Update: US Equestrian Announces Qualification Information and Selection Procedures for Inaugural FEI World Reining Championships for Juniors and Young Riders

by US Equestrian Communications Department | Feb 16, 2017, 5:30 PM EST

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce that U.S. reining athletes will have the opportunity to participate in the 2017 FEI World Reining Championships for Juniors and Young Riders. The inaugural world championships for Juniors (14-18 years of age) and Young Riders (16-21 years of age) will be held in Givrins, Switzerland, August 9-12, 2017. The aim is to have this new championship become a popular addition to high-profile reining competitions that will give reining athletes the opportunity to represent their country at a young age.

FEI Qualifying Criteria for the 2017 FEI World Reining Championships for Juniors and Young Riders

• Juniors are athletes from January of the year in which they turn 14 until December of the year in which they turn 18.
• Young Riders are athletes from January of the year in which they turn 16 until December of the year in which they turn 21.
• Horses must be seven years of age for qualifying events and the Championships (using January 1 of their foaling year as their birthday).
• The qualifying period for the championships is January 1, 2017 through June 24, 2017.
• View membership requirements.
• During the qualifying period, a Junior or Young Rider must score a minimum average of 67 at one CRIJ3* or CRIYR3*. View a list of competitions that will have FEI Reining CRIJ3* and CRIYR3* classes.
• Athletes must submit an application to US Equestrian to be considered for the U.S. Squad.
• Athletes who are qualified (have obtained a 67 at a CRIJ3* or CRIYR3* during the qualifying period) and have submitted an application will be put forward to the USEF Reining Sport Committee to be considered for the U.S. Squad.
• Flights (equine and athlete), hotel, ground transportation, stabling, and entry fees will be covered by US Equestrian for the horse/athlete combinations named to the U.S. Squad.
• The U.S. Squad will be named the last week of June 2017.

View detailed selection procedures for the 2017 FEI World Reining Championships for Juniors and Young Riders.

For more information, contact USEF Director of Reining, Bryn Wells at bwells@usef.org or (859) 225-6948.

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.

Mourning the Loss of 3 Million Dollar Sire Lil Ruf Peppy 

Oklahoma City, Okla., (2-16-2017) – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is mourning the loss of NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Lil Ruf Peppy. He will forever be known as one of the greatest NRHA multi-million dollar sires.

At 25 years old, the sorrel stallion was by American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame sire Peppy San Badger and out of Rufas Peppy. In his prime, Lil Ruf Peppy won more than $28,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings. In 1995, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Tom McCutcheon and Lil Ruf Peppy captured the NRHA Derby Limited Open title. The dynamic duo would continue to excel in the show pen for years to come. His success in the show pen led to his later syndication under the Lil Ruf Peppy Syndicate.

Besides his success in the arena, Lil Ruf Peppy made his mark in the reining industry when he sired horses such as Rufanicki, Sailin Ruf, Ruf Hearted Jac, A Ruf Gal and Pretty Peppy. Producing several money-earning daughters, Lil Ruf Peppy grand sired leading offspring such as Not Ruf at all, out of All Ruffed Up.

With a calm disposition, Lil Ruf Peppy enjoyed his last days grazing amongst mares in the pasture, according to Green Valley Ranch’s Emily Mabey.

“He was a great sire,” Mabey explained. “We loved him and were honored to have own him.”

NRHA is saddened by the loss of Lil Ruf Peppy and sends its deepest condolences to all those involved with Lil Ruf Peppy.

Photo by John Brasseaux

 

For Immediate Release – Oklahoma City, Okla. – February 16, 2017 – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has concluded its second annual Winter Meeting with great success. Held February 8 – 11 in Fort Worth, Texas, this year’s event was full of activities, meetings, and banquets to position the association for continued success and to celebrate its members.

Wednesday kicked off the second NRHA Professionals Summit presented by NRHA Corporate Partner, Merial. Professionals from across the country gathered to strengthen their knowledge in managing their businesses, equine joint health, and media relations. Additionally, they learned more about Time To Ride and how it can connect their business with horse lovers. Gabe Hutchins, NRHA Professionals Committee Chair, had this to say about the summit, “The summit is a great tool for Professionals who want to run a better business. The horse business is very competitive, and the summit is a great way to give our Professionals something extra to set ourselves apart from the rest.”

NRHA Committee meetings started Thursday morning and continued through Friday. The National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) participated in their leadership development seminar on Friday and Saturday. In three sessions, youth members of all ages gathered to strengthen their leadership skills and network with other NRHyA members. Additionally, the first in-person show secretary and management seminar was held with great attendance.

As Friday night arrived, NRHA members gathered to honor those who have made a significant impact on the reining horse industry. During the celebration Carol Rose, Rosanne Sternberg, and Smart Like Juice were inducted to the 2017 NRHA Hall of Fame. NRHA member Tim Katona received the Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award. Katona is credited with helping form the NRHyA and was the first youth committee chair.

