi-Point Paint; California Top 10.
Peppy San Rainbow stands for $750.00. Plus a non-refundable $250.00 booking fee for 2000.
There is a $150.00 shipped semen fee per shipment. A.I. Breeding Only.
We offer discounts only through January 31, 1999!
"Breeding paint reining and cutting performance prospects"
For additional information please call (760) 788-7547 or email: Stellar Winds Ranch
Glo N Guns - 2001 filly by Gunslinger Chic X Mr Joe Glo mare. Filly is eligible for the NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby, National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) and AQHA Incentive Fund.
Laura Sumrall - RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining at the National Western Stock Show
We design a program for each individual starting with quality nutrition, vet care, farrier, and of course training. Every aspect of their care is taken seriously and considered foremost. With these components addressed an individual can excel and reach their full potential.
In addition we also offer an individually tailored program for Non-pros and their horses. We try to develop a fun, friendly and competitive atmosphere where non-pros can learn and enjoy the sport of reining.
The Members of our successful team:
Al Kuenzli - Trainer / Member NRHA Professionals Committee
Tina Kuenzli - NRHA Judge
Idaho Equine Hospital - Stuart Shoemaker DVM & Staff
Attending Veterinarian - Otto Stanislaw DVM
Al & Tina Kuenzli 29015 N. 53rd St. Cave Creek, Arizona 85331
480-513-7654
480-513-7655 fax
480-678-5544 Al Cell
480-678-5533 Tina Cell
Special Nu Baby & Matt Gaines - Cutting World Record!
Special Nu Baby and Matt Gaines marked a 234 to win the Mercuria/NCHA World Series of Cutting Open at the El Rancho Futurity, tying cutting`s world record.
Not Your Average Joe
One Time Royalty
Craig Schmersal
A well respected rider and trainer of reining horses Craig Schmersal has won over 3,000,000 dollars in his career. Career highlights includes victory in the 2010 NRBC Open Derby Classic, Craig was also a member of the American team at the world equestrian games winning a team silver. Below you can watch Craig Schmersal riding Boom Shernic.Craig has won numerous AQHA and NRHA Open World Championships. In 2004, Craig won the NRHA Open Derby on Commanders Nic. One of his early accomplishments was earning a position on the United States Equestrian Team. In 2002, the team competed in Jerez, Spain where they took home the Gold Medal for the United States. In 2005, Craig returned Spain to win the Gold Medal in the FEI World Reining Masters Open Division on Tidal Wave Jack, against a field of riders from 17 countries.
Craig`s goals include showing his Futurity horses where he has successfully proven himself to be one of the most competitive trainers bringing multiple horses every year to the Open finals.
In Feb 2010, riding Whizs Katrina, Craig won the Seminole Hard Rock Reining Derby, pushing his LTE over the $2M mark, making him only the third NRHA rider to earn that distinction.
Craig Schmersal
Born: July 22, 1972 Residence: Overbrook, Oklahoma :- Craig Schmersal is one of the most successful horse trainers and showmen in the sport of reining. Craig is one the youngest trainers on the NRHA’s top ten list, the 6th all-time leading rider, and a NRHA Two Million Dollar rider. Craig has won numerous AQHA and NRHA Open World Championships. One of his most exciting accomplishments to date is earning a position on the United States Equestrian Team. In 2002, the team competed in Jerez, Spain where they took home the Gold Medal for the United States.In 2008 Schmersal and Mr. Dual Rey represented the United States at the FEI World Reining Championships in Manerbio, Italy, where they were team silver medalists in addition to also capturing the individual bronze Medal.
Mr. Dual Rey had another strong year in 2009 winning the Open Congress Championship at the AQHA Congress. This pair won the National Reining Breeders Classic in April. Schmersal and Mr. Dual Rey also went on to win the Adequan/USEF National Reining Open Championships presented by Equine Motorcoach for a second year in row.
Schmersal and Mr. Dual Rey represented the US at the FEI World Reining Masters in December of 2009 finishing in tenth place.
At the 2010 Hard Rock Reining Classic Schmersal won the Open Derby on Whiz`s Katrina. This win unofficially pushed his lifetime earnings over two millions dollars, this puts him in elite company as one of only three people to gain NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider status.
At the 2010 Adequan/USEF Open Reining Championships, Schmersal rode the Quarter Horse Stallion Boom Shernic to a third place finish. Craig also rode Mister Montana Nic to fifth place in the competition.
