NRHA Futurity/Derby Nomination Plan: You Can’t Afford Not To Do It
Join us for the 2008 NRHA Derby: A Cowboy Luau
New Youth Non Pro Division Added to 2008 NRHA Derby
Don’t just come to the show… Be a part of the show
Stall Sponsor & Stall Reservation Deadlines
Can We Borrow Your Horse at the Derby?
Qualify now for the 2008 Adequan®/USEF National Open Reining Championship
            presented by Equine Motorcoach
New Opportunity for Reiners -
            Sign up Now for New Competition at NRHA Derby
Qualify Now for 2008 USEF National Youth Reining Championship
            coming to NRHA Derby
How to Write-in a Candidate for NRHA Officer Elections
RHSF Offers Thousands of Dollars in College Scholarships to Young Reiners
Rookie Day heads to Colorado and New York
NRHyA Regional Clinic Series Kicks Off In Just Days
New NRHA Online Show Secretary Seminars a Hit!
Save the Date for 2009 NRHA Convention
News from the Home Office!
Sponsor Spotlight
View Dr. Kim Sloan’s President’s Letter

New NRHA Futurity/Derby Nomination Plan Approved
You Can’t Afford Not To Do It!
A small investment in your weanling could provide endless benefits for many years to come!  The NRHA is announcing a major change in the way reiners nominate their horses for the NRHA Futurity and NRHA Derby.  The new NRHA Futurity/Derby Nomination Plan was just approved by the NRHA Board of Directors. 

A task force spent the better part of a year working to develop a solution to bring more money and increased stability to the NRHA Futurity and NRHA Derby.  The new Futurity/Derby Nomination Plan features increased payouts and deeper payouts especially in the Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Intermediate Non Pro and Limited Non Pro divisions.  Click here for more information about the new NRHA Futurity/Derby Nomination Plan. 

Be sure to read your upcoming NRHA Reiner magazines for in-depth explanations.  Special Town Talk meetings are also being planned at several big reining events across the country and also at each NRHA North American Regional Affiliate Final event.  We want to spread the word about this exciting new nomination plan – the plan that keeps on giving for years, whether you own the horse or not. 

Join us for the 2008 NRHA Derby: A Cowboy Luau
The NRHA Derby is almost here and we’re busy planning a family-fun event!  Bring your hula skirts and Hawaiian shirts for daily fun and games in the cowport just south of Barn 1.  There will be music, a special kids play area, and fun things to do every single day. 

Get ready for the “Boots & Bermudas” legs contest, a “Find Floyd” contest every day involving our NRHA Corporate Partners and plenty of other family-fun events.  On Tuesday evening, June 24, join us for the “Hula Skirts & Hawaiian Shirts Exhibitor Party.”  Bring your lawn chairs and an empty stomach and get ready for a good time at the NRHA Derby, June 23-28 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

New Youth Non Pro Division Added to 2008 NRHA Derby
The new Youth Non Pro Division will be open to all Youth Non Pro members.  NRHA Youth riders have shown they can be very competitive at many different levels.  The 2006 NRHA Futurity was the first time a Youth division was included in the Futurity competition.  At the 2007 NRHA Futurity, four out of the 13 Youth Non Pro Futurity competitors won a total of $29,000 in several NRHA Cinch Non Pro Futurity divisions including the Non Pro division.

The Youth Non Pro division will run concurrent with the other Non Pro Derby divisions. Youth members are required to enter the Non Pro division in addition to the Youth Non Pro division to compete.  The entry deadline for the Youth Non Pro division is May 15, 2008 and the entry fee is $100. 

For more information about the Youth Non Pro Derby division, please contact Membership Services Supervisor of Futurity/Derby Entries Susie Trimmer by calling 405-946-7400 ext.131 or email at strimmer@nrha.com. 

Don’t just come to the show… Be a part of the show
How’d you like to showcase your Affiliate, Ranch or Product? Why not become a class or event sponsor at the 2008 NRHA Derby and receive more benefits than ever before!

