Matt Mills caught the attention of all in attendance in the open finals at the 2009 National Reining Breeders Classic in Katy, Texas, with his run aboard The Sargeant Dunnit. The pair laid down an impressive run and walked out with a 228.5, which led the Open finals for several runs.

When the dust settled, Mills finished second in the Intermediate Open finals, for a check worth $17,563, and won another $28,000 for a seventh-place finish in the Open finals.

“He was just really good tonight, and I was really happy with him,” Mills said. “I’ve always known that he’s had the talent, and we were finally able to prove out there.”

The Sargeant Dunnit is owned by C&J Investment Partnership, which consists of Cindy and Joe Johnson.

“Cindy and Joe have been great clients for me for years, and it means a lot to win this for them,” Mills said. “They bought this horse over the phone because I thought he’d be a good one, and they just had faith in me and him that it would work. I can’t thank them enough.”

Matt Mills is one of reining’s most prominent young trainers. He was part of the 2006 gold-medal-winning Team USA at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, and is also a popular clinician. Mills is proud to be sponsored by Purina Mills, Classic Equine, Rios of Mercedes, Cinch, Greeley Hatworks and SmartPak Equine.