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Sliders’ Night Out Presented by Toyon Ranch Returns for a Fifth Year

The Reining Horse Foundation is set to once again host Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch, the premier night on the social and charitable calendar of the reining community, on November 29 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Okla. This evening of celebrating the history and future of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is held during the NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships.

“This is an annual celebration to come together and honor new and previous inductees into the NRHA Hall of Fame, as well as the recipient of the NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award – the highest honors bestowed by NRHA. The second purpose is to raise funding crucial for the RHF and its core programs,” said Rick Clark, chairperson of the RHF Board of Directors Development Committee and RHF Officer. “This is the fifth year the gala will be in this format. I’m proud to say Toyon Ranch has been the presenting donor all five years; we have great appreciation for the leadership from owners John and Nancy Tague.”

Inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame will be the late “Bob Mac” (Bob McDonnell), Dell Hendricks, and Gunnatrashya. The program is also set to recognize Dave Belson and the duo Jenifer Reynolds and Chris Cook as recipients of NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Awards.

In 2023, Sliders’ Night Out will include a limited live auction with several offerings made possible by NRHA Corporate Partners. The line-up includes a breeding package featuring GeneTech ICSI Services, an embryo from Dun Dry Whiz, the dam of Mic Dropp, and a breeding to Toyon Ranch featured stallions. The package is made possible by GeneTech, Clark Reining Horses, and Toyon Ranch. Equine Discounts is donating a John Deere Ztrak Zero Turn Mower, Model Z-720E, that will be outstanding around any home or ranch. MS Diamonds TX, a perennial RHF contributor, is offering an 18K white gold pavé ring featuring gemstones.

An exclusive VIP Offering and Premium Seating to The American Performance Horseman is sure to be popular. This coveted package includes limited edition credentials, private dining and cocktail experience, reserved seats for The American Rodeo, and more. Courtesy of the NRHA, this offering will surely be the best seat in the West! Additional auction items may be announced closer to the event.

Since 2018, Sliders’ Night Out has been the single largest annual fundraiser for RHF, which serves as the charitable arm of the NRHA. Through major underwriters and Hall of Fame table hosts, dollars are raised in support of the RHF mission of caring for and honoring the reining community. Core programs include the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, youth scholarships, and leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association, and perpetuation of the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame.

Donors of every level are important to the success of this event. They come from individuals, corporations, ranches, training barns, foundations, and groups of reiners joining forces to support the event. Early Platinum Donors are Tim Anderson and Kim Niven, Cardinal Ranch, Rick Clark, 100X Equine, Santa Hill Ranch, 7 Lakes Ranch, Spooks Gotta Spark/Shawn Flarida Reiners, and Jamie Walters/JW Performance Horses Inc. TAM Enterprises Inc. and Diamond 4D Performance Horses LLC are at the Gold Donor level. To date, Silver Donors include Booth Ranches, Debbie and Gary Conway, Mike and Bryan Hancock, Markel/Frank & Susan Costantini, Mike and Beth McFarlin, Elite Estates AZ/Sierra Wright Littrell & Sarah Korpela, and Visit Oklahoma City.

These top-level donors, plus many Hall of Fame Table Hosts, make it possible for all NRHA Hall of Fame inductees to attend the event as honored guests. All Hall of Fame members are invited to be a part of the program again this year.

Back for an encore performance is musician and singer Isaac Hoskins, who performed at Sliders’ Night Out 2022. He’ll be joined on fiddle by singer Scarlett Deering.

Reservations are encouraged by November 20 to ensure a chance to attend Sliders’ Night Out and enjoy the chef-prepared dinner and celebration. Individual tickets are also offered based on limited availability.

To make reservations, contact Leslie Baker, RHF, (405) 946-7400, ext. 106 or email rhf@nrha.com.

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TAM Enterprises, Inc. with AML Reiners Becomes the Newest NRHA Partner

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) proudly welcomes TAM Enterprises, Inc. with AML Reiners as our newest Partner.

TAM Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1994 by Anthony (Tony) Lasaponara and has grown to be one of the largest locally owned water and wastewater mechanic companies in the Hudson Valley of New York. In addition to working up and down the East Coast, TAM is licensed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection for waste hauling. Please visit tamenterprises.com to find out more.

“For as long as we have been a part of the NRHA, good horsemanship, good sportsmanship, and the emphasis of family values has always been a constant part of the horse show atmosphere,” says Tony Lasaponara, the Owner and President of TAM Enterprises, Inc. “It is essential that our children continue to learn and grow within this community, as they are the future of this sport. It is our privilege to do our part in supporting such a great organization.”

AML Reiners is based in Goshen, New York, just over an hour from New York City. Starting her equestrian journey at the age of three in the Hunter/Jumper world, Alea Lasaponara earned top placings in shows from Lake Placid, New York, down to Wellington, Florida. She eventually realized that she also had a passion for reining and switched her focus to the Western portion of the industry and has been dedicated and unstoppable.

Continuing her commitment and enthusiasm for the sport, Alea is currently working hard to win major events such as NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby, NRBC, and The Run For A Million. No matter which style of riding, where she is, or who she is with, the horses are always put first. When the horses aren’t training, they’re given time to relax in the barn and fields in her backyard.

