For European Qualifiers, All Roads Led to Bokeberg, Sweden
Young Artists Take Top Honors
NRHA Derby Sees Significant Increases
United States Team for FEI World Reining Championships Announced
Ballots & Bylaws & Rule Changes
Attention Stallion Owners
Only Two NRHyA Regional Clinics Remain
Inside Reining
Sponsor Spotlight
View Dr. Kim Sloan’s President’s Letter

For European Qualifiers, All Roads Led to Bokeberg, Sweden
The NRHA European Affiliate Championship (EAC) competition ran July 11 – 13 in Bökeberg, Svedala, Sweden.  Host affiliate, the Swedish RHA, worked diligently to get everything in place to ensure a seamless production. The event welcomed qualified riders from 14 countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. 

In addition, the Summer Slide Show that ran consecutively, featured a full slate of NRHA ancillary classes featuring a $15,000 added Open and a $7,500 added Non Pro.  So, whether competitors qualified for the Championship or were looking for an NRHA-approved show with substantial payouts, there was a place for everyone to play.

NRHA Corporate Partners wholeheartedly supported this competition. Champions were awarded a package that included saddles from Pard’s Western Shop; handmade Rios of Mercedes/Anderson Bean Boots, and Classic Equine products. The champions will be the envy of many with a variety of NRHA trophies such as Lawson and Morrison bronze trophies, pewter trophies and plaques.

Check out www.srha.nu and www.luckyrider.se/site/page.asp for a look at the results and the first-rate facility that hosted the event.

Young Artists Take Top Honors
The 2008 NRHyA Art and Photo Contests named its winners during the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City. The contest was open to NRHyA members who submitted their own original works of art for judging – whether it be done in pencil, paint, oil or photograph. The winners were awarded savings bonds for their artistic endeavors.

The winners are……
Art 14-18 - Christi Gordon
Photo 13 & under - Adeline Richardson
Photo 14-18 - Abigail Grabein

Adeline Richardson

Abigail Grabein

NRHA Derby Sees Significant Increases|
The 2008 NRHA Derby took center stage in Oklahoma City, OK June 23-28 at Oklahoma State Fair Park. After the entries were completed and purses were tallied, the show exceeded last year’s number in several categories including a solid 4% increase in total purse and whopping 31% increase in the Non Pro division purse.

In 2007, the NRHA Derby offered $575,800 in purse money, including ancillary classes. This year’s purse broke the $600,000 mark for a 4% increase over last year. The total number of derby and ancillary entries rose from 920 in 2007 to 1,017 in 2008 for an 11% increase. In addition, youth entries in ancillary classes tripled from 31 in 2007 to 100 in 2008.

The Non Pro Derby showed the most significant expansion in purses and entries. The Non Pro division purse increased from $75,300 in 2007 to nearly $100,000 at this year’s event for a 31% increase. The entries in this division grew from 131 to 162 equaling a considerable increase of 24%. The Intermediate Non Pro purse also increased 15% for a total of $47,000 and a 24% increase in entries. In addition, the Limited Non Pro saw a 17% increase with a purse of $28,700 and an astounding 37% increase in entries this year.

United States Team for FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) World Reining Championships Announced
NRHA was pleased to host, for the first time, the Adequan® USEF National Reining Championships presented by Equine Motorcoach on Friday, June 27. The competition helped to determine the U.S. Reining Team for the 2008 FEI World Reining Championship in Manerbio, Italy September 11-14. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) recently announced the following horse/rider combinations that will represent the United States:

Rider - Hometown - Horse - Breed - Owner
Craig Schmersal - Overbrook, OK - Mr Dual Rey - Quarter Horse - Holly Casey
Jordan Larson - Whitesboro, TX - Lena Gallo - Quarter Horse - Lapke Quarter Horses
Tom McCutcheon - Aubrey, TX - Ruf Hearted Jac - Quarter Horse - Sarah Willeman
Pete Kyle - Whitesboro, TX - A Bueno Poco Dunit - Quarter Horse - Sandi Holt

Alternates:
Matt Mills - Scottsdale, AZ - Mark This Cloud - Paint - Sandra Finch
Casey Hinton - Whitesboro, TX - Bueno Starlight - Quarter Horse - Curtice McCloy

More information on riders and horses that will be representing all countries at the FEI World Reining Championships will be coming in the next few weeks. Check back to the “Press” area for updates as the competition nears.

