Conversation With Reiner Shawn Flarida Held April 27
Shawn Flarida, National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) leading rider, all-time money earner, and a member of the NRHA Hall of Fame, spoke at the University of Kentucky (UK) Ag Equine Programs’ Distinguished Industry Lecture Series April 27 in the Gluck Equine Research Center’s auditorium.
The talk was moderated by the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s equine industry advisory committee chair and long-time program supporter Norm Luba. It was live-streamed on the college’s YouTube channel and an archived version of the talk is available at youtube.com/watch?v=R6T1Bwf6oCo.
Sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, the event was free and attracted approximately 75 attendees.
Flarida is the first-ever Five Million Dollar Rider. He has five NRHA open futurity championships to his name and has won the All-American Quarter Horse Congress futurity 11 times.
Additionally, he was an individual and team gold medal winner at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, riding for Team USA. In 2010 he was the high scoring rider in the World Equestrian Games team competition and led Team USA to the gold medal.
Flarida knew from a very early age what he wanted to do when he grew up. In 1988 he graduated from high school and went to work for his brother, Mike Flarida, who had an established and successful business as a reining trainer. In 1989 Flarida branched out on his own.
Notoriously superstitious—always showing in a green shirt—Flarida’s stated focus is on working hard at home and being the best horseman he can be. His official website is thegreenshirt.com.
The Distinguished Lecture Series began in the fall of 2009 and has become one of UK Ag Equine Programs’ signature events. It is designed to showcase important figures from the equine industry in an informal setting.
Previous series speakers include Keeneland’s Nick Nicholson, accomplished equestrienne Nina Bonnie, Keeneland’s Ted Bassett, Zenyatta owners Jerry and Ann Moss, Olympian Reed Kessler, and a double header featuring both Thoroughbred trainer Graham Motion and three-day eventer Buck Davidson.
Author: Holly Wiemers
