Articles: Press Release

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Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc.
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Las Vegas, NV - September 12, 2009 - Today marked the final day of competition at the High Roller Reining Classic, held at the South Point Hotel, Casino, and Equestrian Center. The High Roller Reining Classic is the international "crown jewel" of western riding competition, and features over $200,000 in added money and prizes. All of the horse and rider combinations were in top form as they tried to secure the win in the $15,000 Added Open Derby, and with thirty-seven riders in the class it would take a very high score to earn the blue ribbon. Today was also the final day that six-year-old Sparkling Wave would be eligible to compete in a derby event, so rider Craig Schmersal decided to make sure "Sparky" left his mark in Las Vegas. The pair had incredibly fast circles and sharp stops, and the judges honored their excellent pattern with the highest score of the show, a 225.00 to earn the day's victory.

The competitors had to complete pattern nine, which begins by having the riders run into the arena, complete a sliding stop and back-up, followed by four spins to the right and four spins to the left. The exhibitors then have to begin with their fast circles on the right lead, and continue with a small, slow circle and a complete a change of lead in a figure eight pattern. Next riders complete two large, fast circles on the left lead and make another figure eight. Finally riders complete three stops, including two rollbacks, and finish the pattern by dismounting and dropping bridle to the judge.

Schmersal drew the tenth spot in today's draw of 58 exhibitors with Sparkling Wave, owned by the KCS Partnership of Overbook, OK. He knew that he would have to lay down a fast pattern that was clean and accurate to put up a score that would last the rest of the day and that is exactly what he did. The pair flew into the arena and had a perfect first stop. Schmersal and Sparkling Wave put everything they had into their spins and their circles, nailing each maneuver. As the pair began to prepare for the stops the audience knew they would be excellent and they were not disappointed. Schmersal and Sparkling Wave ran into each stop perfectly to send the dirt flying, and the judges rewarded the brilliant performance with the highest score at the High Roller Reining Classic, a 225.00.

"I feel really good because this is Sparky's last year to show in the derbies, so that was his final derby run of his career," smiled Schmersal after his win. "I drew early and he's been such a good horse all along that I just went out there and tried to make the best run I could make on him. I knew it was going to take a pretty good score to win so I just went for everything I could get."

Schmersal was proud of Sparkling Wave's performance and enjoys having the opportunity to show him. "He's such a fun horse to show, he just hung his head and ran straight down there and buried it and backed up really good to start," he said. "That first set of turns I probably had a half point penalty to the right but turned really good to the left. When I kicked him off to the lope he just put his head down and I knew he was going to be good because he just went right to work. The change to the small slows can be a little tough for some of those horses, but he just changed lead when I dropped my hand and he did that small, slow circle. The right side was really pretty and I think the last three stops were probably where we won it. He was really good and that's all I could ask."

Sparkling Wave is a stud by Tidal Jack and out of Shining Proof and was raised by Schmersal. "Sparky is just the sweetest horse," he noted. "He's been a willing student the whole time I've had him. He's a super sweet horse that doesn't take anything special, just comes out and does his job."

Next year Schmersal, who has been awarded the NRHA Elite Rider status reserved for riders who have won in excess of one million dollars, hopes to show Sparkling Wave at 2010 FEI Would Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Schmersal has already completed his qualifiers and he hopes to have the opportunity to ride for his country. "I think next year will be a big deal," he said. "WEG is in Kentucky and everybody will be gunning for it."

Schmersal traveled from Oklahoma to compete at the High Roller Reining Classic and always enjoys the event. "It's a great facility," he smiled. "I love that they don't let you ride all night so you can go to dinner, you can have fun, and you can get sleep. You leave here refreshed, so its makes this horse show fun to attend."

The other top competitors during today's $15,000 Open Derby were Andrea Fappani and Marcy Ver Meer. Fappani garnered the second place award with Shiner Olena, owned by Katazyna Roleska, of Tarnow, Poland. The pair tried to catch Schmersal's score but fell one point short with a total of 224.00. Schmersal tied with Ver Meer for the third place honors, both earning scores of 222.50. Schmersal was aboard his second mount, Boom Shernic, owned by the Boom Shernic Syndicate of Brenham, TX, while Ver Meer was showing Gunners Special Nite, owned by the Bar Double C Ranch of Cave Creek, AZ.

Equestrian Life http://www.equestrianlife.com was everywhere within the South Point Equestrian and Events Center, video camera in hand, streaming comprehensive event coverage to their membership base of 30,000 avid horsepeople. This week the site had close to 10,000 viewers glued to the three day live feed from the High Roller Reining Classic, of which replays are still available free of charge on the Equestrianlife.com website. The coverage includes the $40,000 Added Open Futurity, the $10,000 Added Non-Pro Derby, and the $15,000 Added Open Derby.

Today was the final day of competition at the High Roller Reining Classic at the South Point Hotel, Casino, and Equestrian Center. For more information about the High Roller Reining Classic please visit http://www.highrollerreiningclassic.com.