The 2006 NRHA Derby may be a thing of the past but it won’t be soon forgotten if the media interest, response and blitz surrounding Kelly Zweifel and Impresa Agricola Cuoghi’s Master Snapper’s accomplishments are any indication. From beginning to end, the Derby was quality – from the go rounds to the Finals, from the NRHyA Family Fun Day to the Youth Cookout, from the NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship to the Derby’s ancillary classes, from the Derby Spotlight Sale to the NRHA Sire & Dam Program awards, from the Celebration of Champions to the RHSF’s Taste of Reining, from the draw parties to the awards generously provided by NRHA Corporate Partners and event and award sponsors! The 2006 Derby was definitely one for the record books! You can view results and photos of all of the Derby Champions on the NRHA website, as well as candids taken by the NRHA staff. Just go to www.nrha.com and click the NRHA Derby logo on the right. You can also learn more about Kelly in the May 23 NRHA press release.

When the dust settled after the record-breaking NRHA Derby Finals on May 20, 2006 in Oklahoma City, OK, one more milestone was added to the NRHA record books. Topsail Whiz became the second stallion to achieve the NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire distinction. Owned by Bob Loomis Quarter Horses, Inc., Marietta, OK, Topsail Whiz first became an NRHA Million Dollar Sire in 2001. In 2003, he earned Two Million Dollar Sire status and was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame. In 2004, he became a Three Million Dollar Sire. At the 2006 NRHA Derby, Topsail Whiz’s offspring earned enough for him to join Hollywood Dun It on the very short NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire list. Press release.

NRHA European Affiliate Championship Show
The NRHA European Affiliate Championship show is sure to be a highlight of a very busy 2006 NRHA show season in Europe this summer. The standings have been finalized and qualifiers are making plans to attend. Scheduled for July 7-9, this year’s Championship will be held at Helmut and Dennis Schulz’ Western Training Center in Wr. Neustadt, Austria. The show facility is approximately 45 kilometers south of Vienna – a must for the serious sightseer.

Each class will host the top seven riders who have qualified in their respective countries. They will be riding for show saddles, championship buckles, bridles and a host of other prizes as well as the title of NRHA European Affiliate Champion. According to the 2005 NRHA Open World Champion Rudi Kronsteiner, the facilities are one of the best in Europe and will be the perfect venue for such a prestigious event.

In addition to the NRHA European Affiliate Championships, there will be CRI 1 for those hoping to qualify for this year’s FEI World Reining Masters Finals to be held at the Western International, October 17-22 in Denver, Colorado, USA. In addition, the program includes a $10,000 added NRHA Open reining, a $5,000 added Non Pro reining, a Rookie and Youth 13 & Under and Youth 14 – 18 classes.

According to organizer Helmut Schulz, “I am proud to organize this event and I am looking forward to meeting the best reiners in Europe competing at Wr. Neustadt."

Just A Reminder
E ffective in 2007, all show secretaries or show managers for AA and A NRHA approved events must have attended an NRHA Show Management Seminar within the past 5 years. At this time, there is only one more seminar scheduled in Europe in 2006. There are still openings in the NRHA “Straight From The Horse’s Mouth Show Management Seminar“ to be held during the NRHA European Affiliate Championships at WTC Wr. Neustadt Austria on July, 6, 2006. To make your reservation, go to www.westernstar.at and look for the Show Management Seminar information.

2007 Proposed NRHA Rule Changes
It's that time of year again. Time to review proposed changes to the NRHA Handbook. The final date for rule change submissions for the 2007 NRHA Handbook was June 2. According to the 2006 NRHA Handbook, "A rule change proposal must be reviewed at a minimum of two NRHA Board of Director meetings and published and presented to the general membership in the Reiner magazine and on the NRHA website." The proposed rule changes will be up on the website by July 1, 2006. Members will have through July 31, 2006 to view and comment on them, and submit via the website if they are for or against a proposed rule change.

All feedback from NRHA members will be submitted to and reviewed by the Board of Directors at the August Board meeting before being voted upon. Opt for the Member Login button on the home page of the NRHA website to view the proposed 2007 rule changes. All proposed changes will also be published in the July issue of the Reiner.

The deadline for submitting a write-in candidate is July 5. There will be proposed By-Law changes to vote on as well as the election of a Vice President and three Board members. Per the NRHA Handbook, the deadline for absentee ballots to be received in the NRHA office is September 20, 2006. Please send your ballot to the attention of John Foy. As in the past, the Fall Membership Meeting has been scheduled for Thursday October 5, 2:00 p.m. EST and will take place in Columbus, OH, during the All American Quarter Horse Congress. The location will be the Transporation Building, a.k.a. Corral.

NRHA Continues to Grow
It’s probably no surprise to anyone that’s looked at the NRHA Show Approvals on the NRHA website or in the Reiner that the association continues to grow. At the June Board of Directors meeting, the Membership Services group reported that a comparison between June 5, 2005 and June 5, 2006 showed a 4½% increase in memberships (11,959 compared to 12,505). Using the same time span, the Show Department approved 331 shows compared to 397. Statistics showed the biggest growth is in International shows - 53 shows (2005) were approved compared to 75 (2006) while membership increased more than 33%.

New for the Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity!
If you’ve been hearing rumors about new trainer and Non Pro awards to commence with the 2006 Futurity – believe the hype! Troy and Andrea Heikes have sponsored a $5,000 cash award that will be given to the designated trainer of the highest-scoring first-time NRHA Futurity exhibitor in the Non Pro go round. To qualify, the designated trainer must be a member of the NRHA Professionals Program. Designation of the trainer must be made to the NRHA office or Futurity Show office no later than 5 p.m. two days prior to the Non Pro go round.

