Category: Members

Paulus Beurskens and Ann Anderman were elected by the National Reining Horse Association Board of Directors in its December meeting to fill two Director-at-Large positions on the NRHA Executive Committee. Beurskens and Anderman, who will each serve a one-year term in 2022, bring a diverse perspective to the Executive Committee.

Beurskens, of the Netherlands, returns to the NRHA Executive Committee where he has been a member since 2020. He has been involved in reining since the ‘90s and rides as a Non Pro. He and his wife Gisela Haas own Galaxy Quarter Horse, where they breed and raise reining horses.

His company, Galaxy Executive Management Solutions, focuses on connecting people and businesses based on equality and inclusive leadership. He is also Partner/Managing Director at Energyprofs, a consultancy agency specialized in the Dutch energy market.

A former President of the Dutch Reining Horse Association and member of the NRHA European Affiliate Council and Executive Board, he has served on the NRHA Board of Directors and various NRHA committees.

Ann Salmon Anderman, alongside her husband Monte, is involved with teaching riders and horses of all levels, hosting clinics and is currently based out of Cinder Lakes Ranch in Valley View, Texas. She serves on the NRHA Board of Directors, as well various committees. Additionally, she is a past chair of the NRHA Judges Committee, Policy Review Task Force and Judges Work Environment Task Force. She served on the Southwest Reining Horse Association Board of Directors for eight years and was president for three years.

In addition to competing, Anderman has traveled around the world judging and teaching and has officiated at two NRHA European Futurities. She was previously awarded the NRHA Volunteer of the Year for her dedication and service to the Association.

Beurskens and Anderman will serve on the Executive Committee alongside President Rick Clark, Vice-President Mark Blake, Director-At-Large Shane Brown, and Director-At-Large John Tague.

For more information concerning how representatives are elected, refer to the NRHA Bylaws page and the NRHA Elections page.

Just weeks ago, the National Reining Horse Association paid out more than $118,000 to exhibitors competing in the Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championships in Oklahoma City. With nearly 1,000 entries, the NAAC classes provided fun, excitement, camaraderie, and some lucrative payouts and prizes.

At the December 2021 NRHA Board of Directors meeting, the Board announced the qualification criteria for the 2022 NAAC and Affiliate Regional Championships will be identical to 2021.

The first step to earning a spot in Oklahoma City is to compete at one of the 10 ARCs held across North America in late fall. To do so, a rider must be an NRHA member and a member of an NRHA affiliate. “There is no need to designate an affiliate, and riders can show at any ARC,” explained Sara Honegger, Manager of Youth, Professional, and Affiliate Programs. “We are so encouraged by the number of riders who came to Oklahoma City and the increased enthusiasm for the affiliates, ARCs and NAAC. The members of the Affiliate Committee are passionate about continuing to grow these programs and look forward to what 2022 will bring.”

Any exhibitor who receives a score higher than a zero at an ARC will be able to enter that class, on that specific horse, at the NAAC in Oklahoma City. There are no requirements to compete at an ARC other than the rider must be a member of an NRHA affiliate. Riders are encouraged to join beforehand but can also join at the ARC if they need assistance with that process, or they can always call the NRHA office to have guidance as well.

As in 2021, riders will be allowed to participate in multiple ARCs with one exception; if they win a class, they cannot compete on the same horse in the same class at another ARC.

The Board of Directors also approved a change for renewing Affiliates, who now only need to host one full slate of ancillary classes in 2022, down from three.

“The Affiliate Committee knows what a financial burden it can be to host a horse show for any affiliate, and during these times especially,” Honegger explained. “They want to find the balance of allowing our members a place to show across the country while realizing our affiliates know their region best and will host what they feel like will be most supported by their membership. This solution seemed to fit the best for 2022.”

For more information about NRHA membership, the NRHA Affiliate program, or to find a local Affiliate, visit nrha.com/affiliate.

Anderman and Fuchs Elected Incoming Regional Directors

The elections for the 2022-2023 South Central and East Central Regional Directors concluded on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. The votes were counted and the winners named. Ann Salmon Anderman will represent the South Central Region and Margaret Fuchs, the East Central Region.

Margaret Fuchs, from Canfield, Ohio, has had a lifelong passion for reiners having become hooked on the sport while she attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. There, she was taught by NRHA Professional and Judge Larry Kasten who was one of her professors. Her love for the event never waned, and she has enjoyed great success both in and out of the show pen.