With Boom Shernic and Mister Montana Nic, Schmersal has been named to the nominated entry for the Adequan US Reining Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Craig and his wife Ginger have a ranch and a breeding and training facility in Overbrook, Oklahoma. Together they raise their four children and produce world-class reiners.
Craig Schmersal Horses
Craig Schmersal Competition Results
Sabrina Zangerle
Sabrina Zangerle is a Reining rider from Germany, based in Furth, Hessen. Help us expand our rider profile please email us at info@stableexpress.com to help us grow our reining section of the website.Northwest Florida Quarter Horse Assoc. Horse Show
The Northwest Florida Quarter Horse Association is holding a show on June 29, 30 and July 1st at the Escambia Equestrian Center in Pensacola, FL.
The show will start at 6pm on Friday and 9 am on Saturday and Sundays events will start on Saturday night at 6pm and then continue at 9am on Sunday
Some of the events covered are Barrels and Poles, Reining, Western Riding, Hunter and Equitation classes. The judges are Dan Moreland, James Rudolph and Mark Russell.
The Escambia Equestrian Center is located at 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola, Florida
Shawn Flarida
In a sport that is quickly taking the center stage spotlight around the world, Shawn Flarida is the sport’s superstar. He is the NRHA’s all-time leading money earner, and the first-ever Four Million Dollar Rider. Shawn has five NRHA Open Futurity championships to his name, and has won the All-American Quarter Horse Congress nine times.Despite his enviable resume, Shawn doesn’t let the winning go to his head. Known for his mischievous grin and affable personality, Shawn is known throughout the industry for his humility and unmatched work ethic. Shawn began his career as a youth, and knew from a very early age what he wanted to do when he grew up.“I came home from school one day in second grade and decided that I had had enough,” Shawn says with a laugh. “I didn’t see any point to learning anything more when I could spend my time a lot better in the barn! All I wanted to do was train horses, for as long as I can remember.”
Despite his lack of educational interest, Shawn graduated from high school in 1988 and went to work for his brother, Mike Flarida, who had an established and successful business as a reining trainer.
Shawn branched out on his own in 1989, and married his high school sweetheart, Michele in 1992. The couple now has three children, Cody, 15, Courtney, 8, and Sam, 6.
“I had eight clients,” Shawn said of his start in the horse training business. “I barely eked out a living, but I never doubted it was what I was meant to do!”
The Beginning
From the beginning, Shawn has seen success in the show pen. His first NRHA paycheck came in 1981, and they’ve gotten progressively bigger ever since. He rode Moores Generator in the Limited Non Pro division at a show in Old Washington, Ohio, for that first check, and continued his winning ways throughout high school. In 1988, he won sixth in the NRHA Limited Non Pro Futurity aboard Kings San Sara. That same year, Shawn graduated high school and began his career as a professional horse trainer.
To start out, Shawn went to work for his brother, Mike, also a reining trainer and two-time NRHA Futurity Champion. He spent six months there and decided, with the full support of Michele, to go out on his own. He leased a barn in Miamisburg, Ohio, and was on his way.
Since beginning his reining career as a youth, the All-America Quarter Horse Congress has been a staple in Shawn’s schedule. In 1994, he captured his first Congress Open Futurity Championship aboard Dunnits Easter Bunny, owned by John Essman.
Early on, Shawn was successful as a trainer. He took two horses to the 1990 NRHA Open Futurity finals, and in 1991 he won the NRHA Derby Limited Open Reserve Championship. That same year, he had two horses in the NRHA Limited Open Futurity and finished fourth and eighth on Pobres Pauls Peach and King O Lena, respectively. In 1992, he was back in the Open Futurity finals on Lenas Sparkle, and in 1993, he won his first big paycheck when he won fifth in the NRHA Open Futurity on Peponitas Mr, owned by John Essman.
Since that first win in 1994, Shawn has won the event a total of nine times, and finished as the reserve champion five times. He also has won more than 25 Congress Open event championships.
Major Milestones
In 2002, Shawn’s career hit another milestone when he qualified San Jo Freckles, owned by Michael Harper, for the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, riding for Team USA. Shawn captured the individual gold medal and helped his team, which included Craig Schmersal, Scott McCutcheon and Tom McCutcheon, also capture the team gold medal.
As the wins added up, so did Shawn’s NRHA rider earnings. In 2002, he added a big chunk of change to his record when he captured the prestigious NRHA Open Futurity title – his first – on Wimpys Little Step, owned by Mark Schols. The $175,000 paycheck for the win brought him inches away from becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, and in 2003, he became the third rider to earn that distinction, following NRHA Hall of Fame members Bill Horn and Tim McQuay.
