New Episodes of NRHA Inside Reining
The new season of Wide World of Horses presents NRHA Inside Reining is well underway. NRHA Inside Reining host Sam Houston takes viewers behind the scenes at reining ranches across the country with special tips from the NRHA Professional. The program can be seen every other week on RFD-TV. Episodes air Monday @ 11:30 am and 9:30 pm CST and then the following Sunday @ 6:30 am CST.
Here’s a preview of the next three episodes:
On March 17, NRHA Inside Reining travels to the Scottsdale Arabian Show and the Purebred Arabian – Half Arabian Reining Horse Futurity. Meet Russ and Mary Jane Brown of Diamond B Training Stables in Newberg, Oregon, and their ranch stallions Zee Mega Bucks, Zee Sky King and Zallas Classiczee. NRHA Professional Russ Brown gives tips on preparing mentally and physically for competition. NRHA Professionals Shawn Flarida and Crystal McNutt-Brock hold a reining clinic at the Arabian Youth Nationals and Dr. Joe Carter explains how “training” issues – like horses consistently falling out of lead can actually be soundness issues.
March 31 takes viewers to Vandorp Reining Horses and Skyline Ranch in Aubrey, Texas. The audience will meet Ruben and Melissa Vandorp and two of the owners of Skyline Ranch, Ann Gattuso and Mark Bradford as they show us their combined breeding, training and sales program. Featured will be ranch stallions Einstein (AQHA Great Resolve), Shine Big Time and Einsteins Revolution, the first horse in NRHA history to earn more than $300,000. NRHA Top 20 Professional Ruben Vandorp walks viewers through the fundamentals of stopping. Dr. Joe Carter explains how veterinarians diagnose front-end lameness, and NRHA Professionals Pete Kyle and Rick Weaver explain Reining’s popular Freestyle competition.
On April 14, NRHA Inside Reining travels to Tanya Jenkins Performance Horses in Temecula, California. You’ll meet the only woman in the 2007 NRHA Top 20 Professionals standings, Tanya Jenkins. She takes us on a tour of her west coast operation, featuring one of the last sons of NRHA Million Dollar Sire Reminic – Sir Reminic. Tanya offers some help with seasoned horses that may be getting “sour” in the show pen. Dr. Joe Carter talks about flexion tests for lameness and the husband and wife team and NRHA’s newest NRHA Million Dollar Riders – Tom and Mandy McCutcheon.
Be sure to tune in for NRHA Inside Reining on RFD-TV. For more information, go to www.insidereining.com.
2008 NRHA Derby Developments
Planning for the 2008 NRHA Derby set for June 23 – 28 is well underway and 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 reining action from past NRHA Futurity champions, 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 in the market for a reining horse are also invited to attend the NRHA/Markel Insurance Spotlight Sale on Saturday, June 28 at 10:00 am.
This year’s Derby will also feature several special USEF Reining events. Read below for more information.
The NRHA moved the Derby to late June so more families with children and Non Pro competitors could attend. So make plans to make the NRHA Derby your summer vacation destination for 2008.
NRHA/Markel Insurance Derby Spotlight Sale Consignments Due!
The NRHA Sale Committee is once again looking for consignments to the NRHA/Markel Insurance Derby Spotlight Sale. In the tradition of the NRHA Futurity sales, selection of consignments will be based on pedigree, performance, performance records of offspring and records of the sire and dam. Please consider this sale when marketing your top reining horses and prospects. The consignment deadline is April 15, 2008. Contracts are available on the NRHA web site here or contact Debbie Drinko at 405-946-7400, ext. 119. The NRHA/Markel Insurance Derby Spotlight Sale will be held Saturday, June 28th.
NRHA Members in U.S. Encouraged to Discover USEF Reining
If you’ve ever thought about competing in USEF Reining competitions but thought you weren’t good enough, think again! This year the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is offering new ways for more reiners to compete in its High Performance Reining Program. The USEF has created a special competition at the NRHA Derby, June 23-28, for those reiners who are not on the USEF Long List. It’s called the USEF CRI* National Championship. The USEF wants to expose more NRHA members in the United States to international level competition.
Click here for more information about the CRI* competition at the NRHA Derby. Or you can contact USEF Director of Reining Courtney Barnett at 859-225-6919 or cbarnett@usef.org about this exciting new competition.
Qualify Now for 2008 Adequan®/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach
Qualifiers for the Adequan®/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach are currently being held across the United States. The USEF National Open Reining Championship will be held during the NRHA Derby on Friday, June 27. To compete at the National Reining Championship, riders will need to have competed in one of four CRI** held prior to the event. It’s not too late to make plans to compete at one or both of the two remaining qualifiers:
Katy, TX National Reining Breeders Classic April 14-20, 2008 CRI 2*
Syracuse, NY CNYRHA Ride and Slide June 7, 2008 CRI 2*
Click here to see the USEF Long List and qualifications for the USEF National Reining Championship. Just click on “High Performance Reining.”
The top four reiners from the U.S. at the National Reining Championship at the NRHA Derby will go on to compete at the first-ever 2008 FEI World Reining Championships in September in Manerbio, Italy.
2008 USEF National Youth Reining Championship coming to NRHA Derby
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 NRHA youth classes at the Derby. Riders 16 and older 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 events. You can also click here to go to the USEF website for more information, or contact Courtney Barnett at 859-225-6919 or cbarnett@usef.org.
