Category Archives: Partner

The National Reining Horse Association welcomed a bevy of new partners in the 11^th hour of 2021, including Enjoy LLC, based out of Whitesboro, Texas. Owners Stefano and Elena Ronco of Italy partnered with longtime friend and NRHA Professional Francesco Martinotti to create the business.

“Enjoy LLC was created by Stefano and Elena, who have been clients and friends of mine for a long time,” Martinotti explained. “It is their dream to own and care for exceptional horses in the reining industry. They are passionate about every part of the industry, from breeding to the show pen and everything in between. It’s all about the horse for them!”

Martinotti and the Roncos’ relationship began many years ago in Italy. “They were my clients there, and were actually the first people to buy a horse from me when I was only 17 years old,” Martinotti recalled. “When I moved to the United States in 2016, they came to visit and said they wanted to start something here.”

One of the first horses purchased by Enjoy LLC was Smoking Trash, by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of NRHA Million Dollar Dam Snip O Gun.

With Martinotti at the reins, Smoking Trash was a 2019 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Finalist and has made the finals at every major event since his career began. At the 2021 The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge, Martinotti guided the stallion through an impressive and flawless pattern in the $100,000 Shootout. That score qualified the pair for the 2022 The Run For A Million Invitational.

“We knew from day one that he was going to be special, and he has proven us right time after time. Each year he shows tremendous growth and strength in the show pen,” Martinotti said. Smoking Trash will stand for the 2022 breeding season at Foals-R-Us, also an NRHA Corporate Partner, in Whitesboro, Texas.

According to Martinotti, joining the NRHA Corporate Partner family served dual purposes. “We decided to become an NRHA Corporate Partner for a couple of reasons. The first was to introduce Smoking Trash as a stallion and promote him. The second is because NRHA has been very good to us, even as foreigners. To come here and grow this business is very hard, but NRHA has been great for me and the owners, so we wanted to be a bigger part of the association and help it grow,” Martinotti, Enjoy LLC’s head trainer, explained. 

Sammi Miller, NRHA Senior Director of Corporate Relations & Communications, said the Board of Directors and Staff of the Association were thrilled for this new partnership. “We at NRHA are excited to welcome Enjoy, LLC as a new corporate partner. We look forward to working with Francesco Martinotti, Stefano and Elena Ronco, and the rest of the team at Enjoy, LLC to heighten exposure of their program,” she said.

Follow Enjoy LLC, Smoking Trash, and Foals R Us on Facebook, or connect with Enjoy LLC at enjoyreining@gmail.com. Find information about breeding opportunities at Foals-R-Us.com or by emailing breeding@foals-r-us.com

Rooted in a shared appreciation for the reining horse and the sport of reining, the National Reining Horse Association and Tenda Horse Products have entered into a three-year Corporate Partnership agreement. Tenda Horse Products, based in Sandusky, Ohio, manufactures and distributes horse and pet care products, specializing in those formulated for the needs of equine athletes.

Tenda spokeswoman Allison Thorson, whose once-childhood hobby of Tennessee Walking Horse competition propelled the family’s business interests to expand into the equestrian world, is now also an avid NRHA competitor. “High quality care is a priority for our horses,“ Thorson explained. “In the reining discipline especially, we use Tenda products daily and that helps us ensure we’re providing top-of-the line care for our customers.”

NRHA President Rick Clark was thrilled with the news of the new Corporate Partnership. “On behalf of NRHA, I welcome Tenda Horse Products to the Corporate Partner family. We are honored that they have chosen to support us, and that support will help our association grow – not just at the Futurity, but at shows of all sizes. Our association is thriving, and there is no way we could do it without sponsors like Tenda Horse Products, as well as all of our Corporate Partner and Event Sponsors,” he shared.

Thorson echoed that sentiment, and added, “As advocates for NRHA’s mission of ‘promoting the reining horse worldwide, while celebrating and advancing the finest traditions of western horsemanship,’ we at Tenda are excited to be a part of the reining world and its exponential growth.”

As part of the partnership, the company is the official sponsor of the Tenda Drag Awards for the NRHA Futurity and Adequan® NAAC. The high scoring entry of each drag of the Open and Non Pro Futurity preliminary rounds receives Tenda Horse Products, which include Holistic Hoof Oil and Sheen Hair Polish & Detangler.

NRHA Senior Director of Corporate Relations and Communications Sammi Miller noted, “NRHA is proud to join with Tenda Horse Products in creating a sponsorship that promotes premium grooming products and care of our equine athletes.  Tenda’s increasing support of NRHA events is a benefit seen at every level. That’s what makes this partnership so special.”   

