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| Jessica Sternberg and Ann Admonius Share Win in 2010 NRBC Intermediate Non Pro Ancillary |
Jessica Sternberg marked a 215 on Whizin Off Sparks in the National Reining Horse Association Intermediate Non Pro Ancillary at the 2010 National Reining Breeders Classic in Katy, Texas, on Sunday, April 18, to tie with Ann Admonius on Tivios Lil Dun It. Each rider received a check for $821 and a Morrison trophy.
Jessica, a former youth reiner from the United Kingdom, moved into the Non Pro ranks this year. Her 8-year-old mare, by Topsail Whiz and out of Setting Off Sparks, was the 2008 AQHA Senior Reining Reserve World Champion and has almost $86,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings as well as more than $16,000 in AQHA prize money.
“She was very good today,” Jessica said. “I was very happy with her. She tried really hard.”
Jessica also made it back to the NRBC Limited Non Pro Finals on Friday, April 16, on Pop Top Whiz where they placed 14th. “It was a very good show overall,” she said. “It felt really, really good to be in the finals. It was amazing just being there.”
And in September, Jessica will do another amazing thing when she joins her aunt, Francesca Sternberg, and uncle, Doug Allen, and two other riders in Lexington, Kentucky, to represent the United Kingdom for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
“I don’t know if I’ll be one of the riders yet, I might be the reserve, but I’ll be there,” she said.
Wearing her AQHA World Champion belt buckle for 3-year-old halter, Ann Admonius guided Tivios Lil Dun It to her first Morrison reining trophy. “It was an amazing ride this morning,” the Ocala, Florida, rider said. “I showed halter and western pleasure for many years but I’m doing reining now. It’s been a challenge but it’s fun.”
But with the help of her trainer Mark Rafacz, Ann has adapted to her new sport and now has a Morrison trophy. “It really makes your thinking processes step up,” she said.
By Hollywood Dun It and out of Tivios Little Queen, “Mr. TO” has almost $60,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings. “This is a new horse for me,” Ann said of the 5-year-old palomino gelding. “We bought him from Craig and Ginger Schmersal in December, so we’re still in that learning curve but he’s been a very good pony.
“Matter of fact, he’s been excellent all week here and all of the mistakes have been mine. I keep telling Mark that the dementia has set in so he has to forgive me,” she added with a laugh.
The National Reining Breeders Classic, celebrating its tenth anniversary at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, is the most successful stallion incentive program in reining history. In just thirteen years, the NRBC has grown to include upwards of 230 subscribed stallions and in 2009, there were over 2,800 enrolled foals. Annually, the payout at the National Reining Breeders Classic exceeds $1.3 million. For information on the NRBC, visit the web site at www.nrbc.com or call 580-759-3939.
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