In just a few days, all eyes will turn toward Oklahoma City and the NRHA Derby. As expected, the NRHA staff is in high gear completing all those last minute details. New this year is a golf tournament sponsored by the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Reining Horse Sports Foundation will have its Taste of Reining and debut a new project – the Taste of Reining Cookbook - which is generating a lot of interest. In addition, look for more candid pictures to appear on the NRHA website. It will be a great way to experience the atmosphere and watch for pictures of friends, legends, and champions. Hope you’ll be able to join us in OKC!

Reining’s Olympic Dream Is Alive and Well

When will Reining be in the Olympics? We have all heard the question. As the only Western discipline approved for Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) competition, Reining is on the threshold of Olympic inclusion. To learn more about the momentous decisions made at the FEI General Assembly held in April that will affect our sport, check out the Media/News link on the NRHA website.

And The Survey Says….

Take our Reiner Readers Survey and if your name if the first one drawn, you will win a prize package that includes two 2005 Futurity Exhibitor Badges, two 2006 Derby Exhibitor Badges, and a Judging Fundamentals VHS Tape. Second and third place winners will receive two 2005 Futurity Exhibitor Badges and two 2006 Derby Exhibitor Badges. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2005. You can go directly to the survey here or look for it in the May 2005 Reiner magazine, page 137.

What’s New In The Reiner?

Wondering how your favorite rider stands in the All Time Leading Open Rider list or which horse stands at the top of the All Time Leading Non Pro Horses list? Look for the 2004 Year In Review statistical report. You can find the entire 24 page report in the May Reiner on page 133.

You’ll also notice a new section in the May Reiner. The Owner’s Gazette will list the 2005 Top 20 Owners each month, similar to the Professionals Top 20 Times. Beginning in June, owners appearing on the list will be highlighted as well. You can find the Owner’s Gazette on page 193.

RHSF Hosts Tasting/Sells Cookbook

Tease your taste buds and awaken your culinary desires at the inaugural “Taste of Reining” to be savored at the 2005 National Reining Horse Association Derby Show in Oklahoma City. Wash it down with the Reining Horse Sports Foundation’s Taste of Reining Cookbook.

The front cover of the Cookbook will be unveiled at the tasting, which takes place in the Cantina at the Oklahoma State Fair Park Arena at 5 pm on Saturday, May 21st. The cost of the Tasting is $10 per person. Pre-sales for the Cookbook will also be accepted at the tasting. Distribution of the Cookbook is projected for the 2005 NRHA Futurity & North American Affiliate Championship Show. The Cookbook will be sold for $20 at the Futurity and $15 in advance. All proceeds from the Tasting, as well as sales of the Taste of Reining Cookbook, go to benefit the RHSF.

For more information, contact Tania Warnock, manager of the RHSF at twarnock@nrha.com or 405.946.7400.

Golf Tournament Benefiting NRHA Futurity

Polish up your putters as the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau hosts a golf tournament to benefit the NRHA Futurity. Tee Time is 1:30 p.m., May 12, at the Willow Creek Golf & Country Club in Oklahoma City. Download the flyer here.

Smart Chic Olena – NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire

Smart Chic Olena is NRHA’s newest Three Million Dollar Sire. Only the third horse to earn Three Million Dollar status, he joins Hollywood Dun It and Topsail Whiz. You can read more about this outstanding stallion’s latest achievement on the NRHA Website under the Media / News section. View the press release.

Non Pro Memberships Now Accepted At NRHA Shows

Non Pro applicants can apply for membership at NRHA shows! What do you need to do? Please be sure you complete the Non Pro Membership Application by answering ALL of the questions. A signature is required – it attests to the fact that you have read and understand the Non Pro Code of Conduct and Ethics. Any forms received that are incomplete will NOT be accepted by the NRHA Office, so be certain you have filled out the Non Pro Membership Application in its entirety. If you need assistance in doing so, ask the show secretary for help. If you have any questions or feel that you need assistance prior to the show, contact the NRHA Member Services Group at 405-946-7400. Non Pro Membership Application

Technology and the NRHA Derby

With the NRHA 2005 Derby fast approaching, it is a very busy time here at the NRHA office. The IT Department has to ensure that computer systems are in good working order, update software and hardware, as well as the NRHA website for the event. This Derby will be the first to see high speed connectivity from the show office to the internet. This will provide up to date Derby Live Scoring (will not include ancillary classes at this time) on the NRHA website. The website will have a candid picture page with photos covering all aspects of move in, set up, and running a premier event. There will be candid pictures of riders, horses, and spectators available for purchase, which will go to benefit the NRHyA Youth. The IT Department is very excited about all of the positive technological changes going on in the NRHA, and this event will highlight some of those changes.

President’s Letter

To see what NRHA President Bill Bradley had to say in his May 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 at reiner@bright.net. To schedule a classified ad in the Reiner, contact classifieds@nrha.com or extension 133 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.

To update or change your email address, comment on content, and provide constructive criticism, send an email to newsletter@nrha.com. If you do not wish to receive newsletter email from the National Reining Horse Association please reply to this email with "Remove" in the subject line.

NRHA • 3000 NW 10th St • Oklahoma City, OK 73107-5302 • 405.946.7400