The countdown to the world’s most eagerly awaited reining event has begun, and the fervor is tangible at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. On Tuesday, Nov. 21, the best horses and riders in the world will vie for incredible prizes, impressive purses, and prestige at the National Reining Horse Association’s premier event, the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships.
The adrenaline-packed competition extends through Dec. 2 and boasts a staggering payout that exceeds $2 million, enticing participants from around the globe.
In the Adequan® Arena, top riders and horses of all ages from across North America will vie for coveted titles, aiming to secure a championship and make significant strides toward year-end honors. Simultaneously, talented 3-year-old reining horses will be tested on the arena floor of the iconic Jim Norick Coliseum as they navigate through the signature circles, spins, and sliding stops the event is known for.
Known simply as “The Futurity,” this event, evolving since its inception in 1966 in Columbus, Ohio, has transformed into a colossal showcase featuring more than 640 entries in the Futurity competition alone. The payout has seen significant expansion, with the Level 4 Champion guaranteed a substantial $350,000, the Reserve Champion securing $150,000, and the third-place winner taking home $100,000.
The journey to the Level 4 Open Championship involves three crucial steps. All Open entries compete in the first round, which runs Nov. 21–24. The top 75 (plus ties) advance to the L4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All on Nov. 29. There, the top 30 (plus ties) move on to the clean-slate MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Futurity Finals on Dec. 2.
Also competing for big purses and prizes on Dec. 2 will be those riders in Open Levels 1, 2, and 3. The L3 Open Champion will receive $70,000, and the Reserve Champion will take home $50,000. The guaranteed payouts continue in Levels 2 and 1, with the L2 Champion pocketing $50,000 and the Reserve Champion claiming a cool $25,000. The L1 Open winner will win $13,000, and the L1 Reserve will receive $7,000.
Open riders in Levels 1, 2, and 3 who are in the top 75 of their levels (but not in the top 75 of Level 4) will compete in the Semi-Finals rounds held Nov. 27–28. The top 30 in each of those levels (plus ties) will earn a spot in the first section of the Open Finals on Dec. 2.
Non-professional riders will also win big, with the CINCH L4 Non Pro title being accompanied by a check for $75,000, the Reserve Champion securing $45,000, and the third-place winner taking $35,000! The L3 Non Pro division promises substantial payouts of $40,000, $25,000, and $15,000 for the top three, respectively. The CINCH Non Pro Finals will be held Friday, Dec. 1, beginning at 9 a.m. with Levels 1, 2, 3, Youth, and Prime Time, and the CINCH Non Pro L4 Finals beginning at 4 p.m.
In addition to the riveting competition, the Futurity offers an expansive trade show showcasing vendors from diverse sectors, including clothing, furniture, western tack, and décor. Despite spatial constraints, this year’s Trade Show is the largest in recent years. Free admission from November 22 to 24 will facilitate Christmas shopping and give a peak at the top-notch competition.
One of the best, largest, and most exciting shopping opportunities will be Nov. 30. That’s because the NRHA Markel Futurity Sales in the Sale Arena offers an excellent opportunity to see and purchase some of the best horses the industry has to offer from prospects to producers and everything in between. Find more information about the NRHA Markel Futurity Sales at NRHA.com/sales
Tickets for the 2023 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® NAACs are on sale now and can be purchased here.
For comprehensive event details, including draws and results, visit NRHAFuturity.com.
The start of the 2023 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC) is just days away, and the event is shaping up to be a memory maker. Slated for Nov. 21 – Dec. 2 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, the event annually draws thousands of visitors from not only across the country but around the globe!
When the draw for the Open Futurity, which will once again award the Level 4 Open Champion a check for $350,000, was posted with 436 entries, it shattered the previous record of 410 set in 2022. As of this press release, there have been four additional late entries, boosting the total to 440. Since books don’t close to late entries until Sunday, Nov. 19, that number will likely grow.
The CINCH Non Pro Futurity entry numbers also hold steady with a total of 195 (including late entries), just slightly below the previous high, also set in 2022.
The NRHA Futurity and Adequan® NAAC is the highest-paying event in reining each year. With the consistent growth the show has experienced, it was necessary to increase the number of days of competition to make it easier on equine and human athletes, judges, stewards, show staff, and more. In early 2023, NRHA and the American Quarter Horse Association reached an agreement to do just that, adding a much-needed two days to the event schedule. Not only will the Futurity begin on Nov. 21 with the Open Futurity preliminary round, but it will also kick off the Adequan® NAAC competition with the Open and Intermediate Open classes.
While the footprint of the Fairgrounds has shrunk over the past several months due to construction on the new Coliseum, the Futurity has experienced an incredible increase in the number of vendors planning to attend the event. That means holiday shopping will be a breeze, and vendors are located on both the East and West concourses of the Jim Norick Arena, in the Super Barn, in Barn 3, Barn 4, and on Barn Row. A complete map of all vendors will be published on NRHAFuturity.com. Join us on November 22, 23, and 30 to enjoy free admission while you shop!
If someone wants a big-ticket item – perhaps a horse to enter in a future NRHA Futurity – they need to plan to be at the OKC Fairgrounds on Thursday, Nov. 30, for the NRHA Markel Futurity Sales. The NRHA Markel Futurity Sales will have more than 250 excellent prospects and producers up for grabs, and the event will feature free admission. Find more information at nrha.com/sales.
