Oklahoma City, OK — The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is pleased to confirm that the 2025 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel is set to take place (June 11–22) in the newly constructed OG&E Coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds.
On May 25, a lightning strike at OKC Fair Park caused localized damage to the electrical systems in the OG&E Coliseum. While this incident impacted certain mechanical and life safety systems, no other buildings on the Fairgrounds were affected, and the situation remains entirely contained to the Coliseum.
Construction teams responded immediately and are working around the clock to complete necessary repairs. Replacement components have already been ordered and are en route. Upon arrival, the systems will be installed, tested, and inspected to secure a Certificate of Occupancy—the final step before the building can officially open its doors.
According to Fairgrounds officials, the Fire Marshal inspection is currently scheduled for June 9th and will move sooner if possible based on the progress of the repairs.
“Based on the latest updates from our partners at the Fairgrounds and the construction team, we are confident that the Derby will proceed as planned in the OG&E Coliseum,” said Billy Smith, Commissioner at NRHA. “We are working closely with all parties to ensure a safe, successful, and unforgettable event in this world-class facility.”
The 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel is one of the premier events in the sport of reining and marks the first major competition to be held in the brand-new OG&E Coliseum. The state-of-the-art venue promises to elevate the experience for competitors, spectators, and sponsors alike.
For more information and updates, please visit nrha.com.
Youth attending the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel can participate in the CINCH National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) Speaking contest to earn scholarships.
This annual event serves as an opportunity for NRHyA members to increase their skills and earn scholarship dollars regardless of their age. NRHyA is a program funded through the Reining Horse Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. RHF scholarships offered across several NRHyA programs will offer nearly $90,000 in 2025.
The contest will take place on Friday, June 20, in the Bennett Event Center on the OKC Fairgrounds.
Participants will be divided into two age groups, 13 & Under and 14-18. The three categories will be Delivering A: General, Prepared Public Speaking, and Community Service Presentation.
In the Delivering A: General, contestants recite A: General, a guide to judging reining horses and a hallmark of the NRHA Handbook. Prepared Public Speaking involves contestants delivering a five-to-eight-minute speech on either a leadership or equestrian topic. Lastly, the Community Service Presentation allows participants to create an eight-to-10-minute presentation showcasing a completed community service project.
To enter, participants must fill out this form by June 10.
Scholarships for the 2025 NRHyA CINCH Speaking Contest:
Age 14-18
Delivering A: General 1st place: $700 2nd place: $200
Prepared Public Speaking 1st place: $700 2nd place: $200
Community Service Presentation 1st place: $700 2nd place: $200
Age 13 & Under
Delivering A: General 1st place: $700 2nd place: $200
Prepared Public Speaking 1st place: $700 2nd place: $200
Community Service Presentation 1st place: $700 2nd place: $200
A. GENERAL for 13 & Under
To rein a horse is not only to guide him, but also to control his every movement. The best reined horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely.
A. GENERAL for 14-18
To rein a horse is not only to guide him, but also to control his every movement. The best reined horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely. Any movement on his own must be considered a lack of control. All deviations from the exact written pattern must be considered a lack of/or temporary loss of control and therefore a fault that must be marked down according to severity of deviation.
The National Reining Horse Association welcomes Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC as the association’s newest NRHA Million Dollar Owner.
Following a strong showing at the 2025 National Reining Breeders Classic, where NRHA $3 Million Rider Jordan Larson and Need I Say Mor (Gunnatrashya x Shesouttayourleague) made the Level 4 Open Derby Classic Finals, Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC officially crossed the seven-figure threshold in lifetime owner NRHA earnings. Larson also earned the Level 3 Open Championship at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel on the Curtis Performance Horses LLC-bred stallion.
With locations in both Weatherford, Texas and Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC has established itself as a leading breeder of high-performance reining horses. Though the NRHA membership officially began in 2010, the Vargas Sánchez family’s involvement in Western performance horses began in 2005 with the formation of the Charro team “3 Regalos” in Mexico.
This passion soon led to the founding of Xtra Quarter Horses in Purcell, Oklahoma, a program that left a significant mark on the industry through the acquisition and promotion of elite stallions including Wimpys Little Step, Shiners Voodoo Dr, and Wimpyneedsacocktail. These stallions not only brought widespread recognition to the program but also played key roles in pushing the boundaries of performance and production within the sport.
After selling Xtra Quarter Horses in 2017, the Vargas Sánchez family returned to Mexico to establish Ixtul Quarter Horses at Rancho Ixtul. There, they developed one of Mexico’s most advanced breeding operations, complete with comprehensive reproductive technologies and a vision for excellence that spans borders.
Now operating out of both Mexico and Weatherford, Texas, Ixtul Quarter Horses continues to influence the sport with a growing roster of standout athletes and a focus on thoughtful, performance-driven breeding.
NRHA congratulates Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC on reaching this remarkable milestone and looks forward to their continued impact on the sport of reining.
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Executive Committee and Board of Directors met via Zoom to discuss and vote on 2026 Rule Changes and other topics relating to the future of reining.
