APHA congratulates Like A Diamond and Spooks Gotta Gun for becoming the National Reining Horse Association’s newest Million Dollar Sires. They join a total of 32 stallions whose offspring have earned more than $1 million in NRHA competition, and were among the five horses who earned this honor in 2015.
Colonels Smokingun—the 1993 sorrel overo stallion by Colonelfourfreckle (QH) and out of Katie Gun (QH) known worldwide simply as “Gunner”—also ascended to the rank of NRHA $7 MIllion Sire in 2015. Bred by Eric Storey, Gunner is owned by McQuay Stables of Tioga, Texas. Gunner died in 2013, but his legacy continues to prosper through his talented foals.
Press releases courtesy NRHA:
Spooks Gotta Gun
Congratulations are in order for Spooks Gotta Gun, owned by Silver Spurs Equine of Scottsdale, Arizona; the 2002 bay overo stallion has become an NRHA Million Dollar Sire. The much heralded and sought- after achievement marks a stallion’s success in the breeding pen and punctuates his ability to sire quality and successful competitive reining horses. Spooks Gotta Gun’s breeding career was preceded by a successful show record that spanned from 2005 through 2009. The stallion earned $79,600 in the show pen with wins at such prestigious events as the Reining by the Bay Derby.
Spooks Gotta Gun is by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Grays Starlight (QH) and out of the highly-respected producer Katie Gun (QH), whose offspring have earned $567,465 and include APHA and NRHA Hall of Fame inductee Colonels Smokingun. Spooks Gotta Gun’s offspring include such standouts as Spooks Gotta Whiz (NRHA Lifetime Earnings of $345,137), The Kids Gotta Gun (LTE $77,882), Spooks Gotta Run (LTE $64,785), Dun Lost My Gun (LTE $38,859) and Spooks O Lena (LTE $35,427).
Silver Spurs Equine maintains a battery of stallions that includes some of the performance horse industry’s most respected, popular and well-known sires. Their line up of stallions has been built with a goal of becoming “The Source” for mare owners seeking outstanding stallions to cross on their mares—read more about Silver Spurs Equine in Spring 2015 Chrome. Hats off to Spooks Gotta Gun and Silver Spurs Equine on their latest accomplishment!
Like A Diamond
There are some who would say that Like A Diamond isn’t the real deal. He’s never earned a penny in the National Reining Horse Association show pen or represented his country in international reining competition, but a look at his pedigree belies those facts when it comes to his progeny and their potential to excel in the sport of reining. By NRHA Million Dollar Sire Grays Starlight (QH) and out of Diamonds Jewel Wood, Like A Diamond first came to reining prominence in 2001 as the sire of NRHA Open Futurity champion RR Star with a young Andrea Fappani at the reins. RR Star made history as the first Paint Horse to win the NRHA Futurity and, to make things more exciting, he did it following a run-off. He then went on to top the 2003 NRHA Derby with Tim McQuay riding.
Foaled in 1992, the sorrel overo stallion achieved success in the cutting pen at APHA and National Cutting Horse Association competitions. His lifetime earnings total $9,579. In NCHA competition, he was a finalist in the NCHA Open Super Stakes. In APHA, he was the 1996 APHA world champion Junior Cutting horse and earned 23 APHA cutting points and a Register of Merit in cutting. Owned by Sue Hearst of Paso Robles, California, Like A Diamond stands at Oswood Stallion Station in Weatherford, Texas.
In the breeding shed, Like A Diamond has transferred his athletic ability in the cutting pen to the excitement and success in the reining arena of his offspring. In addition to RR Star (LTE $222,751), RU Missin Diamonds (LTE $144,487), Gunnin For Diamonds ($66,203), Premier Diamond ($65,638), Like A Smart Diamond ($39,140) are some of the colorful Paint’s most successful reining progeny. His offspring have cumulatively won in excess of $1,004,186.
NRHA is pleased to congratulate this outstanding sire of reining horses: Like A Diamond, NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Sire!
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.
About NRHA
Incorporated in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is the standard-setting body for the sport of Reining. NRHA, with their International Headquarters in Oklahoma City, is responsible for promoting the sport of Reining and working to ensure the highest standards of competition. To learn more about the NRHA, its programs and family of corporate partners, visit nrha.com.