As we move into the busiest time of the year and some may look ahead to the NRHA Futurity, Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (ARC), World Titles, Year-end standings and more – there are already events to look forward to in 2023! Read below to learn more about the exciting events coming.
Buckle ceremony to be held at NRHA Derby 2023
In February 2022, the NRHA Board of Directors made plans to host a ceremony to honor prior year NRHA Top Ten achievers and Top 20 Professionals, Non Pros and Owners during the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Nearly 200 NRHA members from around the world attended the event and enjoyed an evening of fun, food and recognition. Following a successful event this year, the NRHA Buckle Ceremony will be back in 2023! It is scheduled again during the NRHA Derby and is the perfect stage to honor those horse and rider combinations for the accomplishments they made in the prior year. The exact date of the event will be posted as the show schedule is finalized.
Total of $160,000 Added to the 2023 4-Year-Old Stakes
Debuting at the 2023 Derby will be the reinvigorated 4-Year-Old Open and Non Pro Stakes with an additional $100,000 added. Last year the Tamarack Ranch Open featured $40,000 added with $20,000 in the Colston Paving Non Pro. With the additional $100,000, those added money totals will grow to $110,000 in the Open and $50,000 in the Non Pro.
It was the consensus of the NRHA Board that this would give 4-year-old horses the opportunity to show one more year for good money while not having to compete against older, more finished horses. As in the past, the division will be run concurrently with the Derby preliminaries, and the placings will be decided in the first round. Entry in the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel will be optional.
Masters class added to Affiliate Regional Championships
After requests from NRHA members and affiliates, starting in 2023 there will be an optional Affiliate Regional Championship Masters Non Pro class! The addition of this class offering is another way that the affiliates can expand participation in their region. This will function like the optional ARC Short Stirrup class where it is not a qualifying class for the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship, but the host will be required to buy and present the special ARC awards for this class.
Additional North American Affiliate Regional Championship Support
Along with opening host bids for multiple regions for the 2023 North American Affiliate Regional Championships, we have exciting news! At the August Board Meeting, the board approved a new budget item – NRHA will provide the trophies for all North American ARC classes! NRHA recognizes the financial commitment affiliates must make to host an ARC, and the Board was thrilled to show their support of the grassroots level by providing this future support. Contact your affiliate to inquire about an ARC in your region.