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Jamming for the Reining Horse Foundation

Posted on March 31, 2022 - 12:12 pm by

Lance and Terri Griffin and Gunny Mathison Team Up for a Cause

Fans of reining and fans of music alike will want to attend a jam session at 902 Bar & Grill in Lake Kiowa, Texas. The night of fun will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 9.

Headlining the session will be National Reining Horse Association Two Million Dollar Owner Lance Griffin and his wife Terri, along with NRHA Professional Gunny Mathison, who is a new bass player. Although the group doesn’t have a formal name, it is sure to provide entertainment and fun.

Plus, it’s all for a good cause. Donations will be encouraged to benefit the Reining Horse Foundation.

“This will be a fun get-together with friends and will also be Gunny’s debut on the bass guitar,” Lance Griffin noted.

Lance and Terri have been playing together for more than eight years. The couple recently began riding their horses in Texas and introduced Mathison to the bass guitar.

“Gunny has been enjoying the music and learning how to play,” noted Mathison’s wife, Monica. “Not only will this be an enjoyable evening; it is also a great opportunity to raise funds for an important cause.”

Leslie Baker, executive director of the Reining Horse Foundation, noted, “We love when we learn of outside fundraisers that will benefit the Reining Horse Foundation, and this is no exception. We certainly appreciate the broad support for the RHF. Reiners talk often about this tight-knit community that knows how to show together, have fun together, and help each other.”

There will be guest performers and music will range through a variety of genres. It is a great opportunity to enjoy friends and music while being entertained.

902 Bar & Grill is located on FM 902 across from the Lake Kiowa entrance. For information, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/902grill.

Formally established as a recognized nonprofit organization in 2001, the Reining Horse Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the National Reining Horse Association. A renewed focus is driving efforts to expand fundraising so that the Foundation can do more to support the reining community. Donations of all sizes are relevant when it comes to helping reiners in need through the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, providing educational scholarships and youth leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association, and perpetuating the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame. For information visit the website at reiningfoundation.com.

New NRHyA Youth Affiliate Liaisons Announced

Posted on March 29, 2022 - 8:00 am by

New NRHyA Youth Affiliate Liaisons Announced

At last year’s May meeting of the National Reining Horse Association Board of Directors, a proposal from the Youth Committee was approved that created a new, optional position for youth who want to pursue a leadership role in the National Reining Horse Youth Association. Called the Youth Affiliate Liaison, this new position was created for affiliates.

Beginning in 2022, an additional delegate position may be filled by each NRHA Affiliate. This allows a delegate for each specific affiliate instead of just two delegates per region.

The decision was made because the committee felt that the delegate voting during the NRHA Futurity and Adequan NAAC is essentially a popular vote for candidates attending the show. There are many youth members at local levels who are deserving of a leadership role who are unable to attend those meetings.

NRHA Director of Marketing and Youth and Affiliate Programs Sara Honegger explained, “We also see that there is sometimes a communication breakdown between delegates and local affiliates if the elected delegates live in different states or end up not showing throughout a season. The Youth Affiliate Liaison position has been created to bridge any potential voids that might occur.”

This role was also suggested for youth members who ran for an NRHyA Officer position the previous year and were not elected. Allowing them this opportunity is a great way to keep them engaged and reward them for their hard work.

Although not mandatory, affiliates that have a youth member who fits the description and would be extremely involved in delegate meetings/conversations are encouraged to have their Youth Coordinator name someone for this position.

Honegger announced the new Youth Affiliate Liaisons in early March. Serving for the 2022 show season will be:

Kayden Kellmer
Washington Reining Horse Association

Aubree Leyva
Arizona Reining Horse Association

Talia Bertrand Meadow
Central Canada Reining Horse Association

Isabella Hildebrandt
South Texas Reining Horse Association

Emma Zgrebnak
Central Ohio Reining Horse Association

Chase McInteer
Kansas Reining Horse Association

Emma Klug
Central Plains Reining Horse Association

Ava Welman
North Central Reining Horse Association

Raeanna Thayn
Southwest Reining Horse Association

Kynley Bell
Oklahoma Reining Horse Association

Becca Schaffhauser
Tennessee Reining Horse Association

Youth Affiliate Liaisons will also be eligible to run for NRHyA Officer positions once they have served for a year. This again will create more leadership opportunities for youth members who want to be involved.