Ballots & Bylaws & Rule Changes
The Official Ballot for the NRHA By-Law changes and board of directors’ election is now on the “Members Only” section of the NRHA website. In addition, members have access to an electronic ballot (a.k.a. “E-Ballot”). Members also will find the new 2009 rule changes in the “Members Only” section.

Current NRHA members can vote on the proposed by-law changes and board of directors elections using one of three options: 1) In person at the NRHA General Membership Meeting starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 9 in Oklahoma City, OK; 2) Via electronic ballot from July 1 until Midnight CDT, August 4, 2008 (for those current members that have valid e-mail addresses on file at NRHA); or 3) Via an absentee paper ballots that must be received by midnight CDT August 1, 2008. For more information, voting procedures and proposed changes, visit the “Members Only” section of www.nrha.com.

Only Two NRHyA Regional Clinics Remain
The NRHyA 2008 Regional Clinic Series only has two events left in 2008 – August 16 - 17 at Skyline Ranch in Carbondale, CO and October 11 – 12 in Scottsdale, AZ.  Both clinics feature some of the top NRHA Professionals including Marcy Ver Meer, Ben Gerst, Randy Paul and Matt Mills. The clinics are open to all riders including adults and youth, and provide reining enthusiasts an opportunity to learn from the best trainers in the industry.

The Mountain Regional Clinic features Marcy Ver Meer and Ben Gerst. The cost for the clinic is $250 for adults, $150 for youth and $25 for auditors. Proceeds benefit the NRHyA Program. Space is limited, so please contact the Youth Department at (405) 946-7400 or youth@nrha.com.

Attention Stallion Owners
Did you know that more than $60,000 was paid in Sire & Dam Sire Awards last year? Don’t miss out on an amazing opportunity to get involved and get your share of the payout this year – and for years to come.

If a donated breeding sells prior to the start of the donation year’s NRHA Futurity, the stallion will be eligible for Sire Awards at that year’s Futurity. Stallions win these awards if any of his three-year-olds finish in the top three of the NRHA Open and/or Non Pro Futurity among Sire Award eligible sires. The following three years could earn him NRHA Derby Sire Awards. Stallions having four, five and/or six-year-olds that finish in the top three among Sire Award eligible sires of the Open, Intermediate Open, and/or Non Pro Derby, are eligible for Derby Sire Awards.

NRHA is currently sending out information regarding the 2009 Sire & Dam program and the donation of breedings. If you do not receive information in the mail and wish to be included on the list, please e-mail Dandy Oltermann at doltermann@nrha.com.

Inside Reining
July 21 - Tulsa Reining Classic/Patrice St. Onge - Tulsa, OK
We'll preview the 2008 Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic set for Labor Day Weekend at Tulsa Expo Square. Show director Tami Wagman details new plans for running two competition arenas to accommodate the show's phenomenal growth and exhibitors explain what makes this such a great event for competitors and spectators. Patrice and Veronica St-Onge show us their new facility in Gainesville, Texas which is focused on providing a safe, practical environment for horse training and sales. Then Pat demonstrates his program for getting a horse to back. Visit www.insidereining.com to learn more.

SmartPak provides leading name brand supplements in a convenient and custom-packed unit dose package, the SmartPak. The SmartPaks contain one day’s dosage of a horse’s supplements and are individually labeled and sealed. The SmartPak also protects supplements from the harmful effects of oxygen and moisture, thereby ensuring maximum potency. The patented package gives horsemen peace of mind with its pre-measured dosages for each horse. It’s Supplements Simplified. Visit SmartPakEquine.com for more!

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.