2026 Rule Changes

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Executive Committee and Board of Directors met via Zoom to discuss and vote on 2026 Rule Changes and other topics relating to the future of reining.

Every other year, NRHA Members and committees may submit rule-change proposals for addition to the following year’s official handbook. The NRHA Board of Directors discusses the proposals, sends them to NRHA Committees for feedback, reviews opinions shared by the membership, and casts votes after reviewing the proposals twice.

The board considered and voted on the following proposals. To review a full list of rule changes, comments, and details, visit the Library in ReinerSuite at reinersuite.nrha.com.

APPROVED

  • 35-1-26 MEMBERSHIPS ONLINE AT SHOWS
  • 38-1-26 NON PRO INELIGIBLE TIME PERIOD
  • 38-2-26 NON PRO RELINQUISHMENTS
  • 39-1-26 IMMEDIATE FAMILY CLARIFICATION
  • 43-1-26 COMPETITION LICENSING
  • 44-1-26 FORFEITED EARNINGS
  • 44-2-26 CLASS ELIGIBILITY TIMEFRAME
  • 45-1-26 CATEGORIES OF COMPETITION CLARIFICATION
  • 47-1-26 PARA REINING
  • 52-1-26 CATEGORY 12 TOP 20
  • 54-2-26 EQUIPMENT AND ATTIRE
  • 55-1-26 EUROPEAN EVENT DEADLINES
  • 55-2-26 ANCILLARY EVENT APPROVAL
  • 56-1-26 EVENT APPROVAL STEWARDS GUIDELINES
  • 56-2-26 EVENT CLASSIFICATIONS; C EVENT
  • 57-1-26 EVENT CANCELLATIONS
  • 62-1-26 AGED SHOW AND CLOSED AGED SHOW CONDITIONS
  • 66-1-26 ENTRY LEVEL RIDE & SLIDE FEE
  • 70-1-26 PAYOUTS
  • 89-1-26 SHOW STEWARD REPORTS
  • 91-1-26 JUDGING PRIVILEGES
  • 94-1-26 HACKAMORE MEASUREMENT CLARIFICATION
  • 94-2-26 BIT GUARDS
  • 96-1-26 ALTER REIN LENGTH
  • 97-1-26 SIMPLE LEAD CHANGES
  • 97-2-26 WALKING PENALTY
  • 98-1-26 WALKING WHEN EXITING THE ROLLBACK
  • 150-1-26 5 POINT PENALTIES

POSTPONED

  • 46-2-26 MATURITY DEFINITION
  • 48-1-26 RANCH REINING
  • 51-1-26 SLIDE CONTESTS

NO ACTION

  • 48-2-26 NOVICE HORSE GREEN
  • 46-1-26 AMATEUR FUTURITY
  • 42-1-26 COMPETITION LICENSES IN SHORT STIRRUP CLASSES
  • 54-1-26 YOUTH SHORT STIRRUP HELMET
  • 54-3-26 TRADITIONAL ATTIRE
  • 55-3-26 SHOW MANAGER AND REPRESENTATIVE REQUIREMENT
  • 71-1-26 YEAR-END AWARDS
  • 151-3-26 PENALTIES IN DOWNWARD TRANSITION
  • 153-1-26 SIMPLE LEAD CHANGE PENALTIES

Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC Joins Ranks of NRHA Million Dollar Owners

The National Reining Horse Association welcomes Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC as the association’s newest NRHA Million Dollar Owner.

Following a strong showing at the 2025 National Reining Breeders Classic, where NRHA $3 Million Rider Jordan Larson and Need I Say Mor (Gunnatrashya x Shesouttayourleague) made the Level 4 Open Derby Classic Finals, Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC officially crossed the seven-figure threshold in lifetime owner NRHA earnings. Larson also earned the Level 3 Open Championship at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel on the Curtis Performance Horses LLC-bred stallion.

With locations in both Weatherford, Texas and Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC has established itself as a leading breeder of high-performance reining horses. Though the NRHA membership officially began in 2010, the Vargas Sánchez family’s involvement in Western performance horses began in 2005 with the formation of the Charro team “3 Regalos” in Mexico.

This passion soon led to the founding of Xtra Quarter Horses in Purcell, Oklahoma, a program that left a significant mark on the industry through the acquisition and promotion of elite stallions including Wimpys Little Step, Shiners Voodoo Dr, and Wimpyneedsacocktail. These stallions not only brought widespread recognition to the program but also played key roles in pushing the boundaries of performance and production within the sport.

After selling Xtra Quarter Horses in 2017, the Vargas Sánchez family returned to Mexico to establish Ixtul Quarter Horses at Rancho Ixtul. There, they developed one of Mexico’s most advanced breeding operations, complete with comprehensive reproductive technologies and a vision for excellence that spans borders.

Now operating out of both Mexico and Weatherford, Texas, Ixtul Quarter Horses continues to influence the sport with a growing roster of standout athletes and a focus on thoughtful, performance-driven breeding.

NRHA congratulates Ixtul Quarter Horses LLC on reaching this remarkable milestone and looks forward to their continued impact on the sport of reining.

