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You’re ready to compete at your first NRHA event, so be sure you have everything you need to make your first show a success. Paperwork might be boring, but ensuring everything is in order will guarantee you’re off to a great start. There are a few major documents you must have before you compete, and they pertain to membership, ownership, and eligibility.
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Documents

Rider’s Membership Card

  • Non Pro and Rookie Competitors must obtain Non Pro status prior to showing.
  • Open Competitors must have a Professional, Non Pro, or a Youth membership.
  • Youth, Prime Time, and Masters riders must have a birth date on file.
  • Associate members are only eligible to compete in Category 10 (Green Reiner, Ride & Slide) classes.

Owner’s Membership Card

  • Owners must have a current membership on file. General, Non Pro, Youth, and Professional memberships are acceptable

Competition License

  • All horses entered in NRHA approved competition (with the exception of Category 10 classes) must have a competition license.

Eligibility

  • The NRHA show year runs January 1-December 31. Eligibility for horses and riders can be checked in ReinerSuite on nrha.com or by contacting the NRHA Office.
  • It’s the responsibility of owners and riders to know NRHA’s eligibility rules and their own earnings. When eligibility limits are surpassed during the show year, riders can complete the year in that class or division. Please contact the NRHA office if you have any questions on a member’s or horse’s current eligibility.

NRHA Eligibility

Attention Show Management and Exhibitors: The following information is subject to change throughout the year due to Non Pro status relinquishments. To avoid possible disqualification, please contact the NRHA office if you have any questions on a member’s or horse’s current eligibility.
The NRHA will be not responsible for any mistakes made by show management.

Eligibility questions or comments? Email us at eligibility@nrha.com! We will make your thoughts known to the committee or answer your questions directly. Please be sure to include your name and specific question so we can better serve you!

Check your eligibility by logging into ReinerSuite and using the Eligibility Tool on your dashboard. Not familiar with the Eligibility Tool? Learn how to use it here.

2024 Rider Ranking

It is the owner’s and rider’s responsibility to be aware of official NRHA horse and rider earnings and eligibility. When eligibility limits are surpassed during the show year, the exhibitor can complete the year in that specific class or division.

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2025 Eligibility Policies

2025 Pilots

Frequently Asked Questions

Classic Equine Green Reiner Classes

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Ride & Slide Shows

What Else Do I Need To Know?

Welfare & Medications

For the love. Of the horse. Of the sport. Of family.


Reining is a sport that allows riders of all ages to unite and share their love of and devotion to the horse. They’re driven by the passion they feel for these kind, beautiful four-legged athletes. To compete successfully in Reining, our horses must be in excellent health and tip-top condition. They are cared for and treated as a member of the family, and that relationship is the essence of our involvement in Reining.


For questions on the NRHA Medications program and policy, please email medications@nrha.com or contact the NRHA Office at 405-946-7400 Ext. 129 .

View Medications

Animal Welfare

Animal Welfare Position Statement

NRHA promotes and stands by the well being of the mind, body and spirit of the horse at all times. We expect our members to consider the welfare of their horses paramount and to always treat them with dignity, respect and compassion.



All interactions and veterinary treatment must ensure the health and welfare of the horse. The highest standards of safety, nutrition, bio-security and preventative care shall be encouraged at all times.



Training – NRHA fully understands the diversity in training methods of the reining horse. Safety of humans and animals is paramount. NRHA does not accept any form of abuse or mistreatment of horses.



Drugs & Medications – NRHA does not condone the use of any drugs, chemicals or foreign substances to alter their performance. NRHA supports the use of necessary treatments for the health and well-being of the horse, but does not condone the use of performance-altering substances in competition.



Tail Alteration – NRHA does not condone the application or administration of any drug, chemical, foreign substance, surgical procedure, or trauma, which results in or could result in the alteration of normal tail function or carriage.

Show Stewards Program

The NRHA Board of Directors approved the Show Stewards Program at its August 2009 meeting to observe the stable and schooling areas to ensure that the grounds are safe and to monitor these areas to ensure that proper animal welfare practices are being used by all exhibitors. NRHA Show Stewards serve as liaisons between exhibitors, show management officials and judges. In addition, Stewards will field any complaints of unsportsmanlike conduct, abuse or reports of rule violations, etc. Find more information in the Stewards Program here. See the Show Stewards section of the NRHA Handbook for more information.

Animal Welfare and Medications

The NRHA Board of Directors voted to approve an Animal Welfare and Medications rule in July 2011, including a multi-phase testing and research policy. Due to the overwhelming response from the NRHA membership throughout a series of Town Talks, the Board agreed this course of action is in the best interest of the reining horse and the organization as a whole. The information gathered in the multi-phase research process will provide a solid foundation for the future. The Animal Welfare and Medications Rule can be found in the NRHA Handbook.

Medications

NRHA Permitted, Conditionally Permitted, and Banned Medications Database

Medications Program Effective June 2023

Welfare and Horse Health Resources

Welfare and Horse Health Resources
The NRHA Handbook contains Disciplinary Procedures and Causes for Disciplinary Action, as well as equipment and safety rules to help protect the welfare of the horse. Download the NRHA Handbook now.
Additionally, NRHA has warm up arena and show arena policies in place to provide for a safe environment for both horses and riders. Those policies can be found in ReinerSuite.

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