Category: Partner

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) welcomes the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) as an official alliance partner of the NRHA. Through this partnership, the NRCHA and NRHA will work together to offer promotional and educational opportunities to their members. In addition, NRHA will donate the coveted Lawson trophy for the high score in the reining at the annual NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

“NRHA is proud to have an official alliance agreement with the NRCHA,” says NRHA Senior Director of Corporate Relations Christy Landwehr. “Western performance sports are growing at a terrific rate, and it is so important that NRHA and NRCHA can work together for our members and their horses.”

The NRHA is excited about the possibilities for continued alliance opportunities with the National Reined Cow Horse Association during the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel and NRHA Futurity as well as the NRCHA’s Celebration of Champions, World’s Great Horseman and the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® presented by Metallic Cat.

“We are already seeing a crossover between the two associations in our competitors and members alike,” said Emily Konkel, NRCHA manager of operations. “The NRCHA is excited to see how this partnership will continue to help foster that crossover and grow both associations.”

To learn more about the NRCHA and become a fan of the industry, visit nrcha.com.

About the National Reined Cow Horse Association

Based in Pilot Point, Texas, the National Reined Cow Horse Association was formed in 1949 in California, with the goal of preserving and educating the public about the rich history of this traditional horsemanship. The NRCHA is responsible for promoting the sport and ensuring high standards of competition and continuing to work to keep the Vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. The NRCHA also supports numerous affiliate clubs across the United States, Europe and abroad. These groups serve as the association’s backbone, holding many NRCHA-sanctioned competitions and events each year. For more information on these events and reined cow horse, visit nrcha.com.

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is proud to announce the winners who receive a payout from the Adequan 500 Program during the 2022 NRHA Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC) held in conjunction with the NRHA Futurity. This program rewards exhibitors by offering an additional $500 cash prize to the winner of each NAAC class who is a registrant of the Adequan^® 500.

Adequan^® the official joint therapy of NRHA, has been a loyal NRHA Partner continuously since 2005 and is also the title sponsor of the Adequan^® Championship Arena during the NRHA annual events. Adequan’s continued support for all NRHA exhibitors is appreciated by each member and shows the devotion the company has for the sport of reining.

“Adequan^® has supported horses and riders for over 30 years,” says Beth Anderson, manager of sponsorship and events at American Regent Animal Health, “and helping to keep NRHA horses and riders moving together is a top priority going forward.”

The list below represents all winners and the ties that happened as well. Congratulations to all!

Adequan^® 500 Programs Winners:

Matthew Noel Palmer- NAAC Open

Tyrel Pole- NAAC Intermediate Open & NAAC Limited Open

Morgan Lee Moser – Rookie Professional

Matthew McDowell- NAAC Novice Horse Open 1

Paul Lentschke – NAAC Novice Horse Open 2

Paige Vernon- NAAC Non Pro

Stephanie Gentile- NAAC Limited Non-Pro, NAAC Novice Horse Non-Pro 1, NAAC Intermediate Non-Pro, NAAC Novice Horse Non-Pro 2

Madison Rafacz- NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro 2, NAAC 14 – 18

Rebecca Asmussen – NAAC Novice Horse Non-Pro 2

Jose Vazquez- NAAC Prime Time Non-Pro

Karly Kopp- NAAC Rookie of the Year 1

Matthew Dooley- NAAC Rookie of the Year 2

Sorrel Brooks Schreibvogel- NAAC 14 – 18

Abigail Dooley- NAAC 13 & Under

Jerry Douglas – NAAC Prime Time Rookie

“Congratulations to each of these riders and owners! NRHA is proud to have the Adequan 500 Program as a part of our NRHA Adequan North American Affiliate Championships,” says Christy Landwehr, NRHA Senior Director of Corporate Relations. “We are looking forward to a wonderful 2023 with Adequan as an NRHA Title Partner.”

The NRHA congratulates all Adequan^® 500 program winners during the 2022 NRHA Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championships and thanks Adequan^® for their continual support to our members.

About American Regent Animal Health

American Regent Animal Health, a division of American Regent, Inc., is committed to advancing animal health with proven FDA-approved products like Adequan^® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan). The company’s portfolio is anchored by the only FDA-approved polysulfated glycosaminoglycan products for horses and dogs, which have been relied on for over three decades by veterinarians. American Regent, Inc., a Daiichi Sankyo Group Company, manufactures and distributes human and veterinary pharmaceutical products and is committed to providing the ever-changing U.S. healthcare marketplace with a growing and diversified American Regent portfolio. For more information on American Regent Animal Health, visit ARAnimalHealth.com or call 800-458-0163.

