Articles: Press Release

Contact:
Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc.
at (561) 753-3389 or at pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Las Vegas, NV - September 11, 2009 - The best Non-Pro riders in the country came out today to compete in the $10,000 Added Non Pro Derby division, but it was Kim Dooley and Wimpys Little Buddy who earned the top score of 218.50 and walked away with the prizes. The pair entered the arena confidently and easily moved through each maneuver in the pattern. When they slid to their final stop and Wimpys Little Buddy sent the dirt flying the crowd cheered loudly, knowing they had earned the victory. The High Roller Reining Classic is the international "crown jewel" of western riding competition, and features over $200,000 in added money and prizes. The show is being held at the South Point Hotel, Casino, and Equestrian Center and will conclude tomorrow with the $15,000 Added Open Derby.

Today the riders had to complete pattern five, which began with circles off of the left lead, followed by four spins to the left. Then riders had to complete their circles on the right lead and show four spins to the right. Finally riders made a figure eight and came around to complete three stops before dismounting and dropping bridle to the judges.

Tricia Gilson, of Phoenix, AZ, was the fifth rider to complete the pattern with Magnums Enterprise. The pair had fast circles and excellent stops to quickly earn the highest score so far of 217.00. Twelve horses later, Samantha Griffin entered the arena aboard Kachina Oak Olena, owned by Lance Griffin, of Dwinton, AB. They also laid down an excellent pattern and the judges awarded them a score of 217.00 to tie with Gilson. Their tie for the win would soon become a tie for second place when the twenty-sixth horse in the draw, Wimpys Little Buddy, showed over the pattern.

Dooley and Wimpys Little Buddy took over the top spot in today's scoring as they began their pattern with very fast circles. The pair easily moved into their spins, which they nailed as the crowd held their breath. Next, they maneuvered their way through the figure eight and made their way into the stops, which sent dirt into the air and earned them a total score of 218.50, easily moving into the lead and taking home the day's blue ribbon.

"It was hard waiting for the rest of the class to finish," admitted Dooley. "I was draw twenty-six and there were forty-one in it, so I was just hoping that my score held-up. He circled probably the best he ever has, but I could have gotten shut-off better during the first spin. He spun really well to the right, but running him to my first stop I never really got my timing perfect. The next two stops he hit really big and it was great."

Dooley has owned Wimpys Little Buddy for a year and thinks that he a great show horse. "He needs a little bit of leg in the show pen, he just waits for you everywhere," she explained. "He's a very honest show horse. The biggest thing is just staying out of his way and letting him do his job. When you warm him up you have leave him real fresh in the morning. We ride him really hard the night before, and then just barely do anything to get him ready in the morning to try and keep him fresh to go in there and do the pattern."

Wimpys Little Buddy is a five-year-old gelding by Wimpys Little Step and out of All That Dun, and was originally trained by Andrea Fappani. "I had always loved the horse so when he came up for sale I decided to try and get something done on it," said Dooley. "I've shown him all of this year and I'll show him all of next year in the derbies again."

Dooley trains with Martin Muelstaetter in Scottsdale, Arizona, and has been riding with him for three years. "Today Martin told me to show smart," she commented. "He said, 'You know what to do, so show smart and stay out of the penalties.'"

Dooley has been traveling to the High Roller Reining Classic since it began and she was excited to return. "It's a fun horse show," she smiled. "It's great being in Vegas when we're here for ten days because it's a really fun atmosphere."

The $5,000 Intermediate Non Pro Derby was also held today and the top prize was awarded to one of the$10,000 Added Non Pro Derby second place finishers, Tricia Gilson and Magnums Enterprise. There was a tie for the second place prize, with both riders receiving scores of 215.50. Sarah Pickney performed an excellent pattern with Pat and Rhonda Pinckney's Flashyverde to earn the second place honors. Ali Sollid, of Cave Creek, AZ, was also fast and precise throughout her pattern with West Coast Smart and earned a second place ribbon.

The High Roller Reining Classic will come to a close tomorrow with the $15,000 Added Open Derby at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center. Tomorrow's classes will begin at 11 a.m. in the Equestrian Center Arena and will feature 58 entries.

The "Play It Forward" Texas Hold 'em style poker tournament was held last night and the top prize was awarded to Jim Rygiol. All proceeds from last nights event benefited the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF), a non-profit organization assisting with basic medical needs funding for those from catastrophic illness or injury. FarmVet and Pfizer Animal Health graciously sponsored the tournament. All the players during last night's events received gift bags with donations from Platinum Performance, Bayer Animal Health, and Leather CPR.

Equestrian Life http://www.equestrianlife.com will be everywhere within the South Point Equestrian and Events Center, video camera in hand, streaming in depth interviews and comprehensive event coverage to their membership base of 30,000 avid horsepeople. Live streaming video coverage of the High Roller Reining Classic will begin Thursday, September 10th with the $15,000 Added Non-Pro Futurity, continuing on Friday, September 11th with the $10,000 Added Non-Pro Derby, and wrapping up on Saturday, September 12th with the $15,000 Added Open Derby.

For more information about the High Roller Reining Classic please visit http://www.highrollerreiningclassic.com.