Category Archives: Shows

In 2020, the late National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Hall of Famer Doug Carpenter and NRHA past president Frank Costantini challenged the NRHA Board of Directors committed to elevating the NRHA Futurity by increasing its purse with a vision for sustained growth over five years. Thanks to the determination of a small group of sponsors and leaders, over half a million dollars was raised to support this ambitious goal. Today, that vision has not only been maintained but has also been revitalized, with a dedicated team of supporters continuing to drive its success to include $475,000 investment earmarked for the 2025 Futurity purses.

On the same day the board increased its commitment to the 2025 Futurity purse, The Futurity Impact Group—comprising John and Nancy Tague, Bob Santagata, Rick Clark, Tim Anderson, Leonardo Arcese, and Jennifer Anderson—has already pledged an impressive $100,000 toward the 2025 Futurity. To date, members of the Futurity Impact Group have invested $500k directly into the futurity purse since the program began. This initiative adds another $300,000 over the next three years. The NRHA has added $50,000 annually, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to the event’s future.

This combined investment ensures that every Level (L) 4 Open Futurity finalist in 2025 will take home a minimum of $25,000—a testament to the group’s unwavering dedication to supporting reining athletes.

The impact of these efforts is evident. In 2019, the L4 Open Champion purse stood at $142,500. By 2020, the contributions of original Futurity Challenge Donors had propelled it to $250,000. Since 2021, the L4 Open Championship prize has reached a record-breaking $350,000, making it part of the World’s Richest Reining.

NRHA’s overall annual investment in the Futurity has surpassed $800,000 since 2021, elevating the total event purse to over $3 million.

Looking ahead, planned investments of over $475,000 for the 2025 Futurity promise to further solidify its status as a premier event in the equestrian world.

For more details on these historic advancements and their transformative impact on the sport of reining, stay tuned for updates and announcements. Futurity purse here.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) will invest an additional $475,000 in its membership with added purse money into six levels of NRHA competition throughout 2025. Since 2021, NRHA’s total annual investment into the Futurity exceeds $800,000, making the total purse more than $3 million.

This investment is possible because of NRHA’s multi-year strategic initiative to improve effectiveness and efficiency in its operations, attracting new and innovative sponsors and partners.

“Our initiatives over the last few years have allowed us to reward our members at every level,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith.

Of the total $475,000 investment earmarked for the Futurity purses, $200,000 is designated to Open Levels [L] 1-3.

“This makes a more compelling value proposition deeper in the Open field,” said NRHA President Mark Blake.

To ensure a minimum of $25,000 for all Level 4 Open Finalists, $150,000 is earmarked specifically for the L4 purse. “Anyone who makes it to the L4 finals has accomplished the very rare and needs to be rewarded for it,” said Smith.

In addition, NRHA is also investing $100,000 in the Non Pro Futurity, which includes the grassroots and majority of NRHA membership. In addition, NRHA’s Prime Time riders, those 50 and older, will earn an additional $20,000. NRHA will be investing $5,000 in added money for the Youth Non Pro as well.

The NRHA Board and Executive Committee are motivated by the consistent growth experienced over the last few years and are dedicated to continuously creating positive momentum and opportunities for the NRHA membership as seen by these initiatives.

Visit nrhaeuropeanderby.com to follow the show!

10.30.24: NRHA European Derby: It’s Show Time at Equita Lyon

10.30.24: The NRHA European Derby Kicks Off at Equita Lyon With De Iulilio Leading the Non Pro Qualifier NRHA European Derby: It’s Show Time at Equita Lyon

10.31.24: Girinon and Flexing Guns N Town Dominate NRHA European Derby Open Qualifier

11.1.24: Giarratano and The Electric Bandit Claim the ELEMENTA NRHA European Derby Non Pro Level 4 Championship on Home Turf

11.2.24: Girinon Triumphs at NRHA European Derby Open and Qualifies for The Run For A Million 2025 Million Dollar Competition

11.3.24: European Non-Pro and Youth Qualifiers Set for 2025 The Run For A Million Competition in Las Vegas as Nico Sicuro and Colonels Dancing Gun Race Closer to Top 10 Open World Championship Finish Line

There will be $100,000 up for grabs as the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) will introduce a new event during the 2024 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships.

The inaugural Futurity and Military Slides will take centerstage in the Jim Norick on December 4. This special event will highlight a section dedicated solely to military veterans and will also feature traditional Charreada riders.

NRHA is teaming up with Two Ravens Foundation, whose mission is to provide our nation’s heroes a transformative experience that fosters personal growth, enables reflection, and empowers our combat veterans and first responders by using coaching, horsemanship and community support while leveraging the power of horses and the western way of life.

“As our owned events continue to grow, we are always looking ahead for new opportunities to engage our members and excite our fans, and this was a no-brainer,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith.

Smith, whose son is a combat war veteran, made it a point to have a special military section for the Slide.

