Rookie Matthew Palmer earns his ticket to the USEF Reining Championship in July.

The NRBC hosted the last USEF qualifier before the Championship in July during Battle in the Saddle.

Friday night’s CRI-2*/U.S. Equestrian Federation reining event at the National Reining Breeders Classic was the last opportunity for reiners to qualify for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Twenty five riders competed for their chance to travel to Oklahoma City in July for the USEF Reining Championship during Battle in the Saddle. The Championship will determine which four reiners and horses will represent the United States at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, in September.

Newcomer Matthew Palmer from Pennsylvania, riding his parents’ 7-year-old gelding A Whale Of A Whiz, marked a 224 to win the CRI-2*/USEF gold. “Montana” is by Topsail Whiz and out of Pappita Sunrise.

“He’s a great horse,” Matthew says of Montana. “He’ll give you everything he’s got. I could have had my turns a little bit better, but he stopped real big where I wanted to stop. I’ll take it.”

The family bought Montana two years ago at the National Reining Horse Association Futurity Sale, specifically with the USEF in mind.

Matthew’s other qualifier was at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, where he earned bronze.

“I was low on the totem pole there, and this one felt good to be standing up on top!” he says. “Especially coming from the East. It’s a long way to come.”

Matthew grew up with horses and took a short break to focus on a baseball career. He had a contract with the Minnesota Twins when he hurt his shoulder.

“I couldn’t see myself sitting in an office,” he says. “I’m too much of a sports guru. This satisfies the hunger.”

His shoulder is now fine, and he plays in a baseball league at home. But if the Twins asked him to come back?”

“I’d say, ‘No.’ Reining is being taken to a higher level, and I want to be a part of it. My 9-to-5 buddies all think I’m living the dream.”

Matthew says he’s going to spend the next two months focusing on getting himself and his horse ready for the USEF Reining Championship, because he hopes to be one of the four members selected to represent the United States.

“My grandfathers were in the war. To represent your country means a little bit more. This is a big deal for me. Looking at them and how much it means to them, to represent your country in something that means something, it doesn’t get any better. “

Rounding out the podium Friday night: Jordan Larson and Make It With A Twist scored a 223.5 for the silver, and Craig Schmersal earned bronze with Mister Montana Nic after marking a 223.

Jody Reynolds
AQHA Director of Online and Interactive Communications