DOUBLE THE FUN
AFTER TWO TEAMS LANDED IN A TIE AT THE TOP OF THE LEVEL 1 OPEN DERBY LEADERBOARD, THEY AGREED TO SPLIT THE TITLE
AUGUST 2022
With record entries at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, the competition was fierce at every level. Sometimes the difference between two runs was so marginal, it was hard to rank one over another. That was the case in the Level 1 Open Derby.
After 32 finalists rode through the pen, two horse-and-rider teams sat at the top with matching scores. Rather than running off the championship, She Whiz Shiney and Jack Daniels agreed to tie with Gunners Deja Girl and Daniel Cruz. The co-champions earned $6,493 each for their wins.
She Whiz Shiney & Jack Daniels
Going into the Derby, Jack Daniels had less than $10,000 in lifetime earnings on his NRHA record. The budding NRHA Professional, who is married to 2021 Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year Kaci O'Rourke, typically starts the 2-year-olds in the couple's traniing program, but he recently decided to take it a step further and compete more too.
When the couple's client Jennifer Anderson bought She Whiz Shiney in January to be her non pro horse, Daniels and O'Rourke thougjt the mare could benefit from some quiet runs in the Open first. Anderson agreed to let Daniels show her, and the pair has been successful at several events, including the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC).
"Jennifer has been so good to me to let me show her," Daniels said. "Her [She Whiz Shiney's] trick is stopping and since the pattern here had four stops, I just really tried to show them off the best that I could and survive the rest. I had a half point penalty in my turns, which cost me a little but, but the mare still felt good."
After the Derby, the 4-year-old mare (Shine Chic Shine x Dun Dry Whiz) reached lifetime earnings of $11,838. Daniels planned to take her to the North American Reining Stakes after Oklahoma City, and he believed Anderson would likely take over the reins next season.
A native Australian, Daniels said he was grateful to the team behind him, including assistant Taylor Herring, and mentors NRHA Professional Craig Schmersal, NRHA Hall of Famer Tim McQuay, and NRHA Professional Jared LeClair. He was especially thankful to his wife for pushing him to do his best, as well as the customers who have helped him reach his goals.
"I'm just getting started in this with the showing, and my wife and I are very fortunate to have some nice clients who have given me some horses to practice on," Daniels said. "I'm just glad we have some good clients that really take care of us."
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