Casey Deary & Down Right Amazing Dazzle in Open Finals at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel
Seats were filled and the excitement was palpable in the Norick Arena Saturday evening as the Open Finals for the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel wrapped up. Riders of all open levels competed for the title of Derby champion with high scores that reflected their determination to succeed.
For complete results, visit NRHADerby.com.
In a run that had the crowd on the edge of their seats, NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary won the Open Level 4 Derby with a score of 231.5.
Deary rode Down Right Amazing, a 2017 stallion by NRHA Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Gunner and out of Shesouttayourleague. He was bred and nominated by Curtis Performance Horses and has been owned by DAG Ventures since he was 30 days old.
In 2020, despite sustaining a broken neck, Deary rode the talented stallion to a third-place win in the NRHA Futurity. Since then, this pair has also won first-place titles at the NRHA Derby in 2020, The 2023 American Performance Horseman, and the 2023 National Reining Breeders Classic.
“This horse, he’s just a soldier,” Deary said. “He’s a great-minded animal, and he just tries so hard every time we go out.”
The Saturday night performance sent the Deary crew home $95,000 richer, and the nominator, Curtis Performance Horses, will receive $5,000.
Deary thanked his wife and kids, DAG Ventures, his great set of veterinarians, and his team.
In an astounding show of talent, Luca Fappani and Dream On Whiz scored a 224, winning them the titles of Open Level 3 Champion and Open Level 2 Co-Champion.
Dream On Whiz, affectionately nicknamed Patrick, is owned by Joetta Bell. The 2017 gelding is by NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of Ms Sassy Whiz.
“I’ve just been so blessed to have an incredible horse like him and the other ones that I’m riding to compete at that level,” Fappani said.
Riding at that level, and winning, earned him a check worth $46,021.
Dream On Whiz was bred and nominated by Hill Country Reiners, who will also receive $2,422.
Fappani thanked NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary, Joetta Bell, and the whole time behind him for helping him achieve this win.
Read more:
NRHA News – National Reining Horse Association