The Tenda Horse Products line includes nutritional supplements; leg, muscle, and hoof care products; poultice; healing salves; state-of-the-art wound and skin care products; topical aids; grooming products for horses and pets; and more.

Acquired in 2018, Tenda Horse Products is among several interests owned by the family, which include FarmPaint, ThorTurf arena footing, and EquiClear arena dust control solution. The latter three are produced by ThorWorks, the family’s global coatings manufacturing company. Horse power also extends to family-owned ThorSport Racing, the longest tenured NASCAR team in the sanctioning body’s truck series.

ABOUT TENDA HORSE PRODUCTS

Tenda Horse Products has been serving the performance horse industry for more than half a century, developing and manufacturing high quality products to promote and improve the overall health, soundness, performance and well-being of equine athletes. Tenda products include equine nutritional supplements; leg, muscle, hoof, wound, and skin care products; healing salves; and topical remedies; along with shampoos, conditioners and grooming products for horses and dogs. Tenda products are in use at show rings, race tracks, training facilities, and backyard barns across the country and around the world. For more information, visit TendaHorse.com.

The National Reining Horse Association is not responsible for the information contained in this press release. Please contact the author or submitting organization for further information, requests, or questions.

Frankfort, Kentucky’s Colston Paving, Inc., is the National Reining Horse Association’s newest Corporate Partner. Not only that, but this sponsorship helped create a new division at the NRHA Derby presented by Markel, the Non Pro Stakes.

The Non Pro Stakes, open to 4-year-old reiners, is an exceptional fit for the company, which is owned by Kevin and Amy Colston. Their son, Lane, is quickly rising in the ranks of Non Pro standings with more than $300,000 in lifetime earnings. The Colstons came onto the reining scene eight years ago following a 15-year hiatus from horses. “When my father passed, I was trying to run a construction company and didn’t have time for horses anymore, so we got out of it for a while,” Kevin shared. “When Lane expressed interest in showing, we decided to start again. Now we try to hit all the major events and show locally as much as we can.”

Kevin and Amy have been staunch supporters of their NRHA Affiliate, the Kentucky Reining Horse Association, and regularly sponsor events close to home. “We have always tried to support the KRHA and other events, and since we go to all the major events now, we believed we should support the NRHA at a national level,” Kevin explained.

That thought led to discussions with NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter and NRHA President Rick Clark. “I brought up the idea of Corporate Partnership about a year ago with Gary. I think he and Rick really wanted to find something that would be a good match for us, and the Non Pro Stakes is definitely that,” Kevin shared. “Up until now, the only Stakes we have been able to attend was at the High Roller, and we have always looked forward to that. I think the Stakes at the Derby will be great for everyone because our futurity horses will have had time to rest after the Futurity and will be ready to roll.”

Carpenter said, “From the start, I knew Kevin had a genuine interest in making a difference in our industry. He is doing this for the sport above all and is part of the growth that we are seeing. I believe we will see increased participation in the 4-year-old division. We appreciate his foresight and vision.”

The Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes boasts an impressive $20,000 in added money. The Stakes will run concurrently with the NRHA Derby go-rounds, and while cross-entry into the NRHA Derby is allowed, it is not mandatory. Horses may be shown one-handed in any legal bridle, and the winner will be determined in the go-round.

For more information, about the Colston Paving, Inc. Non Pro Stakes, visit NRHADerby.com.

 

The National Reining Horse Association has announced that longtime Corporate Partner, Bob’s Custom Saddles, will be expanding and increasing its sponsorship in 2021. Although details are still being worked out, the new aspects of this sponsorship will come to fruition at next year’s NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships with the new Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Shootouts.

“Bob’s Custom Saddles will become the presenting sponsor of three NAAC classes, each of which will have a preliminary round and a final, beginning at the 2021 NRHA Futurity and Adequan® NAAC. The top riders from each preliminary of those three NAAC classes will earn a chance to perform center stage in the Jim Norick Coliseum, where they’ll get to compete for even more money and prizes,” noted NRHA Senior Director of Corporate Relations and Communications Sammi Miller.

Bob’s Custom Saddles has been a staunch supporter of reining at all levels of competition, and this new sponsorship exemplifies its continuing commitment. The Intermediate Non Pro, Intermediate Open, and Rookie Level 2 are the classes that will become a part of this program.

