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The High Roller Reining Classic celebrated its 10th Anniversary in style at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The huge event is known for its fun-loving enthusiastic riders, talented horses, great prizes and of course the South Point’s fantastic facility. Constructed in 2006, this venue has quickly become a favorite among equestrians, and is easily recognized as the nicest indoor facility in the country. The venue could not be more perfect for the world renowned High Roller Reining Classic. Its exhibitors and spectators attend from all over the World. In its short history, it hasn’t taken long for the High Roller to reach #4 on the National Reining Horses Association’s list of Top Events worldwide. Avid reining fans from as far away as Thailand, Japan, the Netherlands, Australia and the United Kingdom have all enjoyed what the High Roller has to offer, from watching the exciting competition, shopping at the western trade show, and all the excitement the city of Las Vegas has to offer.

The tenth anniversary did not disappoint, presenting the largest entry participation since its inception. “Coming into the event this year we were getting close to selling out stalls,” states Amanda Brumley, event producer and President of Brumley Management Group, LLC. “We were all really happy with the numbers going into the event. It was a good sign that this year was going to top them all!” The best of the best came to Las Vegas and horses from as far away as Ohio, New York and North Carolina were in attendance.

Competition got underway with the Youth Tournament of Champions and the Rookie and Green High Point Circuits. Before the youth competed, the annual social bowling event was held in the South Point Bowling Center were young equestrians enjoyed three games of bowling followed by the Youth Tournament of Champions team draw. After they had their first day of tough competition, the youth participated in a judging seminar hosted by NRHA Judge Steve Ross. “The turnout was great,” comments Ross. “I wasn’t sure at first if the kids would show up, but the room was packed and even had people standing in the back. I think the pizza was a big hit too,” laughs Ross. The parents were extremely grateful for their kids to have the opportunity to learn so much. “So many parents came to me expressing their appreciation for this fantastic learning opportunity,” comments Wilson-Hammer.

The Markel Youth Tournament of Champions paid out several thousand dollars in scholarships to the team and individual winners in addition to the beautiful gold, silver and bronze custom medallions. Anna Clausen riding FS Taris Walla Whiz, (Topsail Whiz x Shiney Walla Wanda) captured the Youth 13 & Under High Point Circuit and Shelby Clausen with her mount Smart Tinseltown, (Smart Spook x Tinseltown Lil Step) won the Youth 14-18 High Point Circuit Championship.

Competition was huge in the Rookie and Green divisions! Over one hundred horses competed for the coveted awards. The Desert Reining Horse Association (DRHA) Rookie High Point Champion Gloria Grove riding Heza Hollywood Legend (Custom Legend x LS Hollywood Chic) bested all the other exhibitors to the win.

Another of the event’s largest classes was the Limited Non Pro with over one hundred in the draw. Kylie Robinson and Wimpys Tonnob (Wimpys Little Step x Powder Playgirl) achieved the Limited Non Pro High Point Championship. Tabitha Sternberg and FS Gunner Got Lucky (Gunner x My Lucky Moonstone) gave it her all to win the Reserve High Point Championship.

Kim Muehlstaetter riding Spooks Grand Slam (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Shiney Diamond Lady) repeated her win from Reining by the Bay to take the Level 4 Championship earning $3,971.53. Kylie Warn riding Lenas Shining Gun (Gunners Special Nite x SL Lenas Chick) swept the competition taking reserve in the Level 4 and tying to win the Level 2 and 3 with Jennifer Gilliam and Chexy And Smart (Smart Like Juice x Whiz Out Chex). Level 1 Champion went to Robyn Schiller and Magnanimous (Magnum Chic Dream x Roxana Chex).

Casey Deary and his ‘routine’ of “eating a big piece of chocolate cake from the South Point Hotel’s Del Mar Deli” proved to once again put him in the winner’s circle, not on just one, but two horses. Deary repeated his 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015 High Roller Reining Classic Open Futurity wins to claim the championship again in the Level 4 Tamarack Ranch Open Futurity aboard Lonely At The Top (Gunner x Wimpys Little Chic) scoring 221.5 for owners Curtis Performance Horses and a paycheck of $15,318.00. He also took the reserve title aboard Tinker With Dreams (Tinker With Guns x This Chicsdundreamin) scoring 220.5 for owner Rhodes River Ranch winning $9,324.00. Danny Tremblay competed for the first time at the High Roller Reining Classic. Tremblay won the Level 3 on StarlightsNDiamonds (Whizkey N Diamonds x Starlights Sugarwhiz) for owners High Hope Farm. Dan Huss and Xtra Prettycocktail (Wimpyneedsacocktail x Prettywhizprettydoes) scored a 217.5 to win the Level 2. Laura Johnson’s Splash Big Time (Shine Big Time x Nu Magnolia Chex) won the Level 1 with rider Chuy Chavez.

