Aug. 25, 2013 — The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is pleased to announce that Schmersal Reining Horses has become an official NRHA Corporate Partner. NRHA is a worldwide organization dedicated to the promotion of the reining horse and the sport of Reining. Schmersal Reining Horses is the home of NRHA Professional Craig Schmersal and Pale Face Dunnit.
NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal is a multiple NRHA World and Reserve World Champion, 2004 NRHA Derby Open Champion and 2010 Reserve Champion, and a perennial NRHA Futurity and major event finalist. Schmersal was a member of the “U.S. Dream Team” at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky winning Team Gold and Individual Silver medals. In 2005, Schmersal won the Gold Medal in the FEI World Reining Masters Open division in Spain. He also held a position on Team U.S.A., competing in the 2002 World Equestrian Games (WEG); which was the first WEG in which Reining was a full-medal sport. Team U.S.A. brought home the Gold in Reining from Jerez, Spain.
“We are truly excited to partner with the National Reining Horse Association,” says Craig Schmersal. “The NRHA is at the core of my family’s livelihood. Without the NRHA, we would not be blessed with the success we’ve enjoyed in the reining industry. It’s also a pleasure for Schmersal Reining Horses to introduce Pale Face Dunnit on a worldwide stage. We are confident that ‘Gold Digger’ will live up to his NRHA Million Dollar Sire heritage.”
Pale Face Dunnit aka “Gold Digger” is a 2007 palomino American Quarter Horse Association and American Paint Horse Association stallion. With over $70,000 in NRHA earnings, Pale Face Dunnit is by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire and NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Gunner and out of Lena Dun It by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire and NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Hollywood Dun It. He was a 2010 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open finalist, 2011 and 2012 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open finalist, 2012 High Roller Reining Classic Derby Level 4 Open top five and 2013 National Reining Breeders Classic Level 4 Open top 20.
Ginger Schmersal is the rock of the Schmersal family. She is a full time mom to her and Craig’s four children, as well as the lead role in the management of Schmersal Reining Horses. Ginger has been active in the horse industry since she was a youth. Currently, Ginger competes as a Non Pro in NRHA and has NRHA Lifetime Earnings of almost $315,000. Her show achievements include 1996 and 1997 NRHA Non Pro Top Ten World Champion, 2000 NRHA Derby Intermediate Non Pro Co-Reserve Champion, 2001 NRHA Derby Intermediate Non Pro Reserve Champion, 2002 Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity Reserve Champion along with being a Non Pro finalist in NRHA major-events such as the NRHA Derby, Futurity and the National Reining Breeders Classic for several years.
Schmersal Reining Horses calls Hickory Creek Ranch home. Located a few miles south of Ardmore, Oklahoma, the ranch is situated on more than 400 acres of rolling hills and forest, interspersed with creeks and meadows. The state-of-the-art barn is large enough to house all of their show horses under one roof along with a number of outdoor pastures for turn outs, broodmares, yearlings and cattle. The large covered arena complements an even larger outdoor track, three round pens and a large open walker.
Todd Barden Sr., Director of Sponsorship & Television, said, “The National Reining Horse Association is thrilled to welcome Schmersal Reining Horses as an NRHA Corporate Partner. It will be so exciting to watch as “Gold Digger” matures into one of the reining industry’s top stallions during Schmersal Reining Horses’ tenure as an NRHA Corporate Partner. Craig and Ginger have stepped up so many times in so many ways to help NRHA; this partnership is yet another example of their tremendous support.”
NRHA has over 850 NRHA-approved shows worldwide with nearly $14 million in competition purses annually. Schmersal Reining Horses will be an official NRHA Corporate Partner of the NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show and NRHA Derby.
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.
