All Star Reining Stakes Celebrates Pairing with All American Quarter Horse Congress

Fresh off a beautiful week in Columbus, Ohio, the accolades for the All Star Reining Stakes (ASRS) are still coming in. Event organizers celebrated the reining industry with more than half a million dollars given back to the people of the sport. Less than a week after the last run had concluded, checks were in the mail, paying more than $530,000 back to exhibitors, more than $10,000 back to foal enrollers and $30,000 paid back directly to stallion owners.

The top two nominated stallions were Spooks Gotta Whiz and Gunners Special Nite, who earned $5,000 and $1,210, respectively, from their offspring.

“We are so incredibly grateful to everyone who made the 2024 All Star Reining Stakes such a huge success,” said Vincienzo Santos, one of the owners of the ASRS. “From the exhibitors to the enrollers and the stallion owners, we know there was some concern about the move to the All American Quarter Horse Congress, but it ended up being one of the best things we could have done for the event. And, for that, we’re especially grateful to the All American Quarter Horse Congress for becoming our partners.”

While the world’s largest single-breed horse show is still happening, plans are already in the works for the 2025 edition of the All Star Reining Stakes to make the event even bigger and better.

A multi-year contract has been signed with the organizers of the Congress. “We’re excited to call the Congress our home in the years to come,” said Santos.

Also to come in 2025:

• Added money will be increased to $446,000, with an anticipated payout of roughly $650,000
• The Level 3 and 4 Open Futurity will pay out 25 places in the finals
• All other levels of both the Open and the Non Pro Futurity will pay out 15 places
• All levels of both the Open and Non Pro Derbies will use the NRHA Schedule B payback

“We want exhibitors and program participants to know that we heard you—you wanted more places paid out and more money, and that’s what we’re doing in 2025,” said Santos. “All while staying at an exhibitor-friendly 50 percent retainage.”

Stallion nominations are now open for the 2025 All Star Reining Stakes Stallion Service Auction. Stallion owners are encouraged to nominate their stallions by donating a breeding to the auction prior to Dec. 31, 2024.

Prospect enrollments are also open for future All Star Reining Stakes until Dec. 31. Weanling enrollments start at $150.

Any questions pertaining to the stallion auction and the All Star Reining Stakes event itself can be sent to [email protected].

The All Star Reining Stakes is the culmination of the work of Vincienzo Santos, Shannon Rafacz and Chris Wiley, reining professionals who were looking for a way to celebrate the industry and the backbone of the sport: the stallions, stallion owners and the breeders.