The NRHA Board of Directors met Saturday and discussed a variety of different topics and received updates from the committee meetings held earlier that week. Topics of discussion included:

• The NRHA Board held its first reading of 2018 rule change proposals during the Winter Meeting. The directors will discuss the proposals again and hold a vote during their May 2017 meeting. In the meantime, members are encouraged to read the proposals online at NRHA.com and in the March issue of the NRHA Reiner magazine. Member comments also can be submitted on the “members-only” section of NRHA.com through April 10.
• The 2017 NRHA Futurity Conditions were amended to create a structured Semi Finals with a guaranteed payout in the level 4 division of the Open Futurity. Additionally, all late entry deadlines were extended to one-day prior to the 1^st go-rounds at 5:00pm. Additional information can be found in the 2017 Futurity Conditions at nrhafuturity.com.
• Jerry Nicholson from The Jockey Club Technology Services presented the Board with an update on the information technology project including its functions, progress, and timeline of completion.
• The 2017 NRHA Derby schedule was presented and approved by the Board of Directors.
• The Board established a task force to review the NRHA Nomination Program and the NRHA Futurity payouts.
• The Board approved for elections to be held October 1 through November 1, 2017. Two Director-At-Large seats on the Executive Committee and one Director seat for each or the following regions are to be elected during that timeframe: East Central, South Central, North Central, Northeast and Northwest.
• The point scale used to calculate Green Reiner eligibility was clarified and approved to use the points as published in the 2017 NRHA Eligibility Policy.
• Many other recommendations and changes to enhance NRHA were discussed and approved.

After a successful day of meeting, the 2016 NRHA award recipients were honored at the banquet. If the work accomplished at this year’s NRHA Winter Meeting is an indicator of how successful 2017 will be, it is safe to say the association is off to a great start.

Founded in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is a nonprofit association dedicated to promoting and encouraging the development of and public interest in the sport of reining. The focus is on developing and maintaining suitable standards of performance and judging and in providing a fun filled, family-oriented atmosphere. 

Media Contact:
Hayley Eberle
Manager of Marketing & Communications
National Reining Horse Association
heberle@nrha.com
(405) 946-7400 x 103

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For Immediate Release – Oklahoma City, Okla. – February 15, 2017 – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Board of Directors met during their Winter Meeting and reviewed a recommendation from the Aged Events Committee. Based on this recommendation and much discussion, the Board approved the following updates to the conditions that involved late entries, semi-finals format, and the number to advance to the finals. To see the updated conditions, visit the forms page on nrhafuturity.com or get the PDF directly here.

“I’m really proud of the work that our Aged Events Committee and Board of Directors have done with our Futurity Semi Finals format. Horses that qualify for the Open Level 4 semi-finals will now be given more recognition through a new format at our pinnacle event,” said Mike Deer, NRHA President. “The Aged Event Committee continues to look for ways, like adjusting our deadlines, to make our event more exhibitor and owner friendly, while maintaining the core values of the Futurity that we all love.”

LATE ENTRY DEADLINE
The late entry deadlines for entries accepted after November 1 was extended 24 hours to give more opportunity for late entries. All previous deadlines stating two days prior are now extended to one-day prior at 5 p.m.

NUMBER OF OPEN SEMI-FINALISTS

Class:                          Number of Semi-finalists
L4O                              75 horses, plus ties
L3O                              75 horses, plus ties
L2O                              75 horses, plus ties
L1O                              75 horses, plus ties

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE L4 OPEN SEMI-FINALS SECTION
To create a special performance for spectators, the top 75 horses, plus ties, in the Level 4 Open division semi-finals will compete in a separate section prior to the finals. Just like previous years, levels 1 – 3 will compete in their own semi-finals section.

NUMBER TO ADVANCE TO THE FINALS
The number of horses advancing to the finals remains unchanged. However, every horse not making the finals through 75^th place, plus ties, in the Level 4 Open will receive a guaranteed payout. It was also decided that scratched horses that qualify for the semi-finals will receive the guaranteed payout.

OPTIONS FOR THOSE ALREADY ENTERED
For those who wish to cancel their Futurity entry, they can do so without penalty by written notification to the NRHA office no later than February 28, 2017. Written notification can be sent to events@nrha.com, faxed to (405)946-8425, or mailed to the NRHA office at 3021 W. Reno Ave., Oklahoma City, Ok 73107.

Founded in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is a nonprofit association dedicated to promoting and encouraging the development of and public interest in the sport of reining. The focus is on developing and maintaining suitable standards of performance and judging and in providing a fun filled, family-oriented atmosphere. 

Media Contact:
Hayley Eberle
Manager of Marketing & Communications
National Reining Horse Association
heberle@nrha.com
(405) 946-7400 x 103

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Last Call- Register for our Upcoming Webinar February 13th! 

Don’t forget- register today for our upcoming webinar pn February 13th at 3:00 pm ET. The topic will be “Climate Change and Equines.”

David Herring, Director of Communication & Education at the NOAA Climate Program Office will be the featured speaker. Mr. Herring will discuss how they see changes in the weather affecting not only horses themselves, but also the areas in which they live, show, and are ridden. Dr. Karen Davison, Equine Nutritionist and Director of Purina Animal Nutrition’s Equine Technical Services team will also give an overview of how horses nutritional needs change with the weather.

In the AHC Member spotlight, Jim McGarvey, Executive Director of Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA) will give an overview of the work that BCHA does- most importantly how they work to keep trails open for equestrians. Just last year, the AHC worked with BCHA toward the successful passing of the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act. Finally, AHC’s Director of Health & Regulatory Affairs Cliff Williamson will give a short overview on regulatory issues that the AHC is currently working on.

The webinar is open to both AHC members and non-members—we encourage everyone to attend!

To register for the webinar, please click here. If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Furst at afurst@horsecouncil.org . We look forward to having you join us!

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.