Since 2001, young Reiners in the National Reining Horse Youth Association have benefited from their memberships through college scholarships, learning experiences from some of the top Reining trainers, life-long friendships and a whole lot of fun along the way. NRHyA fosters leadership qualities and provides young members with a roadmap for success to guide them along their future career paths. For information, visit NRHyA.com.

RHF Dale Wilkinson Crisis Fund Assistance Available to NRHA Members Impacted by Recent Disasters

Posted on March 24, 2022 - 9:35 pm by


When a member of the National Reining Horse Association experiences catastrophe and demonstrates financial need, the Reining Horse Foundation stands in the gap to assist through its Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund. The nature of a qualifying catastrophe may be medical, accident or illness, or natural disasters such as fires, floods, and tornadoes.

With the recent widespread and devastating tornadoes and fires, there is a possibility that an NRHA member could have been affected. “At this time, we have not gotten word of any members who were impacted, but we want members to know that the Crisis Fund is available,” explained Reining Horse Foundation Executive Director Leslie Baker.

The fund is not intended to totally alleviate a member’s distress, but to provide some relief. This is done in the spirit of reiners helping reiners.

To apply for assistance, the applicant must be a current member in good standing for two consecutive years. Applications are subject to approval by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and all names are removed from the application and materials prior to submission for confidentiality purposes and to honor the member’s privacy. Grants are awarded to NRHA members from around the globe.

“While we hate that there is always a need for assistance, we are proud that the Reining Horse Foundation has helped to lessen the burden experienced by our members. Since 2002, the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund has awarded more than $250,000 and helped nearly 100 families during their time of need,” Baker shared.

NRHA Professionals have committed to voluntarily supporting the Reining Horse Foundation’s Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund when purchasing or renewing NRHA membership. The Crisis Fund is accessible to any NRHA membership category, yet most often stands in the gap for NRHA Professionals during times of significant need. Many other individuals and businesses also make contributions.

For Crisis Fund guidelines and criteria, click here.

Apply for Crisis Fund assistance here.

More information about the Reining Horse Foundation and its focus on supporting the reining community can be found at ReiningFoundation.com.

NRHA Announces Creation of Oceania Youth Council

Posted on March 23, 2022 - 6:31 pm by

The reining bug is catching on in the land down under, and that was evident during the 2021 National Reining Horse Association Oceania Affiliate Championships, which were held February 27–March 5 in Weribee, Victoria, Australia.

It was during that inaugural event that National Reining Horse Youth Association members formed the first-ever Oceania Youth Council with the goal of promoting the sport of reining and increasing the number of youth members in the Oceania Region.

“The Youth Council will educate members at their local shows about NRHyA programs and create stronger bonds throughout the year, not just at the state shows or Oceania Championships,” noted Sara Honegger, NRHA Director of Marketing and Youth and Affiliates Programs. “I’m very excited to watch the Council grow and spread their knowledge about reining.”

The first-ever NRHyA Oceania Youth Council was created during the 2021 Oceania Affiliate Championships. Pictured left to right are Jhi Watts, Minna Baxter, Tahlia Noonan, Hope Kelderman, Katia Sonsini—Photo by Sara Honegger

Elected to the Council were:

  • President: Tahlia Noonan; Lancefield, Victoria, Australia
  • Vice President: Minna Baxter; Newham, Victoria, Australia
  • Treasurer: Hope Kelderman; Glenburn, Victoria, Australia
  • Secretary: Katia Sonsini, Donvale, Victoria, Australia
  • Historian: Jhi Watts; Briagolong, Victoria, Australia

Honegger and Sam Oldfield, Director of International Affairs and Development, had traveled to Victoria for the Oceania Affiliate Championships and was able to spend time with the numerous NRHyA members. “From the moment we arrived at the Oceania Affiliate Championships, their desire to learn everything they could about NRHyA was apparent,” Honegger said. “They are incredibly passionate young men and women who want to make a difference in their region. We felt the creation of the Oceania Youth Council, much like the European Youth Council, would be a great next step.”