She has served on the NRHA Judges Committee and various Affiliate Boards. She is currently an NRHA Professional, an AQHA and NRHA Judge and head of human resources at SCF Bedding, Inc, and the incoming East Central Regional Director. With her new position, she looks forward to implementing programs to encourage greater participation at the affiliate level and trying to improve communications.

“I was really excited to get the call to hear that I had won the position of East Central Regional Director. I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone that took the time to vote for me. I am looking forward to the opportunity of being a part of the Board of Directors of NRHA,” Fuchs said. “[With my position,] I hope to create an informational round robin within our region where owners, trainers, exhibitors, breeders and sponsors can communicate their questions, concerns or suggestions to me so that they can be then relayed effectively to the rest of the board. Ultimately, the growth of our great sport of reining is the goal for all of us, and I’m really glad that I get to be part of it at this level.”

With over 15 years of experience as a horse trainer, Ann Salmon Anderman is heavily involved in serving the reining industry. The Pilot Point, Texas resident is a lifetime NRHA member who currently serves on the NRHA Board of Directors as well as the Judges, Nominating/Governance, and Stewards Committees. Additionally, she has served as a past chair of the NRHA Judges Policy Review Task Force and Judges Work Environment Task Force.

“I have had the honor of serving on the NRHA Board for the past few years, and I look forward to continuing to serve the reining industry,” Anderman commented.

She is also a member of the NRHA Judges Teaching Panel, which includes the preparation and evaluation of judges’ teaching and testing materials. She also served on the Southwest Reining Horse Association

(SWRHA) Board of Directors for over eight years and was the president of the NRHA Affiliate for three years.

With a focus on grass-roots members, Anderman was among the first to advocate for Green and Ride & Slide riders adding year-end buckles to ensure that all levels of competitors have a place to show and be recognized for their accomplishments. She firmly believes that it takes all levels of competitors to create a healthy NRHA environment.

Anderman has traveled around the world as a judge and clinician and has officiated two NRHA European Futurities. As a matter of fact, she was chosen as an NRHA Volunteer of the Year for her dedication and service to NRHA.

The new Regional Directors will serve two-year terms commencing on January 1, 2022. For more information, visit NRHA.com/elections.

The National Reining Horse Association Board of Directors reviewed and unanimously approved two of the proposed rule changes presented by the Non Pro Committee during their August meeting.

The proposals addressed issues related to working student allowances for Youth as well as sponsorship endorsements for Non Pros and Youth Non Pros.

An FAQ has been created to explain some commonly asked questions on NRHA Non Pro Conditions, as well as the changes made for the allowance of sponsorships.

FAQ – NON PRO MEMBERSHIP CONDITIONS – Starting 1/1/2022

For more information, read the previous news story on this topic: Recent NRHA Rule Changes Create Opportunities for Non Pros and Youth

On August 22, 2021, the National Reining Horse Association Board of Directors reviewed and unanimously approved two of the proposed rule changes presented by the Non Pro Committee.

The proposals addressed issues related to working student allowances for Youth as well as sponsorship endorsements for Non Pros. According to Non Pro Committee Chair Ginger Schmersal, the changes, which will go into effect January 1, 2022, were proposed in hopes of not only opening up opportunities for members but also to benefit the industry as a whole. These changes were approved according to the process that allows the board to approve proposals that do not directly impact the rules of competition, such as the rules for judging, equipment, patterns, show rules, etc., on an abbreviated path in comparison to the traditional review process. This rule change process was proposed in 2018 and approved for the 2019 NRHA Handbook.

Schmersal added that the rule changes were proposed after months of deliberation and research. “Our Non Pro Committee is incredible. We had nearly 100 percent participation on every phone call, and each member worked hard to think through any consequences – both positive and negative – of the proposals we made,” she said. “We have a very diverse committee, comprised of people from all different levels of riding and a variety of careers. The insight from this group, and its commitment to getting it right, is something I am very proud of.”

Rule Change 1 – Youth Riders May Work for NRHA Professionals

The Non Pro Committee recommended allowing youth riders to work for professional trainers. The Committee felt relaxing the restriction will serve several purposes of providing a pathway for young riders who are interested in honing their horsemanship skills, working for an NRHA Professional to offset the financial obstacles of showing, or pursuing a career in training, while learning more about the industry and not having to sacrifice their Non Pro status. When the Youth turns 19 years old, they will be able to make the decision to retain their Non Pro status or become an NRHA Professional.

“There are a few problems we wanted to address, and we are excited that this new change will accomplish that,” Schmersal shared. “First, we all know horses and horse shows are expensive right now, and that means that reining might not be an option for many youth. By relaxing the restrictions on our young members, we have the opportunity to welcome even more youth into the industry. Now kids who want to ride or learn to ride can go work for a trainer without having to worry about losing their Non Pro status.”

