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NRHyA Art & Photo Contest

For Immediate Release – June 13, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – After much deliberation, the winners have been selected for the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) 2020 Art & Photo Contest sponsored by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

The novel partnership with the museum not only created new prize incentives for the winners but also allowed these young artists to get exposure in a public setting. First place in each age group and category will be on display at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for visitors to see during the 2020 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Seventeen NRHyA members participated with over 30 entries.

“We were so impressed with the entries,” said Gary Carpenter, NRHA Commissioner. “They each showed considerable talent and artistic expression. We encourage you to enjoy these works of art at an iconic Oklahoma location.”

The contest judges consisted of Carpenter; Michael R. Grauer, McCasland Chair of cowboy culture/curator of cowboy collections and western art at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; and Steve Miller, vice president, event marketing at NRHA Corporate Partner Montana Silversmiths.

A fan favorite will be voted on through the NRHyA Facebook page starting June 13 and ending June 21 at 5 p.m. CDT. The fan-favorite will receive a gift certificate for a pair of boots from NRHA Corporate Partner Anderson Bean Boot Company.


Here are the final placings for each category and age group:

Photography
14-18
1st Place: Lydia Bell
2nd Place: Haylie Tomlinson
3rd Place: Morgan Ritz

13 & Under
1st Place: Reed Selner
2nd Place: Isabelle Hildebrandt
3rd Place: Name: Isabelle Hildebrandt

Graphic Artwork:
14-18
1st and 2nd Place: Campbell McLeod

Mixed Medium
14-18
1st  Place: Olivia Klug
2nd Place: Sam Helms
3rd Place: Madison Wigen

13 & Under
1st and 2nd Place:  Isabelle Hildebrandt
3rd Place: Josselyn Mumm

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The Run for a Million Canceled for 2020

From the producers of The Run for a Million:

The goal of THE LAST COWBOY and RUN FOR A MILLION is to celebrate and grow the sport of reining. The inaugural RUN FOR A MILLION generated an excitement that spread beyond the world of reining to all western performance horse disciplines — it could be felt at cutting events, cow horse events, and even in the world of rodeo. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not possible to produce and film THE LAST COWBOY or THE RUN FOR A MILLION in August. We have made the difficult decision to postpone the event until it can be produced with the same energy and excitement we experienced at the inaugural event.

All competitors who have qualified for the RM in the Rookie, Non Pro, and last year’s open shoot out are still qualified for the event once a date is secured. Those who have paid entry fees but not yet competed for the qualifier may either allow that entry fee to carry over or they may have their entry fee refunded and re-enter once a date and schedule is released.

THE RUN FOR A MILLION is produced by Brumley Management Group, LLC. For information regarding this event, sponsorship, vendor space, and advertising opportunities contact Brumley Management Group at brumleyevents@gmail.com

Breaking News: No Million

The National Reining Horse Association is not responsible for information contained in this press release. Please contact the author or submitting organization for further information, requests or questions.

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NRHA Suspends 2020 World Title Race

Morey Fisk and Chicks Smokingun, 2019 NRHA Open World Champions (Photo by Andrea Bonaga)

For Immediate Release – June 8, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – In a unanimous decision, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Board of Directors has suspended the 2020 NRHA World Title race.

Historically, NRHA World Titles, awarded in open, non pro, and youth divisions, are coveted recognition for horses and riders. The international race allows aged reining horses a chance in the spotlight and highlights reiners from around the globe.

However, this year, COVID-19 has led to and will continue to cause the cancellation of many events, both in the U.S. and around the world. The NRHA Board agreed that suspending the NRHA World Title Race was the only fair and equitable thing to do for the entire membership, worldwide.

“The NRHA World Champion titles have played an important part of NRHA,” said NRHA President Mike Hancock. “The titles have been won by exceptional people and horses demonstrating dedication, persistence, and talent. We wanted to be fair and uphold the integrity of the title. The uncertainty that exists today makes this the right thing to do. We look forward to the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships this year and an exciting race for World Championships in 2021!”

This decision comes just as NRHA is about to kick off the first major event of 2020: the NRHA Derby Presented by Markel, which runs June 13–21 at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. NRHA is pleased to announce that reiners are so eager to return to the show pen that this year’s entries are higher than those in 2019. Follow all the action, highlighting the best 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old horses in the industry, at nrhaderby.com and by following NRHA on Facebook.

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2020 Derby News

6.21.20 – Competition Wraps Up at NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

6.20.20 – Jason Vanlandingham and A Vintage Smoke Win Level 4 Open Championship at 2020 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

6.20.20 – Adequan® Arena Competition Continues at NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

6.19.20 – Indy Roper Wins Level 4 Non Pro Championship on Spooks Show Time at NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

6.19.20 – Novice Horse Competition Tough at NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.18.20 – Craig Schmersal and No Smoking Required Win Open Preliminaries of NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.17.20 – Horse Show Action Continues at NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

6.17.20 – Honstetter and Vanlandingham Lead Open Prelims at NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.16.20 – Non Pros Are Finals Bound at the NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.16.20 – Palmer and Leclair Win Novice Horse Open Classes at NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.15.20 – Larcombe & McCutcheon Lead Non Pro Preliminaries of NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.15.20 – Competition Heats Up in Adequan® Arena at NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

6.14.20 – A Full Day of Horse Showing at the NRHA Derby presented by Markel

6.13.20 – Early Ancillary Wins for Colston, Bagby, and Kulmer

6.4.20 – Entries Soar for the 2020 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

5.22.20 – Entries Strong for First Major Event of the Year

5.15.20 – Get Ready to Derby!

4.24.20 – Entry Deadline Extended for NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

Visit NRHADerby.com for more!

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Entries Soar for the 2020 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel

National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) members may have had to stay home for the past few months due to COVID-19, but as the draw nears for the NRHA Derby presented by Markel, it’s clear they’re ready to rein.

March through May brought a drought to the reining industry, with almost all events canceled or postponed. Now, as states ease and lift restrictions, opportunities to compete are growing, and the numbers for the NRHA Derby Presented by Markel have significantly increased from 2019.

“As of June 3, entries for the Open Derby are up by nearly 20%, and the Non Pro is also up substantially,” noted Cheryl Cody of the NRHA Derby management team. “We are excited to have a horse show, and it’s clear that our owners and exhibitors want that, too.”

The Open division increased from 206 horses in 2019 to 242 in 2020, while the Non Pro Derby saw a jump from 214 to 245. Entries in the ancillary classes seem to be on track to exceed 2019 numbers as well.

“We are expecting this to be a very large show,” said Gary Carpenter, NRHA Commissioner. “Besides being up in entries, we are also substantially up in stall reservations. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be some changes, but everyone is on board and ready to do what it takes to have a great event. Let’s Derby!”

The Open and Non Pro Draws will be posted on June 5 at nrhaderby.com.