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The National Reining Horse Association proudly welcomes Arnaud Girinon as its newest Million Dollar Rider, marking a major milestone in the career of the French-born professional. Girinon officially crossed the million-dollar threshold.
This achievement comes on the heels of one of the most memorable performances in recent reining history.
Reaching the Million Dollar Milestone at the IRHA Futurity
Arnaud Girinon officially became an NRHA Million Dollar Rider at the IRHA 3-Year-Old Futurity, riding Con Calma (AB Peppy Diamond x Whiz Me a Diamond), owned and bred by Jennifer Kronsteiner-Nixdorf. He scored a 224 to claim the Level 4 Open Reserve Championship, pushing his career earnings past the $1 million mark.
The ride highlighted Girinon’s precision and control, with Con Calma performing long, smooth slides, controlled spins, and elegant circles in response to his cues. This milestone reinforces Girinon’s status as one of the sport’s top international competitors.
Making History at The Run For A Million
Just weeks before reaching Million Dollar Rider status, Arnaud Girinon, riding all the way from Belgium, captured the 2025 The Run For A Million Championship in Las Vegas.
Girinon guided Flexing Guns N Town—a 2019 palomino stallion by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown, out of Shesa Fashion Gun by Gunner—to a run that captivated the Thomas & Mack Arena. The victory marked:
- Girinon’s largest career win
- France’s first-ever TRFAM title
- A defining moment for the European reining community
From the first maneuver, Flexing Guns N Town displayed power, precision, and confidence. Long, controlled slides, elegant circles, and crisp spins demonstrated the skill and training of both horse and rider.
That TRFAM victory is part of a larger record Girinon has built with Flexing Guns N Town, a stallion owned by Anna Maria Scheiflinger, bred by Peter A. Morgan, and nominated by Margarito Ramirez (North America) and Anna Maria Scheiflinger (Europe). Together, they have earned major titles and high placements across both European and North American competitions.
Some of Girinon’s notable career highlights with Flexing Guns N Town include:
- 2025 The Run For A Million – Million Dollar Competition: Champion ($500,000)
- 2024 NRHA European Derby: L4 Open Champion ($16,224)
- 2024 100X European Classic Derby: L4 Open Reserve Champion ($35,000) and 4th place with PL Yankee Littlewhiz ($22,500)
- 2023 IRHA 4-Year-Old Futurity: L4 Open Reserve Champion ($11,487)
- 2023 IRHA 3-Year-Old Futurity: 3rd place with World Map ($21,981)
Beyond these individual results, Flexing Guns N Town entered the TRFAM event with more than $115,000 NRHA LTE and a record of consistent, high-level performances throughout Europe. Their strong showing at the TRFAM European Qualifier at Equita Lyon, where they scored 230, secured their spot in Las Vegas and a place in TRFAM history.
From Girinon’s early years in Europe to recent international successes, he has steadily built a reputation as a skilled and dedicated competitor. His path to NRHA Million Dollar Rider status reflects years of consistent effort, strong performances, and careful horse development—each achievement contributing to the foundation that carried him to this milestone.
A New Chapter for an International Competitor
Becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider reflects a career built on skill, horse development, and consistent competition at the highest level. From Europe’s toughest arenas to the bright lights of Las Vegas, Arnaud Girinon and Flexing Guns N Town have demonstrated what dedication, preparation, and partnership can accomplish.
With this milestone behind him, Girinon begins the next chapter of his career—one that promises many more memorable moments ahead.