THE FIREMEN DELIVERS ONCE AGAIN WITH A 228 AT THE NRHA DERBY

NRHA LEVEL 4 OPEN DERBY, 5TH (TIE)

Kaci O'Rourke and The Firemen deliver another huge performance in the NRHA L4 Open Derby Finals, marking a 228 to earn 5th place and a check for $21,643.16, pushing the stallion's LTE over half a million dollars.

ANOTHER BIG STAGE, ANOTHER BIG RUN

A packed arena, music booming, people bustling, cameras flashing - the scenes of finals night. Big scores on the board, draw 30 - the stage is set. Kaci and The Firemen are no stranger to high pressure situations.

"Every time I show that horse, there is incredible pressure to do well. Not because he needs to do well - he owes us nothing, just because I know how great of a horse he is and I want the everyone else to see that," Kaci says.

Good horses show up to make the finals, great horses show up when it really counts. Kaci and "Thiago" already had a strong 5 year old season under their belts. They were coming off a 7th place finish at the NRBC, previously placing 3rd in the go round.

"We had a great run in the finals at the NRBC, but I definitely left some points on the board. I had a turn penalty, and then on the second stop around the side he caught himself pretty badly and stumbled in the stop. The judges marked that maneuver a 0 or minus half which should never be the case for that horse. That run kind of haunted me because he felt so great, we just had some bad luck, and he still ended up marking a 224.5. I was definitely coming in to the derby hungry to have that next great run on him."

Kaci and The Firemen did the job necessary to make it back to the Level 4 Open Finals to give themselves another shot. At draw 30, the arena was electric, and the audience was waiting to see something great.

The score: 228

Kaci recounts her run; "I was last on the set, so I was a little worried about hitting decent ground. When I ran through the gates he was really with me. He nailed the stop and then backed up like a machine. He turned great both ways and we got shut off clean so I was feeling really good at that point."

Pattern 9 is the highest degree of difficulty, which is why it is a great setting for the Open Derby Finals. It starts off with a small slow circle, which after performing big stops and spins can really make or break you.

"When I loped off into my small slow he just felt amazing. I just took a deep breath because I knew this was him telling me he was with me one hundred percent. I had so much fun running those circles, and he came back really good in the lead change. We got through 3 stops, he rolled back great, and when I was done I was just so happy with him. There's nothing like showing that horse in a major finals," Kaci recalled.

When the dust settled the announcer called out a 228 score, which at the time was tied for second place. With only 6 runs to go the team would end up tied for 5th, but Kaci couldn't be happier with her horse.

"I was really hoping to stay in the top three, but that was one of the toughest reinings in a while. I left a few things on the table, but mostly I'm just so thankful to get to show that horse. It's thrilling. He gives you everything every time."

What's Next?

The NRHA Derby will be the final stop for The Firemen for the 2026 show season. He'll get some time to rest and recuperate and come back again even stronger in 2027.

Kaci discusses the strategy with The Firemen going forward; "Especially after that run, I'm so ready to show him again. But he's given us so much this year, he's ready for a break. He's got his very own turnout at our place where he'll get to go outside during the day and just get pampered for the rest of the year. I'll start legging him back up right after the Futurity. We're going to come into 2027 ready to deliver. I can't wait."

The Firemen's earnings now exceed $518k. He has won the NRHA Futurity and since been 6th at the Derby, 3rd at the 100X Stakes, 7th at the NRBC, and 5th at the Derby again.

"I don't think there are hardly any other horses as consistent as him. The derby horses we compete against are just stacked. Yet he has been at the very top every time. He just proved time and again how special he is."

The Firemen's first foals will hit the ground in 2027.

"We have a bunch of babies by him coming next year. We've crossed him on just about every one of our mares. I hope they are just like him. It'll be so exciting."