Madison Rafacz and Whizenboonsmal Win The Equine Chronicle’s Non Pro Ranch Riding Stakes

By Sarah Welk Baynum

With a partnership spanning nearly a decade and success across multiple disciplines, Madison Rafacz and Whizenboonsmal once again rose to the top, capturing the champion title in the highly competitive Non Pro Ranch Riding Stakes NSBA, presented by The Equine Chronicle.

“I got Whizenboonsmal at Congress when he was five, and now he’s 13—we call him Peter in the barn,” Rafacz said. “He’s just been such a soldier for us. We had a great reining career together, and then Bud encouraged us to try ranch riding. It’s been a long journey, but he’s definitely won his fair share along the way. Ranch trail is a lot of fun, but ranch riding is my absolute favorite class to do with him.”

Although the class’s pattern appeared straightforward, Madison Rafacz explained that the simplest patterns often prove the most challenging—something she and Whizenboonsmal have experienced firsthand in the past.

“I really liked how quiet and controlled this pattern was, but it still carried a degree of difficulty,” Rafacz says. “Sometimes the simple-looking patterns are the trappy ones. In fact, I’ve shown him in the NYATT Ranch Riding the past three years, and each time the pattern was simple, I thought it would be easy. With a horse like Peter, who’s been shown a lot, you have to stay sharp. For example, in this pattern, you had to lope diagonally and break to the extended trot—many horses anticipate a lead change there. Those little details can get you in trouble if you’re not on your A-game. But if you ride it well, a simple pattern can actually be really fun and fluid.”

Today’s victory adds yet another highlight to Whizenboonsmal’s remarkable career and already impressive record of earnings.

“I love that they offer all six classes,” says Rafacz, who thanks Headley Quarter Horses for their support of the ranch division, and the Equine Chronicle for this Non Pro Stakes class.  “It’s very generous and the class is a lot of fun,” says Rafacz, who t. “Peter has earned nearly $100,000 in NRHA competition and at least $200,000 in ranch classes, so he’s won well over $300,000 in his career—he’s such a good boy.”

𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐒𝐁𝐀

Presented by Steve Headley for #TheEquineChronicle

Champion: Madison Rafacz and Whizenboonsmal-$7171.60

Reserve:  Kimberly Lyon and ChillinLikeAVillain-$5163.55

Bronze: Jenny Honey and Katie Chex Your Gun-$3729.23

Fourth: Sarah Rose Jons and Inferno Joe – $2828.64

Fifth: Stella Dorsey and SS Wrecking Ball – $2438.34

Sixth: Lane Kail and Winn Like Flinn – $2008.05

Seventh: Madison Rafacz and Got Twisted in Vegas – $1721.18

Eighth: Karen Johnson and Iscream For Icecreme – $1434.32

Ninth: Kerry Papendick and Chex Out My Dough -$1147.46

Tenth: Becca Schaffhauser and Name Brand – $1004.02