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NRHA Looks Forward to Returning to the Show Pen

For Immediate Release – March 28, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Just two short weeks ago, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) made swift decisions regarding COVID-19, including instructing the office team to work remotely for at least two weeks and issuing a statement strongly encouraging event producers to postpone or cancel all NRHA-approved events through March 30, 2020. NRHA officials carefully considered both of these decisions and understand their far-reaching implications on the industry as a whole. Following is an update on those situations as well as decisions made this week by the NRHA Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

The NRHA team will continue to work remotely for at least two additional weeks, keeping in line with mandates in place by the State of Oklahoma and maintaining the safety of NRHA employees, their families, and the Oklahoma City community at large. The remote situation is made easier thanks to the new ReinerSuite™ system, which allows members to conduct many types of business transactions online, 24/7. NRHA team members are ready and willing to help you with all of your needs during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., CT, Monday through Friday. Please find their contact information at nrha.com/staff. Initiating contact with emailed documentation will allow tracking of requests to ensure that all needs are met.

Just like our members, NRHA is excited for approved events to resume, subject to local, state, and federal government restrictions. The two NRHA-owned events in Europe have new dates: The NRHA European Futurity will commence November 20–28 in Cremona, Italy, and the NRHA European Derby will take place October 28–November 1 in Lyon, France. In addition, the NRHA Derby presented by Markel is on target for its established dates, June 13–21, 2020, in Oklahoma City. Find a regularly updated list of canceled and postponed events at bit.ly/COVIDEventsUpdate.

NRHA’s Executive Committee and Board met this week to evaluate the situation and made the following decisions to ease pressure on members and even the playing field for the entire international membership.

  • The 2019 awards banquet, which was to be held during the 2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, unfortunately, is canceled. While many people look forward to this event, it is more prudent to reduce the uncertainty and handle it differently this year. Awards will be mailed to all recipients, and winners will be recognized during the 2020 NRHA Futurity. Coverage of all the award recipients can be found in the March and April issues of the NRHA Reiner as well as online at reiner.nrha.com.
  • The 2020 NRHA World Champion title races won’t include earnings from March 14 to April 30, 2020, due to shows being postponed or canceled. NRHA-approved events may occur during this time, but the earnings won’t count toward the titles.
  • Qualification for 2020 Affiliate Regional Championships (ARCs) will be waived. Affiliates won’t be required to offer three qualifying shows nor provide designations and membership rosters. When a horse-and-rider pair qualifies for the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship show at an ARC, that pair may not enter the class they qualified in at another ARC.

“One of our main focuses is the NRHA Derby presented by Markel,” stated NRHA President Mike Hancock. “We’re excited for that event to happen in June. As we’re all becoming increasingly aware, there are many unknowns and things can change, but the NRHA Board and office team are exploring all avenues to keep this event on track. Rest assured that all entries will be refunded if the Derby must be canceled or postponed.”

NRHA’s Executive Committee, Board, and office team aim to make the best decisions for the organization as a whole, and especially for the members. These are uncharted waters, which require smart decision-making for the best of the sport and our horses. To share feedback, email memberships@nrha.com. To keep up with this everchanging situation, please follow NRHA on Facebook and regularly check nrha.com.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the NRHA European Executive Board met to discuss qualification for the NRHA European Affiliate Championship, to be held this summer (6-11 July) in Regstrup, Denmark. The European Executive Board recommended altering the qualification system to make the event open to all European competitors. With so many shows canceling or postponing, the board felt many members would not have the ability to qualify and wanted to give them this opportunity. The European Council voted in favor of this idea. They agreed making this change would be the best solution for the members and in the best interest of event entries.

For the 2020 NRHA European Affiliate Championship, there will be no qualification restriction upon entry. All European members are welcome to enter the event.

For information on the 2020 NRHA European Affiliate Championship please visit nrha-eac2019-20.com or email NRHA European Affiliate Championship Media Contact, Simona Diale/International Horse Press, at
Internationalhorsepress@gmail.com

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A Message From The Equine Disease Communication Center

I hope this email finds everyone safe and healthy during this difficult period. As always, clear communication is critical during periods of uncertainty.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for many horse owners. To have a central source for accurate information, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) published a Coronavirus resource page on its website http://equinediseasecc.org/coronavirus-resources featuring items to help horse owners keep their horses healthy during this pandemic.

While information about the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly changing, the EDCC is receiving questions and concerns from owners about the safety of their horses. In order to help mitigate and protect horses from the spread of disease, the EDCC Coronavirus resource page will be updated as necessary to reflect the current information.

