Pack Your Bags for the NRHA Derby!
The 2008 NRHA Derby is just over one month away. The week of June 23-28 will be filled with all sorts of family-fun events in Oklahoma City as the world’s finest four-, five-, and six-year-old horses compete for close to a half million dollars in cash and prizes.
The Derby will also feature a full slate of ancillary classes, the Adequan® USEF National Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach, the USEF National Youth Reining Championship and the Selection Trial for the North American Young Riders Championships.
Exhibitors will definitely notice a difference at the Oklahoma State Fair Park. The extensive renovations are in the home stretch. One major change you’ll notice is the new stalls in Barn 6. Click here for a sneak peak.
All stall reservation forms are due by May 23. Stalls are on a first come, first-served basis. If you miss the following deadlines you’ll need to get your stalls at the horse show office when you arrive. Stall maps will be posted on the NRHA website no later than Monday, June 16, 2008. There are other important Derby deadlines we don’t want you to miss! Please click here to find out the latest information and other important details about the 2008 NRHA Derby.
Apply Now for the NRHA Collegiate Reining Championships
Attention Collegiate Reiners: The NRHA is hosting the Collegiate Reining Championships at the NRHA Derby. Don't miss your chance to participate in the “Ultimate Catch Ride”. Applications must be received by May 20, click here for more on the Rules & Regulations for qualification guidelines.
Can We Borrow Your Reining Horse at the Derby?
We need your help to make the Collegiate Reining Championships a success! To carry out the competition we need the use of 12-14 reining horses. Each rider will have a 5-minute-timed warm-up on the borrowed horse under the supervision of the owner/trainer before competing on Saturday, June 28. If you’re interested please contact Michelle Wrigley at (405) 946-7400 ext. 116 or mwrigley@nrha.com.
It’s a Cowboy Luau at the NRHA Derby! Be sure to bring your Hawaiian shirts, hula skirts and Bermuda shorts to the NRHA Derby! The NRHA party planners are working overtime planning lots of family fun events. From the Hula Skirts & Hawaiian Shirts Exhibitor Party on Tuesday night to the Boots & Bermudas Legs Contest to lots of fun everyday for kids, there will be all sorts of things to do. Click here for a lot more info and your packing list for the NRHA Derby!
Attend the Town Talk meeting at the NRHA Derby Whether you attend the Derby or not, you can watch the Town Talk meeting on the web! The Town Talk meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 26 at 1:00 pm in the Barn 3 Sale Arena. To view the webcast, go to NRHA.com and follow the links. Time and place - Thursday, June 26 at 1:00 pm in the Barn 3 Sale Arena.
Topics include: New NRHA Futurity/Derby Nomination Plan, New Regional Directors Elections, 2009 NRHA Convention and much more!
Party With a Purpose and Double Your Fun at the NRHA Derby! While you’re at the NRHA Derby, please plan to attend the 4th annual “Taste of Reining” and the RHSF Beach Party supporting the Reining Horse Sports Foundation. The “Taste of Reining” event will be held on Friday, June 27th at 5:00 p.m. in the Cantina. The event features the scrumptious cuisine from a variety of Oklahoma City’s finest restaurants like Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, Cocina De Mino, Panera Bread, Ovations Food Service, Zio’s Italian Kitchen and the Falling Water Grille. The party has just begun!
After the Taste of Reining and at the conclusion of the USEF National Reining Championships, grab all of your friends and join us in the cattle port area for food, fun, and live music featuring the very talented Steve Crossley. Tickets for both events payable at the door are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 & under.
Don’t Just Come to the Show… Be a Part of the Show
How’d you like to showcase your Affiliate, Ranch or Product? Why not become a class or event sponsor at the 2008 NRHA Derby and receive more benefits than ever before!