NRHA’s This Right Here is Reining Podcast Wins Best Podcast at 2025 AHP Equine Media Awards

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is proud to announce that its official podcast, This Right Here is Reining, has been awarded Best Equine-Related Podcast during the 2025 American Horse Publications (AHP) Equine Media Awards, held in Dallas, Texas.

The AHP Equine Media Awards have honored excellence in journalism, storytelling, and multimedia since 1976. Winning Best Podcast is a significant achievement that highlights NRHA’s ongoing commitment to education, storytelling, and connection within the reining and equine community.

Launched in 2023 through a partnership with Horses in the Morning, NRHA’s This Right Here is Reining was developed as a platform to bring the heart of reining to life through in-depth conversations with industry leaders, riders, breeders, owners, and fans. Hosted by Sara Honegger and Christy Landwehr, the podcast blends engaging storytelling with behind-the-scenes access, offering listeners a unique and authentic perspective on the sport.

The episode titled ‘Kaci O’Rourke Makes History, Plus More from NRHA Futurity’ earned the award and can still be listened to here.

The NRHA thanks its members, listeners, and the broader reining family for their continued support and congratulates all the other outstanding finalists and winners at this year’s Equine Media Awards.

To listen to This Right Here is Reining, visit nrha.com/podcast or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.

NRHA European Futurity: 20–24 May / Cremona, Italy

2025 NRHA European Futurity Presented by DeNiroBootCo: Non Pros Hit the Ground in Cremona

NRHA European Futurity 2025: Europe’s Only $1 Million Reining Breaks Records Alongside Host Event ‘Salone del Cavallo Americano’

$1 Million-Added NRHA European Futurity Presented by DeNiroBootCo: Zehetbauer and SS Gunnafreezeya Top the $300.000-Added European Futurity Non Pro Qualifier

$1 Million-Added NRHA European Futurity Presented by DeNiroBootCo: Fappani and Hosss Take the Lead in the $700.000-Added Open Qualifier

$1 Million-Added NRHA European Futurity Presented by DeNiroBootCo.: Zehetbauer and SS Gunnafreezeya Soar To Victory in the $300.000-Added NRHA European Futurity Non Pro

They came, they rode, they conquered! Fappani and Hosss Win the $700,000-Added MS Diamonds TX NRHA European Futurity Open Championship

Visit nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com for more!

RHF Announces 2025 Merit Scholarship Winners

The Reining Horse Foundation (RHF) is announcing its Merit scholarship winners and has doubled the award amounts from $1,500 to $3,000 per winner. The 2025 Merit scholarship winners include Lydia Bell, Logan Carroll, Katelyn Cofell, Ava Egbert, and Raegan Rapier.

Established in 2024, the RHF Merit Scholarships reward NRHA members who have not previously won an RHF scholarship and are actively pursuing a college or trade school education.

“The Reining Horse Foundation is pleased to help these students in their educational pursuits,” said Terri Mainey, chair of the RHF Scholarship Committee. “In 2025, the RHF will offer nearly $90,000 in scholarships across several programs to benefit reiners. This is a record amount made possible through the generosity of donors around the world.”

Bell of Maysville, Oklahoma, attends Oklahoma State University and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and agricultural communications. Bell intends to pursue a career in communications in the horse industry and looks to start her own business. She is a student athlete on the Oklahoma State Equestrian team and has received the team’s community service award twice for her work in Stillwater. Bell has received the Oklahoma State Athletic Outstanding Academic Achievement award three times while being a member of the Dean’s Honor Roll.

Carroll of Sandusky, Ohio, is a student at University of Findlay where he is studying equestrian studies, specializing in western riding and training with the intention of becoming a reining horse trainer. He competes on the University of Findlay Ranch Horse Team, is a student worker at the university and works for Marsh Performance Horses. Prior to attending college, Carroll was active in his county 4-H club as a member and served as president for two years.

Cofell of Magnolia, Texas, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in accounting with a minor in marketing at Sam Houston State University. She plans to become a CPA with a focus on small businesses in agriculture. As an NRHyA member, Cofell participated in several youth fundraisers and activities and is still actively showing her horses while attending college.

Egbert of Botkins, Ohio, attends The Ohio State University, where she studies animal science and intends to go into the field of animal biotechnology. She is a member of multiple clubs and campus organizations, including Buckeye Catholic, Saddle and Sirloin, Kellogg-Moser Living Learning Community, and OSU Animal Interactions and Welfare Club. Egbert is active in her community, often participating in fundraisers and volunteering her time to multiple nonprofit organizations.

Rapier of Chesapeake, Virginia, is a student at Old Dominion University where she studies biomedical sciences. Her goal is to go into pharmaceutical sales for animals. She appeared on the Dean’s List in fall 2024 and volunteers with Saving Grace Rescue. Rapier is active in the Southeastern Reining Horse Association, serving as the 2023-24 NRHyA Affiliate Youth Liaison.

For nearly 25 years, members of the equine community have been doing good things through the Reining Horse Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Reining Horse Association. With its mission of caring for and honoring the reining community, the RHF has supporters from around the world. Core programs include the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, providing financial relief to reiners enduring major hardships; youth scholarships and leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association; and perpetuation of the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame. For more information or to give, visit reiningfoundation.com.