Oklahoma City, Okla. – By Hayley Lewallen –The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is excited to announce that 2011 Hall of Fame Inductee Shining Spark has become the associations sixth Four Million Dollar Sire. This historic milestone puts him among others such as Hollywood Dun It, Topsail Whiz, Smart Chic Olena, Gunner, and Wimpys Little Step. His offspring has won a total of $4,041,790 to date.
The 1989 stallion owned by Carol Rose is by Genuine Doc and out of NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Diamonds Sparkle. Not only has Shining Spark led a successful career as a sire but a successful show career as well, earning over $55,000 with riders like Hall of Fame Inductee Bob Loomis and Three Million Dollar Rider and Hall of Fame Inductee Tim McQuay behind the reins. Some of his greatest achievements include:
- 1992 NRHA Futurity Open Finalist, ridden by Bob Loomis
- 1993 Lazy E Classic Open Reserve Champion, ridden by Bob Loomis
- 1994 NRHA Derby Open Champion, ridden by Tim McQuay
- 1994 Lazy E Classic Open Reserve Champion, ridden by Tim McQuay
Shining Spark’s owner, Carol Rose, was thrilled to hear about the honor and said, “I’m so proud for all of us and for Shining Spark. We don’t think about the milestones each day. We just keep raising foals, showing and trying to do the best we possibly can. We are so thankful to the owners, trainers and breeders that have Shining Spark offspring. We couldn’t have achieved this without their support.” She continued talking about the stallion, “Shining Spark is one of very few stallions that have reached this level with successful offspring in both NRHA and National Reined Cowhorse Association competition. I’m so very proud of him. I hope he knows the impact he’s made.”His top money- earning offspring include:
- Shining N Sassy (Shining Spark x Sassy O Lena): $232,600 NRHA LTE, owned by Roxanne Koepsell; 2008 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion, 2009 NRBC Level 4 Open and Open Mare finalist, 2010 NRBC Level 4 Open and Open Mare finalist
- Miss Rey O Shine (Shining Spark x Miss Rey O Lena): $159,700 NRHA LTE, owned by Bahn Quarter Horses; 2007 NRHA Futurity Open finalist, 2008 NRBC Level 4 Open finalist and Open Mare Reserve Champion, 2008 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open finalist, 2009 NRBC Level4 Open finalist and Open Mare Reserve Champion
- Shine On Line (Shining Spark x Oaks Little Diamond): $110,600 NRHA LTE, owned by Justin Mathison and Mary Jansma; 2009 SWRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Champion and Level 4 Open finalist, 2010 NRBC Open finalist, 2011 NRHA Derby Level 4 Open finalist, 2012 NRBC Level 4 Open finalist
- Just Gotta Shine (Shining Spark x Zans Pretty Penny): $103,900 NRHA LTE, owned by Wolfgang Becker; 2001 NRHA Futurity Non Pro and Limited Non Pro finalist, 2002 NRHA Derby Intermediate Non Pro finalist, 2004 NRBC Non Pro Reserve Champion, 2004 NRHA Derby Non Pro Reserve Champion, 2006 World Reining Trophy Non Pro Reserve Champion, 2006 Mallorca Western Festival #1 Open Reserve Champion,
- Sailing Spark (Shining Spark x Topsail Maid): $94,200 NRHA LTE, owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA; 2000 NRHA Futurity Open finalist, 2001 NRBC Level 4 Open finalist, 2001 NRHA Derby Open finalist