Andrea Fappani and Steve Simon\u2019s 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.
\nCody Sapergia rode in on Lance Griffin\u2019s Whizter Chic (Peppy Chic Olena X Chantilly Whiz) and after a scalding run, the Canadian entry rode out with a score of 227!<\/p>\n
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\u2019d won $106,631 of his lifetime earnings of $142,962 at the NRBC, so the audience expected a sizzling run \u2013 and they got one! The ground-moving stops \u2013 and the picture-perfect circles resulted in a score of 232!
\nAs rider after rider challenged the top score, the lead held. Brian Bell took control of the pen on Jimmy Pierce\u2019s 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!<\/p>\n
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!<\/p>\n