SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Historically, cowboys were famous for robbing banks, but today, a local cowboy takes it to the bank.

Shawn Flarida, of Springfield, has made quite a name for himself in the equine industry winning more than $2 million showing reining horses with the National Reining Horse Association.

His latest win came earlier this month at the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City making him the all-time leading money earner.

Flarida broke the record held for nine years by Tim McQuay of Tioga, Texas. Flarida's overall winnings top $2 million.

"Tim's a good friend of mine. I'm only ahead by $30,000, there is nothing saying he won't pass me again. I was just fortunate enough to get around him," said Flarida with a smile.

It wasn't easy getting there. Flarida's horse nearly lost his life to colic, a stomach ailment severe to horses. The horse spent 24 hours in an Oklahoma equine hospital just days prior to his first round in the NRHA Open Derby.

"The vets didn't give him much hope," said Kathy Damrill, NRHA Communications Manager.

Miraculously, Walla Walla Whiz or "Walla," a registered Quarter Horse stallion owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA in Weatherford, Texas, made a healthy — and rapid — recovery.

"I noticed he wasn't feeling well around three on Monday," said Flarida from horseback. "We had our first go on Wednesday."

The duo kicked up arena dust with precise slides and spins, qualifying them for the finals.

"Things really don't bother him," said Flarida, "Some horses are kind of wimpy, but this one, he's got a lot of guts."

The Open Derby, is one of the largest NRHA events and takes place in Oklahoma City. "The horses go through a series of moves, hallmark maneuvers including sliding stops, spins, flying lead changes, slow and fast circles to show the athleticism of a ranch horse within the confines of a show arena," explained Damrill.

The Open Derby is for horses ages 4 to 6 years old, this year there were approximately 900 entries.

The 2007 NRHA Patterns book explains that reining horses are scored on the execution of individual pattern maneuvers. Five judges scored competitors at the Derby, the highest and lowest scores were thrown out.

Flarida now has his eye on the $3 million prize.

Long time friend Tim Folck refers to Flarida as an "international celebrity right in Springfield."

Folck, owner of locally-based National Equine Sales, says horses trained by Flarida have worldwide interest.

"He's a phenominal athlete. He loves what he's doing, his heart is in it and his horses perform for him. It's incredible," he said.

Flarida has been riding reining horses since the age of three. For a short time he trained and showed pleasure horses which he claims he "wasn't very good at and didn't like it." Currently, Flarida's barn boasts 37 horses in training including one from Israel.

"He raised the bar in the competition ring. He is an outstanding horseman and an outstanding person — a wonderful representative for the NRHA and the reining world," said Damrill.