Category: Members

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) held a workshop with the 2023 NRHA Judges Committee and Teaching Panel on January 11 & 12th, followed by the first NRHA Judges’ Monitors educational session for the first group of official monitors for the coming year. In total, 65 NRHA members made the trip to the office in Oklahoma City to start the year off by learning about advancements within the association to benefit members.

NRHA continues to grow rapidly, with new events introduced each year, breeding additional interest within the equine industry. Changes and ideas within the association are occurring to help members and events as the progression continues.

“As more NRHA events are requesting and asking NRHA for a list of judges’ monitors, the NRHA judges committee is working toward a unified and consistent Judges Monitor program,” said Patti Carter, NRHA’s Senior Director of Education & Officials. “The starting roster of Judges’ Monitors includes AAA judges who have experience in monitoring situations and who the judges’ committee is confident will have a unified and positive teaching approach when out in the field.”

The current Judges Monitor group will begin this new program, but the list is subject to grow based on judges’ experience. Judge Monitors are recommended for AA and A events. There are approximately 23 AA events and 16 A events planned for 2023.

The official inaugural group of Judges’ Monitors includes:

Domestic:
Ann Salmon Anderman
Bob Kail
Bub Poplin
Chele McGauly
Corey Hendrickson
Donnie Bricker
Drake Johnson
Edward Bricker
Ed Cridge
Kelly Sapp
Margaret Fuchs
Mark Turner
Matt Lantz
Michael McEntire
Ollie Griffith
Richard Pokluda
Sandy Jirkovsky
Terry Thompson
Van Luse
Reid Fady

International:
Alessandro Meconi
Douglas G. Allen
Enrico Righetti
Eugenio Latorre
Jan Boogaerts
Lara Maiocchi
Maik Bartmann
Manuela Maiocchi
Rick Lemay
Ricky Bordignon

“Most of the domestic judges’ monitors assembled at the NRHA office on January 12, 2023, for formal education and direction from the NRHA Judges’ Committee. International Monitors will be assembled at the Italian judges’ school in February,” said Carter. “The Judges’ Committee is proud of this group and is looking forward to their positive effects on the NRHA reining industry.” 

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce the Top 20 Standings list for the 2022 year in each sector—Professionals, Non Pros, and Owners. NRHA’s Top 20 program is designed to feature the talent of the association’s top riders and owners each year. These frontrunners of each section are true representatives for the sport of reining in competition as well as in the industry day to day.

Along with the Top 10 World Standing Finalists, the NRHA Board of Directors will welcome all Top 20 Professionals, Non Pros, and Owners to the coveted awards ceremony to be recognized. This event will be held during the 2023 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, which takes place June 13–25 in Oklahoma City. Members from around the globe will be invited to the event to enjoy an evening of fun, food, and recognition. The exact date of the event will be posted as the show schedule is confirmed.

The NRHA congratulates the following 2022 NRHA Top 20 Professionals, Non Pros, & Owners:

Professionals

1. Shawn Flarida
2. Casey Deary
3. Fernando Salgado
4. Andrea Fappani
5. Matt Mills
6. Jordan Larson
7. Cade McCutcheon
8. Jason Vanlandingham
9. Trevor Dare
10. Craig Schmersal
11. Gabriel Borges
12. Jared Leclair
13. Abby Lengel
14. Grischa Ludwig
15. Duane Latimer
16. Bernard Fonck
17. Ann Fonck
18. Brian Bell
19. Martin Larcombe
20. Manuel Cortesi

*Category 1–10, Open earnings

Non Pros

1. Gina-Maria Schumacher
2. Mandy McCutcheon
3. William Clutter
4. Indy Roper
5. Jack Medows
6. Chandler Winard
7. Tish Fappani
8. Jose Vazquez
9. Mariana Vazquez
10. Charles Wiederholt
11. Emma Vanlandingham
12. Francesca Sternberg
13. Lane Colston
14. Monica Hicks
15. Molly Morgenstern
16. Emily Opell
17. Taylor Zimmerman
18. Samuel Flarida
19. Christine Trautman
20. Ewald Rifeser

*Category 1–10, Non Pro earnings

Owners

1. Arcese Quarter Horses USA
2. XCS Ranch LLC
3. Tim J. Anderson
4. Smart Like Juice Inc.
5. Tom & Mandy McCutcheon
6. Gilberto Leal
7. Tim & MaryBeth Ruckman
8. Devin K. Warren
9. Vaughn C. Zimmerman
10. Robert Santagata
11. Amy E. Medows
12. Clark Reining Horses LLC
13. Puno Performance Horses, LLC & Jody Puno
14. Jay H. Clutter
15. Katarzyna Roleska
16. Abby Lengel
17. George & Carol Bell
18. Casey & Kathy Hinton
19. Andrea & Tish Fappani
20. Neiberger Performance Horses, LLC

*Category 1–10 earnings

Congratulations again to all Top 10 mentioned, who continue to grow the sport of reining and represent the association to the uppermost standard. The official results list can also be seen here.

The National Reining Horse Association is pleased to share that the 2023 executive committee is now fully seated and boasts members with years of experience as well as a first-time member. Led by President Mark Blake and Vice President Mike Hancock, the Director-At-Large positions will be held by Shane Brown, John Tague, Ed ‘Hoot’ Bricker, and past president Rick Clark.

Clark and Bricker were elected by the NRHA Board of Directors for one-year terms, and Tague won by acclamation and was confirmed by the board for a two-year term.

“I am really excited about the group that we have,” said NRHA President Mark Blake. “I think that we are going to meld together quite well, and we have a really diverse skill set among our executive committee members. Pretty much everyone in our industry is represented between owners, professionals, breeders, and non pros. I am excited to get to work and have everyone’s skills used.”

This will be Hancock’s second term as vice president. “I am super excited to be back,” Hancock said. “I have missed all the family and activities associated with being on the Board for the last couple of years. The close of my last term was the COVID year, so I am thrilled to see the movement we have had since then and excited to see the growth I know we can obtain in the future.”

Hancock will serve as NRHA president after completing his two-year term.

“Getting Mike on the executive committee is outstanding,” said Blake. “He comes with a phenomenal background knowing our rules and bylaws, and his past leadership will be very welcomed on the executive committee”

Bricker will serve his first term in this role after serving on the board for the past three years and entering his fourth representing the Northeast region. He has been a staunch supporter of local affiliates and has extensive committee experience, including serving as Chair of the NRHA Stewards Committee. He brings extensive experience as a longtime member, NRHA Judge, and Steward.

“Ed comes from a great background and did a phenomenal job as the chair of the stewards committee,” said Blake. “He poured his soul into that committee, and he will bring that work ethic to the executive committee and will hold everyone accountable. He also brings a different perspective to us and intangibles that we haven’t had in the past.”

Kentucky native Clark will bring continuity and experience, having served two separate terms as NRHA president and over a decade of leadership positions within NRHA. Clark has invested more than 25 years in NRHA as a competitor, owner, and now NRHA Global Partner.

“Some may believe having the past president on the executive committee can be detrimental, but he will bring a lot of support for our mission moving forward along with being a great sounding board,” said Blake. “We are excited and lucky to have him.”

What is best for NRHA is where I want this executive committee to go,” said Blake. “If it is best for the majority, that’s where we want to be. We have people with great listening skills, it is a diverse group, and we are picking up Hoot, who is from a different part of the country, which is great for us as well.”

In addition to the NRHA Executive Committee, the NRHA Board of Directors is now fully seated, and the full list can be viewed here.

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