“NRHA is thrilled to have TAM Enterprises, Inc. and AML Reiners as an NRHA Partner,” says Mark Blake, NRHA President. “We are excited to help them achieve their marketing goals and dreams.”

To see the family of NRHA Partners, please visit nrha.com/partners, and to find out how to join the family, contact Christy Landwehr at clandwehr@nrha.com. 

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APHA and NRHA Join Forces To Bring Reining Lessons to horseIQ Virtual Learning

The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) and the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) have furthered their partnership with the creation of a new reining education module on horseIQ, APHA’s popular virtual learning site. 

HorseIQ is an innovative online platform that provides a comprehensive range of courses designed to educate horse owners, exhibitors, enthusiasts, and judges. The platform offers discipline-specific judge education, exhibitor insight, and courses on topics such as horse health, training, and care. HorseIQ is a leading resource for horse owners of all levels.

“Our goal is to create a visual, interactive guidebook both for exhibitors and judges,” said Dave Dellin, APHA chief executive officer. “We are committed to providing educational opportunities that help the equine world, and this partnership is a huge step in the right direction.” 

This collaboration creates a unique opportunity for APHA and NRHA members to access educational content tailored specifically to reining. The partnership enhances the educational offerings of both organizations to provide clarity and knowledge about the NRHA Judges System so that riders know exactly what judges evaluate in the sport of reining.

“The NRHA Judges Committee strives to offer our judges and members the very best in innovative education,” said Patti Carter, NRHA senior director of education and officials. “We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with APHA and horseIQ to take our educational opportunities to the next level.”

APHA and NRHA encourage members of their organizations, from green reiners to owners, professionals, and fans, to take advantage of this online learning opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills, thereby helping improve their relationships with their horses.

For more information, visit horseIQ.com.

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2023 NRHA European Derby: Daily Updates

Keep up with the 2023 NRHA European Derby at nrhaeuropeanderby.com.

10.31.23: Horses and riders are set and ready to go in Lyon

11.1.23: The $300,595-added NRHA European Derby kicks off in Lyon with the ELEMENTA Non Pro Derby Qualifier

11.2.23: The $300,595-added NRHA European Derby: Open finalists are set

11.3.23: Jody Fonck takes the ELEMENTA Non Pro Level 4 Championship in an all-girls night

11.4.23: Reminder Claims the Open Championship as well as a spot in the 2024 The Run For A Million

11.5.23: NRHA Grand Prix Champions and The Run For A Million European Non Pro and Youth qualifiers determined

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Fast Track to Four Million for Casey Deary

Fans of reining and members of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) alike have seen NRHA Professional Casey Deary holding a top spot among leaderboards this past year, which led to his latest accomplishment, becoming an NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider. Deary passed this milestone just over one year after becoming an NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider.

A multiple-time NRHA Futurity Champion, NRHA Derby Champion, and World Champion in the American Quarter Horse and American Paint Horse Associations, Deary is no stranger to the winner’s circle. His incredible journey to this accomplishment is a testament to his unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and numerous wins within the reining industry, specifically over the past year.

In 2023, Deary has notched a series of sensational victories that have solidified his position as one of the most dominant riders in the reining world. These wins include The American Performance Horseman (TAPH) Reining Champion, National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Championship, 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Championship, and third in the Million Dollar Competition at The Run for a Million (TRFAM).

The titles alone are impressive, but the fact that he earned all of them within six months on the same stallion adds to the prestige. Deary and Down Right Amazing (Gunner x Shesouttayourleague) added $383,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE) to their names this year. The pair were simply unstoppable. Owned by DAG Ventures LLC and bred by Curtis Performance Horses LLC, the stallion has over $600,000 in NRHA LTE, all with Deary at the reins.

Deary was also the 2022 Level 4 Open Reserve Futurity Champion on Customize My Dream, owned and bred by Devin Warren. Deary and ‘William’ have earned more than $200,000 in NRHA LTE, further pushing Deary to this milestone.

Not only does Deary find himself at the top of his game inside the show pen, but he also found time outside of the show pen to become Texas Christian University Equestrian Team’s newest assistant coach, showing his commitment to the future of reining.

Deary resides in Weatherford, Texas, with his wife, Nicole, and their kids, Wyatt, Owen, Joy, and Olivia.

Congratulations to Casey Deary on this latest milestone and the exceptional rate at which it was achieved.

Deary’s top wins that pushed him to become NRHA’s newest Four Million Dollar Rider:

  • 2022 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Reserve Champion – $150,000– Customize My Dream, owned and bred by Devin Warren
  • 2023 TAPH Reining Champion – $100,000 – Down Right Amazing, owned by DAG Ventures LLC and bred by Curtis Performance Horses LLC
  • 2023 NRBC Level 4 Open Champion – $100,000 – Down Right Amazing, owned by DAG Ventures LLC and bred by Curtis Performance Horses LLC
  • 2023 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Level 4 Open Champion – $100,000 – Down Right Amazing, owned by DAG Ventures LLC and bred by Curtis Performance Horses LLC
  • 2022 TRFAM, Million Dollar Competition, 3rd Place – $80,000 – Americasnexttopgun, owned by Jody Puno/Puno Performance Horses LLC and bred by Arcese Quarter Horses USA