Every other year, NRHA Members and committees may submit rule-change proposals for addition to the following year’s official handbook. The NRHA Board of Directors discusses the proposals, sends them to NRHA Committees for feedback, reviews opinions shared by the membership, and casts votes after reviewing the proposals twice.
The board considered and voted on the following proposals. To review a full list of rule changes, comments, and details, visit the Library in ReinerSuite at reinersuite.nrha.com.
APPROVED
35-1-26 MEMBERSHIPS ONLINE AT SHOWS
38-1-26 NON PRO INELIGIBLE TIME PERIOD
38-2-26 NON PRO RELINQUISHMENTS
39-1-26 IMMEDIATE FAMILY CLARIFICATION
43-1-26 COMPETITION LICENSING
44-1-26 FORFEITED EARNINGS
44-2-26 CLASS ELIGIBILITY TIMEFRAME
45-1-26 CATEGORIES OF COMPETITION CLARIFICATION
47-1-26 PARA REINING
52-1-26 CATEGORY 12 TOP 20
54-2-26 EQUIPMENT AND ATTIRE
55-1-26 EUROPEAN EVENT DEADLINES
55-2-26 ANCILLARY EVENT APPROVAL
56-1-26 EVENT APPROVAL STEWARDS GUIDELINES
56-2-26 EVENT CLASSIFICATIONS; C EVENT
57-1-26 EVENT CANCELLATIONS
62-1-26 AGED SHOW AND CLOSED AGED SHOW CONDITIONS
66-1-26 ENTRY LEVEL RIDE & SLIDE FEE
70-1-26 PAYOUTS
89-1-26 SHOW STEWARD REPORTS
91-1-26 JUDGING PRIVILEGES
94-1-26 HACKAMORE MEASUREMENT CLARIFICATION
94-2-26 BIT GUARDS
96-1-26 ALTER REIN LENGTH
97-1-26 SIMPLE LEAD CHANGES
97-2-26 WALKING PENALTY
98-1-26 WALKING WHEN EXITING THE ROLLBACK
150-1-26 5 POINT PENALTIES
POSTPONED
46-2-26 MATURITY DEFINITION
48-1-26 RANCH REINING
51-1-26 SLIDE CONTESTS
NO ACTION
48-2-26 NOVICE HORSE GREEN
46-1-26 AMATEUR FUTURITY
42-1-26 COMPETITION LICENSES IN SHORT STIRRUP CLASSES
54-1-26 YOUTH SHORT STIRRUP HELMET
54-3-26 TRADITIONAL ATTIRE
55-3-26 SHOW MANAGER AND REPRESENTATIVE REQUIREMENT
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is proud to announce that its official podcast, This Right Here is Reining, has been awarded Best Equine-Related Podcast during the 2025 American Horse Publications (AHP) Equine Media Awards, held in Dallas, Texas.
The AHP Equine Media Awards have honored excellence in journalism, storytelling, and multimedia since 1976. Winning Best Podcast is a significant achievement that highlights NRHA’s ongoing commitment to education, storytelling, and connection within the reining and equine community.
Launched in 2023 through a partnership with Horses in the Morning, NRHA’s This Right Here is Reining was developed as a platform to bring the heart of reining to life through in-depth conversations with industry leaders, riders, breeders, owners, and fans. Hosted by Sara Honegger and Christy Landwehr, the podcast blends engaging storytelling with behind-the-scenes access, offering listeners a unique and authentic perspective on the sport.
The episode titled ‘Kaci O’Rourke Makes History, Plus More from NRHA Futurity’ earned the award and can still be listened to here.
The NRHA thanks its members, listeners, and the broader reining family for their continued support and congratulates all the other outstanding finalists and winners at this year’s Equine Media Awards.
To listen to This Right Here is Reining, visit nrha.com/podcast or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.
TheReining Horse Foundation (RHF) is announcing its Merit scholarship winners and has doubled the award amounts from $1,500 to $3,000 per winner. The 2025 Merit scholarship winners include Lydia Bell, Logan Carroll, Katelyn Cofell, Ava Egbert, and Raegan Rapier.
Established in 2024, the RHF Merit Scholarships reward NRHA members who have not previously won an RHF scholarship and are actively pursuing a college or trade school education.
“The Reining Horse Foundation is pleased to help these students in their educational pursuits,” said Terri Mainey, chair of the RHF Scholarship Committee. “In 2025, the RHF will offer nearly $90,000 in scholarships across several programs to benefit reiners. This is a record amount made possible through the generosity of donors around the world.”
Bell of Maysville, Oklahoma, attends Oklahoma State University and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and agricultural communications. Bell intends to pursue a career in communications in the horse industry and looks to start her own business. She is a student athlete on the Oklahoma State Equestrian team and has received the team’s community service award twice for her work in Stillwater. Bell has received the Oklahoma State Athletic Outstanding Academic Achievement award three times while being a member of the Dean’s Honor Roll.
Carroll of Sandusky, Ohio, is a student at University of Findlay where he is studying equestrian studies, specializing in western riding and training with the intention of becoming a reining horse trainer. He competes on the University of Findlay Ranch Horse Team, is a student worker at the university and works for Marsh Performance Horses. Prior to attending college, Carroll was active in his county 4-H club as a member and served as president for two years.
