Americans Take Gold and Silver at FEI World Reining Masters Finals 2006

Americans dominate at the FEI World Reining Masters Finals, Saturday, October 21 in Denver, Colorado, taking home both the Gold and Silver medals. Gold Medalist Shawn Flarida of Springfield, Ohio, scored 223.5 in the Masters Open Division riding Tinsel Nic. He earned an unofficial USD 17,906.25 gaining him an elite distinction within the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA). Flarida now joins the Two Million Dollar Rider Club. World Champion Reiner Tim McQuay is the only other rider in NRHA history to earn that two million dollar distinction. After his gold medal win, Flarida says, “It’s an awesome feeling to win, especially when you know that you’re competing against he best horsemen from around the world.”

Fellow American, Tom McCutcheon of Aubrey, Texas, placed second taking home the Silver medal and unofficially USD 14,325. McCutcheon earned 223, riding Smartest Chic Olena. McCutcheon says he pulled Smartest Chic Olena out of a three-year retirement to compete in the Masters Finals. Before the competition, McCutcheon said he was excited to see how Smartest Chic Olena would do.

The Bronze medal in the Masters Open Division went to Shawna Sapergia of Canada. Sapergia scored 221.5 riding BL Whiz Kid to earn about USD 9,311.

The crowd at the Masters Finals cheered for all the international riders from 18 different countries including Israel, Dominican Republic, Germany, Belgium and France, but when the two American reiners took the arena the home crowd went wild!

After the ceremonies and celebration, all three medalists took a victory lap to show their appreciation for such a warm reception by the crowd. All of the international riders say the felt it was an honor to compete in the FEI World Reining Masters Finals.

Results

1 Flarida, Shawn (USA) Tinsel Nic 223.50
2 McCutcheon, Tom (USA) Smartest Chic Olena 223.00
3 Sapergia, Shawna (CAN) BL Whiz Kid 221.50
4 Kronsteiner, Rudi (AUT) Setting Off Sparks 219.50
5 Fonck, Bernard (BEL) Don Quintana 217.50
6 Laporte, Eric (FRA) Smart Little Thirsty 216.50
7 Coulter, Lisa (CAN) Jalapeno Peppy 215.50
8 Vandrame, Gilson (BRA) Groovy Chexinic 212.50
9 Hormann, Nico (GER) Mucho Cal Boy 210.50
10 Salkova, Klara (CZE) Sayos Shining Sun 210.50
11 Skovrider, Susanne(DEN) Smart Tari 206.50
12 LeMay, Rick (SWE) Smart Paul Olena 204.50
13 Ahissar, Kaya (ISR) Command and Luck 205.50
14 Allen, Doug (GBR) Peptoleap 202.00
15 Orizondo, Luis (DOM) Red Colonel Cody 201.00
16 Kraehenbuehl, Jeanette (SUI) Dun Roostin 0.00
17 Nicklasson, Jonas (NOR) Lenas Wright Smart 0.00
18 Pouls, Jurgen (NED) Hes One Smart Chic 0.00