Current Congress News

Deja Vu All Over Again: Flarida and Huss take 2007 Open and Intermediate Reining Futurity
In the words of Yogi Berra, "It's deju vu all over again."

Two familiar faces returned to the winner's circle in the 2007 Congress Reining Futurity Saturday night. Dan Huss took the Intermediate Division and Shawn Flarida won the Open division. Both are multiple-time Congress champions in their respective divisions.

NRHA Sale Mare Wins Intermediate
Huss, of Woodstock, IL, really likes his mare, Skeets Little Annie, or Annie. Apparently the judges did too, marking the pair with a 225. The former University of Findlay instructor taught through his actions with a very solid pattern as the 33rd draw in the order, on his second mount of the evening. "I tried to go in and show her on a loose rein," said Huss. "She can really plus one on her circles, and plus one on her spins, and she's a huge stopper."

Annie was purchased by owner Frederick Christen, of Whitehouse, OH, at the NRHA Sale, where she was the high selling mare. Huss said the mare placed third in her only other outing this summer in Montana. He will take Annie to a few shows to tune up in preparation for her next competition, the National Reining Horse Association Futurity in Oklahoma City, OK, in late November.

Annie and Huss took third in the Open division behind Flarida and Craig Schmersal. This year's win marks the fourth Congress Intermediate Reining Futurity championship for Huss, who also won the division in 2000, 2001, and 2002.

Next Generation Makes A Mark
It was a year for the next generation to make an impression - in more ways than one. Two of Shawn Flarida's mounts were by the stallion Wimpys Little Step, whom Flarida piloted to his second Congress Reining Futurity win in 2002.

On the human side, Matt Flarida is adding to the dynasty of an already prolific family tree. Matt, son of Mike Flarida and nephew of Shawn Flarida, also had three horses in the 2007 Congress Reining Futurity finals. Matt Flarida placed second and third in the Intermediate division, and also tied for seventh and eighth in the Open division with Uncle Shawn's third ride of the night, Plus Me Big Time. This kept the Flarida family cheering section busy throughout the finals.

Perennial Performer
With all three of his entries topping the futurity's first-go scores, Shawn Flarida found himself in a familiar, if not difficult, spot. "It can be a nightmare to have three horses in the finals," said the five-time Congress Futurity champion. "It's just really hard to get them all prepared."

His first ride, with Wimpys Little Chic, had a strong start but the palomino mare stumbled hard coming to a stop before her spins. "She lost a few points, but heck, if I lost points every time I stumbled, I wouldn't be here," laughed Flarida.

On his second run of the night, Flarida laid down a rock-solid pattern that didn't leave room for error on the palomino stallion RC Fancy Step. "He walked in super quiet, and what you notice first about him is he is just super pretty," said Flarida. "He lopes his circles without bringing his head up at all, and he just has great transitions. Then he's just an awesome spinner. He's just a very honest horse in the show pen." When the tally came in, Congress Announcer Steve Johnson announced "If you've ever wondered what a 76, 77 and a 78 and a half add up to, it's a 231.5!" Many people believe the score may be the highest Reining score on record at the Congress. Flarida says it is the highest score he has ever received at the Congress, although he has earned a 232.5 in Oklahoma City in the past.

Flarida's three mounts placed first, third behind Craig Schmersal's second place 226 run as the final entry of the night, and tied for seventh and eighth. Flarida credited his owners for their support and help. "Mark Schols and Jimmy Pierce, as well as Mr. Arcese, have been so great, they buy great horses and put me in a position to win," he said. "I wouldn't be here without them."

Flarida, already the NRHA's leading lifetime money earner with $2,323,214 prior to the Congress, added an addition $49,683.68 Saturday evening. His first place win earned a check for $30,677.17, third place added $12,004.11 and the tie for seventh and eighth added another $7,002.40.