Cofell of Magnolia, Texas, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in accounting with a minor in marketing at Sam Houston State University. She plans to become a CPA with a focus on small businesses in agriculture. As an NRHyA member, Cofell participated in several youth fundraisers and activities and is still actively showing her horses while attending college.
Egbert of Botkins, Ohio, attends The Ohio State University, where she studies animal science and intends to go into the field of animal biotechnology. She is a member of multiple clubs and campus organizations, including Buckeye Catholic, Saddle and Sirloin, Kellogg-Moser Living Learning Community, and OSU Animal Interactions and Welfare Club. Egbert is active in her community, often participating in fundraisers and volunteering her time to multiple nonprofit organizations.
Rapier of Chesapeake, Virginia, is a student at Old Dominion University where she studies biomedical sciences. Her goal is to go into pharmaceutical sales for animals. She appeared on the Dean’s List in fall 2024 and volunteers with Saving Grace Rescue. Rapier is active in the Southeastern Reining Horse Association, serving as the 2023-24 NRHyA Affiliate Youth Liaison.
For nearly 25 years, members of the equine community have been doing good things through the Reining Horse Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Reining Horse Association. With its mission of caring for and honoring the reining community, the RHF has supporters from around the world. Core programs include the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, providing financial relief to reiners enduring major hardships; youth scholarships and leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association; and perpetuation of the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame. For more information or to give, visit reiningfoundation.com.
Non Pro & Youth Pilot Classes Debut Saturday, June 14
We’re excited to welcome you to Oklahoma City for something new this year—Ranch Reining pilot classes for Non Pro and Youth riders, held during the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel! The Ranch Reining pilot class showcases fundamental reining maneuvers using rules similar to those of other ranch-style events.
Join us on Saturday afternoon, June 14, right after the Intermediate Open, Limited Open, and Rookie Professional classes, and be part of this exciting addition to the Derby schedule.
🌟 What’s in it for you?
$50 added money in each class
A $25 Equine Oasis gift certificate for every participant, thanks to Tim Bauer
Top 5 placings receive extra awards
A personal video link of your run, plus the option to order professional photos from Waltenberry
These pilot classes are open to NRHA members and newcomers alike—so whether you’re seasoned or new to the sport, we’d love to see you in the pen!
📅 Entries are due June 1
📄 Visit the FORMS page at nrhaderby.com for more info and to enter.
At the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), we know our youth members shine in the arena—but their talents don’t stop there. Many of our National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) members also excel in creative expression, and we’re proud to provide a platform to celebrate that through the annual NRHyA Art & Photo Contest.
We’re thrilled to once again partner with the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for the third consecutive year as the official sponsor of this special event. Thanks to this valued collaboration, the first-place entries in each category will be displayed at the prestigious museum during the 2025 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel—an unforgettable honor for our young artists.
We encourage all NRHyA members to join in. Whether you’re already active in the Varsity Reining Club or simply looking to explore your artistic side, this is your chance to get creative and be recognized.
This year’s contest will feature two categories, Photography and Mixed Media, and will be broken up by three age categories: 10 & Under, 13 & Under, and 14-18.
At NRHA, we’re committed to supporting and celebrating the diverse talents of our youth. The NRHyA Art & Photo Contest is one of the many ways we empower the next generation of leaders in and out of the arena.
Have you been a fan of reining and want to give it a spin for yourself? The 2025 Buy-A-Pro Auction begins on March 26 and offers an entry point into the reining community for those who have wanted to participate or improve their existing skills. The auction offers buyers a chance to purchase a two-lesson package with NRHA Professionals from across the United States, all while benefiting the National Reining Horse Youth Association. This year, the auction runs through 12 p.m. CST on April 9.
From fans to those with reining experience, everyone can benefit from the elite list of NRHA Professionals, including NRHA Hall of Famers, NRHA Futurity Champions, NRHA Million Dollar Riders, stars from The Last Cowboy, NRHA World Champions, NRHA Horsemen and Women of the Year, expert non pro coaches, and other proven professionals.
A winning bid grants riders an opportunity to visit their chosen professional’s facility and refine their riding skills and their horse’s training or, in some cases, try reining for the first time on a horse provided by the professional. From beginners to experienced riders, everyone can benefit from these private training packages.
Each of the participating NRHA Professionals donates two training sessions per package, and 15 percent of the proceeds benefit their designated NRHA affiliate. The remaining funds are allocated directly to NRHyA to provide scholarships and other opportunities for young reiners.
Along with making reining accessible, the auction has created life-long bonds, allowed people to purchase their first reining horse, and more.
This fundraiser has generated significant funding to support NRHyA, a program funded through the Reining Horse Foundation (RHF), the charitable arm of the NRHA. With the volunteer leaders of the RHF board helping secure NRHA Professionals, there are more participants than there have been since 2022. With professionals located all over the country, there are options to best suit each buyer’s needs. Before bidding, be sure to check if your selected professional offers the amenities you need, such as lesson horses, stalls, or RV hookups.
To view the NRHA Professionals available and to place your bids today, visit auctions.nrha.com.