Each level of sponsorship provides opportunities for you to name the title of specific classes or fun events. If you wish to be a sponsor, please contact Lauralee Flamm at 405-946-7400, ext. 125 or lflamm@nrha.com
Advertise in the Derby Draw Sheets
The NRHA Reiner will once again produce the Derby Open and Non Pro Finals Draw Sheets. It’s a great bargain – one fee covers two publications. If you’d like to advertise in the Derby Draw Sheets or for more information go to the NRHA website www.nrha.com or contact Advertising Manager Sharon Barr - advertising@nrha.com, 419-628-3711 or Advertising Executive Barb Anderson - banderson@outwestxp.com, 480-297-4202.
NRHA Futurity/Derby Nomination Plan – First Foal Nominated!
Great news for the new NRHA Futurity/Derby Nomination Plan! We’re happy to report the very first foal has enrolled in the new plan. Reiny Day Wrangler (Starlights Wrangler x Juanita Chex) is owned by Shauna Bernie from Agua Dulce, CA. The baby is a little bay Quarter Horse colt.
Remember the new Futurity/Derby Nomination Plan starts with 2008 foals and nominations are due by December 31, 2008. The new plan is designed to bring more money and increased stability to the NRHA Futurity and Derby. Click here for a lot more information about the new NRHA Futurity/Derby Nomination Plan.
Brent Wright is Newest NRHA Million Dollar Rider There’s a new NRHA Million Dollar Rider. Brent Wright has now joined Reining’s elite! Wright’s triumph came at the 2008 National Reining Breeders Classic in Katy, TX. He won the first go-round and tied for ninth in the Open Finals on Miss Rey O Shine, owned by Bahn Quarter Horses, LLC.
According to NRHA records, before the NRBC, Wright’s lifetime earnings totaled just over $973,417. His winnings of over $43,000 at this year’s NRBC sent him over the one million dollar mark. Wright becomes the eleventh reiner to win more than one million dollars in NRHA lifetime earnings.
Top Honors for Collegiate Reiners
Varsity Equestrian National Championships in Waco, TX, April 17-19, 2008 (Sara Locker from Georgia State University was Individual Reining Champion, Texas Christian University was the Western Team Champions, Outstanding Reining Horse was presented to ‘Cooper’ whose registered name is Chics Little Jewel owned by Texas A&M University.
Interscholastic Championships in Findlay, OH April 28 (Austin Griffith from Autumn Rose Equestrian Team was Varsity Open Reining Individual Champion, Libby Robinson from Autumn Rose Equestrian Team was Varsity Intermediate Reining Individual Champion, Callie Brown from Dare Equestrian Team was Future Intermediate Reining Individual Champion.)
Make Plans to Attend NRHA Regional Clinic Near You Mark your calendar for the NRHA Regional Clinics benefiting the NRHyA. The next clinic will be held May 24 & 25 in River Falls, WI. The North Central Regional Clinic will be hosted by NRHA Professionals Tim McQuay and Brian Welman. The Clinic will be held on the campus at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls.
On Wednesday, July 9th, join Bryant Pace, Francois Gauthier, Mark Arballo and Mike McEntire for the Southeast Regional Clinic to be held at the Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston, NC.
Each clinic is a one day event. The fee for each individual Clinic is $250 for adults, $150 for youth and $25 for auditors. All proceeds benefit the NRHyA Program. Space is limited, so contact the Youth Department at 405-946-7400, or youth@nrha.com to reserve your spot today.
Rookie Day heads to Colorado and New York Rookie Day presented by Classic Equine heads to Pueblo, CO on May 31 and to Gowanda, NY on June 21. Rookie Day is a one-day event that gives beginning reiners a chance to learn from many NRHA Professionals and other trainers in the morning. In the afternoon, the rookies are given the chance to compete against the other rookies with awards provided by Classic Equine and Performance Horse magazine. At Rookie Day, beginning reiners learn the ins and outs of reining in a comfortable, relaxed setting that focuses on having fun.
