The road to the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC) is a journey showcasing the best talent from National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) affiliates across North America. This prestigious event is the culmination of hard work, dedication and skill, offering competitors the opportunity to compete for national titles.
To qualify for the NAAC, it is essential that competitors participate in an Affiliate Regional Championship (ARC) within North America.
Keys to qualification:
Affiliate Membership: Ensure you are a member of your local NRHA affiliate. Affiliate membership within the region you are competing is required to participate; you can join the day of show.
Compete at an ARC: Show at an Affiliate Regional Championship to qualify for the NAAC. The ARCs are held in various locations across North America, allowing competitors to choose a venue best suiting their schedule and location.
Earn Your Spot: Riders who score higher than a zero at an ARC are qualified for the NAAC in that class, on that specific horse. The qualification is not transferrable between horses, riders or classes.
Stay Informed: Keep an eye out for announcements from your local affiliate and the ARC where you are competing. Be sure to enter the ARC designated class to qualify, showing in an ancillary class at an ARC event will not count as a qualification.
While at an ARC, encourage youth to participate in the Youth Team Tournament (YTT) where youth will be placed on randomized teams and compete for a coveted YTT Montana Silversmiths belt buckle. They can also apply for an $800 or $1,000 scholarship just for entering! Scholarship applications are due on December 15.
Congratulations to those who have already qualified for the NAAC! There is still time left to participate in an ARC near you.
East Central Region: Murfreesboro, Tennessee: August 14-18 South Central Region: Tulsa, Oklahoma: August 24–September 1 Eastern Canada Region: Quebec, Canada: August 28–September 1 Western Canada Region: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada: September 3-8 Southeast Region: Jacksonville, Florida: September 5-8 Northeast Region: Logan Township, New Jersey, September 12–15 Southwest Region: Scottsdale, Arizona: October 1-6 Northwest Region: Nampa, Idaho: October 4-12 North Central Region: Lincoln, Nebraska, October 10–13 Mexico Region: Cadereyta, Mexico, October 11–13
Visit nrha.com/affiliate for more information or contact Lauren Waymire at lwaymire@nrha.com.
Photos above are from the 2024 East Central Affiliate Regional Championship.
The stage is being set for the World’s Richest Reining—the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC). After an extensive review process involving the NRHA Judges Committee and Board, a group of highly respected professionals who bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and dedication were chosen to judge the event taking place November 26 – December 7, 2024 at the OKC Fairgrounds.
With a purse of more than $3 million and titles up for grabs, the competition will be bigger than ever.
Congratulations to the following individuals chosen to judge the 2024 NRHA Futurity and Adequan® NAAC:
Jim Norick Coliseum Judges:
Eugenio Latorre: Sant Esteve de Palautordera, Spain
Mark Turner: Evansville, Indiana
Sandy Jirkovsky: Whitesboro, Texas
Van Luse: Whitesboro, Texas
Kelly Sapp: King, North Carolina
Chele McGauly: Elm Grove, Louisiana
Mack Weaver: Morgan, Utah
Manu Maiocchi: Pavia, Italy
Richard “Ollie” Griffith: Sarasota, Florida
Alessandro Meconi: Castel Gandolfo, Italy
Tom McBeath, Equipment Judge: Union, Mississippi
Maik Bartmann, Judge Monitor: Osthofen, Germany
Adequan® Arena Judges:
Buddy Fisher: Abilene, Texas
Todd Arvidson: Purcell, Oklahoma
Kain Emmons: Rancho Cordova, California
Kelly Hedges: Perrysburg, New York
Douglas Allen, Judge Monitor: Sandhurst, United Kingdom
For more information on what is certain to be another record-breaking NRHA Futurity & Adequan® NAAC visit nrhafuturity.com.
The judge selection process for the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel and the NRHA Futurity begins several months before the first horse enters the pen. The selection process for each judge is outlined below:
Each eligible judge is contacted for their availability for the event.
All available judges are compiled into a list and sent to each member of the Judges Committee.
Judges Committee members make selections from the list to fill the allotted slots for the event.
These names are compiled into a shortlist and discussed on a conference call with all members of the Judges Committee. Nominations are allowed on this conference call.
