PALMER TAKES HOME TWO GOLD MEDALS.

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THE ROAD TO THE 2010 ALLTECH® FEI WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES™ is quicklywinding down. Reiners vying for a spot on the U.S. Reining Team had their last chance to qualify for the United States Equestrian Federation Reining National Championships, also the Official Selection Trial for theWEG, at this year’s NRBC. Some international riders still have time to get qualified for their nations’ teams. Whether they were riding to qualify or test-riding amount, reiners were motivated by something greater than themselves— the chance to ride for their country.

CRI-2*
The event featured 33 horse-and-rider pairs competing for medals in the USEF and CRI-2* competitions, along with the concurrently-run $25,000-added NRHA open ancillary class. The USEF/CRI-2* competition was close, with only a halfpoint separating each of the top three medalists. NRHA Professional Matthew Noel Palmer andWhale Of A Whiz earned both the USEF and CRI-2* Gold Medals and was third in the open ancillary with a score of 224. Palmer’s parents, Guy and Joan, purchased the seven-year old gelding by Six Million Dollar Sire and Hall of Fame inductee Topsail Whiz at the 2008NRHA/Markel Insurance Futurity Prospect Sale. “People weren’t sure about him because he wasn’t shown for a couple years. People thought he was hurt. So we were able to buy him and bring him back. He’s been a winner since. He’s sound as a dollar and just keeps on winning. He’s a diamond in the rough,” said Matt. After more than a year-long hiatus from the show pen, Palmer andWhale Of A Whiz earned over $26,000 in NRHA competition in 2009, including a Silver Medal finish in the All American Quarter Horse Congress CRI and second in the NRHA Futurity Show $10,000-added open. “This was our goal from the start (WEG), when we bought him. I’m a young guy so this would be a big career boost for me—for the public eye to see me.” Competing in the WEG holds sentimental value for Palmer, as well. “Both of my grandfathers were in the U.S. armed forces. To represent your country means a lot. It’s a big deal for me…and doesn’t get any better.” Fo Palmer, winning the Gold Medal over a reining icon like Two Million Dollar Rider and NRHA Professional Craig Schmersal made it well worth the 32-hour drive from his home in
Elverson, Pennsylvania. “Craig is one of those guys I idolize. He’s been in the business a long time and is just a class act. Everything he does is a class act, and I really respect hima lot. To be standing up on that next level is pretty neat.” Palmer considers himself an avid athlete. The 28-year-old was contracted to play professional baseball for the Minnesota Twins before being sidelined by a shoulder injury. “If baseball wanted me back I would definitely say ‘no.’ Not where this (Reining) is going. This is taking it to a higher level, and I
want to be a part of it.” Silver Medalist Jordan Larson, Aubrey, Texas, was a mere half point behind Palmer aboard Sandra L. Bentien’s Make It With A Twist. Larson, who was already qualified for the trials in June, saw the NRBC as a chance to test the eight-year-old
Dun It With A Twist mare under pressure. “She’s a really good mare, but has been off for about a year and a half. Like a lot of the USEF horses we’re trying to bring them out and show them again. She’s done that run 30 times so I was just trying to see if she would want to do it for me. I was really happy with her.”

Medalists (left to right): Jordan Larson (Silver), Matt Palmer (Gold), and Craig Schmersal (Bronze).

“The biggest thing with her is that she’s a consistent horse. I feel like she has a chance. She may not be the winner, but I think I can be consistent on her. She’s a good horse; a big, strong mare.” Craig Schmersal, Overbrook, Oklahoma, is no stranger to the USEF/FEI podium. This time, he earned the Bronze Medal with a 223 performance aboard Mister Montana Nic. The 12- year-old stallion by Million Dollar Sire Reminic, owned by the Mister Montana Nic Syndicate, was the top seller at last year’s NRHA/Markel Insurance Marketplace Sale.

CRI-1*
In the CRI-1* class,Martin Muehlstaetter, Scottsdale, Arizona, won both the Gold and Silve rMedals ridingWhiz N Lena Jac, owned byMarilyn Fleek, and SpinMe A Deal, owned by Jenny Loveland, respectively. Matt Mills, also of Scottsdale, and Big League Yankee, owned byMelanieMontgomery-Ahlgren, took home the Bronze Medal. Reiners who want to represent the United States at the WEG have one final test. The USEF official selection trialswill be held at the inaugural Battle In The Saddle, July 5-10, owned by the
Oklahoma State Fair Inc., andmanaged by the AmericanQuarter Horse Association, at the Oklahoma State Fair Park. Larson says, “It’s definitely going to be historic in Oklahoma City. That will be the toughest open reining for years to come. It’s going to take horses that are talented and want to show. It’s one thing to win one day, but it’s another thing to win two days in a row. It takes a truly great horse. I think there will be some surprises and some people you don’t see coming. I hope I’m a surprise!” Two Million Dollar Rider, Hall of Famer member, and NRHA Professional TimMcQuay, Tioga, Texas, agrees, “Battle In The Saddle will be an awfully exciting reining. It’s going to be exceptional.” Formore information on CRI competitions and how riders qualify for theWEG—see “Journey To TheWEG” in the October 2009 NRHA Reiner or visit nrha.com/fei.php.

Matthew Palmer powered his way to Gold Medals on Whale Of A Whiz in CRI-2 and USEF classes.

BY KATIE HENDRICKSON, PHOTOGRAPHY BY WALTENBERRY