American Paint Horse Colonels Smokingun, aka "Gunner," is Equistat's 2011 No. 1 reining sire. (Photo by Jessica Hein/Paint Horse Journal)

Money-earning Paints lead the Quarter Horse News’ 2011 Equistat Reining Statistical Review rankings.

Several familiar Paint faces topped the leaders’ list in 2011 Equistat earnings. Equistat records show results and dollars distributed at all reining venues throughout the 2011 season. When it comes to spinning, stopping and sliding for dollars, it makes good sense to ride a Paint-just ask the connections of National Reining Horse Hall of Famer Colonels Smokingun.

The $3 million sire, best known as “Gunner,” claimed Equistat’s No. 1 spot, ranking as the 2011 Leading Reining Sire. Both an elite and prolific sire, Gunner’s finesse in the reining pen is repeated year after year in his get. In 2011, Gunner sired 150 horses who shared earnings of $847,935.

Colonels Smokingun, owned by McQuay Stables of Tioga, Texas, is a 1993 sorrel over stallion. Bred by Eric Storey of Henagar, Alabama, Gunner is by Colonelfourfreckle (QH) and out of Katie Gun (QH).

Two Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani piloted Tinker With Guns, a 2006 chestnut solid stallion, to the top of the 4/5/6-Year-Old Open Horse & Rider division. Owned by 2011 Leading Reining Owner Rancho Oso Rio LLC, of Scottsdale, Arizona, Tinker With Guns is by Colonels Smokingun and out of Tinker Nic. The stallion won $158,817 in 2011. Tinker With Guns was also the No. 2 Overall Horse for 2011 Equistat rankings.

Gunner Be Really Good, a 2008 sorrel solid stallion, ranked No. 1 on the Level 1 Non-Pro Horse list. By Colonels Smokingun and out of Bay Brim Hat (QH), Gunner Be Really Good is owned by Felix Schnabel of Walldorf, Germany. The stallion also finished second on the Level 2 Non-Pro Horse list.

Spooks Gotta Run, a 2008 bay solid stallion by Spooks Gotta Gun and out of Prettywhizprettydoes (QH), took the highest spot on the Level 2 Non-Pro Horse list with earnings of $18,452 in 2011. Spooks Gotta Run also finished fourth on the Level 3 Non-Pro Horse list with $15,595 in 2011 earnings and third in 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Horses with $40,095.

Finest Copyshot placed fifth in the 4/5/6-Year-Old Horses Open division, earning $65,616 in 2011. Finest Copyshot, a 2007 sorrel overo mare, is owned by Anja Deutzmann of Solingen, Germany. Bred by Anja, Finest Copyshot is by Shotgunner and out of Its Another Footwork (QH).

Kiss My Trash, a 2008 sorrel overo stallion, earned $13,059 for a fifth-place finish in the Level 3 Non-Pro Horses division. Bred and owned by Wagman Ranch of Talala, Oklahoma, Kiss My Trash is by Trashadeous and out of Miss Ruby Jane.

-About APHA

The American Paint Horse Association (APHA), the international breed registry for the American Paint Horse, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012. In fulfillment of its mission to collect, record and preserve pedigrees of the breed, APHA recognizes and supports 111 regional and international clubs, produces championship shows, sponsors trail rides and creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses. APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded, and now serves over 58,000 active youth and adult members around the world.