The committee members, except for the chair, then rank their choices, and each ranking equates to a certain number of points. The points are compiled and submitted to the committee chair.
The committee chair reviews and makes recommendations based on the outcome of the vote and the needs of NRHA.
The ranked list with the Judges Committee Chair recommendations is submitted to a seven-person panel subcommittee for final selection.
This process is set in place to ensure the Futurity and Derby are well-judged competitions with quality, professional judges.
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce another record-breaking year in the 45th edition of the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. This year’s event, held June 11-23 in Oklahoma City, set new records in both participation and prize money, solidifying its status as a premier competition in the reining horse community.
Record-Breaking Purses and Participation
The 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel saw an unprecedented level of competition, with record-breaking entries and purse. The total prize money awarded exceeded $1.67 million, thanks to the consistent, increasing success of the NRHA Nomination Program, generous sponsor support and the dedication of participants. As an additional bonus, exhibitors were paid out at record-breaking speed! Checks were available in the show office the next day, including the Level 4 Non Pro finalists’. The open finalists’ checks were sent out only three days later, with only a handful of champions’ checks held pending medications testing results.
Highlighting Excellence and Dedication
For 45 years, the NRHA Derby has been a celebration of skill, dedication, and the incredible partnership between horse and rider. This year was no exception, as riders from across the world showcased their talents and the culmination of countless hours of training and preparation. The exceptional horsepower was a testament to the dedication of breeders, nominators, and owners who continue to propel the industry forward. The heightened purses rewarded excellence and highlighted the sport’s growth and popularity.
Growth in Fans
This year there were many ways to be part of the action at the OKC Fairgrounds without being physically present. The free live feed at nrhaderby.com hosted 20,545 viewers for the non pro finals and 31,984 viewers for the open finals.
The Level 4 Non Pro and Open Finals were also streamed on the Cowboy Channel with 952 total hours streamed. Additional television coverage was featured on local Oklahoma City news stations, highlighting the horse and rider bonds featured in reining and the excitement of the Derby itself.
Ride Guess, powered by Spooks Gotta Whiz, was a new edition to the show that brought in participants from across the globe. This interactive game placed reining fans in the judge’s seat at the Level 4 Open Finals—allowing them to guess the scores of each horse and rider pair and receive points for the correct answers. Produced by NRHA Corporate Partner Teton Ridge, Ride Guess is a product of Inside Rodeo sweepstakes games, which has taken the Western industry by storm. On a peak night at premier Western events, this game sees 100-300 players. At the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, over 500 players worldwide participated.
Ceremonial Honors
The event also featured the NRHA Buckle Ceremony on June 15. Champions and top performers were recognized for their exceptional achievements throughout the 2023 season. The World and Reserve World Champions were presented with custom-crafted buckles by NRHA event sponsor Montana Silversmiths, a testament to their hard-earned victories. The Top 20 Professionals, Non Pros, and Owners were also honored, reflecting the depth of talent and commitment within the NRHA community. This year, the NRHA Professionals of the Year were also recognized on stage and received custom Abby Cosenza spurs.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate the success of this year’s Derby, NRHA looks forward to continuing to elevate the sport of reining. We remain committed to providing premier events, enhancing prize opportunities, and supporting our members in their pursuit of excellence. The record-breaking achievements of the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel are a testament to the bright future of reining, and we are excited to build on this momentum in the years to come. Join us at the The World’s Richest Reining—the 2024 NRHA Futurity—the last Futurity to be held in the historic Jim Norick Arena, November 26–December 7.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We extend our deepest gratitude to our title sponsors, 6666 Ranch and Markel Insurance, and all our NRHA corporate partners, event sponsors, and buckle sponsors, whose support has been instrumental in making this year’s Derby an unparalleled success. Their commitment to the sport and the NRHA community is invaluable.
The 2024 6666 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby presented by Markel concluded today in Oklahoma City with a thrilling display of equestrian talent in the non pro and youth divisions. Following an electrifying week of competition, riders of all ages showcased their horsemanship and their horses’ athleticism, vying for championship titles and a share of the Derby’s record-breaking purse.
