A Mega Win for William Rhoads!

Saturday, July 2, 2016

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NRHA DERBY

Dr. William ‘Bill’ Rhoads aboard his own Mega Maggie Mae (Photo: NRHA)

Oklahoma City, OK – The 2016 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Non Pro Derby Champions were crowned today following an exciting finals. Riders and fans were on the edge of their seats until the very end, and one of the riders who had to wait was Dr. William ‘Bill’ Rhoads. Draw 14 in the second section, aboard his Mega Maggie Mae, he had scored a 219. It wasn’t until the very end before he could celebrate their win.

“It was nerve racking. I was reading an e-book, trying not to think about what was happening in the show pen. I did have some emotional break downs but I made it,” said Rhoads who also tied to win the L4 qualifier. “I still don’t believe this is happening. It’s surreal. I was a nobody with just a little over $5,000 in LTE last year, until I rode ‘Mae.’”

‘Mae’ is his 4-year-old mare by Magnum Chic Dream and out of Cinco De Mega, bred and nominated by Martin Bonneson. Last year, the duo claimed the NRHA Futurity L4 Non Pro Reserve championship and swept the levels 3, 2 and 1. Today, the duo won the $80,000-added NRHA Derby L4 Non Pro division, adding $18,932.15 to their earnings. Rhoads came to OKC with $102,883.22 LTE. Mega Maggie Mae, who the Texan-based veterinarian purchased as a yearling, has won $83,825.37 in NRHA competition.

In a tie for the Reserve Co-championship was Lyndsey Jordan riding her 6-year-old stallion, Made By Magnum (Magnum Chic Dream x Ready Make Cowboy), who she nominated; and the 2015 Derby L4 Non Pro Champions, Cade McCutcheon and Custom Made Gun (Gunner x Custom Made Dunit), owned, bred and nominated by McQuay Stables LLC. Each earned a score of 218.5.

Young Cade McCutcheon and the 5-year-old stallion also earned the win in the Youth Non Pro division where Gina Schumacher, at the reins of Judys A Little Moody (Wimpys Little Step x Smart Connection), a 4-year-old mare owned by XCS Ranch and nominated by Sergio Elia, took reserve honors.

For complete Non Pro Derby results and today’s ancillary class results visit nrhaderby.com