6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Begins Tomorrow

Forty-three years ago, the first-ever National Reining Horse Association Derby was held. Then it was called the NRHA Maturity, and over the years, the event has been rehomed, grown, and changed names.

Now known as the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, the event is the second-largest reining show in the world and has become a must-attend for reining enthusiasts from across the globe. The Open preliminary round begins at 8 a.m. Friday, June 16, with the more than 300 entries divided over the first three days of competition in the historic Jim Norick Coliseum.

There are 158 individual riders representing 13 different countries vying for a coveted spot in the clean-slate Finals on Saturday, June 25, with only the top 30 finishers (plus ties) in Levels 1 – 4 advancing from the first round. There, the Level 4 Open Champion will win, for the first time ever, a Derby Championship check for $100,000! That’s not all, as the Level 3 Open champion will take home $35,000, the Level 2 Open winner will win $20,000, and the Level 1 Open champion will pocket $10,000.

The preliminary round not only decides the finalists but also determines the champions of the $110,000-added Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes and the $15,000-added Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse Open Derby.

The competition isn’t limited to just the Norick Coliseum, as the Adequan® Arena hosts two full slates of NRHA-approved classes, with the first slate of the Non Pro and Classic Equine Green Reiner kicking off Friday morning.

Reining fans who can’t make it to Oklahoma City to watch the action in person can still enjoy the live webcast by visiting nrhaderby.com/live.

The 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel is held June 15 – 25 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. To keep up with the latest news, schedule, and more, visit NRHADerby.com.

6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel Payout Predicted to Surpass $1.5 Million

Yes, It’s That Big

The reining industry has experienced incredible growth over the last several years, with major events breaking records with each show.

The 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel has also ridden the wave of increased interest spawned by the increase in entries and, of course, payout. In fact, this year’s event boasts an incredible $856,000 across the aged and ancillary events and is expected to award more than $1.5 million over the next 12 days.

In 2021, the 6666 Ranch came on as the naming sponsor of the event and cemented guaranteed payouts for the divisions of the Derby. Then, in late 2022, the NRHA Board of Directors voted on an additional elevation of the Level 4 Open and Non Pro Championship payout.

The 2023 6666 Ranch Derby guaranteed payouts to the Champions are:

  • L4 Open – $100,000
  • L3 Open – $35,000
  • L2 Open – $20,000
  • L1 Open – $10,000
  • Prime Time Open – $5,000
  • L4 Non Pro – $50,000
  • L3 Non Pro – $20,000
  • L2 Non Pro – $15,000
  • L1 Non Pro – $5,000
  • Prime Time Non Pro – $5,000
  • Youth Non Pro – $2,000
  • Masters Non Pro – $2,000

In addition to the traditional levels of the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, there are numerous other opportunities for riders to win money, thanks to the addition of the Novice Horse, Stakes, and Amateur divisions, which are awarded during the preliminary round.

The Stakes, open to 4-year-old horses only, debuted in 2021, and the support of the division was soon evident. Tamarack Ranch sponsored the $40,000-added Level 4 Open Stakes, while Colston Paving Inc. sponsored the $20,000-added Level 4 Non Pro Stakes.

Recognizing the popularity of the 4-year-old Stakes division and to support its longevity, the NRHA Board decided to add an additional $100,000 beginning in 2023, bringing the total added money of the Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes to $110,000 and $50,000 in the Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro.

Gabe Hutchins of Tamarack Ranch noted, “We believe in the welfare and longevity of the horse, and giving those 4-year-old horses another year to finish and get ready will help them in the long run.”

Kevin Colston, Colston Paving Inc. owner, echoed that sentiment, saying, “I think the Stakes at the Derby is great for everyone because our futurity horses will have had time to rest after the Futurity and be ready to roll.”

The NRHA recently announced the official addition of a 4-year-old component to the Nomination program, beginning with 2023 foals. The association has committed to its $100,000 in added money to the Stakes for three years and will continue to contribute $50,000 in added money annually once the 2023 crop is eligible. It is expected that the Stakes divisions will feature $285,000 in added money beginning in 2027.

For more information, read the press release from February here.

NRHA Executive Committee member and former President Rick Clark noted, “We feel that growing the 4-year-old division at the NRHA Derby will give a huge boost to our industry. It will provide more opportunities to owners, breeders, and riders.”

Clark and his brother, Brent, are the naming sponsor of the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Open and Non Pro Novice Horse divisions, which is open to horses who have won less than $10,000 as of May 1. The Open division boasts $15,000 in added money, while the Non Pro features $10,000.

Clark said, “We are honored to be the title sponsor of this event. The novice derby provides a great opportunity, and every time we can add an opportunity, it’s an advantage to owners and exhibitors.”

The Story Book Stables Amateur is rounding out the named divisions with $15,000 in added money. “As always, we want to support the grassroots of the industry and encourage newcomers. We believe that these groups are critical to the health, vitality, and future of the industry,” noted Story Book Stables owner Brenda Joyce.

The 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel is held June 15 – 25 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Okla. To keep up with the latest news, schedule, and more, visit NRHADerby.com. 

6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel Already Setting Records As Move-In Starts

The 2023 edition of the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel kicks off Friday, June 16, with the first section of the Open preliminary round. While the official Derby start is still days away, the OKC Fairgrounds is a hive of activity, as facility and show staff ready for an event that’s already breaking records.

As of noon Tuesday, the total stalls reserved for the event exceed 1,700 – a seven percent jump from the record set in 2022.

“The reining industry has experienced incredible growth in recent years,” noted NRHA Show Manager Cheryl Cody. “Every Derby since 2019 has broken the record set the year before – in number of stalls, entries, and total payout.”