After hitting the initial Million Dollar mark, Shawn’s career began an upward trajectory that just keeps growing. In 2004, he once again won the NRHA Open Futurity, this time on Rosanne Sternberg’s Smart Spook. He also earned major awards in Europe, including the World Reining Trophy reserve championship, the Reining Challenge Open championship in Kreuth, Germany, and another reserve title at the Americana in Augsburg, Germany.
The following year was another outstanding one for Shawn, as he once again captured the NRHA Open Futurity Championship, this time riding KR Lil Conquistador, owned by Cheree Kirkbride. Prior to that, he captured the NRHA Open Derby title on Smart Spook, and also won the Congress title on KR Lil Conquistador.
KR Lil Conquistador
By 2006, Shawn was not only in the habit of winning consistently, but also started capturing the top two spots at the shows. He did just that at both the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic with Walla Walla Whiz, owned by Arcese Quarter Horses, and Western Whiz, owned by Sammy Ely, and at the Congress Open Futurity with Senor Tejano Whiz and BR Sheza Cameo Jac, both owned by 4R Performance Horses. Earlier in the year, he also reached another elusive goal, winning his first NRBC Championship on Einsteins Revolution, owned by Wagner and Vandorp. He also finished as the Open Reserve Champion at the NRHA Derby on KR Lil Conquistador.With all the winnings adding up fast, it was no surprise that in late October 2006, Shawn hit another huge milestone – becoming just the second NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider, following Tim McQuay.
The following year was another whirlwind for Shawn. He began the year by riding KR Lil Conquistador to the Open title at the Wimpys Little Step Derby, and later won his second NRHA Derby title on Walla Walla Whiz. Again, he took top honors in Tulsa, winning first on Wimpys Little Chic, owned by Arcese, and second on RC Fancy Step, owned by Jimmy Pierce and Mark Schols. “RC” also captured the Congress Open Futurity for Shawn, making it his sixth win at the event. With a barnful of talented, athletic horses, Shawn headed to the 2007 NRHA Futurity with high hopes – and once again, he did not disappoint. Scoring a 231.5, “Lexi” stole the hearts of nearly everyone and helped Shawn capture his fourth NRHA Open Futurity Championship.
More to Come
As good as 2007 was for Shawn, 2008 was even better. After winning second at the Bill Horn Shootout in Ocala, Fla., he rolled into the Wimpys Little Step Derby in Murfreesboro, Tenn., with winning on his mind. RC Fancy Step stepped up to the plate, winning the event for him, while Walla Walla Whiz won second. KR Lil Conquistador also performed well at the event, winning fourth and becoming just the second horse in NRHA history to win more than $300,000.
And that was just the beginning.
Gordyville brought another set of first-second placings, with Western Whiz and Hollywoodgundunnit, owned by Arcese, taking home the open derby winnings. And at the NRBC, Flarida once again set major records, becoming the first rider to ever win first and second at the event. Wimpys Little Chic also saw a milestone at the event, becoming the first NRHA Futurity Champion to ever win the NRBC. “Lexi” scored a 233 for the championship, while RC Fancy Step finished second with a 231.5.
Wimpys Little Chic
It should come as no surprise that in 2008, Shawn was poised to make history once again. No horse had ever won the top three reining in the world – the NRHA Futurity, the NRBC and the NRHA Derby – that is, until Wimpys Little Chic and Shawn came on the scene. The pair slid into reining history after winning all three events with a score of more than 230 on each run.
At the 2008 NRHA Futurity, Shawn became the NRHA’s first-ever Three Million Dollar Rider.
The 2009 season once again kicked off with a bang, as Shawn again caputured the Open Derby title at the Wimpys Little Step Derby, held in Cloverdale, Ind. It was his second consecutive win at the event on 5-year-old RC Fancy Step, owned by Buffalo Ranch.
Gunnatrashya
At the 2009 NRBC, Flarida took both Wimpys Little Chic and RC Fancy Step to the finals, where he finished 2nd on the mare and tied for 3rd on the stallion. At the 2009 Derby, he once again dominated, this time winning the event for the fourth time on RC Fancy Step, with a score of 232.5. Wimpys Little Chic finished third with a 229.5, with her earnings putting her over the $400,000 in earnings – the first reining horse in history to do so.
