Posted on

$20,000 Freestyle Reining to be Featured at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

A highlight for the 2022 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel will be the $20,000 Invitational Freestyle. Sponsored by the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, the popular event will take place on Thursday, June 23, at 6 p.m.

NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter said, “The OKC CVB has been very loyal to NRHA. We are proud that our events have a substantial economic impact and grateful that Oklahoma City continues to invest in the NRHA Futurity and Derby.”

Freestyle reining has been popular at the NRHA Futurity in the past but was moved to the Derby in 2022 to give it a more prominent position. Often compared to figure skating routines, Freestyle Reining pairs the athleticism and finesse of reining moves choreographed to music, often with clever costuming and props.

NRHA Professional and Executive Committee member Shane Brown said, “By being held during the Derby, the Freestyle is returning to its roots. The freestyle event was created and began at the NRHA Derby in St. Paul, Minnesota. We are happy to have it as a crowd favorite in Oklahoma City to showcase our sport.”

Brown noted that the invitation-only lineup will feature some of the top freestyle performers from around the country. He said, “It should really be a showcase of entertaining performances.”

Confirmed Freestyle contestants include Shane Brown, Randy Dooley, Abby Bud, Tanya Jenkins, Jessicah Keller, Madison Rafacz, and Troy Heikes.

While the Freestyle Reining starts at 6 p.m., the excitement of Thursday night kicks off even earlier, beginning with the Hercules Reception at 4 p.m. in the Super Barn Warmup Arena. There, 2021 Derby Champion Jerseys Baby Driver, known as Hercules, will be available to meet fans and take pictures.

“We are excited that Janice Laney has chosen to bring her great stallion Hercules to the Derby for this reception. He is known for his great demeanor and love of kids, so this is a great opportunity for kids – both in reining and from the local area – to learn about horses and meet a great one,” noted NRHA Events Manager Cheryl Cody. “While this particular reception is geared towards the younger crowd, there will be plenty for adults to enjoy as well.”

Prior to the start of the Freestyle, the Derby Level 4 Non Pro Finalists will be introduced in the Coliseum Arena.

To keep up with the latest news and updates from the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel, visit NRHADerby.com, or follow NRHA on Facebook at Facebook.com/nrhareining

Posted on

The competition was steep for the 2022 NRHyA Art & Photo Contest

The 2022 NRHyA Art & Photo Contest featured tough competition and a new age bracket, making the judges’ work harder than ever! A continued, special partnership with the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum allows the winning art to be displayed at the museum during the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Thank you to our judges, NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter, Michael R. Grauer, McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture/Curator of Cowboy Collections and Western Art at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; and Steve Miller, vice president, event marketing at NRHA Corporate Partner Montana Silversmiths. We encourage all NRHA members to take a trip to the beautiful museum during the Derby

Photography
14–18
Kalena Reynolds
Angelina Widmoser
Brooke Hudson

Mixed Media
14–18
Sofía Carreño Becerra
Graci Reeder
Isabelle Hildebrandt

Mixed Media
13 & Under
Pip Brown
Tanner McInteer
Elizabeth Letherer

Mixed Media
10 & Under
Lynleigh Jo Durbin

We had a total of nearly 50 entries, almost double from 2020. Congratulations to all who entered and we encourage each of you to enter again next year!

Josselyn Mumm
Michelle Fumagalli
Lillian Bains
JP McClure
Julie Warnick
Isabelle Hildebrandt
Ava Bush
Hayden Jones
Hailey Jones
Logan Putvinski
Cambrey Hedges
Dakota Woodring

Olivia Thompson

Posted on

Hart Trailers Announced as NRHA Official Trailer and Para Reining Sponsor

When the 2022 Level 4 champions of the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel leave Oklahoma City, they’ll be doing so in style. This year’s largest prizes, a year’s usage of a Hart Tradition Four Horse Gooseneck with the Original Smart Tack for the winner of the Open Futurity, a Solution Four Horse with Smart Tack II for the Open Derby, and Hart Solution Three Horse trailers with the Smart Tack II in the Non Pro divisions of both the Derby and Futurity, come courtesy of NRHA’s newest Corporate Partner, Hart Trailers.

For more than 54 years, Hart Trailers has been privately owned and operated by the Hart family. That kind of longevity has become increasingly rare in today’s fast-paced environment and is one of the numerous reasons NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter is excited to have the brand as an NRHA Corporate Partner. “In a world where everything is moving fast, it’s a comfort to be partnered with a business that has the reputation of being steady and reliable, and Hart Trailers is the epitome of endurance,” Carpenter said.

Tracy Hart Graham, Hart Trailer CEO, added she looks forward to seeing this new partnership flourish. “The NRHA has a wonderful name and is a great organization, and it was something that we felt would be a good fit for us. We strive to make a good quality product, and we like to be partnered with people and organizations who feel the same way we do,” Hart Graham shared.

An exciting addendum to this new Corporate Partnership is that Hart Trailers is also NRHA’s Official Para Reining Sponsor. That stemmed from Hart Graham’s involvement with Amberley Snyder, a professional barrel racer who is paralyzed from the waist down but still competes at the highest levels.

“We built a trailer for Amberley in 2018, and it was our first time to work with someone who was in a wheelchair. We developed a great relationship with her, and she came back to us in 2020 to design a trailer with a living quarter that would accommodate her and her team on the road,” Graham Hart recalled. “To be a part of her journey, and to design this trailer for her specific needs so that she can continue to strive to reach for her goals, has been very inspiring. When we realized that NRHA had a program to support the riders in para reining, we knew it was something we wanted to be a part of.”

