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Matt Mills and Whiz Bing Bang Boom Score Open Division Blue Ribbon at High Roller Reining Classic

Written by: Rebecca Walton
Client: High Roller Reining Classic
Release Date: 2009-09-07

Las Vegas, NV - September 7, 2009 - It was another exciting day of competition at the High Roller Reining Classic where 16 riders competed for top prizes in the Open division. Matt Mills garnered today's blue ribbon for his ride aboard Whiz Bing Bang Boom, owned by Ashley Anixter of Scottsdale, AZ. The pair owned the arena as soon as they cantered in to begin their pattern, and earned the day's high score of 73.00 to win the class. The High Roller Reining Classic is the international "crown jewel" of western riding competition, and features over $200,000 in added money and prizes. The show is being held at the luxurious South Point Hotel, Casino, and Equestrian Center and will run through Saturday, September 12.

Today riders were asked to complete pattern ten, which begins by having riders run in, slide to a stop and back ten feet. They then complete four spins to the right and four spins to the left. Riders must then move into their circles on the right lead, beginning with fast circles then making a figure eight with the smaller slow circles to demonstrate a change of lead and move into the left lead circles. Finally riders complete three stops and rollbacks, and at the completion the pattern must dismount and drop bridle to the judge.

Mills made his mark when he entered the ring with Whiz Bing Bang Boom. The pair glided through each movement and hit their marks with precision to receive a score of 73.00. Shawn Church tried to catch Mills' score with Little Devil Whiz, owned by Megan Woodley of Silverton, OR. They met each of the pattern's challenges but were not quite able to catch up to Mills, earning a score of 72.00 and the third place prize. Church was not ready to give up yet and took to the arena with his final mount, Smartest Shiner Yet, owned by Cindy Woodley of Silverton, OR. The duo moved well through the spins, circles, and stops, but their score of 72.50 would earn them the second place honors, sealing Mills' victory.

"I feel really good," smiled Mills after receiving his blue ribbon. "It's always good to come out on top, that's why we come out to do this, to win."

Mills had a lot of confidence in Whiz Bing Bang Boom for today's Open division. "I've shown this horse a lot and he's always been pretty reliable," he explained. "Since we had pattern ten where you run in and stop first I ran my horse in pretty hard. He stops good and backs up good, so he felt like he hit that pretty well."

"During the spins I thought he spun a little better to the left for me," continued Mills. "The right set of circles he was really good for me and was exactly where I wanted him to be, so I felt like I got some points there. He wasn't very good through the left circles, but when we got to the stops he just went down and does what he always does, that horse always stops really well."

Whiz Bing Bang Boom is a seven-year-old gelding by Topsail Whiz out of Boomernic, and Mills has been showing him for over two years. His owner, Ashley Anixter, also shows him in the Non-Pro divisions and will be showing him in tomorrow's Limited Non-Pro class.

Mills explained that Whiz Bing Bang Boom is a simple horse that is always very consistent. "I show him about three or four times a year and he's usually not worse than third," he noted. "The nice thing about him is that you don't have to be out there for an hour riding, he's as close to automatic as you can get. On his worst day with his scores are about a 71, so he's just a really fun horse to show."

Mills traveled from Scottsdale, AZ to compete at the High Roller Reining Classic and is thrilled to compete at the event each year. "I love this event," he smiled. "The facility is very nice and the schedule is great for the competitors. The footing is also really good which is always important. Honestly, I wish we had more horse shows here, it's really a great place to show!"

The High Roller Reining Classic will continue tomorrow with the second day of the Non-Pro divisions at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center. This year's feature events are the $130,000 Added 3 Year Old Futurity and the $50,000 Added 4, 5, & 6 Year Old Derby. The horse show will come to a close Saturday, September 12.

The "Play It Forward" Texas Hold 'Em-style poker tournament will also be held this year at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center on Thursday, Sept. 10 from 8-11 pm during the High Roller Reining Classic. All proceeds from this charity event will benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF), a non-profit organization assisting with basic medical needs funding for those from catastrophic illness or injury. Limited to 150 people, the "Play It Forward" Poker Tournament offers players the opportunity to win big - having fun and making a difference at the same time. Each player will receive a seat assignment in the HRRC VIP Private Poker Tournament Room where dealers will provide $2,500 in chips. At 11 p.m., chip leaders through 10th place will win a percentage of the prize pool.

Equestrian Life http://www.equestrianlife.com will be everywhere within the South Point Equestrian and Events Center, video camera in hand, streaming in depth interviews and comprehensive event coverage to their membership base of 30,000 avid horsepeople. Live streaming video coverage of the High Roller Reining Classic will begin Thursday, September 10th with the $15,000 Added Non-Pro Futurity, continuing on Friday, September 11th with the $10,000 Added Non-Pro Derby, and wrapping up on Saturday, September 12th with the $15,000 Added Open Derby.

For more information about the High Roller Reining Classic please visit http://www.highrollerreiningclassic.com

Photo Credit: Matt Mills took home top honors in the Open Division for his ride aboard Whiz Bing Bang Boom at the High Roller Reining Classic. Photo By: John O'Hara. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.