Category: Members

With the popularity of reining growing both domestically and internationally, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Board of Directors has approved a pilot program to encourage reining events to offer Slide Contests classes in 2025.

The recent resurgence of classes solely featuring the signature sliding stop is a way for NRHA to increase opportunities and participation for horses, riders, and owners, as well as to pursue wider recognition and value of NRHA events.

Recently, NRHA announced an inaugural Futurity and Military Slides to take centerstage at the NRHA Futurity & Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championships. Starting in 2025, NRHA-approved events also may host these pilot classes using the following guidelines:

• Results and earnings will not be recorded during the pilot phase.
  • Any individual or horse may compete without membership or licensing restrictions.
• Can be offered as an Open, Non Pro, or Youth classes as determined by show management.
• Can be jackpotted or have added money. The added money is not capped.
• Entry fees cannot exceed 10% of added money.
• Judge’s fees cannot exceed entry fee.
• Entry fee retainage (0% to 100%) to be decided by show management.
• Payback schedule to be decided by show management (e.g., Sched. A, Sched. B, or custom).
• Standard NRHA rules apply to the class (ex., the number of horses that can be shown by one rider in one class, the number of judges to judge, the 5-judge system to drop the low and high scores, etc.)
• NRHA Judges may judge the class if it is run according to these guidelines.
• NRHA Judges will use the following for Maneuver Evaluation & Scoring:
  • Starting with a score of 70.
  • A -3 to +3 scale for each maneuver score (Approach, Stop, Hesitate).
  • Penalties: No marker penalty. All other penalties apply.

“This is an exciting option for NRHA events to engage members with new opportunities and to gain the interest of fans,” said NRHA Assistant Commissioner Christa Morris-Stone. “We are thrilled to see how it takes flight and look forward to it potentially being an NRHA-approved class.” Events hosting these classes are encouraged to send questions and feedback to cmorris@nrha.com.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) officially unveiled its new Leadership Gathering, held Downtown Oklahoma City Omni Hotel February 2–3, 2025.

The two-day event is open to all NRHA members and will feature experts on a variety of important topics including financial planning for horse operations, mastering NRHA governance, finding and retaining farm staff, and federal rules impacting horse owners. All the sessions are designed to engage and elevate leaders and those who want to be leaders in NRHA’s committee and governance structure.

“This event will help us achieve one of our strategic goals to help our members become the most qualified and innovative leaders in the horse community,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith. “If you’ve ever wanted to be engaged in NRHA’s governance, this is where to begin.”

The Leadership Gathering and its new schedule will replace the previous NRHA Winter Meeting, which focused on a traditional meeting format. The new condensed structure, which includes the Annual General Membership meeting set for February 2, will shift its focus to a more innovative design geared toward better equipping members, riders, and trainers to improve their experience with NRHA and their reining businesses.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our members to come together, away from the show pen, and to really engage within our industry,” stated NRHA Director of Governance & Executive Administration Liz Kelsey.

“There will be something for everyone,” Kelsey continued, whether you are a Professional, Non Pro, owner, breeder, you name it. It is a great chance to connect with our leadership and staff and really understand what is going on in NRHA and learn how you can get more involved.”

Registration for the event is free. Learn more at nrha.com/leadershipgathering

Current members can vote for open positions during the NRHA election.

Compiled by NRHA Staff

The NRHA Executive Committee and board of directors are responsible for managing the business of the Association and for representing the best interests of its members and NRHA as a whole. Each year, NRHA opens nominations and hosts elections for a variety of leadership positions.

Each year, the election nomination process gives affiliates and members the opportunity to put forward candidates to be considered in the voting process. Two candidates for the NRHA Board of Directors seat that represents North America’s Southeast region made this June 1 deadline.

The Southeast Region is comprised of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Virginia. Members in the Southeast region can cast their vote for either Bundy Lane (Gates, North Carolina) or Alicia Rapp (Tampa, Florida).

The member receiving the most votes will be elected to serve a term on the board from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.

Voting

Voting in this year’s election will begin at noon CDT Sept. 3, 2024 will end at noon CDT Sept. 17, 2024. Individuals with a General membership (excluding partnerships, businesses and joint memberships) have voting privileges; however, youth and associate members do not have voting rights.