Hart Graham’s parents, Anthony and Kay Hart, started the company in 1968. From the age of 10 years old, she was working in the shops. “I drove my father crazy until he eventually handed me a broom one day and said, ‘Go to work,’” she recalled. “I went to work that day, and I have never looked back. There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful for what I do.”

Hart Graham added that it’s not only the company that has proven to have staying power; the Hart employees do, too, with many having been there for more than a decade!

“When you learn about Hart Trailers, you immediately get a sense of family. This partnership between our reining family and the Hart Trailers family just feels right,” Carpenter said.

To learn more about Hart Trailers, watch this short documentary, or visit HartTrailer.com.

Posted on

2021 NRHA World & Reserve World Champions to Be Recognized in Special Ceremony

Novice Horse Open L2 Champion Dreaming Of Guns & Bobby Avila

A World Championship in the National Reining Horse Association is one of the most sought-after accolades in the reining horse industry. Exhibitors traverse the highways competing all year at events to earn money that go towards the title race.

The 2021 World and Reserve World Champions will be recognized next month during the Four Sixes Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel. On June 18, at 6:15 p.m., those titlists will be presented with their commemorative Montana Silversmiths buckles during the buckle ceremony in the Sale Arena at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds.

“The NRHA Board of Directors knows how important the World Championship race is to our members, and worked together to plan an appropriate way to honor them,” noted Christa Morris-Stone, NRHA Assistant Commissioner. “They felt that recognizing these members during the reining industry’s second-largest event was not only appropriate, but it would allow these accomplishments to be celebrated by each winner’s family, friends, and peers.”

In addition to the buckle presentation to the World and Reserve World Champions, the Top 20 Owners, Professionals, and Non Pros will be recognized. “We will have a special memento for those individuals who made the Top 20 lists, and we will also recognize all the Top 10 winners on screen,” Morris-Stone said.

World & Reserve World Champions

  • Open World Champion – Shines Like Spook & Ann Fonck
  • Open Reserve World Champion – Cody Rooster Delmaso & Klaus Lechner
  • Int. Open World Champion – Mr Gun WR San Jo & Tiara Van Dongen
  • Int. Open Reserve World Champion – HA Handsome Harry & Patryk Peszke
  • Ltd. Open World Champion – Show Stopping Juice & Jesse Gentile/Julia Beth Henderson
  • Rookie Pro. World Champion – Dun It Smoking Gun & Alex Gerard Case
  • Rookie Pro. Reserve World Champion – Found By Mistress & Taylor Davis
  • Non Pro World Champion – Nikolai Stiller & Hollywood Gunrunner
  • Non Pro Reserve World Champion – Adrienne Speidel & ARC Walla Smart
  • Int. Non Pro World Champion – Raeanna Thayn & Roseswhiz
  • Int. Non Pro Reserve World Champion – Michael Hancock & Nics Custom Dually
  • Ltd. Non Pro World Champion – Emerson Madonia & This Chic Is Dreamy
  • Ltd. Non Pro Reserve World Champion – Sydney Weaver & Whizards Little Step
  • Prime Time Non Pro World Champion – Parker MIchin & Conquered This Town
  • Prime Time Non Pro Reserve World Champion – Shawn Reynolds & Shiny Gunman
  • Nov. Horse Open L1 World Champion – DP Docs Misstrash & Peter DeFreitas
  • Nov. Horse Open L1 Reserve World Champion – Dreaming Of Guns & Bobby Avila Jr.
  • Nov. Horse Open L2 World Champion – Dreaming Of Guns & Bobby Avila Jr.
  • Nov. Horse Open L2 Reserve World Champion – Good Friday For Guns & Jesse Gentile
  • Nov. Horse Open L3 World Champion – DP Docs Misstrash & Peter DeFreitas
  • Nov. Horse Open L3 Reserve World Champion – Ruf N Trouble Whiz & Josh Murphy
  • Nov. Horse Non Pro L1 World Champion – Lisa Bricker & Lotta Mobster
  • Nov. Horse Non Pro L1 Reserve World Champion – Abby Jennings & Low Voltage Chic
  • Nov. Horse Non Pro L2 World Champion – Kyla Thurlow & Kachina Olena Tag
  • Nov. Horse Non Pro L2 Reserve World Champion – Lynn Miller & Gata Chromed Magnum
  • Nov. Horse Non Pro L3 World Champion – Kyla Thurlow & Kachina Olena Tag
  • Nov. Horse Non Pro L3 Reserve World Champion – Kary Key & Cant Spook Me
  • Youth 13 & Under World Champion – Becca Schaffhauser & Dun Got My Rest
  • Youth 13 & Under Reserve World Champion – Reed Selner & Whiz Good To Go
  • Youth 14 – 18 World Champion – Shelby Jane Lynch & Jac N Jewels Spark
  • Youth 13 – 18 Reserve World Champion – Gracie Mae Stingle & Lucky Little Seven

Complete Top 10 and Top 20 lists can be found here.

The celebration begins at 5 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Admission to the Buckle Ceremony is free of charge, and the event is open to everyone, but Morris-Stone asked that people, especially award recipients, RSVP at NRHA.com/RSVP to help with a catering headcount.

Any updates to this event or others held during the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel will be posted on the event’s schedule at NRHADerby.com and distributed through NRHA’s various news channels.