Tim McQuay Becomes the NRHA’s First-Ever Two Million Dollar Rider
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Tim McQuay was honored as a Million Dollar Rider during the Friday evening performance, December 2 at the NRHA Futurity. He was presented with a special framed award that was a composite photo image created by photographer KC Montgomery. |
In a lifetime filled with record-setting achievements, Tim McQuay added another, as the first rider to exceed the two million mark in National Reining Horse Association Lifetime Earnings. How fitting that McQuay should reach his goal at the 40th Anniversary of the NRHA Futurity.
Predictably,
reining’s highest achieving rider went over two million in grand
style. McQuay was the only rider to qualify three horses for
the clean-slate Open Futurity Finals on Saturday, December 3.
His finalists included fourth place finisher Great King Pine
owned by Guenter Bosner,
Tim McQuay earned his first NRHA Futurity paycheck in 1978 aboard Band Of Glo. The year 1986 was very significant as Hollywood Dun It, with McQuay in the saddle, was the NRHA Futurity Reserve Champion. The next year, 1987, the pair were the NRHA Derby and Superstakes Champions. In 1988, McQuay rode Mr Melody Jac to the NRHA Open Futurity championship and in 1993 he rode Shining Spark to become the AQHA Jr. Reining World Champion. In 1994, the pair won the NRHA Derby. In 2003, RR Star with Tim at the reins won the NRHA Derby, the first NRHA Futurity winner to claim the NRHA Derby championship title as well. Space doesn’t allow for an entire list of McQuay’s wins, titles and awards, but there are two special achievements that must be noted. In 1997, Tim McQuay reached Million Dollar Rider status, only the second rider to do so, and in 2000, Tim McQuay was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame - along with his beloved Hollywood Dun It.
Besides his accomplishment, the 40th NRHA Futurity Anniversary was filled with emotion and poignancy, especially for Tim and Colleen McQuay. Hollywood Dun It was recognized several times throughout the ten-day run of the event. A Sherrill Brooke painting of Hollywood Dun It, commissioned by Vaughn Zimmerman and Jerry Kimmel, was unveiled. Prints of the painting will benefit the Reining Horse Sports Foundation.
Additionally, a Marita McMillan Bronze of Hollywood Dun It was also presented by the McQuays to the National Reining Horse Association, and the bronze, which will be kept in the NRHA Offices, will be a perpetual trophy, inscribed each year with the name of the top sire of the futurity.