The lack of experienced assistant trainers and barn help is another aspect the Non Pro Committee hopes to address with this change. “Everyone is looking for help, and there is a shortage of assistant trainers, especially those with show experience. This will create more riders who have the skills necessary to go on to that next level and eventually have careers of their own,” she said. 

Schmersal noted that while this rule is revolutionary to the reining industry, it’s common practice in other disciplines. “Working students are the norm in the English industry. I, and several people I know, would not be where we are today if we had not had the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge as a working student,” she said. “I am excited for these new opportunities for our youth.”

The new rule will read:

• Any youth rider 18 years of age or younger who is a current member of NRHA is eligible to reside and/or work for any NRHA Professional in good standing. Remuneration can include housing and food. Youth riders are allowed to have their personal horse or horses with the trainer, and details of board and training shall be decided between those parties. Youth riders are allowed to ride any horses both at home and at horse shows while working for the trainer. Youth riders are allowed to compete in the youth and non pro based on current NRHA ownership rules. 

It is important to note that the following section regarding Youth riders and horse ownership remains unchanged from previous years. 

• In classes that do not have ownership restrictions (Rookie 1 & 2, Green Reiner 1 & 2, Youth Rookie, Unrestricted Youth, and all open classes, except Rookie Professional), youth riders may compete on any horse regardless of ownership.

Rule Change 2 – NRHA Non Pros can have Sponsorships and Endorsements 

Beginning in 2022, Non Pro members will be able to endorse products and have sponsorships with a very important restriction remaining; they must abide by all other requirements of the Non Pro Conditions restricting the receipt of remuneration for training or showing in any equine discipline or giving instruction on the showing or training of a performance horse. While this issue had been on the shortlist of issues for the Non Pro Committee, the decision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association to allow collegiate athletes to benefit from their names, images, and likenesses spurred the issue forward.

“Without the allowance for advertisements and endorsements, collegiate reining athletes would have to deny endorsements and activities, become an NRHA Professional, or stop showing NRHA,” Schmersal explained. 

Every member of the Non Pro Committee felt receiving free products does not give an exhibitor an advantage in the show pen, nor does it make the person receiving those products a professional or a trainer. “A professional is someone who is paid to train, coach or show,” Schmersal explained. “Receiving free feed or leg boots or supplements won’t make an exhibitor perform better in the show pen. It will, however, help their checkbook, and that is something that can help every Non Pro.” 

Schmersal pointed to the growth of social media and the potential for income it provides users. “Someone may not be a top rider but might be an influencer on social media or have a loyal following. Even if a feed company just gives them a couple bags of feed, it can help,” she explained.

Schmersal added that allowing such a large group of reining enthusiasts to approach and garner new sponsorships will only help the reining industry and open the doors to those who may otherwise not be able to afford to compete in reining, especially youth riders. “This is a great opportunity for brand new sponsors to be introduced to reining. Our Non Pro members might have bosses or family members who want to sponsor them, which benefits not only that member, but also their sponsors and NRHA,” she said. 

The revised rule reads:

• Non Pro may appear in advertisements and/or endorse products or services. Remuneration, direct or indirect, may be received for these activities. However, the Non Pro must abide by all other requirements of the Non Pro Conditions and refrain from engaging in Prohibited Activities.

Non pros must abide by all other requirements of the Non Pro Conditions and refrain from engaging in Prohibited Activity. Another example of this is that Non Pros still must follow the ownership and immediate family rules for Non Pro competition, as well as the rules regarding the sale or transfer of horses to Non Pros. In terms of payment of expenses, the following change was made:

• Entry fees and/or show-related expenses paid by anyone other than the Non Pro, his/her immediate family, or a family-owned business entity as outlined above shall be considered remuneration and could jeopardize Non Pro status.

Schmersal added that she’s seen discussion on rule proposals that didn’t pass, and other misinformation being shared on social media. “Please don’t believe everything you read on social media, and if you have a question about one of the rules, don’t hesitate to contact me or anyone on the Non Pro Committee,” she said.

Non Pro Committee members include Jesse Asmussen, Daniel Schloemer, Karen Shedlauskas, Kevin Ball, Morris Kulmer, Kelsey Price, Kelli Brummett, Brooke Wharton, and Shane Brown (Ex Officio).

The NRHA Handbook can be found on the NRHA website at nrha.com/handbook. 

For more information about the proposals made, please click here to review the PowerPoint presentation presented to the Board of Directors by the Non Pro Committee.