A reining legacy began in the 1980s when the Arcese family of Italy was introduced to reining through a family friend. “He had a quarter horse gelding he didn’t want anymore. The horse was supposed to be a reining horse, so we started to learn about reining horses and then moved on to better reining prospects,” recalled Leonardo Arcese, who, with his father Eleuterio and sister Paola, own and operate Arcese Quarter Horses.

In typical Arcese family fashion, they spent a great deal of time studying the horses and sport, pouring over results and standings. “We wanted to have the best horses and believed in investing in excellent pedigrees, performance records, and people,” Leonardo explained.

Arcese Quarter Horses USA is in Weatherford, Texas, and is managed by Jeff Oswood. “I was lucky to meet and get to know Jeff Oswood at the end of the last century. He has always been a leader in everything he does. When the opportunity came up to partner on our ranch in 2006, I didn’t think twice. With Jeff’s expert experience and guidance, along with a handful of top trainers, we have been able to develop a small but highly successful breeding program by concentrating on a couple of very special mares. We love to breed, raise, and show our own exceptional show horses,” he said.

The game plan worked, and now Arcese Quarter Horses is a Two Million Dollar Owner of the National Reining Horse Association, while patriarch Eleuterio is in the NRHA Hall of Fame. The business has owned and produced countless winners, including NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya, Four Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz, Hall of Famer and Million Dollar Dam Wimpys Little Chic, and countless NRHA Futurity and Derby champions.

Recently, the Arceses elected to increase their support of the reining industry, elevating their sponsorship level from an Event Sponsorship to an NRHA Corporate Partnership.

“Continuous growth and new development are extremely important. That is why we have been extremely involved with the Italian Reining Horse Association and reining in general within Europe for many years. My father has served several terms as a Board member or President of the IRHA and is President of that Association now,” Leonardo explained. “The majority of our horse businesses are in the United States, primarily with our stallions Gunnatrashya and Walla Walla Whiz. We believe it is important to support the NRHA.”

NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter was excited to welcome the Arceses to NRHA’s Corporate Partner lineup. “The Arcese family has been a stalwart of the reining community both in Europe and North America for many years. Their success in the show arena and the breeding barn is a hallmark of countless accomplishments,” he said. “Personally, it is gratifying to have them join NRHA as Corporate Partners. This is an extension of years and years of their support and success.”

The Corporate Partnership is just another indicator that the Arcese name will be written in the history books for years to come. “’The desire to win never sleeps’ is a motto of ours that references our sincere commitment to excellence in everything we do. We never give up after defeats and always stay focused on what’s important to us. Our desire to have the next champion will always be there,” Leonardo said. “We have a group of people that we work with that are as committed as we are. They are like our family, and we are very grateful to all who share a never-ending passion about our vision.”

For more information about Arcese Quarter Horses, visit ArceseQuarterHorses.com.

Photos by Cam Essick

Cedar Ridge Stallion Station, created and owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Casey Hinton and his wife, Kathy, has been a mainstay in the reining industry. The ranch has produced, through both the breeding and training programs, countless winners and has been home to some of the most elite sires in the reining industry.

Now, with new owners Josh and Kelsey Crawley, the ranch has elevated its support of reining with a Ranch Partnership with the National Reining Horse Association.

“On behalf of NRHA, I am excited to welcome Cedar Ridge Stallion Station as a new NRHA Ranch Partner,” said Christy Landwehr the Senior Director of Corporate Relations for NRHA. “They stand wonderful stallions and provide excellent mare care.”

The Crawleys have a long history with Cedar Ridge Stallion Station, as both worked for the ranch for several years – Josh as an assistant trainer to former owner Casey Hinton and Kelsey as the breeding manager. “It’s wonderful because it has kind of come full circle. We have put so much time and effort here and lived here for ten years or so,” Kelsey shared.

Josh, an NRHA Professional, added, “I started Crawley Performance Horses in 2018, and we had begun looking for a place of our own. We have some partners in the business, and it just happened that the opportunity came up to buy Cedar Ridge, and we were in the right place at the right time. It just felt right.”

