“Cashing” in on One Million Dollar Sire Status
Nu Chex To Cash (Nu Cash x Amarilla Chex) is the latest NRHA sire to attain NRHA Million Dollar Sire status. Nu Chex To Cash, owned by Hilldale Farm, of Princeton, KY, is an NRHA World Champion, and sire of an NRHA Futurity Champion, Wimpys Little Step, and NRHA Futurity and Derby reserve champions.
The 18 year old stallion had much success in the show pen from 1993 to 2002 earning over $57,500 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings. In 2002, Nu Chex To Cash and rider Jessicah Keller, of Fayetteville, TN, were awarded the NRHA Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro Reserve World Championships and the NRHA Intermediate Open and Limited Open World Championships. In the American Quarter Horse Association (an NRHA Alliance Partner) ridden primarily by Hilldale Farm’s Charlie Hutton, the eye-catching palomino earned 379 points and Superiors in Reining and Working Cow Horse. In 1999, he was the High Point Reining, Senior Reining, Working Cow Horse and Senior Working Cow Horse champion and repeated the Senior Reining High Point title in 2001.
The three top money earners that contributed to Nu Chex To Cash’s success include Wimpys Little Step ($185,756), Hot Smokin Chex ($138,276), and Big Chex To Cash ($179,208). Wimpys Little Step, owned by Mark Schols of Aubrey, TX, was the 2002 NRHA Open Futurity Champion. Hot Smokin Chex, then owned by Jennifer Kersey of Great Britain, won third place in the 2004 NRHA Open Futurity. Big Chex To Cash, owned by 23 Partnership of San Marcos, CA was the 2005 NRHA Open Futurity Reserve Champion and the 2007 NRHA Open Derby Reserve Champion. With Keller riding (2003) See Chex To Cash, (2004) Nu Tivio Chex, and (2005) Night Deposit Chex were all NRHA Non Pro World Champions.
Nu Chex To Cash becomes the 15th stallion to become an NRHA Million Dollar Sire.
Renewal Time for NRHA Professionals
Attention NRHA Professionals: it’s time to renew your membership for 2008 and you need to do this before going to your first show. Earnings do not count toward the Top 20 Professionals standings until your renewal is received by the NRHA office. You can check the NRHA Professionals list on the website to verify that your renewal form was received and recorded.
2008 NRHA Derby Schedule Announced
The 2008 NRHA Derby, billed this year as the “Family Vacation Destination,” is just 4 months away – June 23-28 at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK. It’s time to get your 4, 5, and 6 year old horses ready for the always tough competition featuring former NRHA Futurity and recent Derby Champions.
As well as spectacular reining, this year’s Derby has many added attractions created especially for families. The Derby will feature family-fun events including exhibitor parties, daily block parties, a street basketball tournament, dunk tank and plenty of youth activities.
Inside the arenas, spectators will find impressive Derby reining action, a full slate of ancillary classes and AQHA and APHA reining classes. The NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship, billed as the ultimate catch ride, gives riders a chance to prove their skills aboard horses they ride for the first time just prior to entering the arena to compete. While at the Derby, those who are in the market for a reining horse are also invited to attend the NRHA/Markel Insurance Derby Spotlight Sale on Saturday, June 28 at 10:00 am.
For the first time, the NRHA Derby will host the Adequan®/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach and the Selection Trial for the North American Young Rider Championship (NAYRC) Reining teams. 2008 marks the first year that Reining has been included in the NAYRC.
Plan your family vacation in Oklahoma City for the 2008 NRHA Derby!
Dates Set for USEF National Youth Reining Championship
The NRHA 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 the 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. Please click here for an event near you.
Be sure to check out www.nrhya.com for additional information or contact NRHA Supervisor of Youth Programs Mandy Kennedy at 405-946-7400 ext. 130 or mkennedy@nrha.com.
You can also contact USEF Director of Reining Courtney Barnett at 859-225-6919 or cbarnett@usef.org.
USEF National Reining Championship to be held at NRHA Derby
The Adequan®/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach will bring the nation’s finest reiners together to compete for their chance to land a spot on the U.S. Reining Team.
The United States team will be selected at the USEF National Reining Championship held during the NRHA Derby, June 23-28 in Oklahoma City. To compete at the USEF National Reining Championship, riders will have to have at least competed at one of the following CRI**:
National Western Stock Show Denver, CO January 13, 2008
Cowboy Capital Classic Stephenville, TX March 8, 2008
National Reining Breeders Classic Katy, TX April 14-20, 2008 *new* CNYRHA Ride and Slide Syracuse, NY June 7, 2008
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.
2008 FEI World Reining Championship set for September
It’s a “first” for the international reining scene! Beginning this year, the FEI will hold the 2008 FEI World Reining Championship in Manerbio, Italy, where teams will compete for World Championship medals September 11-14. In past years, a World Reining Championship has only been offered during the FEI World Equestrian Games held every four years. This year, teams will compete for the prestigious World Championship medals outside the WEG.
The Reining World Championship selection procedures will be published on the NRHA website at nrha.com once they have been finalized.
2008 Regional Clinic Series to Benefit the NRHyA
The NRHyA Regional Clinic Series kicks off in April. In 2007 the NRHyA established the Regional Clinic Series as a fundraiser for its youth programs. The first year was very successful raising over $20,000. Several clinics for 2008 have been scheduled. The cost per day is $150 for youth riders and $200 for adults. Space is limited so be sure to reserve your spot at your area regional clinic as soon as possible.
