Reyly Plendl and The Crossfire Run Away With Super Stakes Amateur Championship

Coming from the last draw in the first set of the Super Stakes 4 Year-Old Amateur Finals, Reyly Plendl and The Crossfire marked a 222 to best twenty other riders for the championship title.

Small in stature, The Crossfire (Stevie Rey Von x Rey Of Oak x Dual Rey) had big odds to overcome from his first day on earth. He arrived as a premature foal on April 11, 2020 on the Plendl’s property in Kingsly, Iowa.

“We raised him, he’s kind of been mine from the beginning,” said Plendl. “I was the one that found him when he was born, he was a preemie and he about died. So our family took care of him for the first two weeks and then we started him as a two-year-old and Nick O’Dell trained him.”

Barely into the beginning of his career, The Crossfire has racked up $19,469 in show earnings according to EquiStat. He almost doubled that number this weekend earning $14,170, bringing his lifetime earnings to $33,639.

Showing The Crossfire

Coming into the Super Stakes, Plendl was entered in the Non Pro division but had some tough luck early on. She kept working her horse and was ready to show him to the best of his ability in the Amateur.

“It went rough, I made some changes with myself and came back in the amateur a lot more confident and we had some momentum in the first go so I built off of that,” Plendl said.

In the first round, the duo marked a 216, then they marked a 213 in the Semi Finals. All the while, her twin sister Regan was showing Coca Colaa (NRR Cat King Cole x Bratty Cat Rita x High Brow Cat) in the same division, as well as helping Reyly in the herd. In fact, Regan marked a 215.5 in the semi finals to lead the pack into the finals.

Regan drew third from last in the finals so she was able to help Reyly in the herd during her big run.

“My sister just recently started helping me in the herd,” Plendl said. “And it’s just a good feeling knowing someone is trying as hard as you are to win it for you.”

Regan and Reyly Plendl embraced after Reyly and The Crossfire marked a 222 in the Super Stakes 4 Year-Old Amateur finals. * Photo by Amy Olson

Joining Regan to help Reyly during her run were Nick O’Dell as well as Sean Flynn and EquiStat Elite $12 Million Rider Lloyd Cox. Plendl wanted to thank them, as well as her family back home and everyone who cheered her on during the show.

Runners Up

Four points behind Plendl and The Crossfire, Makayla Cowan marked a 218 on McGuyver (Catty Hawk x Shes Full Of Hope x Smart Mate) to take home the reserve championship title and a check for $12,698. Regan Plendl captured the third place slot with another 215.5 on Coca Colaa for $11,476.