Youth rider Shelby Clauson has had a stellar year aboard Smart Tinseltown (Smart Spook x Tinseltown Lil Step. Clauson swept the SmartPak Non Pro Maturity Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 wining every division with the score of 150.50. Michael Garnett aboard Blo Gun (Gunner x The Hot Jewel) were Champions in the Prime Time. Ann Westlund marked a 143.50 on her mount Gettin Magnumtized and won the Masters division.

A fun break in the regular competitive schedule was created by the Pony Pal Trainer Races and brought laughs from everyone once again this year. As an idea to raise funds for the Markel Youth Scholarship Program at High Roller producer Amanda Brumley purchased the ‘ponies’ for trainers to race. The Calcutta auction prior to the races pays the trainers ‘buyer’ a percentage of the money while the balance goes to the scholarship program. “As a show producer I always look for ways to raise money for the scholarships,” comments Brumley. Jordan McBurney repeated her 2016 win and remains undefeated Pony Pal Trainer Races Champion. Her buyer, Jean Rhodes was very happy with her purchase, pocketing some cash for the win.

Cade McCutcheon riding Custom Made Gun (Gunner x Custom Made Dunit) owned by McQuay Stables tied William Rhoads and Mega Maggie Mae (Magnum Chic Dream x Cinco De Mega) for the championship of the Level 4 Derby. Mandy McCutcheon rode Bailys Not Painted (Gunners Special Nite x Darlins Not Painted) won the Level 4 Stakes.

Nick Schmersal on his home bred Gold Digging Dunnit (Pale Face Dunnit x Dun It Reining) won the Level 1 and 2 Derby and won the Level 1 and 2 Stakes divisions. Michael Garnett on board Hollywood Nites (Gunners Special Nite x Dun It For Chex) and Tish Fappani riding Spooks N Jewels (Smart Spook x Whiz Jewels) went head to head both scoring 222 tying fourth in the Level 4 Derby, co-champions Level 3 Derby, tying reserve Level 4 Stakes, and once again co-champions Level 3 Stakes. Also, Garnett was champion aboard Hollywood Nites and reserve in the Prime Time NP Derby, reserve on his second horse Snoop Around (Walla Walla Whiz x Sneaking Out Tonight).

It took a minimum of a 222 to get a paycheck in the Level 4 Lucas Oil Open Derby and a 221 in the Whizkey N Diamonds 4 Year Old Stakes. One awesome run after another wowed the crowd. When the dust settled, a score of 230 grabbed the Level 4 Open Derby. Jordan Larson riding ARC Gunnabeabigstar (Gunnatrashya x Wimpys Little Chic), owned by HDC Quarter Horses, claimed the Level 4 Derby Championship. Thiago Boechat rode Ruf Lil Magnum (Magnum Chic Dream x Dunit A Lil Ruf) to a 223.50 to the championship in the Level 3 Derby. Abby Lengel showed ARC Gunna Mark Ya (Gunnatrashya x Shiney Miss Marker) to the championship in the Level 2 Derby for owner Jody Puno. Trent Harvey and Baileys Sidekick (Gunners Special Nite x A Shining Sidekick) tied Colin Fitzpatrick riding Shiney Chexy Chic (Shine Chic Shine x TH Great Big Chex) for the Level 1 Derby and Level 1 Stakes Championships.

Eduardo Salgado marked a 222 to win the Level 3 Stakes aboard The Best Gunner (Gunner x Shiney Enterprise) for owner Ubere Agro Pecuaria. Special Made Whiskey (Gunners Special Nite x Starlight Acres) ridden by Amanda Antifaer for owner Gordon Robinson marked a 220.50 to claim the Level 2 Stakes Championship.

The competition ended with a huge Celebration of Champions and 10 Year Anniversary Party catered by the South Point Arena and Event Center. What no one expected was the food! Fresh, made to order sushi provided by Zenshin Sushi restaurant in the South Point hotel was a feature highlight and crowd favorite. “For our ten year anniversary I really wanted to do something different and unique. The catering managers at the South Point are so great to work with. They strive to fill my ‘out of the norm’ requests and always deliver,” producer Amanda Brumley states with a smile.

The High Roller Reining Classic closed the year for BMG Events. The popular series of west coast reining competitions began with the Cactus Reining Classic, Scottsdale, Arizona in March, followed by the Wild Card Reining Challenge, Las Vegas in May, and the Reining by the Bay, Woodside, California in July. These events are all on the NRHA’s Top 15 list of worldwide events and are considered not to be missed.