Sommers and Crawford Top the US FEI Standings
National Reining Horse Association
May 28,2004

Although still unofficial, current standings show Todd Sommers and Todd Crawford at the top of the United States Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) list of qualifiers for the inaugural FEI World Masters Series Finals, scheduled to take place during the 2004 NRHA Futurity & Championship Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, November 25 through December 4. Because of Team USA's Gold Medal finish at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, two riders will compete for the U.S.A.

Any country that had a team qualify for and participate in the 2002 WEG Reining Finals have the privilege of sending two riders to the World Reining Master Series Finals. Those countries include the USA, Canada, Italy, Germany, and Great Britain. It is expected that another 10-12 countries will also be sending their best riders to the elite competition. The excitement surrounding this event is on a scale with that seen when Reining was added to the schedule at the WEG. The excitement and anticipation is expected to escalate as qualified riders are announced and the competition approaches.

Todd Sommers, Whitesboro, Texas, leads the list of qualifiers with $22,328,59 in earnings by virtue of a win at the Denver, Colorado, USEF Open qualifying class and a second place finish at the NRHA Derby Show. Sommers' partner has been Lucy Van Swearingen's Remin Whiz. Todd Crawford, Blanchard, Oklahoma, earned his standing through an NRBC CRI-B fifth place finish at Katy, Texas, and winning the Bayer/USEF Open Reining Championship Finals (formerly held at Gladstone, New Jersey) at the NRHA Derby Show on May 23,2004. Crawford's total earnings in USEF/FEI 2004 competition is $21,324.38, Crawford has been riding Matt Dillon Dun It owned by 3 Peaks Ranch.

Other familiar names that appear in the top ten placings include Tom McCutcheon, Craig Schmersal, Bill Horn, Tim McQuay, Scott McCutcheon, Bryant Pace, Tanya Jenkins, and Michael Berg.

The National Reining Horse Association is the governing body of the sport of Reining, responsible for promoting the sport, working to ensure the highest standards of competition. With corporate support from Cinch, Cowboy Central, Horse & Rider magazine, Markel Insurance, Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Quarter Horse News, Kiser Arena Specialists, Houston Embryo Transfer Center, Classic Equine, Bloomer Trailer Mfg., Cowboy Tack, John Vance Auto Group, and LaQuinta Inn and LaQuinta Inn & Suites, the NRHA continues to educate its members and the public about Reining. For information on the NRHA or the sport of Reining visit www.nrha.com or call 405-946-7400.

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International Day Closes NRHA Derby - Todd Crawford Wins Bayer/USEF $75,000 Open Reining Championship
National Reining Horse Association
May 24, 2004

In an extremely strong field of contenders, Todd Crawford scored a 228.5 and delivered the winning ride in the Bayer/USEF $75,000 added Open Reining Championship Final held in conjunction with the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Crawford rode Matt Dillon Dun Itowned by 3 Peaks Ranch, Bend, Oregon. This dynamite seven-year-old stallion is by NRHA Hall of Famer, Million Dollar Sire Hollywood Dun It and out of Rosalie Dillon. He walked into the show pen with NRHA Lifetime Earnings of $74,480.09 and walked out of the pen with a cool $20,156.47 added to earnings tally.

Multiple NRHA Futurity Champion Todd Sommers earned the reserve championship title with a score of 226 on Lucy Van Swearingen's Remin Whiz by NRHA Hall of Famer, Two Million Dollar Sire Topsail Whiz. Tom McCutcheon, a member of the 2002 World Equestrian Games Gold Medalist Team USA, rode Brad Hattig's Steadys Dude by Steady Tradition and out of Bar Good Friday, to third place.

One of NRHA's most recognizable and famous pairings - Hall of Famers Bill Horn and Trashadeous - attract fans wherever they go. The NRHA Derby show was no exception. While the two were lined up against the arena wall and waiting to be introduced prior to the class, "Trash" enjoyed the attention and affection of a group of children that ran down to pet their favorite reining horse. Bill, NRHA's first Million Dollar Rider, and the seventeen-year-old stallion went on to score a 222 for fourth place.

This class was recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and a United States qualifier for the World Reining Master Series Finals. Reiners from around the world are qualifying for the World Reining Master Series, which will host the top money earning riders representing their countries in a $100,000 added Finals scheduled to be held at the NRHA Futurity & Championship Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this fall.

Jose Seuter Wins The USEF Young Rider Reining Medal Class

Multiple NRHA World Champion Jose Seutter was first in the pen and scored a 217.5 to set a blistering pace in the USEF Young Riders Reining Medal Finals. Jose's score on Kelvin Klein held throughout the ten-horse class and this young rider from Anthony, Florida, earned the win. There was a tie for second place between Tara Hallan, Chino Valley, Arizona, riding Taboos Enterprise and Nicole Dryden, Anoka, Minnesota, riding Ragtime Rawhide. Both riders scored a 209.5.

The USEF classes ended a week of intense competition at the NRHA Derby. Riders will be back in OKC for the NRHA Futurity & Championship Show, scheduled for November 25-December 4th, 2004 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

The National Reining Horse Association is the governing body of the sport of Reining, responsible for promoting the sport, working to ensure the highest standards of competition.