Craig Schmersal
Craig Schmersal, 33, is the newest NRHA Million Dollar rider with career winnings of nearly $1,220,000, the 7th all-time leading rider. [Read the NRHA article "Craig Schmersal NRHA Million Dollar Rider!" from the Feb 2006 Reiner here.] At the 2006 NRBC in Katy, TX, he took three horses back to the finals and was the $25,000 Open Reserve Champion on Mister Montana Nic. In September 2005, he won the Gold Medal in the FEI World Reining Masters Open Division on Tidal Wave Jack, against a field of riders from 17 countries. In May 2005 he steered Commanders Nic to become the leading all time earning stallion in the NRHA - winning the 1st go-round at the National Reining Breeders Classic.
In 2004 he was the NRHA Open Derby Champion on Commanders Nic and Open Derby Finalist on two other horses; Open Derby Co-Champion at the Reining By The Bay on Mister Montana Nic and Tazmanian Sailor; NRBC Open Derby Finalist on three horses, and Open Futurity Champion at the Rocky Mt. Summer Slide. His earnings made him the number two money earner in the NRHA's 2004 Top 20 – the NRHA's official list of the top 20 NRHA professionals.
Craig has won numerous AQHA and NRHA Open World Championships. One of his most exciting accomplishments to date is earning a position on the United States Equestrian Team. In 2002, the team competed in Jerez, Spain where they took home the Gold Medal for the United States. This was not Craig's first trip internationally. In 1994 he traveled to Germany to secure an NRHA World Championship and win the most prestigious European west horse show “The Americana”.
Craig showed in his first NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in 2001 and was an open Finalist with the second highest fence score in the finals. He went on to win a reserve NRCHA Derby championship in 2002.
In addition to training and showing Craig has, in partnership with Shawn Flarida, created a set of training videos demonstrating their winning techniques for futurity prospects and finished shows horses.
Craig's goals include showing his futurity horses where he has successfully proven himself to be one of the most competitive trainers bringing multiple horses every year to the Open finals.
Craig's program includes of every level of horse. He has a great staff of assistant trainers who allow him to ride a variety of horses and help Non-Pros go to the top.
If you are looking for a trainer who is serious about his business and interested in making your horse the best it can be, or if you want to become more competitive in the show ring, then contact Craig.