Articles: Press Release

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

Las Vegas, NV - September 9, 2009 - It was an exciting day of competition at the High Roller Reining Classic as the nation's best riders competed for top honors the $40,000 Open Futurity. Nothing short of perfection would garner today's grand prize and that is exactly what Shawn Flarida executed aboard Whizkey N Diamonds, owned by Clinton Anderson and Kathy Worley. The pair nailed each spin, rode quickly through their circles, and slid into their stops with ease to earn a score of 221.00 and the championship trophy. 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 exciting and luxurious South Point Hotel, Casino, and Equestrian Center and will run through Saturday, September 12.

Flarida and fifty-eight other exhibitors had to complete pattern eight during today's competition. The pattern began with four spins to the left and four spins to the right. Riders then had to pick up the right lead and canter one large, fast circle, one small, slow circle, and another large, fast circle. They then had to keep up their momentum and switch leads while completing another large, fast circle. Next, riders moved into a second slow, small circle, and then completed their final large, fast circle. Finally, riders had to complete three stops, two on the right lead and one on the left lead.

When $3 Million Elite Rider Flarida entered the ring the crowd knew they were in for a treat. He and Whizkey N Diamonds completed each set of spins with speed and precision. They then loped easily into their large circle and sat back effortlessly for their slow circle. When it was time for the duo to complete each of their stops Flarida legged Whizkey N Diamonds forward and they sent the dirt flying. The judges rewarded their excellent pattern with the day's high score of 221.00.

"Today was really good," acknowledged Flarida after receiving his awards. "This horse is really sweet and he's really fun to show. He walks in and he's very docile even though he's a big stud. Today he turned really good to the left and turned a little better to the right. For the circles, he loped off and took a big breath of air and waited for me."

Flarida continued. "During the circles to the left, I tried to run him just a little bit harder and he was good. The first stop was really nice, but he didn't he hit the second stop as well as I thought he could. The third stop was really good though, and overall I was really happy with his performance today."

Whizkey N Diamonds is three years old and Flarida began riding him last December. "I've had great luck with him," said Flarida. "He's a horse that needs a little bit of leg because he's really docile. If you don't kick him and tell him to go he's not going to go. But I like that, it kind of fits me."

Whizkey N Diamonds will compete next at the Quarter Horse Congress, and then at the NRHA Reining Futurity.

Flarida is the only $3 Million Elite Rider and began riding reining horses when he was eight years old. He admitted that it took a lot of hard work and dedication to get to this point in his career. "I've been really lucky that I've been around the right horses and the right owners," he commented. "That gave me a great opportunity to be where I'm at today. I started my own business in 1989 when I graduated high school and never had a real job, I'm very lucky."

The next goal for Flarida is to compete for the United States at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. He has completed all of his qualifiers; most recently winning an event in Tulsa with Smart Spook. "I have all my official stuff done, but now I just have to get ready for next year and get my horses in line," he explained. "I have some great horses but everybody else had great horses too."

Flarida traveled to the High Roller Reining Classic from a horse show in Tulsa and is excited to have the opportunity to compete here this year. "It has been great here," he smiled. "It's neat when you don't have to leave the complex. You can gamble, eat, and show. I love it."

The $10,000 Intermediate Open Futurity was also held today and Gabe Hutchins earned today's win, as well as the second place prize in the $40,000 Open Futurity. He was riding Smart Documentary, owned by Robert Webb of McAlester, OK, and the pair earned a score of 220.50. The third place award during today's $40,000 Open Futurity was presented to Andre Fappani and Custom Slidetracks, owned by Steven Simon, and the pair earned a score of 219.

Marco Ricotta and Lyle Lovett's Fifth Avenue Shine earned the second place prize during the $10,000 Intermediate Open Futurity with a score of 218.50. The third place honors were presented to Tracer Gilson and Ima Smart Boomer Jac, owned by American West Reiners, LLC, of Scottsdale, AZ, who had a score of 215.50.

Michael Boyle was the winner of today's $7,500 Limited Open Futurity, with a score of 215.00 aboard Hick A Shine, owned by Janene Borror of Springville, CA. The second place honors were presented to Billy Williams, who rode Terre and Elden Peterson's Colonels Smokin Oak to a score of 214. Sean McBurney took home the third place after receiving a score of 211.50 with Tin Top Kat, owned by Rhodes River Ranch of Arlington, WA.

The High Roller Reining Classic will continue tomorrow with the $10,000 Added Non Pro Derby at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center. Another of this year's feature events is the $50,000 Added Open Derby, being held Saturday, September 12 at noon. The horse show will come to a close Saturday, September 12.

The "Play It Forward" Texas Hold 'Em-style poker tournament will also be held this year at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center tonight from 8-11 pm during the High Roller Reining Classic. All proceeds from this charity event will benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF), a non-profit organization assisting with basic medical needs funding for those from catastrophic illness or injury. Limited to 150 people, the "Play It Forward" Poker Tournament offers players the opportunity to win big - having fun and making a difference at the same time. Each player will receive a seat assignment in the HRRC VIP Private Poker Tournament Room where dealers will provide $2,500 in chips. At 11 p.m., chip leaders through 10th place will win a percentage of the prize pool.

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.