All indications point to a record year again – in each of those categories. “The reining industry is riding a tremendous wave of prosperity, and we expect this Derby to continue that streak,” noted NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter.

“Specifically, the growth in participation at the Derby can be attributed to the increase in purses as well as the additional opportunities to show more horses in the different divisions,” Carpenter added, referencing the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Novice Horse, the Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes, the Colston Paving Non Pro Stakes, and the Story Book Stables Amateur divisions.

Of course, the show’s expansion comes at a time of transformation for the OKC Fairgrounds, as construction has commenced on the new Coliseum that will be completed in 2025. This has led to challenges for all participants attempting to navigate around the work area. The NRHA Events Team released a map to help with move-in.

“We appreciate the patience of our exhibitors in navigating through and around the construction area,” said Cody. “I think there is a sense of excitement as people arrive and see the changes that have already been made in the facility. Our Adequan® Arena and Arena 6 have had facelifts and look so much brighter.”

While construction in the Jim Norick Coliseum has blocked off many areas used for vendor spaces, NRHA Events Vendor Coordinator Bre Colburn said the new layout has provided an opportunity. “The smaller area available for booth space means that we’ve created sections that will be more densely populated with potential customers,” she shared.

Colburn added that there would be plenty of new and returning vendors in 2023, including CS Custom Silver, Cutco, Shine Equine, Haala Denim, Shorty’s, Mystique, Robin Wolf & Susan’s Jelly, Equilume, Ranch Girls, Jewelry Parlour, Just Stitch It, Show Stoppin, GeneTech, Show Girls, Wild Plains, Serna, Star Glow, APHA, NRCHA, Kyle Tack, Express Pony Ranch, Dechra, Hart Trailers, Toyon Ranch, Pastor Mike Seay, Davis Boots, Equine Oasis, Bluebonnet Feeds, Platinum Performance, Markel, Reining Horse Foundation, MS Diamond, Stevenson Show Shine, John Deere, Kiser, Silver Spur, Whistler, Rodeo Carts, Scott Cleaners, Adequan, Superior Saddlery, Ferguson Tack, and Frank’s Shoe Shine.

The 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel is held June 15 – 25 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Okla. To keep up with the latest news, schedule, and more, visit NRHADerby.com.

6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel—Daily Updates

6.25.23: Ancillary Champions Crowned on Final Day of 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.25.23: Jennifer Flanagan Wins Dechra Para-Reining Championship at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.24.23: Ancillary Action Continues at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.24.23: Casey Deary & Down Right Amazing Dazzle in Open Finals at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.23.23: Schumacher Pilots CS Sailing Gun to Win Non Pro Championship at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.23.23: Defreitas Wins Novice Horse Open Ancillary Titles at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.22.23: Ancillary Novice Horse Non Pro Titles Awarded at 6666 Derby presented by Markel

6.22.23: Taylor Zimmerman Wins Invitational Freestyle presented by OKCVB

6.21.23: Defreitas, Bell & Gauthier Win Novice Horse Open Titles at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.21.23: Non Pros Are Finals Bound at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.21.23: Vazquez, Morgenstern, Schumacher, and Kapu Win Early Titles at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.20.23: Gina-Maria Schumacher Leads Non Pro Preliminaries at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.20.23:Rapp & Hill Win Novice Horse Non Pro Titles at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.19.23: Ancillary Competition Continues at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.18.23: First High Point Championships Awarded at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.18.23: Flarida, Schmersal, and Salgado End Open Prelims with Championships at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.18.23: Open Finalists Decided for 2023 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.17.23: Best Shine & Jason Vanlandingham Maintain Lead in the Open Preliminaries at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.17.23: Ancillary Action Continues at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.16.23: First Ancillary Winners Crowned at 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.16.23: Best Shine & Jason Vanlandingham Lead Open Preliminaries at the 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

6.15.23: 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Begins Tomorrow

6.14.23: 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel Payout Predicted to Surpass $1.5 Million

6.13.23: 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel Already Setting Records As Move-In Starts

Visit nrhaderby.com for more!

$20,000 Invitational Freestyle Reining Will Be Held at the 2023 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is excited to host the $20,000 Invitational Freestyle Reining held at the 2023 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Sponsored by the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, this must-see event will take place on Thursday, June 22 at 6 p.m., is free to the public, and is sure to have the whole family on the edge of their seats!

Hava Vital

Often compared to figure skating, the performances also use choreographed music and are paired with astounding costumes, props, or often additional characters! Freestyle reining allows one to creatively use core reining maneuvers (circles, spins, stops, flying lead changes, etc.) and magnify them with music and choreography. The fan-favorite freestyle reining has been an NRHA tradition since 1986, with the first-ever freestyle reining held at the NRHA Derby in St. Paul, MN. Veteran spectators of the event may mention it is always a surprise who may show up to compete.

The 2022 NRHA Invitational Freestyle Reining Champion, Hava Vital, blew away the competition last year with her breathtaking performance to the “Moulin Rouge” hit song “Lady Marmalade.” Coming in two points behind Hava as Reserve Champion, Abby Budd paired a bridleless routine with the song “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” Watch her performance here!

Abby Budd

“As the horse show capital of the world, we are always excited to host reining events here in OKC,” said Zac Craig, Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau president. “We look forward to welcoming these participants and showing them all there is to do in the Modern Frontier.”

Confirmed 2023 Freestyle contestants include Karen Knight, Gabe Garrison, Ari Mischo, Brogan Hill, and Caitie Holtzman.

The 2023 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel is full of other events throughout the week, including a tradeshow, Non Pro and Open Finals, and more. Visit NRHADerby.com or Facebook for the latest updates.