Winner Todd Bergen to Compete at 2009 High Roller Reining Classic

The High Roller Reining Classic is pleased to announce that the 2008 High Roller Reining Classic Open Futurity winner, Todd Bergen, will be showing at this year's competition. The horse show will be held at the South Point Hotel and Casino, September 4 -12, 2009. Bergen is a $1 Million Elite Rider who claimed the Open Futurity victory during last year aboard Electrical Flash. The High Roller Reining Classic is the international "crown jewel" of western riding competition, and features over $200,000 in added money and prizes.

This year Bergen will compete again with Electrical Flash in the $50,000 4-Year-Old Derby event. "Last year's win during the Open Futurity was really good," noted Bergen. "I had high expectations for her and she performed well for me. I was more concerned about how she showed and looking towards the future, but it's always nice to win. I'll be showing her in the 4-Year-Old Derby this year and she's been feeling very good."

Bergen will also be showing three new horses for the first time in the $130,000 3-Year-Old Futurity. "I'm just trying to feel them out and see where I am at on them," he explained. "I've been training on them and riding them as often as possible. Right now I'm just looking to get them as consistent as possible."

"I'm not too worried about the competition," continued Bergen. "My focus is on how my horses perform, how they ride, and how they show. If they win something, great, but if not then I'm not too awfully concerned about it. I've got one horse that is pretty good but we'll have to wait and see."

Bergen is excited to be competing at the South Point Hotel and Casino again because it is a unique venue with a lot to offer exhibitors. "It's really great that you stay right there and you can just walk to the arena," he said. "It has a nice arena and nice stalls; it's a first class facility."

In 2004 Bergen earned the $1 Million Elite Rider status at the National Reining Breeders Classic. "It's an elite group, so I'm pretty proud that I made it there," he commented. "It took a lot of hard work and a lot of good horses to get to that point. It proves that you've stayed consistent over the years and you've accomplished a lot."

In addition to being a top reiner Bergen competes at reined cow horse events. His current focus is training young reining horses and reined cow horses. Bergen does not plan to try and qualify for the 2010 World Equestrian Games. "If reining becomes an Olympic sport I might change my mind; I would like to compete at the Olympics someday if reining ever gets there. For right now I'm just going to focus on younger horses and the reined cow horses."

Bergen enjoys the challenge of young horses, and for three of his horses the High Roller Reining Classic will be their first show. "It's the first time showing those three year olds so I don't know what to expect," said Bergen. "I want to see how these horses are and use this event as a stepping stone for the future."

The High Roller Reining Classic is a NRHA "AA" rated event and promises to be the best Las Vegas and West Coast Reining Event in history. This level of purse and quality venue draws entries from across the US, Canada, and Mexico.

For more information about the High Roller Reining Classic please visit http://www.highrollerreiningclassic.com