Einsteins Revolution, with $279,357, is the National Reining Horse Association’s new all-time leading money earner. The 5-year-old son of Great Resolve surpassed former leader Smart Spook’s record of $269,606, when he claimed the 2007 NRHA Intermediate Open Derby reserve championship under Ruben VanDorp, earlier this month.

KR Lil Conquistador became the second-ranked leading money earner – just $518 behind Einsteins Revolution – with $278,839, as a finalist in the NRHA Open Derby. The 5-year-old gelded son of Conquistador Whiz was ridden by Shawn Flarida for Cheree Kirkbride, Ocala, Fl. Einsteins Revolution is owned by Ruben VanDorp, and Christian and Rosi Wagner of Germany.

Former earnings leader Smart Spook, with $269,606, won the 2004 NRHA Open Futurity and 2005 NRHA Open Derby with Flarida (pictured), the sport’s all-time leading rider. Flarida also had a hand in Einsteins Revolution’s success, when he rode the stallion to win the 2006 National Reining Breeders Classic with a record 232 points.

Einsteins Revolutin and Smart Spook, who is owned by Rosanne Sternberg, East Sussex, England, illustrate the international appeal of reining. In 2000, the sport was accepted by the Federation Equestre International (FEI) for international competition and in 2002, the first-ever reining medals were awarded at the World Equestrian Games, with Shawn Flarida claiming the gold.

In 2006, Italian rider Kelly Zweifel rode Master Snapper, owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi, Italy, to score an historic triple by winning the NRHA Derby Open, Intermediate Open and Limited Open divisions. In addition, Master Snapper, by Snapper Cal Bar, became the first European bred, born, raised and trained horse to win the NRHA Derby.

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, NRHA has seen dramatic growth in the past decade. Membership increased by 40 percent, to over 14,000 members, between 1997 and 2006; the number of annual shows went from 265 in the US to 660 worldwide; and purses increased from $1.3 million to more than more than $10 million.