Additionally, the EDCC’s Coronavirus page features fact sheets to help owners explain the differences between equine coronavirus (ECoV) and COVID-19 as well as needed tools to stay up to date on the latest information. Users will be able to download and print off fact sheets and educational materials that can be posted in barns and facilities.

As always, we thank you for the continued support of the EDCC and our efforts. EDCC is fully operational during these trying times and is here to support you. Let us know if we can be of help in the days ahead.

With best wishes,

Nathaniel A. White II
Director, Equine Disease Communication Center

 

The National Reining Horse Association is not responsible for information contained in this press release. Please contact the author or submitting organization for further information, requests or questions.

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2020 NRHA European Derby to Be Held During Equita Lyon 2020, France

For Immediate Release — Oklahoma City, 03.23.20 — The unfolding coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has significantly affected National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) approved and owned shows across the globe. The NRHA European Derby, scheduled to be held during the Western Horse Show in Wels, Austria, on May 21-24, has been postponed due to the cancellation of the Austrian show.

In an effort to best accommodate horses, riders, breeders, and owners, the NRHA European Executive Board reviewed potential dates and venues. After careful consideration, the decision was made to host the Euro Derby on October 28 through November 1 during Equita Lyon 2020, the renowned international equestrian trade fair show — organized by GL events Equestrian Sports — held in Lyon, France.

For updates and further information nrhaeuropeanderby.com

NRHA European Derby Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
Internationalhorsepress@gmail.com

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Reiner on NRHA.com News – Your Searchable Reiner Resource

Have you ever read a Reiner article, wanted to refer back to it, but couldn’t remember which issue to find it in? Or struggled with a training or horsekeeping question and wished you had a search function for all your Reiner magazines? We have a solution!

We’re excited to launch the brand-new Reiner web presence found at reiner.nrha.com. Here you can find articles by section in the magazine—Member, Rider, Competitor, and Horsekeeper—as well as search topics and authors to find the information you need, when you need it. We’ll also be adding a blog, called The Rundown, where we’ll post timely, fun content generated by the Reiner team and outside resources.

Take a spin around reiner.nrha.com, and let us know what you think by emailing reiner@nrha.com. The site presently hosts the January, February, and March 2020 articles, but look for more in the weeks to come. We’re excited to offer you Reiner content—and more—at your fingertips wherever you might need it.

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NRHA Three-Million Dollar Sire Nu Chex To Cash Passes

For Immediate Release – March 30, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma –National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Three Million Dollar Sire Nu Chex To Cash (NU Cash x Amarilla Chex) passed away on March 14, 2020. At 30 years old, Nu Chex To Cash’s contributions to the reining industry can’t be denied.

Before entering the breeding shed, “Chex” built himself a reputation as a big stopper in the show pen. Born in April 1990, Chex’s show career spanned from 1993 to 2002, first being shown by NRHA Professional Charlie Hutton and then by NRHA non pro Jessicah Keller. Showing his versatility and athletic ability, Chex was the first horse to nab the AQHA High Point awards in both the reining and working cow horse in the same year with Hutton.

With Keller at the reins, the pair won NRHA World Championships in the Intermediate and Limited Open divisions as well as the reserve titles in the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro, all in the same year. They were also the reserve champions in the freestyle reining at the 2002 All American Quarter Horse Congress. He’s earned more than $57,000 in NRHA Lifetime earnings (LTEs).

Inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2010, Chex spent the last 25 years of his life in Hilldale Farms’ breeding barn. Chex is best known for siring NRHA Eleven Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step (out of Leolita Step). “Wimpy” went on to be the 2002 NRHA Futurity Open Level (L) 4 Champion as well as the All American Quarter Horse Congress Open Futurity Champion. Both titles were achieved with NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida.

The iconic palomino set the standard for throwing offspring with ideal conformation, athleticism, and a mind comparable to few others. Chex found his perfect match in NRHA Million Dollar Dam and Hall of Famer Snip O Gun, also owned by Hilldale Farm. The two produced some of the greats, including Hot Smokin Chex, Chexmaster, and Big Chex To Cash. He also sired household name Lil Joe Cash (out of RS Lilly Starlight) who was the 2011 NRHA Futurity Open L4 Champion with NRHA Five Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani aboard.

Top NRHA earning offspring:

  • Lil Joe Cash (out of RS Lilly Starlight): $279,268
  • Hot Smokin Chex (out of Snip O Gun): $186,598
  • Wimpys Little Step (out of Leolita Step): $185,756
  • Nu Chexomatic (out of Tejons Texie Lena): $182,230
  • Heavy Duty Chex (out of Rondas Tio): $143,799
  • Chexmaster (out of Snip O Gun): $103,911
  • Nu Pops (out of Sugar Pop Gun): $90,159