Each level of sponsorship has opportunities to put  name in the title of specific classes or fun events.  If you wish to be a sponsor, please contact Lauralee Flamm at 405-946-7400, ext. 125 or lflamm@nrha.com

Stall Sponsor & Stall Reservation Deadlines
Be sure to meet the following deadlines for stalls at the 2008 NRHA Derby:

May 9th - Stall Sponsorship Contracts and Stall Reservation forms are due
May 23rd - ALL Stall Reservation forms are due

Stalls are on a first come, first serve basis.  If you miss the following deadlines you have to get your stalls at the horse show office when you arrive.  Stall maps will be posted on the NRHA website no later than Monday, June 16th, 2008.

Can We Borrow Your Horse at the Derby?
The NRHA is hosting the NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship at the Derby and we need your help!  To carry out the competition, billed as the “Ultimate Catch Ride,” we need the use of 12-14 reining horses.  Each rider will have a 15-minute-timed warm-up on the borrowed horse under the supervision of the owner/trainer before competing on Saturday, June 28.  If you’re interested please contact Michelle Wrigley at (405) 946-7400 ext. 116 or mwrigley@nrha.com.

Qualify now for the 2008 Adequan®/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach
Qualifiers for the 2008 Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach are being held across the country.  This Friday, a qualifier will be held at the National Reining Breeders Classic in Katy, TX.  The final qualifier will be held at the CNYRHA Ride and Slide in Syracuse, NY on June 7.

The Adequan®/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach will be held at the NRHA Derby on Friday, June 27.  The nation’s finest reiners will compete for their chance to land a spot on the U.S. Reining Team.

The top four reiners from the U.S. at the National Reining Championship at the Derby will go on to compete at the first-ever 2008 FEI World Reining Championships in September in Manerbio, Italy.

Click here to see the USEF Reining Long List and qualifications for the USEF National Reining Championship. 

New Opportunity for Reiners!
Sign up now to compete in the USEF CRI* National Championships at the NRHA Derby
If you’ve never competed in USEF High Performance Reining competition, now’s your chance.  Reiners are invited to compete in the inaugural USEF CRI* National Championship during the NRHA Derby.  It’s open to any rider who is not on the 2008 USEF Reining Long List or is on the restricted portion of the Long List and who has not competed in the Open Reining Championship in the last three years.

It’s a great chance to experience the sport of Reining on a top national level. The top 10 riders will be added to the USEF Reining Long List and will be eligible to compete in the USEF Open Reining Championships next year.

Click here for more information about this new competition.

Qualify Now for 2008 USEF Youth Reining National Championship at NRHA Derby
Another first for the NRHA Derby!  The Derby will host the inaugural USEF National Youth Reining Championship for divisions 13 & Under, 14-18, and 19-21.  The USEF classes will run concurrent with NRHA youth classes at the Derby.  For those who are 16 and older, they will run in the format of a CRI-Y (FEI competition).  The CRI-Y is a Selection Trial for the North American Young Rider Championship (NAYRC) Reining teams to be held in Parker, Colorado, July 31-August 2.

There are several qualifying competitions for the USEF National Youth Reining Championship.  Click here for a look at those qualifiers.  For more information contact USEF Director of Reining Courtney Barnett at 859-225-6919 or cbarnett@usef.org.

Write-in a Candidate for NRHA Officer Elections
In 2008, there are three NRHA Officer seats open for election.  The newly elected officers will serve during the 2009-2010 term and will serve as Executive Board members.  The deadline for submitting write-in candidates is May 11, 2008.  The annual election will be held at the General Membership meeting on August 9, 2008.

Go to the Members Only section of the website to view the candidates submitted by the Nominating Committee and learn about the procedures for submitting a write-in candidate.

RHSF Offers Thousands of Dollars in College Scholarships to Young Reiners
The RHSF is accepting 2008 scholarship applications. The RHSF awards five $1,000 scholarships based on financial need, academic achievement, career plans, NRHA and NRHyA involvement, as well as references. The application deadline is June 15. The RHSF is committed to providing leadership and scholarship opportunities to allow youth to further excel in their future careers and competition. Click here for a link to the scholarship application. You can also contact, RHSF Coordinator Heather Cline at 405-946-7400, ext. 137.

