Oklahoma City, December 2, 2017- The 2017 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show saw the highest scores of the week as the biggest stars shined in the Lucas Oil Level (L)4 Open Finals on Saturday night in front of a full house. The Open Futurity also witnessed a new champion crowned: Craig Schmersal. Though the NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider has won every NRHA major event, the NRHA Open Futurity Championship title was missing in his impressive show record.

Helping Schmersal conquer the Futurity crown was Face The Attitude (Pale Face Dunnit x Miss Lil Addy Tude), a mare owned by Hickory Creek Ranch LLC, bred by KC Performance Horses LLC, and nominated by Ginger Schmersal. The duo was the last draw in the Open Finals with a 224.5 to beat, posted by NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani – who unofficially surpassed the Five Million Dollar Mark – riding All American Vintage. Following a powerful ride that thrilled the crowd, Schmersal and his mare conquered the Championship with a 226.5 score.

“It’s taken a while to win the NRHA Futurity – 27 years – but we finally made it,” said Schmersal, who did not try to hide his tears. “This mare reminds me of her mom and dad, and I had the pleasure of showing them both. The babies by and out of them try so hard and are so steady. They have their brain and the ability,” said Schmersal. “This mare, ‘Ariel,’ has the ability, but most importantly she has the brain to back it up. You can have a horse with a great ability, and you can have a horse with a great brain, but if you don’t have it all, it’s just a hard deal.”

“I’m so grateful that nobody bought her,” said Craig’s wife, Ginger. “I put a high price on her, and I’m sure they thought I was nuts. In the last few months, she’s just bloomed and grew up. That brain has always been beautiful, but now she’s growing into what she is, and I am thrilled with this title that Craig so deserves.” – NRHA