Sitting astride Story Book Stables’ 2015 gelding Gunna Cash Ya (Lil Joe Cash x Gunners Blonde Chic), the 13-year-old talent marked a 224 to secure the win after a four-way run-off with scores of 218 from Gebert, Gina-Maria Schumacher and Take Out The Trash, Allison Thorson and Pale Light, and Sarah Rose Jons and Let Err Rip.
“At first, I got nervous [for the runoff]. Every time I show I get nervous before the show. But when I’m going in, it goes down,” Gebert said. “The running stop was amazing on long range, and the turns were amazing. It was a bit difficult to get to the right spot, but I got there, and the circles were really nice. He’s such a nice horse.”
Gebert is already an earner of more than $60,000 and is very familiar with the TRFAM show pen at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center after showing here in 2023 and 2025. Gunna Cash Ya is also well-acquainted with the lights of Vegas after placing at the inaugural 2019 The Run For A Million Reining with reining legend Tom McCutcheon in the saddle. The gelding’s lifetime earnings now top $84,000.
Gebert has a history with “Duke” as well, having ridden and shown him during his trips to the States. He rode the palomino to a second-place finish last year at TRFAM in the Youth Reining Challenge.
“We came directly to Las Vegas to The Run For A Million, and I started riding him. I know him a little from last year, and what I have to work on, so I just need to think in my brain what I need to work on,” Gebert said. “He’s such an amazing horse. I can’t explain him with words. This horse is everything. He is so special to me, because he’s doing a good job and is a nice stopper… his turns, everything about him is nice.”
He rides at home in Germany with his parents and in the States with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Arno Honstetter, as well as Patrick Flaherty in Arizona. Gebert thanked his trainers, family, Duke’s owner, and everyone who helped him this week in Las Vegas.
