Founded in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is an
organization dedicated to the promotion of the reining horse. The
association has grown to over 6,000 member worldwide with more than 170
NRHA approved competitions each year.
Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse in the confines of the show arena. In NRHA competition, contestants are required to run one of nine approved patterns. Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs over the hocks, 360 degree spins done in place, and the exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse.
NRHA offers the following approved classes in competition: - Open - Snaffle Bit - Limited Open - Novice Horse Open - Non Pro - Novice Horse Non Pro - Intermediate Non Pro - Youth 14-18 - Limited Non Pro -Youth 13 and under - Rookie - Freestyle
Premier Events
The NRHA Futurity...3 year old horses ridden for 1st place prize money of $100,000 with a total purse paid to exhibitors in excess of $650,000!!! Over 900 horses competing in all classes, a special reining horse sale, the hub of international reining activity, an intercollegiate judging contest, and 25,000 spectators...NRHA's finest event held in late fall in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The NRHA Derby...4 and 5 year old horses competing for $100,000 in purse money, established in 1983 to increase the winning potential of the reining horse. Held in the summer in Oklahoma City, this show hosts the NRHA Annual Awards banquet, the Youth Team Tournament, and other fun and educational activities.The NRHA Superstakes...4 and 5 year old horses sired by enrolled stallions compete for prize money and special awards; winning sires are also money winners in the sire award presentations with more than $120,000 paid out to sires alone in this program to date. Presently held with NRHA Derby as a summer show, the Superstakes is another pot worth running for in the NRHA. NRHA Approved shows...are held in every part of the world with over 170 approved events each year.
Judging of Reining Events
In NRHA competitions, reining horses are judged individually as they complete one of nine specified patterns. One or more judges will score each horse between 0 and infinity with 70 denoting an average score. Each horse automatically begins the pattern with a 70. The scoring system then gives or takes away up to 1 and 1/2 points on each maneuver, and penalties may be accrued for incorrect performance maneuvers. As the judges watch the horse's execution of the pattern, a scribe keeps track of each judge's maneuver scores on a score sheet as well as penalty marks. Scores are then tabulated and announced at the end of each run. The judges' sheets with individual maneuver scores and total scores are then posted for the benefit of the exhibitors following each class.In scoring, credit is given for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority when performing the various maneuvers. Controlled speed in the pattern raises the level of difficulty and makes the reining horse more exciting and pleasing to watch. Increased level of difficulty is rewarded with higher scores if the maneuvers are still performed correctly. The NRHA Handbook states, "To rein a horse is not only to guide him, but also to control his every movement." That description has remained unchanged since 1966 and serves as the definitive guide to the judging of reining events.
Freestyle Reining
Freestyle reining became a sanctioned NRHA class in 1992 governed by a special set of rules provided in the NRHA Handbook. Freestyle is what its name implied - reining maneuvers set to music in a format designed by each competitor. The music and pattern choreography bring a special enjoyment to this competition. Freestyle has proven to be a solid winner with the spectators and adds a dimension of enjoyment for even the novice observer.
Affiliate Championship Program
The NRHA designed this program to give national recognition to competition at the grassroots level. Competitors work for awards in their own geographical areas qualifying for Finals competition held in one of three geographical regions: Eastern, Central, and Western. This program began in 1991 with 16 circuits and 64 shows. In 1994 it had expanded to 25 circuits and 108 shows. Through corporate sponsors, NRHA provides approximately $17,000 to the Affiliate Program.
Breeding Incentive Programs
The breeding of reining horses has evolved into a specialized aspect of the performance horse industry. Successful reining horses are the result of years of study and careful planning. The most effective breeding programs include stallions that were themselves winners and mares which also have enviable NRHA show records. Both must prove their ability to pass on their outstanding physical and mental qualities to their offspring.The NRHA Sire and Dam Program is the oldest and most respected breeding program in the performance horse industry. Stallion owners donate a free breeding. The program then sells this breeding to a mare owner for one half the advertised stud fee. In addition to a bargain on the breeding fee, the mare owner also receives a substantial discount on entering the resulting foal in the NRHA Futurity. Stallion owners receive free promotion in the Sire and Dam Program ads in a wide range of industry publications and are eligible for lucrative cash awards at the NRHA Futurity. With more than 500 stallions listed, total stallion fees sold through the Sire and Dam Program have surpassed $1,000,000.00!
The NRHA Superstakes is a stallion subscription program in which stallion owners enroll their stallions by paying a designated fee. Enrollment entitles the foals of these stallions to be eligible for Superstakes competition through a foal nomination process making small payments as a weanling and yearly sustaining payments. The Superstakes also offers the opportunity for stallions to pay into the program the year prior to having 4 and 5 year olds ready to show. Stallions paid in under this program are not required to have offspring pay through the foal nomination process, but owners will be required to pay entry fees for all participating offspring. Superstakes competition is held for 4 and 5 year olds, and there is also opportunity for additional earnings as a 3 year old in the 1st go round of the NRHA Futurity for eligible offspring.
Superstakes stallions receive promotion and prestige along with cash awards paid as a result of their offspring's achievements in the Superstakes event. Sire awards in excess of $120,000 have been paid to date.
Youth Program
NRHA recognizes that the interest displayed by our young people is one of our greatest resources for future growth. We encourage youth riders to participate at various levels of competition and have established programs that reward our outstanding performers with some of the most attractive trophies and prizes with sport horse industry.World Champions in the two youth divisions, 13 and Under and 14 thru 18, receive NRHA Mehl Lawson bronze trophies. Reserve World Champions in each category are awarded C.R. Morrison bronze trophies. Among the special trophies presented in Youth classes are the Paul Horn Memorial and the Bound for Glory trophies.
NRHA offers an NRHA Pewter trophy as a Youth Incentive to all youth competitors who accumulate fifty points in approved NRHA youth classes. The AQHA High Point Youth reining champion is presented the coveted Mehl Lawson bronze annually.
In 1995, the NRHA will hold its first Team Tournament competition at the NRHA Derby and Superstakes Show. Teams may be sponsored by both horse and non horse oriented organizations, stables or farms, and other entities. All breeds are encouraged to participate. Teams will compete for scholarship funds and other prizes.
For membership including the Reiner magazine contact: National Reining Horse Association, 448 Main Street, Suite 204, Coshocton, OH 43812. Telehphone (614) 623-0055 or Fax (614) 623-8013.