“NRHA and our reining community are incredibly grateful for the sacrifices our veterans have made and we wanted to make sure to recognize and honor them during the Futurity,” Smith continued.

“Thank you to our executive committee, board of directors, staff, and the Two Ravens Foundation for helping make this possible. This is just the first year and I know the event will continue to grow in the future,” Smith added.

The Futurity Slide will be open to any individual or horse with no restrictions on membership or licensing. Earnings will not count toward NRHA Lifetime Earnings (NRHA LTE) as it is an unapproved class, with judges using a 3-point system with a base start score of 70. Maneuvers for evaluation will include the approach, stop, and hesitation. 

Entries for the Futurity Slide are limited and completed forms will be accepted on a first-come basis. Complete event conditions and additional information can be found here.

The National Horse Judging Team Coaches’ Association, National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) collaborated to bring the Collegiate and Youth Reining Judging Contest back to the 2024 NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC).

The contest will be held December 3–4 in Oklahoma City. Collegiate and youth competitors will judge live runs and complete a written test and penalty clip test, similar to how NRHA judges are tested.

Student competitors and coaches are also granted entry to the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finals on Friday, December 6th, at no additional cost as part of their registration fees. Students will compete as youth teams, junior college teams, university teams, or individuals.

“Participating in the judging contest is essential for shaping the future of our sport,” said Patti Carter, NRHA Sr. Director of Education & Officials. “It not only helps develop the next generation of NRHA judges but also fosters leadership qualities and hones decision-making skills that are crucial both in the reining arena and in life. These contests offer invaluable hands-on experience, emphasizing the importance of accuracy, fairness, and consistency in judging—the very foundation of the discipline’s integrity.”

This will be the first time since 2019 that the contest will be held in conjunction with the NRHA Futurity and Adequan® NAAC. The contest will provide collegiate and youth competitors an opportunity to gain education, judge reining horses, and create networking and training opportunities that support careers and interests in the equine community.

More information on the contest and entry forms can be found here.

The road to the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC) is a journey showcasing the best talent from National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) affiliates across North America. This prestigious event is the culmination of hard work, dedication and skill, offering competitors the opportunity to compete for national titles.

To qualify for the NAAC, it is essential that competitors participate in an Affiliate Regional Championship (ARC) within North America.

Keys to qualification:

1. Affiliate Membership: Ensure you are a member of your local NRHA affiliate. Affiliate membership within the region you are competing is required to participate; you can join the day of show.
2. Compete at an ARC: Show at an Affiliate Regional Championship to qualify for the NAAC. The ARCs are held in various locations across North America, allowing competitors to choose a venue best suiting their schedule and location.
3. Earn Your Spot: Riders who score higher than a zero at an ARC are qualified for the NAAC in that class, on that specific horse. The qualification is not transferrable between horses, riders or classes.
4. Stay Informed: Keep an eye out for announcements from your local affiliate and the ARC where you are competing. Be sure to enter the ARC designated class to qualify, showing in an ancillary class at an ARC event will not count as a qualification.

While at an ARC, encourage youth to participate in the Youth Team Tournament (YTT) where youth will be placed on randomized teams and compete for a coveted YTT Montana Silversmiths belt buckle. They can also apply for an $800 or $1,000 scholarship just for entering! Scholarship applications are due on December 15.

Congratulations to those who have already qualified for the NAAC! There is still time left to participate in an ARC near you.

East Central Region: Murfreesboro, Tennessee: August 14-18
South Central Region: Tulsa, Oklahoma: August 24–September 1
Eastern Canada Region: Quebec, Canada: August 28–September 1
Western Canada Region: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada: September 3-8
Southeast Region: Jacksonville, Florida: September 5-8
Northeast Region: Logan Township, New Jersey, September 12–15
Southwest Region: Scottsdale, Arizona: October 1-6
Northwest Region: Nampa, Idaho: October 4-12
North Central Region: Lincoln, Nebraska, October 10–13
Mexico Region: Cadereyta, Mexico, October 11–13

Visit nrha.com/affiliate for more information or contact Lauren Waymire at lwaymire@nrha.com.

Photos above are from the 2024 East Central Affiliate Regional Championship.

7.20.24: Bernard Fonck and Girinon Share the $10,000-Added NRHA European Affiliate Championship Open; Jodie Fonck Clinches the $500-Added NRHA EAC Donut Limited Open

7.20.24: A Youthful Morning at the NRHA European Affiliate Championships in France

7.19.24: The NRHA European Affiliate Championship Start With A Bang

7.18.24: The NRHA European Affiliate Championships Offer the Second Day of Ancillary Action

7.17.24: NRHA Ancillary Action and NRHA Youth Team Tournament Members Take Center Stage At the NRHA European Affiliate Championships in Le Pin, France

7.16.24: Le Petit Far West welcomes the 2024 edition of the NRHA European Championships

For more, go to NRHAEAC.com