Read more about the Oceania Youth Council in the May issue of the NRHA Reiner to learn more about each member.

To keep up with the latest information, follow NRHyA on Facebook and Instagram. Additional information about the Oceania region can be found at facebook.com/oceanianrha.

2022 Oceania Affiliate Championships Location & Dates Announced

Posted on March 22, 2022 - 9:06 pm by

The city of Maryborough in Queensland, Australia, is the birthplace of Mary Poppins’ author Pamella Lyndon Travers. It’s fitting that the picturesque and historical town has been chosen as the location for the 2022 National Reining Horse Association Oceania Affiliate Championships, where magical moments and memories will be plentiful. The Championships will be held October 25–30.

The inaugural event, which had been slated for 2021 but was postponed due to the worldwide pandemic, was hosted by the Victorian Reining Horse Association and held at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre in Victoria.

Despite adversity due to the pandemic and weather, the event was phenomenal. “It was a massive success,” noted Sara Honegger, NRHA Director of Marketing who oversees the Youth and Affiliate programs. “There were more than 500 entries, and the atmosphere was incredible.”

Sam Oldfield, NRHA Director of International Affairs and Development, echoed that sentiment. “The VRHA did an excellent job in not only taking on the challenge of running this event in this format for the first time but also in creating a successful and safe environment where our reining family could come and compete and also have fun,” she said. “The success of this event has given much hope and light to the future of reining in the Oceania region, and the NRHA Oceania Council is proud to announce that the 2022 NRHA Oceania Affiliate Championships will be held in Queensland by the Calliope Sliders Reining Horse Club.”

The Affiliate Championships for 2022 will be held with the NRHA Oceania Queensland State Championships hosted by the Calliope Sliders Reining Horse Club.

The CSRHC was formed in 2013 by Ed Smith of Ed Smith Reining and Performance Horses. “We are a not-for-profit club based in Calliope Queensland, inland from Gladstone,” noted Tracee Sharp, CSRHC secretary. “We are passionate about reining and are committed to the growth of reining throughout Queensland and Australia. The Sliders are a hardworking, fun-filled, family-oriented organization. We are proud to be a part of the NRHA family and hold a seat on the Oceania Council.”

The CSRHC management committee includes President Ed Smith, Vice President Paul Sharp, Secretary Tracee Sharp, and Treasurer Katrina Beale.

For more information about NRHA Oceania, follow the group on Facebook here.

Connect with the CSRHC on Facebook here or find them on the website here.

Action photos by Stephen Mowbray Photography

2022 NRHA Judges Applicant Seminar and Judges School Held in Oklahoma City

Posted on March 21, 2022 - 10:15 pm by

In early March 2022, the National Reining Horse Association headquarters played host to 20 men and women who took the first major step to becoming NRHA-accredited judges by participating in the Judges Applicant Seminar. The Applicant Seminar was then followed by a Judge’s School, which boasted 15 additional participants.

“Consistent and fair judging promotes a healthy association, and it’s exciting to have new talent coming into the reining industry,” noted Patti Carter, NRHA’s Sr. Director of Education and Officials. “I look forward to watching this group continue through the accreditation process.”

There is one Judges Applicant Seminar held in the United States each year, and during the Seminar, attendees are walked through and instructed on every aspect of judging, from equipment use to maneuver evaluation and more. Seminar attendees must pass testing requirements, and once that’s accomplished, they are eligible to attend an NRHA Judging School, which is held three times a year in Oklahoma City and multiple times internationally. Only after passing the testing requirements of an NRHA Judges School will prospective judges’ names be submitted to the NRHA Board of Directors for consideration for final judging privileges.

