Earlier this year, trainer Craig Schmersal called Holly Casey and said he’d found a horse.

“(He) said ‘I found a really neat horse we should buy.’” Holly said. “And I said, ‘Do you want him?’ And he said yes. And I said, OK. And we bought him.”

On November 18, Craig and Mr Dual Rey slid, circled and spun their way to the championship title in senior reining. The pair earned a 220.5, an average score of 73.5.

“I knew once I ran through the gate that he’d be fine,” Craig said. “So I just ran him down there and said whoa. He’s pretty honest. He’s been in the show pen quite a few times. I pretty much knew his deal and – I mean, you never know for sure – but I was pretty sure he was going to come through.”

His trainer thinks “Rey” shines strongest in his circles. The 6-year-old stallion runs with a relaxed, low-headed style.

Craig Schmersal and Mr Dual Rey.

“He’s got a great turnaround and a great stop,” said Craig’s wife, Ginger, “but I don’t think anyone can out circle him.”

Just Like Starlight, a sorrel stallion exhibited by Jay McLaughlin for owners Henry and Lynn Rohwedder, was awared reserve champion in the class.

Rey was originally trained by AQHA Pro Horseman Bob Avila. Last year, Mr Dual Rey finished third in the junior reining. He has earned $37,166 in NRHA competition, and $18,375 in NRCHA competition. Sired by Mister Dual Pep, he is out of the Dry Doc Rey mare Robin Red Rae. He was bred by Alan Needle of Orange, California. The senior reining class, along with junior cutting, will be featured on a broadcast of the World Show on NBC on January 7.  

Holly, who has owned horses her whole life, got into reiners through her daughter. She met the Schmersals about four years ago and has gotten hooked.

“I was thrilled,” Holly said of her victory. “I was thrilled.”

“I was, too,” Ginger said. “I was really nervous, because I knew he had a really good chance to win. We had a great first go, and this horse has been a great horse for us all year long. I was really nervous.”

“Were you?” Holly responded. “Oh, God, I wasn’t. When Craig went in, that first stop, I thought ‘he’s got it.’ But you know, you’re dealing with an unknown. You can do all your homework, go in there, and you never know what’s going to happen. You can win it today and not make the finals next weekend. It keeps us all humble.”

They plan to continue showing Rey, and his owner hopes to try non-pro next year. But in the meantime, his connections will savor his first world championship.