For immediate Release:
NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall Addresses
Western Riding and Breed Association Convention
Oklahoma
City, OK - March 15, 2002 - The first-ever Western Riding and Breed Association
Convention was held in Pieve del Cento, Italy February 15-17. The event brought
all the Italian Western Equestrian Discipline and Breed Associations together
to hold their respective annual general meetings as well as board meetings and
year-end awards banquets.
National Reining Horse Association Executive Director
Dan Wall was the Italian Reining Horse Association's guest of honor. During the
Western Equestrian Discipline and Italian Reining Horse Association (ANCR)
general meeting he outlined the format of the first NRHA European Championship
Show.
Wall explained that the event will give the European
countries a stronger incentive to have their shows approved by the National
Reining Horse Association and will provide additional opportunities for
European owners and riders. Not only will all money earned be added to the
horses' official NRHA earnings records but also to that of their sires and
dams. These earnings will not only
qualify them for the NRHA European Championship but also give them a better
opportunity to earn NRHA Year End Top Ten Awards. This is the first step toward
creating a worldwide record system for the reining industry and gives the
European reining community a voice in molding the future of the sport of
reining.
“The goal of
the NRHA International Committee is to create a unified and open market for
reining horse competitions. This type
of market place will provide an excellent promotional tool to help each country
market and grow its individual organizations and activities," Wall emphasized.
“It is thanks to the support and efforts of the AQHA,
NRHA and the FEI that our sport is where it is today," said Eleuterio
Arcese, President of the ANCR, pointing to the inclusion of reining in the
World Equestrian Games and the ‘ultimate goal’ of the Olympics. He continued,
"It is with these associations and the FEI that the Italian Reining Horse
Association will continue joining efforts, as it has ever since its inception,
in order to pursue the goals set forth both at the grass roots and at the elite
top of our reining community. The European Championship is yet another
important step that the NRHA and the ANCR are making together.”
The qualifying period for the 2002 NRHA European
Championship Show ends May 31st, 2002, and each country will qualify
five riders per class. Any NRHA Show approved in Europe will qualify exhibitors
who are NRHA members to the finals. Riders will compete for individual and team
awards at the first European Championship Show in Bolzano, Italy, on July 4-7.
During the ANCR General Meeting, Wall was joined by
Italian Equestrian Sports Federation International Activity Director Marco
Danese and developments regarding Reining at the World Equestrian Games were
discussed. Wall announced that the Classic S Ranch of Reichling, Germany has
signed on to be the presenting sponsor of the Reining Division of the WEG. Wall explained that, due to this
sponsorship, the added money for the reining competition at the WEG has been
raised to $50,000. He concluded by extending all the best to those countries
planning to participate at the Gladstone, New Jersey and Reggio Emilia, Italy,
qualifying events.
A National Reining Horse Association Judges School
and the first European-held Federation Equestre Internationale Judges Course
was held February 12-14 in Pieve del Cento, Italy, prior to the Western Riding
and Breed Associations’ Convention. Attended by 85 applicant judges and 15 NRHA
Judges from throughout Europe, the school was conducted by NRHA Director of
Judges and FEI Reining Judges Course Director Allen Mitchels. The school was also
highlighted by an address by Wall, who covered specific FEI rules and
requirements.
After the
European trip, Wall was enthusiastic about the future of reining in Europe.
"I think we're on the threshold of a new era for the reining
industry." He was also quick to voice his appreciation of the ANCR and
President Arcese for hosting him at this event. "I'm grateful to Mr.
Arcese and the entire Italian Reining Horse Association for the opportunity to
attend and I commend them for the great job they're doing in expanding our
industry."
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