Rudi Kronsteiner (AUT) Wins the 2008 FEI World Reining Masters

The world of Reining converged in Oklahoma City (USA) on 4 December at the FEI World Reining Masters where 15 Nations, 19 Top Riders, 19 Quality Reining Horses = 1 Night of High Calibre Competition! The excitement was intense as the 19 riders hit the arena in the 2008 USD 100,000 added FEI World Reining Masters. The event was held during the 2008 NRHA Futurity & Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championship Show at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma thanks to the efforts of the National Reining Horse Association, the American Quarter Horse Association and the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Austria's Rudi Kronsteiner, 2007 FEI World Reining Masters Gold Medallist, and Smart Spook marked an impressive 221 for the repeat win in both the restricted and unrestricted divisions. Owner Rosanne Sternberg graciously supplied the 2001 stallion for the event, plus four more horses. The duo took home a total of USD 26,750 with the two gold medals. In the unrestricted division, Team USA's Jordan Larson and Lapke Quarter Horses' Lena Gallo marked a 218 for the silver medal and USD 15,000. Also from Team USA, Craig Schmersal and Mr Dual Rey, owned by Holly Casey finished for a bronze medal with a score of 216.5 for USD 9,750.

In the restricted division, The Netherland's Rieky Young stirred up the crowd in the first drag with a 216 on Gunners Pearl, owned by David Silva, Sr. The pair finished with a silver medal and USD 5,500 for their country. The Czech Republic's Pavel Orel and Don Julio Whiz took the bronze with a 213.5. Rosanne Sternberg also owns Don Julio Whiz. Fans also saw reiners from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Poland and Switzerland.

The USD 100,000 added FEI World Reining Masters is an annual competition to find the most elite individual reiners in the world. The top rider, according to a point system, in each National Federation (NF) qualified to compete in the World Reining Masters (WRM). USA, Canada, Italy, Germany and Switzerland were allowed to send their top two riders to compete in the Masters open division only. These five countries were finalists at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Other country's NFs could send one rider; these riders were eligible to compete in the open and restricted divisions. As well as competing for the USD 100,000 purse, the riders were awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the two divisions: Open and Restricted.

For additional information on the 2008 FEI World Reining Masters in Oklahoma City, please contact:

Christa Morris
National Reining Horse Association
Manager of Marketing & Communications
(405) 946-7400 ext. 129
cmorris@nrha.com