Special UPDATED 2007 NRHA Convention eNRHAnewsletter

It’s almost time for the 2007 NRHA Convention! The Convention kicks off at noon on February 14th, (Valentine’s Day!) with registration and a Show Secretary Seminar. That’s just the beginning of a spectacular and very exciting series of events during the next few days. It’s definitely one you don’t want to miss.

We have made several changes to our Convention Schedule and added a few events you will want to attend. You can see more details below.

On Thursday, February 15th, join us for a Welcome Reception hosted by Century Investment Group. If you attended last year’s Convention, you saw one of the most amazing things! Comedic Hypnotist James Kellogg, Jr. hypnotized a few of our staff members and the things they did during that time had the whole audience rolling with laughter! Well, guess what? He’s BAAAAACK! James Kellogg is coming back to 2007 Convention during the Welcome Reception on Thursday evening. You have to be there for the hilarious event!

On Friday, February 16th, make plans to attend the Dixieland Dinner Cruise down the Mississippi. You’ll enjoy a fabulous dinner during a moonlight cruise onboard a replica of a 15th century riverboat. Hurry and register because the spaces on the riverboat are filling up fast!

Below you’ll find details on all the updates and other information you need to make your reservations and plan your entire weekend in St. Louis.

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Convention Schedule

Dixieland Dinner Cruise filling up fast!

Last year’s hypnotist comes back to Welcome Reception

From the Airport to the Hotel

NRHA Strategic Plan Revealed

Show Secretary Seminar

Special Presentations

                National Animal Identification Seminar

                Equine Facility Design

                2010 WEG Presentation

Fun Youth Activities & Forum

Special Evening Activities

                Hall of Fame Reception

                RHSF Silent Auction

                Awards Banquet

What To Do and See in St. Louis

Convention Schedule
We have now finalized the schedule for the Convention. The fun begins Wednesday, February 14th with a Show Secretary Seminar and continues through Saturday evening, February 17th with the Awards Banquet where Keith Bradley, the latest inductee to the NRHA Hall of Fame will be honored as well as the NRHA World Champions. Just click here for an updated schedule so you can plan your trip to St. Louis now! Click here for a registration form for the NRHA Convention.

You will also need to book your reservation at the host hotel, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at Union Station. You can call 1-800-233-1234 to make your hotel reservation or you can click here for a hotel reservation form. To book your hotel online, please visit the St Louis Hyatt website and enter G-NRHA in the group # box.

Dixieland Dinner Cruise filling up fast!
Mark your calendars for dinner, dancing and fun Friday evening onboard a 15th century riverboat. Reservations are filling up fast for the Dixieland Dinner Cruise down the Mississippi. You’ll enjoy a fabulous dinner during a two-hour moonlit cruise onboard a replica of a 15th century riverboat. You can dance the night away while you listen to live Dixieland music. Buses leave the hotel at 6:45 pm and return around 10:00 pm. This dinner cruise is an additional fee to your Convention registration. Don’t delay because spaces on the riverboat are filling up fast!

Last Year’s Hypnotist Comes Back to Convention
You may have heard about the hilarious hypnotist at last year’s Convention! Well Comedic Hypnotist James Kellogg, Jr. is baaaack! Expect the unexpected at the Welcome Reception hosted by Century Investment Group. Join us Thursday, February 15 from 7:00-10:00 pm. Make plans to attend this hilarious event!

From the Airport to the Hotel
Once you arrive in St. Louis, if you arrive by plane, there are several options of getting from the airport to the Hyatt Regency. Below are options and costs:

Metrolink
A light rail train system connecting the main and east terminals of Lambert International Airport to the downtown area. Hyatt is the only hotel on the rail line, connecting the main and east terminals at the airport to Union Station. Total travel time is 27-30 minutes. The trains run approximately every 30 minutes from 5:02 am to 12:48 am.

The cost is $3.00 to and from the airport. This is NOT recommended for people with heavy or large amounts of luggage. The station is located at the rear entrance of the mall, making it necessary to walk through the mall (approximately a 10 minute walk.) to the hotel.

All other rides on the METROLINK are $2.00 each way. Metrolink tickets are sold at each stop.