Three members of the NRHA Judges Committee, who also serve on the Teaching Panel, were on hand to give instruction at both the Applicant Seminar and the Judges School. That included Chairman Dean Latimer of Marietta, Okla., Doug Allen of the United Kingdom, and Kelly Sapp of King, N.C.

“The education over the entire five days was outstanding and provided a lot of great information. The Seminar and School were both well-thought-out and well taught, and I commend the Committee and Panel for putting together a thorough curriculum for both the applicants and the already-carded judges. I am very proud to be part of such a knowledgeable group of horsemen and horsewomen on the Judges Committee and the Teaching Panel,” Carter said. “I also have to commend Kristen Liesman, the NRHA Staff Liaison for the Judges Committee. She does a great job of organizing the content and coordinating the entire event to ensure it runs smoothly.”

Other members of the Judge’s Committee include Liesman, Bob Kail, Bub Poplin, Maik Bartmann, Margaret Fuchs, Matt Lantz, Nick Baar, Sebastian Petroll, Todd Sommers, Manuela Maiocchi and Patrick Wickenheiser. Teaching Panel members include Mike McEntire, Bub Poplin, Dean Latimer, Doug Allen, Eugenio, Margaret Fuchs, Manuela Maiocchi, Ollie Griffith, Maik Bartman, and Kelly Sapp.

“The NRHA Judges Program is an industry leader in education for its judges. The members of the Judges Committee and the Teaching Panel look forward to expanding that education to all exhibitors, and to provide insight into the thought process behind the judging,” Carter shared. “On behalf of the Judges Committee and Teaching Panel, I thank NRHA’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee for recognizing the importance of these schools and educational opportunities for all members.”

Find more information about NRHA’s Judges Program at NRHA.com/judges

NRHA Announces Leading Events for 2021

Posted on March 16, 2022 - 9:58 pm by

National Reining Horse Association events around the world have grown dramatically in recent years, both in size and payout. Nowhere is that more evident than on the 2021 Leading Event rankings. Sorted by total purse, the shows span the globe and give an idea of the importance of reining worldwide.

Not surprisingly, the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships Show leads the field, with a total payout of $2,636,355! The NRHA Futurity Challenge supporters helped boost the purse, as did increased added funds from the NRHA. Ultimately, those added dollars along with incredibly large entry numbers resulted in a record-setting Futurity.

Second on the list for 2021 was the Four Sixes NRHA Derby presented by Markel. The show grew dramatically in 2021 as well, thanks to new sponsorships from 6666 Ranch, Yellowstone, Bosque Ranch, Colston Paving, Tamarack Ranch, GlycoGuard and Story Book Stables.

Along with the two NRHA-produced events, The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge and the National Reining Breeders Classic also boasted payouts in excess of $1,000,000. The Run For A Million in Las Vegas featured the highest amount of added money for any event with $1.2 million added.

Making the Top 50 list for NRHA’s Leading events is an honor for any show, and a testament to show managers and committee members working hard to promote reining, worldwide. Excitingly, 10 different countries were represented in the Top 50 Events list for 2021.

“The show organizers and affiliates who conduct our events are the quiet stars of our galaxy. Their tireless and often unacknowledged work is what makes our industry go,” Gary Carpenter, NRHA Commissioner, noted.

NRHA President Rick Clark agreed, “We celebrate and reward the top riders and horses, but this segment of our industry is essential for our industry’s growth and continued success. The opportunities created by these great shows, worldwide, are amazing, and each year you can see that they are working to become even better.”

Exhibitors have shown their appreciation for those opportunities in 2021, with a five-year high of 112,929 total entries and more than 10,000 different horses shown. They competed for a record total annual purse of $19,157,953.

For the complete list of the 2021 Top 50 events, click here.

NRHA Announces Longtime Event Sponsor Priefert as a New Corporate Partner

Posted on March 10, 2022 - 11:31 am by

Longtime National Reining Horse Association event sponsor Priefert has recently joined the Association’s impressive list of Corporate Partners.

It’s hard to picture the NRHA Futurity and 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel without the signature, high-quality Priefert panels and products that can be found around the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Priefert has been an Event Sponsor for the past several years, and the new Corporate Partnership will help to enhance the NRHA Award program.