Rookie Day heads to Colorado and New York
Rookie Day presented by Classic Equine heads to Pueblo, CO on May 31 and to Gowanda, NY on June 21. Rookie Day is a one-day event that gives beginning reiners a chance to learn from many NRHA Professionals and other trainers in the morning. In the afternoon, the rookies are given the chance to compete against the other rookies with awards provided by Classic Equine and Performance Horse magazine. At Rookie Day, beginning reiners learn the ins and outs of reining in a comfortable, relaxed setting that focuses on having fun.

Each Rookie Day costs $175. There will be a special Youth Class for the Rookie Day in Pueblo. The cost for Youth riders is $100. All proceeds benefit the RHSF Crisis Fund.  The Crisis Fund helps reiners who have suffered a tragedy get back on their feet.

If you’d like to reserve a spot for the Pueblo Rookie Day, contact Wendy Lind at 970-471-2789. For more information on the Rookie Day in Gowanda, NY, contact Frank Schlossin at 716-864-7412.

NRHyA Regional Clinic Series Kicks Off In Just Days
The NRHyA Regional Clinic Series begins soon! The clinic series, held across the United States, features some of the top NRHA Professionals. The clinics are open to all riders including adults and youth. The clinics provide reining enthusiasts an opportunity to learn from the best trainers in the reining industry. The cost is $250 for adults, $150 for youth and $25 for auditors. All proceeds benefit the NRHyA Program. Space is limited, so contact the Youth Department at 405-946-7400, or youth@nrha.com to reserve your spot today.

Scheduled Regional Clinics are listed below:

South Central Region
April 26 & 27
NRHA Professionals Tom McCutcheon & Dell Hendricks
Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses
Aubrey, TX

Northeast Region
April 26 & 27
NRHA Professional Shawn Flarida
Morrisville State College
Morrisville, NY
           
North Central Region
May 24 & 25
NRHA Professionals Tim McQuay & Brian Welman
University of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI
             
Southeast Region
July 9
NRHA Professionals Bryant Pace & Francois Gauthier and trainer Mark Arballo
Location: Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center
Williamston, NC
           
Northwest Region
Date: TBA
NRHA Professional Todd Bergen
Location: TBA

Southwest Region
Date: October 11 & 12
NRHA Professionals Randy Paul & Matt Mills
Outwest Stallion Station
Scottsdale, AZ

New NRHA Online Show Secretary Seminars a Hit!
The NRHA’s new online show secretary seminars are such a hit that the April 19th seminar is full!  But you can still sign up for the next seminar scheduled for May 10th.  If you are interested in participating in that online show secretary seminar contact Melanie Rinehart at mrinehart@nrha.com for more information.

Save the Date for 2009 NRHA Convention
The 2008 NRHA Convention in Oklahoma City was such a success we’re doing it again in 2009.  The NRHA Board of Directors approved tentative dates of January 26-31, as the dates of the 2009 NRHA Convention.   Look forward to another working convention with a board meeting, committee meetings, Judges School and Applicant Seminar and many other special events.  Work and play in OKC at the 2009 NRHA Convention!

News from the Home Office!
The NRHA is proud to announce the promotion at its international headquarters in Oklahoma City. 

Dennis York, current Director of Information Technology, has been promoted to become the NRHA’s Chief Operations Officer.  Dennis will be responsible for redefining job positions and responsibilities, salary structures, implementing an organization-wide training and orientation program, day-to-day operations and human relations.  Dennis will also continue to oversee an extensive overhaul to the NRHA’s computer systems.  He has quite a challenge ahead of him, but he says he’s looking forward to it and feels confident the entire membership will benefit by the changes ahead.

Please congratulate Dennis!

The NRHA has a new addition to its family of corporate partners.  Rios of Mercedes Boot Company is joining Anderson Bean Boot Company as the Official Boots of the NRHA!

Rios of Mercedes has been making hand-made boots since 1853 and is well known to those who appreciate fine boots.  In 1988, Anderson Bean was started by the owners of Rios of Mercedes to offer the features of an all-leather boot made in the South Texas tradition at a price everyone could afford.

View Dr. Kim Sloan’s President’s Letter here.


This newsletter is provided by the National Reining Horse Association as a service to its members and anyone interested in the sport of Reining. NRHA does not assume any liability for errors and/or omissions. To learn more about NRHA and Reining go to NRHA.com or call the NRHA office at 405.946.7400.