Scheduled Regional Clinics listed below:
April 26 & 27
NRHA Professionals Tom McCutcheon & Dell Hendricks
Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses
Aubrey, TX
April 26 & 27
NRHA Professional Shawn Flarida
Morrisville State College
Morrisville, NY
May 24 & 25
NRHA Professionals Tim McQuay & Brian Welman
University of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI
July 9
NRHA Professionals Bryant Pace & Francois Gauthier and trainer Mark Arballo
Location: TBA
Williamston, NC
Date: TBA
NRHA Professional Todd Bergen
Location: TBA
Date: TBA
NRHA Professionals Randy Paul & Matt Mills
Out West Stallion Station
Scottsdale, AZ
Please contact Mandy Kennedy for reservations: 405-946-7400 ext. 130 or mkennedy@nrha.com
NRHyA Varsity Reining Club – New Online Program goes live
There’s something new for an NRHyA program that debuted in 2007. The Varsity Reining Club (“VRC”) was established to engage youth members and encourage them to become more active at both the local and national levels. This program offers NRHyA members opportunities to contribute to the youth association in addition to developing valuable life skills that will allow them to be successful and contributing members of society.
Many improvements have been made to the program, NRHyA now has an interactive website for the VRC where youth members can submit their points and keep track of their activities. All youth members and parents are encouraged to check it out at www.nrhya.com/vrc All youth members will need to enroll again for 2008 even if they participated last year.
Raffle Horse Tickets - Coming Soon Online!
The 2008 Youth Raffle is in full swing and the NRHyA is pleased to offer everyone the opportunity to purchase their raffle tickets online at www.nrhya.com by the end of this week.
It’s always one of the biggest and most exciting fundraisers for the NRHyA each year … the raffle of a yearling prospect. This year’s raffle horse has been graciously donated by Carol Rose, one of the top Quarter Horse breeders in the world.
The filly’s name is Lena Docs Betty (Shiners Lena Doc x Betty Dun It). She was born February 22, 2007. These pictures were taken last spring when she was just a few months old.
It only takes $10 to win her! Throughout this year, youth members will be selling raffle tickets at reining events across the country and now you can buy them online. The winning ticket will be drawn Saturday, December 6, during the 2008 NRHA Futurity. Last year’s raffle horse brought in more than $24,500 to the NRHyA.
Rookie Day presented by Classic Equine begins in March
Mark your calendars! The first 2008 Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) Rookie Day presented by Classic Equine is scheduled for March 29 in Scottsdale, AZ.
Rookie Days are designed to help entry-level reiners improve their skills. During Rookie Day, the riders are partnered with top NRHA Professionals and trainers for a personalized training session. It’s a great opportunity to learn the ins and outs of showing their horse. Then they will compete in an event that is made especially for those entered in the Rookie Day. The cost is $175 for the day. All proceeds from Rookie Day go toward the RHSF Crisis Fund.
If you’d like more information about the RHSF Rookie Day presented by Classic Equine, call RHSF Coordinator Heather Cline at 405-946-7400, ext. 137 or rhsf@nrha.com.
Mark your calendars for a Rookie Day near you:
March 29, 2008
Scottsdale, AZ
Contact: Tina Kuenzli
480-678-5533
May 31, 2008
Pueblo, CO (youth class as well)
Contact: Wendy Lind
970-471-2789
June 21, 2008
Gowanda, NY
Contact: Frank Schlossin
716-652-1664
July 12, 2008
Ardmore, OK (youth class as well)
Contact: Tracy Lynch
580-277-9006
July 20, 2008
Woodside, CA
Contact: Wendy Campbell
760-933-2206
NRHA Announces First-Ever European Futurity
There’s exciting news about an historic event in Europe. For the very first time, the NRHA has approved a European Futurity for 4 year old horses. The 2009 NRHA European Futurity is being held through generous support from the Arcese family, of Verona, Italy.
The NRHA European Futurity will be held in Manerbio, Italy, the second week of March 2009. It is in the planning stages so look for more information in the coming months.
2008 NRHA Convention a Success
The first NRHA Convention billed as a “working” event is hailed a success. The NRHA held its annual convention January 25 – February 2 in Oklahoma City. It started on January 25th with a Judges School. The rest of the week was filled with Executive Board and Board of Directors meetings as well as full committee meetings. The open forum to discuss the proposed Futurity and Derby Nomination Program and the general membership meeting were both well attended.
As well as honoring the Top 20 riders and owners and the Top 10 riders and horses in each division on Saturday evening, the NRHA inducted five new members into the Hall of Fame. Through their involvement and significant contributions they’ve changed the sport and the NRHA. The 2008 inductees are the American Quarter Horse Association, Dr. Jim Morgan, DVM, Mr Gun Smoke, Taris Little Vintage, and Miss Okie Too. After recognizing all of the NRHA Hall of Fame members in attendance, the NRHA paid a special video tribute to each new inductee.
Congratulations to all the winners and the NRHA thanks all who participated in the Convention.
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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.
“Cashing” in on One Million Dollar Sire Status
Renewal Time for NRHA Professionals
Dates Set for USEF National Youth Reining Championship 
2008 FEI World Reining Championship set for September 
2008 Regional Clinic Series to Benefit the NRHyA 
Rookie Day presented by Classic Equine begins in March
2008 NRHA Convention a Success
