Reining News

With the support of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), the Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) continues to promote and support Reining through its International Development programme. The results couldn’t be more spectacular.

On 20 May 2006, Kelly Zweifel, 34, became the first woman to win the NRHA Derby Open Division aboard Master Snapper. The horse, owned by the Italian company Impresa Agricola Cuoghi, is the first Derby champion to be bred, born, raised and trained in Europe. Kelly also earned another entry in the NRHA history books when she became the first rider to win the Open, Intermediate Open and Limited Open divisions in one Derby.

When Kelly Zweifel was growing up in Evansville, Wisconsin, she was determined to have a career training reining horses. Kelly’s parents were not enthusiastic. But she was determined, and pursued her goals at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls (UW-RF) with the guidance of Larry Kasten, recently retired Instructor of UW-RF Equine Science programme.

Upon graduation, Kelly worked for renowned horseman Jack Brainard, then apprenticed with NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider and NRHA Hall of Fame member Tim McQuay. While working for Brainard, Kelly met Pietro Artinghelli and returned with him to his native country, Italy. For the past eight years, Kelly and Pietro have worked for Roberto Cuoghi at Impresa Agricola Cuoghi, a facility that has consistently bred, raised and/or trained winners. In European Reining competition, Kelly and Master Snapper have accumulated earnings of approximately 50,000 euros. Kelly and Roberto felt the time was right to ride in the US. It was a long trip from Italy but well worth the effort; it provided further evidence of the universality that Reining is achieving as news about this wonderful sport spreads.

Kelly’s parents, and other family members, were on hand to watch her victory. “This was the first time they ever saw me show in real life,” she said. Kelly was cheered by enthusiastic spectators as she walked to the centre of the arena to begin her Derby Finals’ ride and received a standing ovation when she completed her pattern. “I thought the standing ovation was really neat,” Kelly said. “It was really super special that my family was there to see it.”

Kelly and Master Snapper have already returned to Italy where they plan to compete in major NRHA-approved Reinings such as the Americana in Germany and the Mallorca Western Festival in Spain.

NRHA Media Contact:
Carol Trimmer
3000 NW 10th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73107-5302, USA
www.nrha.com
E-mail: media@nrha.com
Tel.:             + 1 405 946 7400      , ext. 117