Flarida sweeps the NRHA Open Novice Horse Reining
By Carly Williams

There is a myth that you will hear over and over throughout the years: nice guys always finish last. There is no doubt it will be said repeatedly during this year’s Congress, as well as out in the “real world.” Fortunately for Shawn Flarida, however, this myth was proven false when the humble trainer not only won the NRHA Open Novice Horse class, but also had the second and third place winners as well.

“I just love to show,” Flarida said with a large grin. “I’ve always known I wanted to do this, and I know how lucky I am to be able to ride and show as a career.”

Flarida, of Springfield, Ohio, showed Ima Tinseltown to win the class with a score of 224. Ima Tinseltown is owned by Charlie Vaughan of West Lafayette, Indiana, and has been in training with Flarida since his two-year-old year.

“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to show this horse,” Flarida said, again grinning. “This is the third year I have showed him and he has done a lot of winning for me. Although he has not won a lot of money in the Category 1 division, he has won a lot at other levels and has really proven himself.”

Flarida also tied with himself for second place with Hollywoodsmokin Babe and Senjor Tejano Whiz. Both horses earned a score of 221. Randy Watson of Jeffersonville, Indiana, owns Hollywoodsmokin Babe, while Senjor Tejano Whiz is owned by 4 R Performance Horses of Boerne, Texas.

Although many trainers would flinch at the thought of showing three horses in the same class, it is routine for Flarida. “When you are showing horses that you really know, it makes it a lot easier to show multiple horses in each class. I have shown Senjor Tejano Whiz many times before and I know how he shows and I can trust him to give me a good run.” Flarida does admit, however, that occasionally having multiple horses in the same class has proven to be hairy, but usually in smaller classes. In the NRHA Open Novice Horse this year, Flarida’s three entries were split between 67 total entries, and he found plenty of time to get each horse ready, and (obviously) have a good run.

To this trainer, however, it isn’t the win that makes showing worthwhile; it’s the relationships he develops with horses and people. “I am very fortunate to be able to do what I do,” Flarida said. Although he has garnered so many wins at so many large events, Flarida remains humble and appreciative of what he has and who has helped him. “During high school I rode horses for my brother during the summers, but I never went to work for anyone else. I graduated from high school in 1988 and started training on my own in 1989.”

Although Flarida did not apprentice with any other trainers, his hard work, natural talent and perseverance pushed him to the top, where he has remained for many years. Even though he spends hours in the barn working each day, he knows that he could not have done it (or continue) on his own. “I have so many people that help me constantly; I could not do any of this without them. I have great people that work for me, great customers and a great family that are always helpful and supportive.”