Taxi
You can catch a taxi at the airport for approximately $45-$55 each way. Wheelchair guests need to contact Richardson Transportation at (314) 725-9111. They prefer a 24 hour notice. Or you can contact Harris Cab (some extra charges may apply) at (314) 535-5087 or (314) 371-7111.

Trans Express
This is a transportation van from the Airport to the Hotel. It costs $16 per person one way or $26 per person for a round trip. For reservations call (314) 427-3311. The vans run every 25 minutes from 5:50 am-10:00 pm. Reservations are required after 6:10pm. Look for white vans with black lettering that read TRANS EXPRESS. Major credit cards are accepted to Downtown St. Louis.

Amtrak
The stop is located 5 blocks from hotel. A taxi from that point to the hotel is approx $8-$11.

Strategic Plan for NRHA Revealed
Don’t miss the major announcement by the NRHA Strategic Planning Committee. The Committee will reveal the future of the NRHA. It’s a very exciting plan and will benefit the NRHA for years to come. The special presentation by the Strategic Planning Committee will be held on Friday, February 16th from 3:30-5:30 pm.

Show Secretary Seminar
The Convention kicks off with a Show Secretary Seminar. Don't forget that ALL NRHA Approved Events must have a certified show secretary starting in 2008!!!! AA and A Events must have a certified secretary in 2007! So make your reservation today by calling Melanie Rinehart at (405) 946-7400 ext 115 or email at mrinehart@nrha.com.

Special Presentations

National Animal Identification
You’ll learn about new high tech security measures to protect your equine investment at the National Animal Identification seminar.

Equine Facility Design Presentation
A leading expert in the field of equine architecture will present an educational presentation on building safe and practical horse facilities.

2010 WEG Presentation It’s the largest equestrian sporting event ever held in the United States. The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 in Kentucky. At the Convention, you’ll hear from Jack Kelly from the World Games 2010 Foundation. He’ll give NRHA members an inside look at all of the equine events coming to the WEG. You’ll also see how the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is being transformed to host this major worldwide event.

Fun Youth Activities & Forum
Don’t miss all the activities for the Youth members at the Convention. Check out the Youth agenda below:

Thursday, February 15th from 1 – 4 pm
A trip to the St. Louis Science Center where the youth will be able to explore many exhibits at the center and watch “Hurricane on the Bayou” at the OMNIMAX Theater.

Friday, February 16th from 12:30 – 3 pm
Lunch at the Hard Rock Café and a guided tour of the historic Union Station.

Saturday, February 17th from 10 – 12 pm
A Youth Forum will be held to discuss NCAA opportunities and compliances, the North American Young Rider Championship and other important changes to the Youth Program.

Special Evening Activities

Hall of Fame Cocktail Reception
Rub shoulders with legendary members of the NRHA Hall of Fame at the Hall of Fame Cocktail Reception hosted by the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau. The reception will be held from 6:00 – 6:30 pm just before the Awards Banquet begins.

RHSF Silent Auction
Let the bidding begin! While you’re at the Hall of Fame Cocktail Reception, place your bids at the Silent Auction to benefit the Reining Horse Sports Foundation. There are all sorts of beautiful items at this year’s auction.

Awards Banquet
Join us Saturday evening for the NRHA Awards Banquet as we induct the Voice of the NRHA, Keith Bradley, into the NRHA Hall of Fame. We’ll also honor the 2006 NRHA World Champions as well as future leaders through the Youth Incentive Awards and recognize the horses that will receive Platinum Certificates.

What To Do and See in St. Louis
While you’re in St. Louis don’t miss some of the major attractions around town starting with Union Station! Union Station was once one of the nation’s largest and busiest railroad passenger terminals in the United States, this beautifully restored 100-year-old terminal is one of St. Louis’s biggest attractions and now contains more than 80 specialty shops, and restaurants. Just visit www.stlouisunionstation.com for a complete list of things to do and see at Union Station and the major attractions in and around St. Louis.

As well as Union Station, you can find information on the riverboat casinos, the Gateway Arch/Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Botanical Gardens, the St. Louis Art Museum and check out www.lacledeslanding.org to visit all the fun things to do at The Landing on the Historic St. Louis Riverfront.

Be sure to make your reservations now so you don’t miss out on this very important NRHA event! If you have any questions at all, please call us at (405) 946-7400.


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.