Riders will surely see many new faces at the 2023 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships. One of those will be in the form of bronze as NRHA introduces the newest edition of the coveted Lawson Trophy.
Mehl Lawson, the original creator of the Lawson Trophy, is a world-renowned artist and a horse trainer, making him the obvious choice to create a new version of his depiction of reining. Lawson worked with photos sent by NRHA to update the look of the Lawson Trophy to reflect the current reining horse aesthetic and celebrate the sport’s progress.
“Our brand really means a lot to our members,” NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter said. “They’re passionate about what we do. That passion is what puts the fuel in our tank and keeps us moving. It has built and improved our horses as well as their training and breeding. That passion runs everything we do. I hope this new trophy is one more piece of that passion and meaning.”
Although the first NRHA bronze was awarded in 1969, Mehl created his first bronze for the association in 1979 and made updates in 1982 and 2004. After months of work and collaboration, the anticipation is high for members to see the newest version in the flesh.
“I hope people will think, ‘Holy cow, why didn’t we do this sooner?’” NRHA President Mark Blake said. “You can’t buy one of these trophies. They’re museum quality, and earning one is an honor all on its own.”
To learn more about the updated Lawson Trophy, read the article in the November issue of the Reiner Magazine.
Reining is a sport demanding exceptional skill, dedication, and passion. These are traits the top riders in the industry share and are true of the newest National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Professional who marked his name in the history books. After a great performance at the Southwest Reining Horse Association (SWRHA) Futurity last month, Jared Leclair surpassed an earnings milestone and was crowned an NRHA Million Dollar Rider.
“I knew going into the SWRHA Futurity that I was about $3,100 away from the milestone, and I only had one futurity horse to show to make it happen,” said Leclair. “I didn’t really have any pressure – I told myself I would get there when the time was right and that whenever it happened, it was meant to be. It was cool to do it at my affiliate in my backyard, with my customers and barn family there so they could all be part of it too.”
Leclair became an NRHA member in 1992 when he began competing in youth classes. He found success on his first trip in the show pen—riding Sugaretta Bar Band to a first-place finish in the 13 & Under at the NERHA/CRHA Reining. Eventually, that success led Leclair to non pro and eventually open competition. His first earnings were recorded in 1997, beginning the journey to this historic milestone.
“As a kid, it is always a dream to be an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, and I am thankful to be part of that elite group of riders, said Leclair. “I have had different goals in my life, to be on the cover of the reiner, which I was able to do, to be a million dollar rider. My next goal is to win the NRHA Futurity like everyone else –it’s what we wake up in the morning for. It is a tough business, it is a lifestyle, and you have to love it – and I love riding horses. I am fortunate to make a living doing what I love.”
After becoming an NRHA Professional, Leclair worked for Steve Simon at Quarter Mount Farm. From there, he went to McQuay Stables and worked with NRHA Hall of Famer Tim McQuay. This work led him to establish Leclair Performance Horses in Tioga, Texas, in 2007. He and his wife, Karla, have built a successful reining business—breeding, training and coaching. In 2019, Leclair was named the NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, and he currently serves on the NRHA Judges Committee.
Many horses and performances have helped usher Leclair to $1 million in earnings; however, one special horse stands out among the rest—Electric Code. ‘Cody’ is a 2005 stallion by Jacs Electric Spark and out of Hot Coded Candy. Bred by Janice Free, Cody has been owned by Leclair from the beginning. Initially, he was part owners with Daniel Dugan and then took full ownership in 2014.
Electric Code boasts over $204,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings (LTE). Nearly all those earnings came with Leclair at the reins. The duo’s best year in the show pen came in 2008. During the NRHA Futurity that year, they were crowned the Level 3 Open Champions and placed 3rd in the Level 4—adding more than $125,000 to their respective LTE. Since then, the duo has transitioned their success through Leclair’s breeding program. Last year, Cody added to his accolades as he became an NRHA Million Dollar Sire.
“I never thought I could have an NRHA Million Dollar Sire when I was growing up, but to do that last year and then become an NRHA Million Dollar Rider this year was really meaningful,” he said.
Heading into the SWRHA Futurity, Leclair was less than $5,000 away from hitting this historic milestone. He and Nicol Callaway’s Temptedtoshine (PS Mega Shine Chic x Misters Temptress) rode to a third-place finish in the Billingsly Ford Open Futurity. The Adh-Mor Ranch-bred gelding helped push Leclair over the million-dollar mark with a $9,000 paycheck.
“There are so many people to thank; my wife is a huge support of mine,” said Leclair. “I may be the one who accomplished it, but there is a huge team effort to get to that point.
“It isn’t just about me; it is about everyone who helped me get here, and that would probably require an additional page just to thank all of them! From horses I showed 18 years ago to owners, assistants, and all of the people on my team along the way – there is so much that goes into this. You see the success at the end of it, but it is a lot of work along the way. You have you wake up in the morning and want to work your butt off and go be somebody.”
Leclair’s top earning finishes during his career include:
2008 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity 3rd Place aboard Electric Code (Jacs Electric Spark x Hot Coded Candy), owned by Jared Leclair and bred by Janice Free, earning $99,586
2006 NRBC Level 3 Open Champion aboard Dun It In Tinseltown (Hollywood Dun It x Miss Tinseltown), bred and owned by David Silva, Sr., earning $27,543
2008 NRHA Level 3 Open Futurity Champion aboard Electric Code (Jacs Electric Spark x Hot Coded Candy), owned by Jared Leclair and bred by Janice Free, earning $26,188
2008 SWRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Champion aboard Electric Code (Jacs Electric Spark x Hot Coded Candy), owned by Jared Leclair and bred by Janice Free, earning $19,494
2005 NRBC Level 3 Open Reserve Champion aboard Dun It In Tinseltown (Hollywood Dun It x Miss Tinseltown), bred and owned by David Silva, Sr., earning $15,644
NRHA congratulates Jared Leclair on this incredible achievement and applauds his contributions to the reining community. We look forward to witnessing his continued success and the positive influence he will have on the future of the sport as an NRHA Million Dollar Rider.
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.
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.
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.