The Crawleys noted they look forward to building on the solid foundation and reputation that Cedar Ridge Stallion Station boasts. “We are putting as much time and effort into it as we can to help it grow. Just last year, we were able to get in some great new stallions that will fit our program,” Kelsey shared. “While our focus is primarily reining, we do have several great stallions from other disciplines, from roping to cow horse.”

The couple also plans to continue providing mare care and training services and intends to add sale prep services as well. “The ranch is one of the few places that has a setup where we can really offer services in all aspects of the industry. We can breed the mare, foal her out, raise a yearling, prep it for a sale, or, if the owner wants, we can train it and make it a show horse, and then repeat that cycle,” Josh explained.

Cedar Ridge Stallion Station, located in Whitesboro, Texas, is home to an impressive stallion lineup which in 2023 will include Not Ruf At All, In Like Flinn, Gotta Twist It Up, Gunnabebigtime, Rubys Radar, Justa Swinging Gypsy, High Roller Whiz, and Spooks Gotta Outfire. Find more information about the Crawleys and Cedar Ridge Stallion Station at CedarRidgeStallions.com

To find out more about the National Reining Horse Association, please visit nrha.com and to see the full list of NRHA Partners visit nrha.com/partners

Although Mark Doering just rode his first reining horse in January 2022, he, his wife Lisa, and their Classic Canyon Ranch are quickly making waves in the industry. That recognition is being perpetuated even further by their new Ranch Partnership with the National Reining Horse Association.

“We at NRHA are thrilled to have Classic Canyon Ranch on board as a Ranch Partner,” said Christy Landwehr, Senior Director of Corporate Relations for NRHA. “Mark and Lisa Doering are so unique in that they breed both quality deer and quality reining horses.”

The Doerings echoed that enthusiasm. Lisa said, “We are just getting started in the reining business, and we love the sport and enjoy the people so much. We are just happy to be a part of it.”

“We love the organization. We have met so many great people, such as John and Nancy Tague of Toyon Ranch; and Tim Anderson and Kim Niven,” Mark added. “We are also excited about the future of reining. If you look at how many are in the Green Reiner and Youth classes, you can tell this industry is just going to keep growing.”

Classic Canyon Ranch, located in Valley Mills, Texas, began as a private hunting ranch for Mark and expanded into a state-of-the-art deer breeding farm that specializes in trophy bucks with classic, typical antlers. As its growth continues, the ranch currently features top-notch equine facilities including a covered arena with Kiser footing and water features and a 22-stall barn with apartments and a cozy lounge area.

While Mark owned a horse when the couple met, being in the horse business was far from his mind at that time. He was led into showing and breeding reiners by Lisa, a horse lover since childhood. “I decided that if I wanted to see my wife, I’d better start showing!” Mark said with a smile, and he was hooked after his first stop.

While Lisa had bred a few mares each year, even before she met Mark, she soon wanted to step up her game. Mark, who doesn’t believe in doing things halfway, made it happen when he purchased five breedings (to NRHA Million Dollar Sire Smart And Shiney) from his cousin, Lyle Lovett.

From there, the Doerings have continued to upgrade their horses, their facilities, and their name recognition in the reining industry. They hired young trainers, Adam and Filippa Miller, to train and promote their horses. “We’ve put a lot of money and effort into building a world-class facility, and we have excellent trainers with big futures. I want people to know that we are real. We’re not just working out of a shed in somebody’s backyard. We’ve got the foundation to be a top-notch player in the reining industry. We could either wait a few years to get really involved, or we can let everybody know who we are now,” Mark said.

Some of the horses that the Doerings are excited about include Mark’s new show horse that he purchased just before Americasnexttopgun won the 2022 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Americasnextbest, by NRHA $4 Million Sire Walla Walla Whiz out of Americasnextgunmodel, is a 4-year-old full brother to “Maverick.” Princess Josephine, a 3-year-old filly they raised by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Little Joe Cash out of Lenas Guns N Stars (by $13 Million Sire Gunner), looks like a Level 4 Open prospect, and her 2022 full sister, Princess Jolene, seems just as talented. CCR Wonder Woman (HF Mobster x West Coast Cruel Girl) is their other Futurity prospect they are anxiously watching, and another filly, CCR Chex Her Guns, purchased from NRHA Global Event Partner Toyon Ranch, is also showing promise. Although the filly, by Gunner out of Chexanicki, is only a yearling, her early abilities are certainly noteworthy.

For more information about Classic Canyon Ranch, follow their Classic Canyon Reining Horses Facebook page.