“We are focusing on growth for the reining industry and for ways to attract new people and increase the longevity of the sport,” said Chris Weaver, Vice President of Bob’s Custom Saddles. “This sponsorship is based on not only growing the overall Reining Futurity but also growing the Reining industry.”

Miller added, “We thank the entire Bob’s Custom Saddles team for continually going above and beyond in their support of our industry and of NRHA.

More details of the NAAC Shootouts will be forthcoming.

For Immediate Release – November 27, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – It was only a handful of years ago when Kalicia and Shane Walters got involved with reining, but in the time since, their Diamond Dub Ranch has become a household name in the industry. Now, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) welcomes Diamond Dub Ranch as an NRHA Corporate Partner.

While relatively new to the reining scene, the Walters are veterans in the horse industry. Shane is an avid team roper, and he and Kalicia bred ranch versatility horses for several years. All it took, though, was some time spent watching reining for the couple to adjust their plans for the ranch.

“I owned a store called Cactus Lillys, and had a booth at the 2014 NRHA Futurity,” Kalicia recalled. “There was just something about the reining horses that was so finished and polished, and I knew I wanted one. I bought a non pro horse, and one thing led to another and we realized we wanted to be a part of reining.”

As their passion for reining evolved, so did the breeding program.

“We knew we wanted to focus on quality horses for our program, and one of our first purchases was the mare Electrinicki from Rhodes River Ranch,” she shared. “Then we purchased Pale Face Whiz from Jordan Larson, as well as a few others. We changed up our game tremendously, focusing on quality over quantity.”

The Walters are determined to leave a legacy of great reining horses for their children.

“We want this to be something our family does, and it’s important to us that reining continues to grow,” Kalicia said. “We were approached by John Tague from Toyon Ranch about helping with the Futurity Challenge. We donated to that, and then realized we could help more. We want to support and help grow this sport as much as we can.”

Sammi Miller, NRHA Senior Director of Corporate Relations and Communications, noted, “Kalicia and Shane Walters have jumped in with both feet, ready to help grow our sport through their commitment to the Futurity Challenge and now as Corporate Partners. NRHA is excited to welcome Diamond Dub Quarter Horses into the NRHA Corporate Partner family!”

Although Kalicia won’t be showing at this year’s Futurity, the event will still be special.
“Electrinicki has three foals in the show pen for the first time this year, and we’ll be there to support them,” she shared. “We’re planning to go be proud parents of them.”

With Dany Tremblay at the reins, the Walters’ stallion, Tinker With Dreams, was just crowned the 2020 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Senior Reining World Champion.

“Fred and Dany do their homework, and Rhodes River Ranch has helped us a bunch,” Kalicia said. “We are new so we’re not afraid to get other opinions, and then we can talk it out and make our own decisions. We get as much help as possible.”

Kalicia and Shane live in Marietta, Okla. Diamond Dub Quarter Horses is located on the former Washington Ranch, which was home to legendary cattleman Billy Washington. The ranch features 500 acres of lush pastures and is highlighted by an exceptional horse training and breeding facility. For more information about Diamond Dub Quarter Horses, visit their website at DiamondDubQH.com.

For Immediate Release – September 10, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) welcomes Tim Anderson and Kim Niven as first-time NRHA Corporate Partners. Carrying a torch for the sport of reining for the last 15 years, Anderson and Niven first dipped their toes into the NRHA arena in 2005.

“We were both involved with horses growing up and then off and on ever since,” said Anderson who’s owned and operated a livestock feed business in northeast South Dakota for 32 years. “We weren’t involved with NRHA as more than just owners and exhibitors until about 7 years ago.”

Eventually, Anderson got involved with the NRHA Board by way of the Reining Horse Foundation (RHF). He is currently the RHF President and chair of the RHF’s Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund committee. Anderson and Niven provide unrestricted, annual contributions to RHF as Reiners Club Champions and have been continuous donors for Sliders’ Night Out, a significant fundraiser for the nonprofit.

Both Anderson and Niven were instrumental in rejuvenating the Arizona Reining Horse Association. The couple splits their time between their life-long home in South Dakota and their reining horse home in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Two years ago, Anderson and Niven became the official sponsors of the video runs produced by Equine Promotion at both the NRHA Futurity and NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Their sponsorship provides exhibitors at each event with a digital copy of their run from the show. The couple will continue sponsoring the video runs at these events but have now upped the ante by becoming NRHA Corporate Partners.