Shawn capped off the year by once again capturing the All-American Quarter Horse Congress Futurity Championship and the NRHA Open Futurity title aboard Gunnatrashya. It was the third time in Shawn’s career that he captured both titles back-to-back, and only the fourth time in NRHA history that the feat has been accomplished. In fact, this was one of his winningest seasons to date, with $581,591.03 in earnings at the close of the show season.
The 2010 show season saw Shawn continue to put checks in the win column. He won the 2010 NRHA Derby aboard the incomparable Gunnatrashya with a big score of 235 and then won the USEF WEG Team selection trials just two weeks later aboard RC Fancy Step. He dominated most regional futurities in 2010 earning the win at the NCRHA futurity, the Dominy Plantation futurity, the Tulsa Classic John Deere Futurity, the Tradition futurity and his ninth Congress Open futurity. Aboard the ever reliable RC Fancy Step, Flarida was the high scoring rider in the WEG Team competition and lead Team USA to the Team gold medal. At the close of the 2010 NRHA futurity Shawn had earned over $116,000 at that one event and boosted his annual earnings to $423,403.18. In fact, at the futurity he became the first rider in NRHA history to have accumulated earnings in excess of $4 million dollars!
At point in his career where most would be slowing down, Shawn keeps his eye out for the next great prospect and hopes to shape it into his next champion. It is the desire to find and mold another champion that continues to drive this talented rider and trainer.
Despite his phenomonal success, Flarida can be counted on to remain his usual, humble self. Notoriously superstitious – and always showing in a green shirt – Shawn’s focus is on working hard at home and being the best horseman he can be. He is a dedicated family man, and his mom and dad, Bill and Betty Flarida, often travel with the family to shows.
“My dad is my best friend, and he’s a great horseman as well,” Shawn has said of his father, Bill. “My family is the most important thing in my life, and I know I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if it weren’t for the love and support of my wife as well. She’s sacrificed a lot for me and my career.”
As the three Flarida kids grow up, it’s likely that the tradition of great horsemanship will continue. Cody, currently a high school sophmore, is a scholar/athlete competing as a varsity wrestler and football player. Always very academically oriented, Cody is excelling in high school but also is making his mark as an athlete. He started wresting and playing football in middle school and has applied the notorius “Flarida intensity” to his studies as well as sports. As a freshman at Shawnee, Cody started on the Junior Varsity team and was also a member of the Varsity team. Both teams made it to the playoffs and Cody was an integral part of their success. With football season over, his focus has turned to wrestling and the season will be in full swing after the holidays.
Courtney is member of the Lady Rams cheer squad and can be found leading her team to victory some top flight cheering. In fact, the Lady Rams took second place in a cheer competition this fall. As the youngest, Sammy, is probably the one most likely to follow in the family business. When he’s not wrestling, Sam can usually be found in the barn. For the last year he has been riding “Whitey” and has decided that it is now time for him to head to the show pen. “He knows the pattern already and is just waiting for the nod from his mother,” Shawn said. “He is definitely interested in riding and has just started talking about showing this year.” . “He told Michele once that he wants to be a cowboy when he grows up,” Shawn shared. “But he wants to be ‘better than Daddy.’ He probably will be!”
Of course a family with interests as diverse as the Flarida’s needs a coordinator to make sure everything stays organized. Without Shawn’s wife, Michele, every member of the family freely admits that it would be chaos! Michele not only takes care of the daily business needs, she keeps Shawn’s daily schedule under control. In addition, she is a busy mother of three active children. Between football, wrestling and cheerleading practice and all the booster necessites, Michele is always on the run. Then throw in several horse shows a month and a 40 stall training barn, it’s hard to figure out how she manages it all. But she does, and with a big smile!
Shawn Flarida Horses
Shawn Flarida Competition Results
Stop the Flow - 1995 Bay Stallion
Mr Peponita Flo X Lynx Centerfold (Doc`s Lynx X Freckles Twist)Stop the Flow is a 14.2 hand stallion by Mr Peponita Flo. Mr Peponita Flo`s NCHA lte`s are 42,000+, and he has produced numerous NCHA money earners--including Shakin Flo (the 1998 NCHA Horse of the Year LTE`s of 400,000+), Mo Flo Stop the Flow is 7/8 brother to Shakin Flo and a full brother to Mac E Cheese (LTE`s 10,000+). Stop the Flow`s dam is Lynx Centerfold, an NCHA producer. Stop the Flow has never been shown due to an injury as a weanling.
His pedigree makes him good...his athletic ability, conformation and disposition make him great!