Sammi Miller, NRHA Senior Director of Corporate Relations and Communications noted, “It is an honor to welcome Priefert as NRHA’s newest Corporate Partner. As a proud ‘Made in America’ manufacturer, Priefert has long supported the western and equine industries. We are thankful for Priefert’s commitment to NRHA and the sport of reining!”

Family-owned and operated since 1964, Priefert is one of the largest farm, ranch, and rodeo equipment manufacturers in the world. Priefert is recognized as having the highest quality equipment on the market and is proud to have its products used and endorsed by the top cattle, equine, rodeo and roping organizations in the country. Priefert offers horse owners practical solutions for creating a safe, functional environment for their valued animals.

Designed with the highest degree of consideration for safety of both the horse and the handler, Priefert products are proudly manufactured in Mt Pleasant, Texas. Behind its success is a workforce of almost 1,000 employees helping to create and ship a multitude of Priefert products to dealers all across the US and around the world.

Courtney Dyer, Priefert’s Director of Marketing, shared, “Priefert’s partnership with the NRHA felt like a natural fit given our shared mission of preserving and promoting the Western lifestyle. As a family-owned company, Priefert recognizes the shared values of integrity, faith, family, and leadership that both of our organizations hold dear. We look forward to serving the members of the NRHA and sharing with them how our products can help keep their equine partners safe, healthy, and happy.”

About Priefert

Priefert is considered the leading innovator in the livestock handling industry. Dedicated to developing and producing equipment that is safe and durable for both the animal and the operator. Starting with Marvin’s invention of the first side closing, gliding action headgate, Priefert has continued to lead the way by introducing the first contoured side squeeze chute, the first double pivot calf table, the first open-sided sweep, and the first full line of powder-coated products. Priefert maintains total quality control by designing and executing each part of the development and production of its products. Starting with raw steel, Priefert oversees each step of the process through to finished good, creating products that are pound for pound, dollar for dollar, the best value on the market. With a dealer network of over 1200 dealers around the world, Priefert is recognized as having the highest quality equipment on the market. For more information, visit priefert.com.

2022 Four Sixes NRHA Derby presented by Markel Expands with Extra Show Days

Posted on March 9, 2022 - 4:17 pm by

The 2021 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel was a tremendous success by all measurements. The highest payout, plus the largest number of entries and stalls, resulted in a record-breaking mega-event.

It also created real challenges in getting so many horses shown in the allotted time. NRHA Events Manager Cheryl Cody explained, “Our entries grew amazingly. We went from 249 Non Pro entries in the previous year to 302 in 2021. The Open division increased from 247 to 274. In the four days allotted for the Open and Non Pro prelims, we had 80 more entries than in 2020. That was over a 16 percent increase with 576 horses to get shown.”

She continued, “Our officials and staff were faced with more than 150 runs per day in the Non Pro prelims and nearly 140 a day in the Open. Plus, the situation in the Adequan Arena was equally challenging, with comparable growth, so we knew we had to make changes.”

Cody and NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter met with the Oklahoma State Fair officials, Bill Allen, Vice President, Jim Norick Arena & Equine Facilities; Jonathan Fisher, Director of Jim Norick Arena and Equine Facilities; and incoming Oklahoma State Fair Executive Vice President Kirk Slaughter to work on the problem. Through those meetings, they were able to add two days to the Derby preliminaries and three days to the Adequan Arena classes.

Horses will now be allowed to move into the Derby at noon on Tuesday, June 14, and classes will begin on Wednesday, June 15, in the Adequan Arena with the first section of the American Quarter Horse Association and American Paint Horse Association classes. The show will continue through June 26.

The preliminaries of the Non Pro Derby will begin on Friday, June 17, and go through Sunday, June 19. The next day signals the start of three days of Open preliminaries.

Carpenter noted, “As our growth continues to amaze us in a positive sense, it also creates scheduling challenges. The State Fair staff and leadership have gone out of their way to be innovative in helping us through these record-setting shows.”

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