Duane Latimer and Remin Whiz Win First Round

April 17 - With the initial day of competition completed, the Saltgrass Steak House National Reining Breeders Classic first round of Open competition is history. Remin Whiz, ridden by Duane Latimer and owned by Lucy Von Sweaningen and Steve Archer scored 224.5 to win the round and $9,936.

It was Duane’s first time on this horse at a major event – he just got him this year to show. Duane commented, “Steve Archer brought Remin Whiz to my place as a 3-year-old and I knew he was a good one. I told him I’d ride him. It took him two years to get him up there!”

Remin Whiz (Topsail Whiz X Sure Remedy) had surgery on an ankle shortly after the 2000 NRHA Futurity and was never shown at aged events last year. Duane added, “He’s a very fresh 5-year-old and he still has room for improvement for the finals. He has an awesome stop and a big turn.”

Dell Hendricks and Rawhides Rosie were the second to last to go in the round out of the 103 entries. Their 222.5 score proved that “it’s not over ‘til it’s over” mandate and earned them $6,048. Rawhides Rosie, (Dunit Rawhide X Miss Poquito Queen) is a 2001 NRHA Futurity Finalist owned by Doug Carpenter and Bradley Quarter Horses.

Latimer edged Todd Crawford’s score of 222 on Princess In Diamonds, owned by Cristen Schuetz of California, which earned $4,536 for the round.

In the Intermediate Open, Tracer Gilson and Lena Dun It (Hollywood Dun It X Smokin Hickory Lena), owned by Pat Warren of Scottsdale, Arizona, posted a score of 220 to earn $2,760 and the catbird’s seat in the Intermediate Finals. Shane Kelley rode Sally Irvine Crow’s Little Rooster (Gallo Del Cielo X Last Poco Tivio) to the Reserve First Go slot, earning $1,680 for the 217 score, but that marking was also good for the win of the Limited Open Division, and they collected another $1,104.

Debbie Arballo finished second in the Limited Open category with a 216.5 score on Greatdiamondssparkle (Shining Spark X Dellas Diamond) owned by Sandra Gordon-Wylie.

The top twenty riders in each division advance to the finals. In the Open Division, it took a score of 217.5 to make the Saturday night finals. To qualify for the Saturday afternoon Limited Open Finals took a 209. It took a 213 to make the Intermediate Open finals.

In Novice Non Pro NRHA Class, held in the Mansion Arena, the winner was Marilyn Scheffers on Bright Chic Olena, with a score of 142.5. The Reserve Champion was Texan Rod Milller with a 141 on Slide Me Some Sugar.

The Rookie Champion was Tami Nelson on Dunnits Delight with a score of 140. The Reserve Champion was Jackie Redish on Sparkininc with a scored of 137.5.

An annual prelude to the reining excitement of NRBC competition takes place each year at the Cinco Ranch Golf Course in Katy, Texas. This year’s the scramble winners of the NRBC Golf Tournament on April 15, 2002 was the tea, led by Elton Brownshadel, finishing –11 to earn $330. Rod Miller’s team was 9 under to win $198 and Jim Morgan’s team was –8 for third place honors and $132 in earnings.

Winning “Closest to the Pin” buckles were Sally Broten, Rod Miller, Dave Archer and Jim McCutcheon.

Saltgrass Steak House National Reining Breeders Classic action will begin again on Thursday morning with the Non Pro first round in the Coliseum arena of the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas.