Craig Schmersal Wins $20,000 Added Futurity Open Level 4 at 2013 Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic

Craig Schmersal topped the $20,000 added Darling 888 Ranch Developing Horse Futurity Open Level 4 on Maggie Jac Whiz at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic on Wednesday, August 28.

Maggie Jac Whiz was raised by the Two Million Dollar Rider and wife, Ginger. She’s by Jacs Electric Spark and out of Ms Maggie Whiz, a full sister to Don Quintana. The Schmersals sold her to long-time customers, Tim and Kim Anderson of Milbank, South Dakota last year. “They’re great to ride for,” said Schmersal. “It was fun to win for them.”

The mare was solid throughout her run in the Ford Truck Arena, scoring 218.5 to best the other 72 entries, and earning $4,251. “She really did everything good today. I’m excited to keep showing her.”

A point behind was Ruben Vandorp on Whizs Revolution (Einsteins Revolution X Sambukas Lady Whiz) owned by Monte Anderman of Tioga, Texas, earning $2588.

Patrice St-Onge won both the Level 3 and Level 2 Open on Walla Dun A Whiz (Walla Walla Whiz X Dun It like Torima) with a score of 217. He’s actually only been riding him since June, when he went to look at a couple horses owned and trained by long-time friend and customer Andre Lauzon. He brought back Walla Dun A Whiz and has spent the past few months getting with him.

“He’s very good-minded and one of the best stoppers I’ve ever ridden,” he noted. St-Onge’s dual wins in the two levels netted him $2,539 and $1,265 and he collected another $1,941 for his third place finish in the Level 4.

Reserve honors in Level 2 and Level 3 went to Pierre Luc Phaneuf on Hang Ten Pretty Lady for a score of 216.5. Hang Ten Pretty Lady, owned by Teresa Demytruk of Edmondton, Alberta, is by Hang Ten Surprize and out of Poco Nickolena.

Italian rider, Mirjam Stillo was catch-riding A Sparkling Chrome for owner Harper Conner after a sore back sidelined Conner and the result was the Level 1 Championship for a score of 213.5. “I had only ridden him three times before,” she noted, then added that she certainly enjoyed the ride. “She circled so nice and she’s such a pretty horse. I enjoyed getting to show her.”

Stillo has worked for Tom McCutcheon since the conclusion of this year’s NRHA Derby and her run in the futurity earned $787.

Reserve honors in the Level 1 Open went to Timothy Beuck with a score of 208 on High Wheeling Lena (Smart Chic Olena X High Wheeling Doll), owned by Alan Piper of Aubrey, Texas.

Austin Lyons swept both the Level I and Level II Green Reiner Classes in the Mustang Arena with a score of 142.5 on Wimpyslittlecritter, a gelding by Wimpys Little Step owned by Lyons Legacy Performance Horses of Cross Plains, Tennessee. According to Austin, he has trained horses as part of the family business, he has only been showing reiners for about six months, but he’s definitely enjoying this new pursuit. He’s already qualified one horse for the youth world this year.

If Austin continues his winning ways, his name might become as well-known as that of his grandfather, legendary clinician John Lyons.

Reserve honors in the Level I and Level II went to Brook Kempker of Russellville, Missouri on Lil Gun Smoke for a score of 139.5.

Action in Tulsa’s Expo Square continues on Thursday, August 29 with an all-day array of National Reining Horse Association classes in both the Ford Truck and Mustang arena.

For information on the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic or to watch the event on-line, visit www.tulsareining.com or call (870) 219-2993.