In addition, a First-Timer belt buckle will be awarded to the highest scoring first-time NRHA Futurity exhibitor showing in the Non Pro go round. Eligibility must be declared to the NRHA office or Futurity Show office no later than 5 p.m. two days prior to the Non Pro go round. For more information contact Non Pro Committee Staff Liaison Tobi Coleman – tcoleman@nrha.com.

NRHA Affiliate News
Don’t Forget to Designate Your Affiliate by July 1

If you are planning on participating in an NRHA Regional Affiliate Finals in North America and you belong to more than one NRHA Affiliate, you must designate which affiliate you wish to represent by July 1 … no exceptions. The 2006 Affiliate Designation Form is available at your affiliate circuit shows or you may download it from the NRHA website and return by fax (405-946-8425) or mail to the NRHA office prior to July 1, 2006.

New National Association Affiliates Named
At the June NRHA Board of Directors meeting, ANCR Brazil and the Italian Reining Horse Association were awarded the status of National Association Affiliates. They join the growing list of International Affiliates who have united with NRHA to reach the common goal of solidifying Reining’s stature in equestrian sport globally. For the complete list of NRHA affiliates, go to the NRHA website and click the NRHA Affiliates button on the left side of the home page.

First NRHA approved shows held in Brazil
The ANCR-Brazil recently held its very first NRHA approved show and is gearing up for the ANCR Potro do Futuro de Redeas June 20 – 25 in Americana, Sao Paulo, also NRHA approved. This prestigious event boasts over $25,000 in added money and will be NRHA approved for the first time in 2006. Please visit www.ancr.org.br to learn more about ANCR-Brazil.

2007 US Affiliate Regions
It’s official … in 2007, the NRHA Adequan Affiliate Championships will be expanded to include seven (7) regions in the United States making a total of nine (9) regions in North America. The NRHA Affiliate Committee anticipates that this change will encourage participation and growth in areas that have been challenged by travel time and distance. The Affiliate Committee also has plans to increase the number of qualifiers in each class from seven to ten. Click North American Affiliate Regions (US), effective January 2007, to view the new map.

American Paint Horse Association Alliance
As part of the Alliance Partnership Agreement with NRHA, the Reining classes at the 2006 APHA World Championship Show will be NRHA approved. This show will be held June 25-July 8 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, TX. Debbie Drinko, NRHA Sr Director of Affiliate and Alliance Programs, will be on hand June 29-30 to assist with memberships and entries. And again in 2006, the NRHA will sponsor an NRHA Morrison Bronze trophy to the winner of the Reining Challenge. Please visit www.apha.com for more details.

2006 Select NRHA Futurity Horse Sales
Consignments are now being accepted for the 2006 Breeders Showcase Select Sale and the Futurity Prospect Sale. The consignment / video deadline for these select sales is August 15. Consignment forms and details are available on the NRHA website or contact the NRHA Office at 405-946-7400.

2006 NRHA Marketplace Sale
Back by popular demand, the NRHA Marketplace Sale returns to the NRHA Horse Sale lineup at the 2006 NRHA Futurity and Adequan North American Championship Show in Oklahoma City, December 1. This open/mixed sale will be open to approximately 175 horses and requires no video. Get your consignments in early as this sale filled quickly in 2005. For consignment forms and details, go to the NRHA website and choose Horse Sales or contact the NRHA office at 405-946-7400.

NRHA Sire & Dam Program
The NRHA Sire & Dam Program is beginning a new Top 20 Sires Program for the 2007 breeding season! A breeding from the particpating Top 20 sires in 2007, as recorded in the NRHA 2005 Year in Review, will be available by online auction from November 15 – December 3, 2006. Those stallions not in the Top 20 donating a breeding to the NRHA Sire & Dam Program will have the option of participating in the auction or donating their breeding for sale on a first come, first serve basis.For more information on the NRHA Sire & Dam Program, contact Michelle Wrigley, NRHA Sire & Dam Program Administrator – mwrigley@nrha.com or 405-946-7400, extension 116.

From the IT Department
If you are an NRHA member and do research on the NRHA website in the Member’s Only section, you may have noticed something missing. The IT Department was performing maintenance on the Sire and Dam reports to ensure accuracy. They have completed their work and those reports are once again available. Remember NRHA members receive $10 monthly to access NRHA records.

Robert Simpson - NRHA Director of Events
The National Reining Horse Association is pleased to announce that Robert Simpson, Guthrie, OK, has been hired as NRHA’s Director of Events. Robert comes with an enormous amount of experience in the production of some of the best-known events in the world of rodeo. “We are extremely excited at the possibilities that Robert brings to this position. His wealth of experience bodes well for the future of NRHA events, including some very interesting surprises we have planned for the future,” said Dan Wall following the hire. To learn more about Robert click here.

David Patterson - NRHA Director of Marketing & Communications
David Patterson recently assumed the position of Director of Marketing & Communications with the NRHA. David comes to the NRHA from the Oklahoma RedHawks, the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club. David has over 25 years of advertising, marketing and communications experience. He previously filled a variety of marketing and advertising roles with several national and regional restaurant chains including Pizza Hut, Hardee’s, Rax Restaurants, Friendly’s Restaurants, Sonic Drive-Ins and Taco Mayo. To learn more about David, click here.

President’s Letter
To see what NRHA President Dell Hendricks had to say in his June President’s Letter click here.

REINER DEADLINE
For information about advertising in the NRHA Reiner contact Advertising Manager Sharon Barr to reserve your advertising space. Sharon can be reached by phone at 419-628-3711, faxed at 419-628-2518, or email her at advertising@nrha.com. To schedule a classified ad in the Reiner, contact classifieds@nrha.com or extension 100 at the NRHA office.

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 www.nrha.com or call the NRHA office at 405.946.7400.

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