Andrea Fappani and Steve Simon’s Custom Legend became the 2007 National Reining Breeders Classic OpenChampions on April 21. But unlike the nine champions that preceded it, this title came only after an exciting runoff in front of a large crowd at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas.
Cody Sapergia rode in on Lance Griffin’s Whizter Chic (Peppy Chic Olena X Chantilly Whiz) and after a scalding run, the Canadian entry rode out with a score of 227!

Then Andrea Fappani rode in on Draw 10, Custom Legend (Custom Crome X Dry Doc Bobbie), owned by Steve Simon. Custom Legend loves the Great Southwest Equestrian Center Arena. He’d won $106,631 of his lifetime earnings of $142,962 at the NRBC, so the audience expected a sizzling run – and they got one! The ground-moving stops – and the picture-perfect circles resulted in a score of 232!
As rider after rider challenged the top score, the lead held. Brian Bell took control of the pen on Jimmy Pierce’s Starbucks Jazz (Smart Starbuck X Flipped Out Jazz), but had to settle for a score of 228. Then, just two horses later, the excitement escalated again when Shawn Flarida piloted Walla Walla Whiz (Topsail Whiz X Shiney Walla Wanda) to a scalding run worth 229.5 points for owner Arcese Quarter Horses USA. Close, but not close enough!

When Ruben Vandorp entered the arena on the 2006 NRBC Champion, Einsteins Revolution (Einstein X Fly Flashy Jac), the stallion he owns as part of the partnership of Wagner and Vandorp, the enthusiastic audience was with him. The judges marked their scorecards and when the total, 232, was announced, there was a tie for the lead!

The twin scores held through the next seven riders, until finally there was only one left to go, Jordan Larson on Victoria Lambert’s Memorable Affair (Major Vaquero X Coronas Affair). With the noisy crowd whooping and whistling, Jordan gave his best shot, but even an impressive 227 couldn’t budge the leaders. It did, however, end up 5th in the Open, good for $31,000. And more, the great ride on Lambert’s mare earned top honors on the NRBC’s new Mare Bonus, worth over $10,000 more! What a memorable moment for Victoria Lambert as she was honored to receive the first ever NRBC Leading Open Mare award.

Vandorp and Fappani agreed to a runoff, and with a quick drag, the stage was set. Custom Legend entered the arena first, The Great Southwest Coliseum Arena is huge, and getting through one pattern taxes most horses. Many wondered out loud if the two horses would have enough air left for a second run. Custom Legend immediately quieted the naysayers. From the first explosive stop, to the lightning turnarounds, Fappani negotiated a run that defined textbook perfection, and his score of 236.5 rocked the facility. Vandorp followed and had an outstanding run, but while he didn’t best Andrea’s score, Vandorp was still elated. Not only had he won the NRBC Open Reserve Championship, worth $60,000, he’d also garnered the Intermediate Open title, good for another $27,711