Voting information will be sent to eligible voters via email. The emails will be sent to the member’s ReinerSuite email address (username email). If the member is not a registered ReinerSuite user, it will be sent to any other email address on that member’s NRHA account information.

For more details on the election, visit the NRHA Elections page, or contact NRHA’s Christa Morris-Stone for assistance (cmorris@nrha.com or 405-946-7400, ext. 105).

Bundy Lane
Gates, North Carolina

From the Candidate: As a member of NRHA for over 40 years and raising my children in this sport of reining, I am now at a time in my life where I think I can help guide this organization forward. The training and experience I have gained from sitting on a Farm Credit bank board for 15 years along with building and managing a family farming business has prepared me well in all matters of finance as well as board functions.

From being the first NRHA Youth 14-18 world champion in 1986 to my daughter competing for Team USA in 2017 and 2019, I have loved this sport and the challenges it presents. Reining is magic when you get it right. I want more people to experience the thrill and excitement I feel when riding a good, broke horse, and helping this sport do that is my goal for being on this board.

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Alicia Rapp
Tampa, Florida

From the Candidate: I believe I would be a strong candidate choice for the Southeast Region director position given [my] extensive and deep passion for the sport of reining. With my leadership skills that I have demonstrated in the reining community, I feel that I am well-equipped to collaborate with fellow board members and help drive NRHA in a positive direction.

I have a solid commitment to ethical integrity and the willingness to dedicate my time and passion for the reining industry and its future, I feel I would be a valuable contribution to the NRHA as the Southeast Region Director.

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Other Positions

Several other elected leadership positions will be filled for the same two-year term. The following uncontested seats will be elected by acclamation by the Board of Directors. Those seats are:

Vice President — Nominating Committee Candidate

Casey Hinton
Whitesboro, Texas

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Director-At-Large — Nominating Committee Candidate

John Tague
Pilot Point, Texas

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Mountain Region

Travis Chapman
Eaton, Colorado

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Southwest Region

Jenny Ricotta
Scottsdale, Arizona

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Canada

Andre De Bellefeuille
St-Basile-Le-Grand, Quebec

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking update to the prestigious NRHA Markel Futurity Sales. Starting in 2024, all weanlings, yearlings, and show horses of NRHA Futurity and Derby age sold during the sales will be eligible for a 50% discount on their entry fees for the NRHA Futurity and/or 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel!

“This exciting new incentive is designed to further elevate the value proposition for both consignors and buyers participating in the NRHA Markel Futurity Sales,” said Angie Honeywell, NRHA Director of ReinerSuite and Sale. “Buyers will gain access to top-quality prospects with a significant financial advantage towards their NRHA competition goals, while consignors will be presented with an even more attractive platform to showcase their exceptional horses.”

The NRHA Markel Futurity Sales consistently feature an exceptional selection of reining horses, with graduates going on to achieve success in the NRHA competition arena. This new discount program adds even greater appeal, making the sales a truly can’t-miss opportunity for both buyers and sellers.

The 2024 NRHA Markel Futurity Sales will be held December 5 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The consignment deadline is September 16. For more information on consigning a horse or participating as a buyer, please visit the NRHA website at nrha.com/sales or contact Honeywell at sales@nrha.com or (405) 946-7400, ext. 123.

Are you interested in:

• Giving back to the sport of reining
• Influencing decisions made at the board level
• Growing your network
• Building your reputation as a leader

If so, you may wish to consider pursuing a nomination to be added to this year’s ballot or supporting another member to become a candidate.

NOMINATIONS ARE DUE JUNE 1, 2024

(Received in the office by Monday, June 3)

SEATS UP FOR ELECTION

(All are two-year terms starting in 2025)

• Vice President: Followed by a two-year term as President
• Director-At-Large on the Executive Committee
• Director (One seat for each North American region listed below):
• Mountain (currently Drake Johnson, has reached term limit)
• Southeast (currently Karen Shedlauskas)
• Southwest (currently Ginger Schmersal, has reached term limit)
• Canada (Currently Andre De Bellefeuille)

HOW TO NOMINATE:

• Affiliates in North American Regions may nominate candidates for the respective open seats.
• Any eligible member may become a candidate through a write-in process for any open seat.

More information on this process and official elections contacts can be found at nrha.com/elections.