$6,000-added Non Pro Slate Two Champions – Joetta Bell & Dream On Whiz
Joetta Bell has found much success at the Derby. Earlier this week, she won several divisions in the non pro on her mount, Trashy Little Dream. Now, she’s at the top of the leaderboard again at the reins of her own Dream On Whiz (Magnum Chic Dream x Ms Sassy Whiz). The duo’s 220.5 was enough to take home the Non Pro Championship in the second slate of ancillary competition.
“I’ve owned him for a couple of years,” Bell said of ‘Patrick,’ a 7-year-old gelding bred by Hill Country Reiners LLC. “He’s just been a really good horse. We are very connected. I know everything he is thinking just by looking at his eyes.”
After a two-week show, Bell will give her horse a much-deserved break. “Now that the show is over, he’ll get to go home and be turned out. We kind of just let him relax. We do lunge line lessons with the girls on him, ride him in the pasture, and let him just be a horse.”
$2,000-added Intermediate Non Pro Slate Two Champions / 8 & Up L1 Non Pro Maturity Champions – Dana Wetherell & Spat Toy Boy Gun
Dana Wetherell and her own Spat Toy Boy Gun rode to a 218 and the Intermediate Non Pro Championship as well as an 8 & Up Level (L) 1 Non Pro Maturity Championship. The 2016 stallion is by Spat Split And White and out of Snowy River Gunner.
“I’m obsessed with this horse. You can ask my husband—I keep every judge sheet, every placing, every back number he’s ever had,” said Wetherell of the Chiara Pelosi-bred stallion. “When my husband bought this horse for me, I struggled with auto-immune disease pretty badly and had very weak muscles. When I got him, I couldn’t bend over and take polos off and had to have help getting on and off. This horse is literally giving me my health and something to focus on, a reason to strive to get up in the morning. I can’t thank him enough; he’s giving me my health, which is priceless.”
Wetherell and the horse share a special emotional connection, which is on display any time they are around one another. “My husband gets upset. He’ll walk up to his stall while he’s eating and he just keeps eating, and when I walk up he’ll spin around and come right up to me—always wants to greet me and nickers at me every time he sees me. When [NRHA Million Dollar Rider] Trevor [Dare] shows him at the big events, they don’t allow me on the barn aisle for like two days because when he sees me, he’ll start pawing at the stall door if I don’t come see him, so it’s fun to get to show him because then I get to see him every day.”
Intermediate Non Pro High Point Champions- Kent Ray Taylor & Xtra Wimpys Catalyst
After winning several divisions of non pro classes in the first slate of competition, Kent Ray Taylor and his own Xtra Wimpys Step emerged as the High Point Champions in both the Intermediate and Prime Time divisions.
The Millholland Training Inc.-bred stallion is out of NRHA Hall of Fame inductee Wimpys Little Step and out of Im Not Blonde. The duo has been together since 2021 and works hard to take care of one another.
$500-added Prime Time Non Pro Slate 2 Champions / 8 & Up L4, L3 and L2 Non Pro Maturity Champions / Non Pro and Prime Time High Point Champions – Kathleen Armenta & Off N Running
With a score of 218, Kathleen Armenta and Off N Running finished with Championship titles in the second slate of the Prime Time Non Pro and the 8 & Up L2-4 Non Pro Maturities.
By NRHA $4 Million Sire and out of Spook Off Sparks, the 9-year-old gelding has been with Armenta since he was four. “I got him at the beginning of his 4-year-old year, so I did all the derbies on him, and we were pretty successful,” noted Armenta. “He’s probably the most special horse to me because he is the most talented horse I’ve ever had, and it’s hard to get rid of a horse like that when they age out. It’s just fun to keep riding a horse that you’ve done so well on—you don’t just move on. I don’t know if I’ll keep him forever, but right now, I’m having a really good time.”
The pair also won the Non Pro and Prime Time High Point titles after consistently scoring high in the ancillary slates of classes.
Masters Non Pro Slate 2 Champions – Dorothy Sanford & CCR Magnum Guns
Dorothy Sanford and CCR Magnum Guns (Gunnatrashya x Magnum Marilynmonroe) topped the second slate of Masters Non Pro competition. The Center Cross Ranch LLC-bred mare is owned by Sanford, who piloted her to a 208.5 and the title.