Sire of: Wheres yer Daddy (aka No Spot Leopard), is owned and ridden by Debbie Patterson. (Two time NCHA Non-Pro World Champion). Wheres yer Daddy is the winner of 20,000+ with limited showing!!
Breeding fee $500
Chute fee $200
P.O. Box 774 | 28 W Frontage Road| Wheatland, WY 82201 | wyodvm@yahoo.com
Will Letner
Will Letner - USA - Reining | Gunna Hit the Lights ridden by Will Letner - 2016 NRHA Derby (Open Derby, Sec. 2)As a professional trainer, Matt Crumrine has won many titles throughout his career. He has also earned multiple NRHA bronzes, pewters and plaques. Following are just a few of his accomplishments:
Tammy Crumrine & Tanger Rey And Seven, Matt Crumrine & Shorty Lena`s Promise
2002 - SWRHA Year End Open Reserve Champion
2002 - 4th in the Nation, AQHA Jr. Reining pts. earned
1999 - SWRHA Year End Open & Ltd. Open Champion
1998 - OQHA Jr. Reining Champion
1997 - OQHA Jr. Reining Champion
1997 - Appaloosa National Jr. Western Riding Champion
1997 - Paint Congress Cow Horse Champion
1997 - Pinto National Reining Champion
1995 - OQHA Jr. & Sr. Reining Champion
Tammy Crumrine`s accomplishments include:
2001 - RMHRA Summer Slide Rookie Champion
1991 - 2 Yr. Old Snaffle Bit Reserve Champion
1991 - Buckskin World Jr. Pleasure Reserve Champion
Peppy San Rainbow
APHA World Top 10: 1996 Reining Sweepstakes 7th, Freestyle 3rd; ROM Reining; NRHA Money Earner;CRHA Open Circuit Champion; Del Mar National Champion Hi-Point Paint; California Top 10.
Peppy San Rainbow stands for $750.00. Plus a non-refundable $250.00 booking fee for 2000.
There is a $150.00 shipped semen fee per shipment. A.I. Breeding Only.
We offer discounts only through January 31, 1999!
"Breeding paint reining and cutting performance prospects"
For additional information please call (760) 788-7547 or email: Stellar Winds Ranch
Adi Wagner
Adi Wagner - Germany - ReiningRudi Kronsteiner
Rudi Kronsteiner is an Austrian reining rider, In 2010 Rudi Kronsteiner competed at the world championships with his horse Einsteins Revolution, his team finished in fourth place. Below you can watch Rudi kronsteiner in action riding AB Peppy Diamond.Nick Dowers
Raised on a cattle ranch, Nick Dowers is a rider who was a natural born cowboy with a proven track record producing reining horses, below you can watch Nick Dowers riding Time For The Diamond.Susanne Wolters
Susanne Wolters - Germany - Horse Reining |Glo N Guns - 2001 filly by Gunslinger Chic X Mr Joe Glo mare. Filly is eligible for the NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby, National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) and AQHA Incentive Fund.
Shirley Schalcher
Shirley Schalcher from Switzerland competes in Reining and western riding, please help us expand our rider profile, please email us at info@stableexpress.com. We are looking for video`s and images of Shirley Schalcher to grow her rider profile.
Laura Sumrall - RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining at the National Western Stock Show
Kuenzli Reining Horses - St. Cave Creek, Arizona
Kuenzli Reining Horses specialises in Futurity Horses and Aged Event Horses. We believe a successful training program requires talented horses, time, patience and the understanding that each horse is an individual. Every horse has their own strengths and weaknesses as well as their own unique style. In order to reach a horse and rider team`s maximum performance level, you must be sensitive to their individual needs.We design a program for each individual starting with quality nutrition, vet care, farrier, and of course training. Every aspect of their care is taken seriously and considered foremost. With these components addressed an individual can excel and reach their full potential.
In addition we also offer an individually tailored program for Non-pros and their horses. We try to develop a fun, friendly and competitive atmosphere where non-pros can learn and enjoy the sport of reining.
The Members of our successful team:
Al Kuenzli - Trainer / Member NRHA Professionals Committee
Tina Kuenzli - NRHA Judge
Idaho Equine Hospital - Stuart Shoemaker DVM & Staff
Attending Veterinarian - Otto Stanislaw DVM
Al & Tina Kuenzli 29015 N. 53rd St. Cave Creek, Arizona 85331
480-513-7654
480-513-7655 fax
480-678-5544 Al Cell
480-678-5533 Tina Cell