“This summer we decided we wanted to show our support for NRHA by becoming corporate partners,” Anderson said. “Being involved with NRHA has been a lot of fun and we’ve had a lot of good times with the group.”

Anderson and Niven are also some of the primary, founding members who helped kick off the 2020 NRHA Futurity Challenge. Seeing a need to increase the purse at one of NRHA’s largest events a task force was formed, and work began immediately to increase the prize money across all levels of the NRHA Futurity. Get more details about this group here.

Both Anderson and Niven enjoy horses and reining is an exciting event for them. They have enjoyed success as breeders and owners, and Niven has amassed a strong record in the show pen as an NRHA non pro.

“As a past sponsor of NRHA and long-time champion of the Reining Horse Foundation (RHF), Anderson and Niven have continually raised their level of involvement with NRHA,” said Sammi Miller, NRHA Senior Director of Corporate Relations & Communications. “We are proud to announce NRHA’s corporate partnership with Tim Anderson and Kim Niven!”

For Immediate Release – March 4, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is proud to welcome Kyle Zanetti Trailers of Weatherford, Texas, as an NRHA Corporate Partner. The family-owned trailer manufacturing and repair company provides high-quality products and top-notch customer service to the equine industry.

Zanetti joins the association in 2020 as the official trailer of NRHA. They will sponsor the trailers awarded during the NRHA Derby and NRHA Futurity. Both the Level 4 (L4) Non Pro and Open champions will drive away with their very own Kyle Zanetti Trailer to use for 365 days.

With over 25 years of experience, Zanetti specializes in all things trailers: repairs, consignments, rebuilds, and custom manufacturing. Customers can rest assured they are driving away with a superior product from Zanetti. As a one-stop-shop, there is no need to go anywhere but Zanetti.

“It’s an honor and privilege to partner with a great association such as NRHA,” said owner and founder Kyle Zanetti. “We’re committed to providing a safe mode of transportation for these amazing equine athletes. Whether we build a custom trailer, customize your current trailer, or keep up with your routine maintenance, Kyle Zanetti Trailers is your one-stop trailer shop.”

This sponsorship arrives just in time for 2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel as competitors get excited about the Oklahoma City event coming up in June. Horse-and-rider combinations from across the nation, and around the globe, will vie for the right to use the elite trailers provided by Kyle Zanetti and his family.

“Kyle Zanetti Trailers is in the business of manufacturing the best custom trailers within the reining industry,” said Sammi Miller, senior director of corporate relations & communications at NRHA. Developing a partnership with a dedicated industry builder like Kyle Zanetti Trailers is a positive move for NRHA events and our members.”

Stop by the Kyle Zanetti Trailers shop in Weatherford, Texas, to make your trailer dreams a reality. Learn more about Zanetti by visiting their website at kylezanettitrailers.com.

For Immediate Release – February 28, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – CINCH Jeans & Shirts is returning as a Corporate Partner with the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) in 2020. CINCH is a long-time supporter of the NRHA and its members.

An industry leader in work-ready denim, reining enthusiasts will be hard-pressed to find a brand more prevalent than CINCH in the industry. Producing both jeans and shirts for the Western way of life since 1996, CINCH brings high-quality products to the ranch and arena that harbor a strong work ethic.

For the last 23 years, CINCH and NRHA have gone hand in hand. The member-driven association and customer-centered company share common values when it comes to raising the standards on quality and service. The motto “Lead, Don’t Follow®.” speaks to the unique patterns commonly associated with CINCH, but is also synonymous with a fit and feel suitable for every aspect of ranch life.

“We are thrilled to be renewing our long-term partnership with NRHA,” said Jessica Wahlert, marketing manager for Miller International, the parent company of CINCH Jeans & Shirts. “This has become a premier partnership of ours over the years, and we are truly proud to be associated with NRHA. We plan to continue integrating our goals with NRHA’s to grow and support the industry that supports us.”

Not only has CINCH been an avid supporter of the association and various equine professionals, the company has also taken an interest in the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA), regional affiliates, and major reining events.

“NRHA’s continued partnership with Miller International will be celebrating 25 years soon,” said Sammi Miller, NRHA senior director of corporate relations & communications. “The amount of support shown by CINCH over the years for NRHA’s evolving programs only continues to grow. Our renewed partnership is an honor and a proud moment for NRHA.”

Outfitting reiners since 1997, NRHA members and professionals regularly enter the arena wearing products from CINCH and its sister companies—Cruel Girl and Miller Ranch by CINCH. To find your next arena-ready shirt and jeans, visit cinchjeans.com.