NRHA Board Supports Approved Events Resuming on May 1

For Immediate Release – April 28, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Board of Directors supports resuming NRHA-approved events beginning on May 1, 2020, as long as show producers and exhibitors adhere to local and state regulations surrounding COVID-19 and take measures to assure the safety of all involved.

NRHA understands that not all areas of the world have lifted restrictions to allow for approved events to take place. With this in mind, the NRHA Board decided that earnings will not count toward world championship titles until further notice.

“Our members are ready to show and, where possible, we think it’s important to get back to what they love,” said NRHA President Mike Hancock. “Show management needs to be prepared to address any and all local conditions or requirements, and the exhibitors must be willing to accept those guidelines.”

NRHA continues to monitor changing conditions and recommendations from local, state, and federal entities. Show management must take all necessary precautions to protect their teams, facilities’ personnel, and exhibitors if they do host an NRHA event.

If a state or local government suspends public activities, it is the responsibility of the organizing party to cancel or postpone the NRHA-approved event accordingly. The health and safety of the reining community is the top priority for NRHA.

To assure the safety of those involved in an event, NRHA recommends the following at minimum for show staff and exhibitors:

  • Provide handwashing and sanitation stations in barns and competition areas
  • Allow the use of face masks for all production team members and exhibitors
  • Promote social distancing in all areas surrounding the show
  • If possible, provide stalling separation and sanitize all stalls before and after use
  • Ensure that food service eliminates lines and streamlines service
  • Clean and sanitize all areas frequently
  • Minimize traffic in the show office
  • Minimize hand-to-hand contact (examples include giving out awards, sharing pens in the show office, using radios for the judges, etc.)

It is everyone’s responsibility to take safety precautions for preventing the spread of any disease. NRHA is excited to get back to the show pen but expects all affiliates and show producers to put the health and safety of their teams and the exhibitors at the forefront of every decision.

For more information about coronavirus recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), visit cdc.gov/covid19.

Entry Deadline Extended for NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

For Immediate Release – April 24, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has extended the entry deadline to May 15 for the rapidly approaching 2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, giving reiners two additional weeks to make plans to compete. If significant changes to the show date should occur, reiners can rest assured that all entry fees will be refunded.

“Given the uncertainty of today’s pandemic, this extension gives people a little extra time to decide if they’ll show in Oklahoma City in June,” said NRHA President Mike Hancock. “We currently plan to move forward with the event, but we want to give people more time to make the best decisions for their circumstances.”

Set for June 13–21, 2020, the NRHA Derby presented by Markel highlights the most talented 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old reining horses from all over the globe and historically awards more than an estimated $1 million in total purse and prizes.

To stay up-to-date on the latest information about NRHA events and recommendations, visit NRHA.com and follow NRHA on Facebook.

Online Bidding Offered for Horses Consigned in the NRHA/Markel Futurity Sales

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA)/Markel Sales, held in December during the annual NRHA Futurity, will offer online bidding for the first time in recognition of concerns surrounding the coronavirus and its potential impact on travel and public gatherings.

“We want to be proactive and show that we’re aware that traditional bidding methods might not be practical due to the global pandemic,” said Doug Carpenter, Heritage Place representative and member of the NRHA Sale Selection Committee, which manages the sales. “We’re pleased to offer this additional mode of bidding for our live auctions come December.”

This also assures the best marketplace possible for sellers by expanding the bidding pool across the country and around the world.

Along with in-person and online bidding, the NRHA Sales will continue to offer phone bidding services.

“We support these creative innovations to keep the NRHA/Markel Futurity Sales accessible to all buyers and sellers,” said NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter.

The NRHA/Markel Sales offer an outstanding group of two-year-old reining prospects, yearlings, broodmares, and show horses from leading breeders, owners, and trainers. All sales are managed by the NRHA office with the support and direction from the NRHA Sale Selection Committee. The quality and integrity of the NRHA/Markel Futurity Sales is reflected in the graduates of the previous sales—they have won millions in NRHA earnings since the first 2-year olds sold in 1993.

For more information on the NRHA/Markel Futurity Sales contact us at sales@nrha.com or call sale manager Angie Honeywell at (405) 946-7400, ext. 123.

2020 NRHA European Affiliate Championships Canceled

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Executive Board met to discuss the 2020 NRHA European Affiliate Championships in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Due to governmental restrictions surrounding the pandemic, the European Affiliate Championships can’t be held in Denmark in July. Considering this fact, the safety of our members, and the unknown conclusion of the pandemic, the 2020 NRHA European Affiliate Championships are canceled.

Thanks to the camaraderie and collaboration of our affiliates and event teams, we’re happy to announce the 2021 European Affiliate Championships will be held in Denmark, hosted by NRHA’s Danish and Norwegian Affiliates. The 2022 and 2023 Championships will be held at CS Ranch in Switzerland. NRHA thanks our hosts for working together to make the best of the situation.

We’re thankful for all NRHA members and affiliates who have pulled together to make these decisions for the best welfare of our members and horses, and we know that we will come back stronger than ever for an exciting event in 2021.

Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com

Reiners Care

The Reining Horse Foundation is here to help NRHA Professionals, members, and corporate partners by disseminating valuable information to help your business during this crisis.

Coming together during a crisis is what keeps us together on the other side, when we’re back to more traditional life and business. All the information involved in the CARES Act might overwhelm you to the point that you don’t bother taking advantage of it for your business. We’re here to help, because Reiners Care.

We’re sharing links to valuable information that can help you keep your business moving forward. But the responsibility lies in your hands to put it in action.

Here are a few first steps to initiate.

  1. Contact your banker. The first stop should be their website. Though that branch might not be able to help you directly, your bank should be able to point you in the right direction to get started with an SBA-approved bank that can help. Your financial planner or attorney also may be good resources.
  2. Make an appointment. This isn’t a time to make a drop-in visit. Respect social distancing guidelines and save time by scheduling a meeting with a qualified financial expert who can offer you the advice you need.
  3. Gather necessary paperwork. The resources we provide will help outline what you need to bring with you.
  4. Don’t get overwhelmed. Remember when you first started your business? That was probably exceptionally overwhelming, but you made it this far. Fight to keep what you’ve worked for, and advocate for yourself and your business.


CARES ACT RESOURCES

This list of resources is a small sampling of those available. Explore additional resources available that may be specific to your geographic area and business operation.

bit.ly/ReinersCareCOVID
https://www.horsecouncil.org/covid-19-resouces/
https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/covid-19-resources/
https://home.treasury.gov/cares
https://www.ntra.com/covid-19/
https://www.okcommerce.gov/covid19/
https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/023595_comm_corona_virus_smallbiz_loan_final.pdf (Section 3, item 2 addresses self-employed and contractor laborers.)