Each Rookie Day costs $175. There will be a special Youth section for the Rookie Day in Pueblo. The cost for Youth riders is $100. All proceeds benefit the RHSF Crisis Fund. The Crisis Fund helps reiners who have suffered a tragedy get back on their feet.
If you’d like to reserve a spot for the Pueblo Rookie Day, contact Wendy Lind at 970-471-2789. For more information on the Rookie Day in Gowanda, NY, contact Frank Schlossin at 716-864-7412. Click here for a complete 2008 Rookie Day schedule.
**Change the date for Rookie Day in Ardmore! It will now be held August 9. Contact Tracy Lynch for more details at (580) 277-9006.**
RHSF Youth Scholarships Deadline Nearing The Reining Horse Sports Foundation is accepting applications for five $1,000 scholarships. The awards will be based on financial need, academic achievement, career plans, NRHA and NRHyA involvement, as well as references. Act fast because the application deadline is June 15. The RHSF is committed to providing leadership and scholarship opportunities to allow youth to further excel in their future careers and education. Click here for a link to the scholarship application. You can also contact, RHSF Coordinator Heather Cline at 405-946-7400, ext. 137.
Reserve Your Spot in the NRHA Futurity Program
It’s not too early to think about advertising in the Official NRHA Futurity Program. Rates and relative information can be found at www.nrha.com or contact Sharon Barr - advertising@nrha.com, 419-628-3711 or Advertising Executive Barb Anderson - banderson@outwestxp.com, 480-297-4202.
NRHA Hall of Fame / Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award Deadline Nears June 1 is the deadline for nominations for the Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Awards. Click here (insert link for Hall of Fame criteria/forms) for more information or contact ctrimmer@nrha.com, phone 405-946-7400, ext 117.
Bill Horn on the Road to Recovery
Many reiners have been praying for the safe recovery of NRHA founding member and the NRHA’s first million dollar rider Bill Horn. He has suffered countless setbacks in the past few months from surgery to remove a tumor on his lung. The latest news from his wife Kim is that Bill is now out of the ICU and has even moved out of the hospital. He’s lost a lot of weight and will face a long road to full recovery. Kim wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and especially their prayers. She writes, “… miracles really do happen and Bill is living proof!!”
Send a Message to a Member of the NRHA Family
If you know someone in the hospital who needs a few words of encouragement, a get well wish, etc., we’ve set up a section on the NRHA homepage for just that purpose. We will add to the list as we are notified that a CarePage has been created for a member. You’ll notice the names on the right side of the homepage.
Two Reiners in the Right Place at the Right Time
Two Oklahoma reiners are being hailed heroes for saving a man from a burning car. NRHA Non Pro Mike Jeffcoat and Kenny Wall, both from Waurika, OK, were riding their horses on April 29 and heard a huge crash and saw a plume of smoke rising in the distance. Jeffcoat told The Duncan Banner he called 911 and then took off to the scene of the accident about a mile away from his ranch.
At the scene, they found 18-year-old Jeffery Wayne Tom II pinned in a pickup that was being devoured by fire. Jeffcoat and Wall worked fast dodging smoke and flames to save Tom from the burning vehicle. An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper said, “If the two men hadn’t taken the initiative, he definitely would’ve died on the scene.” Tom is expected to make a full recovery.
The NRHA is proud to have Adequan as a member of its family of Corporate Partners.
Maintaining the health and soundness of our reining horses - the premier athlete in the performance horse industry, is the key to success in the NRHA show pen. Adequan® NRHA's official joint therapy, is one of the nation's leaders and is the veterinarian-trusted name in the fight against degenerative joint disease in equine. Click here to visit Luitpold's web site for more information on how to keep your horse's joints healthy.
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.
Pack Your Bags for the NRHA Derby!
NRHA Futurity/Derby Nomination Plan – First Foal Nominated!
Make Plans to Attend NRHA Regional Clinic Near You
Rookie Day heads to Colorado and New York
Bill Horn on the Road to Recovery
Two Reiners in the Right Place at the Right Time