Before her success in the show pen in Oklahoma City this week, Sanford had earned $244 in the show pen.
Masters Non Pro High Point Champions – Victoria Riva & GH Cromed Mercedes
After consistently topping the leaderboard in both slates of non pro competition, Victoria Riva and GH Cromed Mercedes claimed the High Point Championship in the Masters Non Pro division. The 2012 gelding by NRHA Million Dollar Sire and out of Chic In The Bar and his owner-pilot made a great team throughout the show.
Legends Non Pro Slate 2 Champions – Sammy Graham & Brother Gun
Sammy Graham will celebrate his 73rd birthday in a few short days as champion of the second slate of Legends Non Pro competition. He earned the title aboard Brother Gun (Gunner x Shesa Smart Sister), a 15-year-old stallion bred, owned, and nominated by Graham.
After sitting the 2023 season out, the duo rode to a 206.5 to claim the title.
Legends High Point Champions – Mary Dodson and MD Shesa Shiney Chic
Consistency was key for 73-year-old Mary Dodson and her MD Shesa Shiney Chic, whose trips into the show pen earned a High Point Championship in the Legends division. Dodson bred and nominated the 2017 mare by NRHA $2 Million Sire Shine Chic Shine and out of Shesa Packin.
Youth 14-18 Champions Lenzi Halling Xtra Voodoo Herman
Lenzi Halling and Xtra Voodoo Herman earned the Youth 14-18 and Unrestricted Youth Championship in slate two and the high point title.
“I love ‘Herman’ because I originally got him as a step-up horse. He is just the best,” said Halling. “He had a little trouble with me at first because I was a new rider, but eventually, it got a lot better. I have been practicing and practicing in the show pen and preparing for each run to be my best. He loves his job and loves to be the best.”
She practices at shows and with different trainers to help her and Herman constantly improve, a journey she enjoys getting to do with her 6-year-old gelding bred by Silver Spurs Equine.
“We tolerate each other; actually he tolerates me,” she said with a laugh. “I enjoy learning on him. It means a lot to me because of all of the hard work and effort I have put into Herman over the last two years.”
Youth 13 & Under Slate Two Champions – Millie Jean Piper and Never Outta Dough
After earning a 142.5, Millie Jean Piper and Never Outta Dough took home the title in slate two of the 13 & Under division.
“I got my horse on my birthday—it’s actually when we tried him, said Piper. “It was more of a coincidence than a birthday present, but I have had him for one year, and pretty much we have been best friends ever since.”
Her 11-year-old gelding was bred by Ryan Appleton and is by Outta Dough and out of Chex Writing Queen.
“He is very willing and puts up with all of my shenanigans,” she added.
Earlier this week, Piper also won the 13 & Under division of the CINCH Youth Speaking Contest after reciting A. General, earning a $700 scholarship.
13 & Under High Point Champions – Gracie Weeks & Its A Cash Only Deal
Gracie Weeks earned the 13 & Under high point championship on Ginger Weeks’ Its A Cash Only Deal after scoring a 142. The 7-year-old mare was bred by Stoney Russell and is by NRHA $2 Million Sire Lil Joe Cash and out of Who Whiz Doll.
Short Stirrup 10 & Under Slate Two Champions / Short Stirrup 10 & Under High Point Champions – Dylan Baker & Rambowhizz
Dylan Baker and Rambowhizz improved yesterday’s score by one point to earn the championship and high-point Short Stirrup 10 & Under title.
“He is patient with me, and he is kind. He is just the perfect horse for me,” said Baker. “It’s really fun, but I wouldn’t be able to win without him. He is a really good horse, and I wouldn’t be here without him. I thank ‘Rambo’ and my barn because they are super supportive of me.
The 7-year-old gelding was bred by Houde & Tremblay Partnership and is owned by Anita Horn.
The 2024 NRHA Derby presented by Markel has solidified its reputation as a premier reining event, attracting the world’s finest equine athletes and riders. From the heart-pounding Open finals to the inspiring displays of horsemanship in the non pro and youth divisions, the Derby has reaffirmed its commitment to showcasing the power, precision, and beauty of the reining horse. NRHA extends its congratulations to all the champions, owners, breeders and competitors and looks forward to another exciting year of competition.