New Workshop to Discuss NRHA Futurity & Derby Nomination Program
The NRHA Board of Directors is set to vote on the proposed NRHA Futurity & Derby Nomination Program at its next meeting, March 29-30. Since its meeting in February during the NRHA Convention, members have viewed the plan on the Members Only section of the NRHA Web site and have been invited to submit their comments. The Futurity/Derby Nomination Plan Task Force has scheduled a workshop on Wednesday, March 26 to review those comments and finalize details of the plan. The workshop will be held at the NRHA office from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Everyone is invited to attend.
Show Secretaries: Get NRHA Certified Online
Dozens of show secretaries are turning to the internet to receive the training they need to become NRHA certified. Since the beginning of the year, NRHA Show Department Supervisor Melanie Rinehart has conducted close to 10 of these unique show secretary seminars to candidates all around the world. It’s a convenience and a cost savings. So far, secretaries have been certified from many countries including Australia, France, Brazil, Finland, Scandinavia, and Germany to name a few.
The next Online Show Secretary Seminar is set for April 19, 2008 from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm CST. If you’d like to participate, contact Melanie at mrinehart@nrha.com for more information.
Inaugural 2008 FEI World Reining Championship set for September in Italy
It’s a “first” for the international Reining scene! For the first time ever, Italy will host a brand new FEI event, the 2008 FEI World Reining Championship in Manerbio, Italy.
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.
Click here to find the Reining World Championship selection procedures. You can also go to the Italian Reining Horse Association’s website at www.itrha.com for additional information.
NRHA bids to hold 2008 and 2009 FEI World Reining Masters in OKC
The NRHA has officially placed its bid to bring one of the most prestigious Reining competitions in the world back to Oklahoma City. The NRHA has applied to host the 2008 and 2009 FEI World Reining Masters in Oklahoma City. The two-year bid to host the World Reining Masters is highly unusual because until last year the event has alternated between the United States and Europe each year. Click here for more information about the NRHA’s bid.
Sign up Now for RHSF Rookie Day presented by Classic Equine In less than one month a popular program to benefit the Reining Horse Sports Foundation begins on March 29th in Scottsdale, AZ. New this year, the RHSF Rookie Day presented by Classic Equine will debut in Germany on August 2!
Rookie Day presented by Classic Equine is a one-day event that gives rookies a chance to learn from reining horse trainers including many NRHA Professionals. The rookie riders are then given the chance to compete against the other rookies for lots of prizes. During Rookie Day, beginning reiners learn the ins and outs of reining in a comfortable, relaxed setting that focuses on having fun. It’s designed for reining at the grassroots level and encourages new members to become more familiar with NRHA competition.
Each Rookie Day costs $175 for adults and $100 for youth riders. All proceeds from the RHSF Rookie Day presented by Classic Equine benefit the RHSF Crisis Fund. The Crisis Fund helps any NRHA member who has suffered a tragedy get back on their feet.
For more information about the RHSF and Rookie Day presented by Classic Equine, contact Heather Cline, RHSF Coordinator, at rhsf@nrha.com or 405-946-7400 ext. 137 or you can visit www.reininghorsesportsfoundation.org.
2008 Regional Clinic Series to Benefit the NRHyA
The NRHyA Regional Clinic Series kicks off in April. The Regional Clinic Series is a fundraiser for 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 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
Please contact NRHA Youth Supervisor Jill Worthington for reservations: 405-946-7400 ext. 130 or jworthington@nrha.com.
Jill Worthington Named NRHA Youth Program Supervisor
Please congratulate Jill Worthington on her new promotion at the NRHA. Jill has been named the new NRHA Youth Program Supervisor. Jill has worked in the NRHA Show Department for 1½ years and was most recently promoted to NRHA Trade Show Coordinator. She’s originally from Leon, IA, and is a graduate of Oklahoma State University. Prior to coming to the NRHA, Jill was the Custer County 4-H Youth Educator for the OSU Co-Operative Extension Service. She is very excited to have the opportunity to work with the members of the NRHyA.
Krissy Colbath Joins NRHA Reiner
Welcome Krissy Colbath to the staff of the NRHA Reiner magazine. She joins us as the assistant editor. Krissy is from Yukon, Oklahoma, and is a lifelong horsewoman. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oklahoma State University and is working on her Masters of Liberal Arts at Oklahoma City University. Congratulations Krissy!
Craig and Ginger Schmersal Become New Parents
The Schmersal family is growing! NRHA Professional and Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal and his wife, top Non Pro Ginger, have adopted two children. We’re told three-year-old Brendyn and his two-year-old sister Addisyn are making themselves quite at home at the Schmersal’s ranch in Overbrook, Oklahoma. What makes this heartwarming story even more touching is the story behind it all. Until Craig and Ginger adopted the pair, the young siblings had been moved around to seven different foster homes in 14 months. Brendyn and Addisyn now have two older brothers, the couple’s teenage sons Chris and Nick.
The NRHA is proud to have Platinum Performance as a member of its family of Corporate Partners. Platinum Performance is the official equine oral joint supplement of the NRHA. A horse’s beauty, strength and performance ability are established on his good health. Platinum Performance Equine is a wellness and performance supplement that works at the cellular level to improve the fundamental health of each of your horse’s 12 trillion cells, making him healthy and beautiful from the inside out. Click here to learn more about all the Platinum Performance equine products available.
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.
New Episodes of NRHA Inside Reining
2008 NRHA Derby Developments
NRHA/Markel Insurance Derby Spotlight Sale Consignments Due!
NRHA Members in U.S. Encouraged to Discover USEF Reining
Inaugural 2008 FEI World Reining Championship set for September in Italy
Sign up Now for RHSF Rookie Day presented by Classic Equine
Jill Worthington Named NRHA Youth Program Supervisor
Krissy Colbath Joins NRHA Reiner
Craig and Ginger Schmersal Become New Parents