Can’t make it to Oklahoma City? There are plenty of ways to keep up with the action. Once again, the NRHA Futurity and the Adequan® NAACs will be available via the live webcast on NRHAFuturity.com. The NRHA Media Team is incredibly active on social media, so make sure to follow NRHA on Facebook and Instagram @nrhareining and on TikTok @nrhareiningofficial. In addition, the latest news is always posted on NRHAFuturity.com, along with the schedule, draws, results, and even videos of the winning runs.
Top-Ranked professionals in cutting, reining and reined cowhorse will return to Globe Life Field in 2024 to compete at The American Performance Horseman for $1 Million
Arlington, TX – [August 16, 2023] – Following its industry-defining debut in 2023, The American Performance Horseman will ride into Arlington, Texas, transforming Globe Life Field on Friday, March 8, 2024 as part of a newly signed three-year partnership.
As one of the marque events of The American Western Weekend, which also includes The American Rodeo on March 9, the display of talent promises to be an unforgettable experience for equine enthusiasts and fans of Western culture alike. Fans can register for presale tickets now at tetonridgeplus.com.
Teton Ridge will also proudly partner with Concerts West and AEG Presents to produce the event in 2024 and bring fans world-class musical talent. Concerts West and AEG Presents are leaders in the music and entertainment industries with an unparalleled commitment to artistry, creativity, and community. Their tentpole festivals – including Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, British Summer Time Hyde Park, and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – continue to set the bar for the live music experience. Global tours include The Rolling Stones, Roger Waters, Celine Dion, Luke Combs and more.
For the first time ever, the top five year-end money earning professionals from the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) came together at the 42,000-seat Globe Life Field at the event’s debut in March of 2023.
The competitive exhibition format, created by Teton Ridge, fuses the elements of history and competition in an ode to the past, present, and future of western performance horse sports. The unprecedented team concept pairs five teams of three athletes, partnered with some of the most well-known and respected horses in the industry.
Each team consists of a reining, reined cow horse and cutting professional in a breathtaking display of talent, precision, and horsemanship. Teton Ridge, the event producer that developed the qualification criteria, will release details and a current leader’s list next week.
With $1 million in prize money again up for grabs, the competition will be fierce in 2024 as remarkable industry athletes push the boundaries of their disciplines. Spectators will be captivated as they see the remarkable bond between horse and rider demonstrated, showcasing the sheer power, agility, and finesse that make these equine athletes so awe-inspiring.
With support from the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), American Paint Horse Association (APHA), National Reining Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), and the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), The American Performance Horseman is the first event to shine the spotlight on each of these three western performance disciplines in the same night at the same venue.
“Incredible is an understatement when describing the energy and talent showcased at this event,” said NRCHA Professional Adan Banuelos, who was on the winning team at the inagural event and placed first in his discpline. “Whenever I won the [NCHA] Futurity, I didn’t know what was next and Teton Ridge came out with something that created so much energy. I can’t tell you how blessed and lucky we are. This was an arena full of talent.”
Banuelos further expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s unbelievable to be on a stage like this and have the world see what we do.”
The American Western Weekend is a true celebration of Western heritage, culture, and entertainment. From the nonstop action at The American Rodeo to top-tier musical entertainment and more, the weekend delivers an immersive experience that will transport visitors to the heart of the American West while delivering western sports to a national audience.
Ticketing information for The American Western Weekend 2024, headlining music talent lineup and on-sale dates for March 8-9, 2024 will be announced later in 2023. Fans can subscribe to Teton Ridge Plus for alerts, advance ticketing offers and exclusive pre-sales.
For more information on March 8-9, visit www.americanrodeo.com or follow along on social media at @tetonridgeperformancehorses for the latest behind-the-scenes content.
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Teton Ridge/ The American Western Weekend Media Contact:
About The American Western Weekend: The American Western Weekend at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas features action-packed entertainment, world-class talent and western sports that culminates with the Teton Ridge-owned The American Rodeo. Hailed as The Crown Jewel of Rodeo™, The American Rodeo is an unrivaled celebration of the pioneering spirit of the American West. The national sporting event offers fans a unique choice – to cheer on western sports’ finest, champion athletes, or root for the underdog “Contenders” chasing a $1 million bonus – through every rodeo, roping and riding effort. Added to the festival line-up in 2023, The American Performance Horseman brings together the western equine sports disciplines of reining, reined cow horse and cutting for a $1 million prize. For more information on The American Western Weekend, please visit americanrodeo.com or @TheAmerican.TR on Instagram @TheAmericanTR on Facebook and Twitter.
About Teton Ridge: Teton Ridge is the first omnichannel Western lifestyle and entertainment company that brings the best the American West has to offer, altogether in one place. Teton Ridge brings audiences and businesses together through content, products and experiences originating from the great American West. Teton Ridge operates across several business lines including a 24/7 digital media network with www.tetonridgeplus.com at the company’s core; content production and distribution for scripted and non-scripted programming; print publishing through Cowboys & Indians magazine; fantasy gaming with Professional Fantasy Rodeo; apparel and fashion including Hyer Boots; western sports experiences with featured event The American Rodeo, ownership of the Arizona Ridge Riders Professional Bull Riding team, and Rodeo Vegas, the premier after-party of National Finals Rodeo; an exceptional American Quarter Horse breeding and training program informed by technology-leading equine genetics from Etalon Diagnostics; and a dedicated commitment to youth and indigenous-focused initiatives. For more information about Teton Ridge, please visit tetonridge.com or @tetonridge on Instagram @tetonridgeusa on Facebook.
The National Reining Horse Association is not responsible for the information contained in this press release. Please contact the author or submitting organization for further information, requests, or questions.
