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Andre de Bellefeuille Reaches Million Dollar Owner Milestone

One million. It’s a number that triggers a pause and invokes a moment of reflection regardless of the subject. For reining enthusiasts, one million is especially significant. A million dollars in earnings solidifies a place in National Reining Horse Association history books. Recently Andre De Bellefeuille and his businesses, Equine Plus and Ferme Equestre Excalibur, of Canada, became the association’s newest Million Dollar Owner.
 
“This (becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Owner) is quite an honor. I am only the second Canadian to reach this achievement. The beauty of this is that at least 50 percent of the earnings were achieved from horses from our breeding program,” De Bellefeuille shared. “We are very proud of that.”
 
It was just a couple of years ago that De Bellefeuille became a Million Dollar Breeder, with the cornerstone of his program being the incredible mare Snow Gun. Snow Gun, by NRHA $12 Million Sire Gunner, earned more than $120,000 in the show pen. She is the dam of De Bellefeuille’s stallion Electric Snow (by NRHA $3 Million Sire Jacs Electric Spark), who won more than $110,000. She also produced Yankee Gun (LTE $156,967), Gunstep ($58,456), Wimpys Snow Step (LTE $45,225), and Wimpys Snow Gun (LTE $31,013).
 
“Like I mentioned, a good chunk of our earnings as owners came from our breeding program, and the future growth as an owner and breeder will most likely come from the breeding of our stallion Electric Snow,” De Bellefeuille said. “We own many nice prospects and see a bright future for him as a sire. Many top breeders have seen the same thing we do and bred some of their good mares to him. As owners, we are fortunate to own nice horses such as Electric Snow, Snow Gun, and well as Its All About Smart and Whizicle.”
 
De Bellefeuille emphasizes his program’s focus on healthy and happy horses. “We are first and foremost horsemen, and the health of our horses is our first priority, and I am proud we have reached this point with sound and healthy horses,” he said. “To get to where we are, we had the help of many people and some fantastic riders. They are definitely part of our success and I thanked them for that.”
 
De Bellefeuille is more than just an owner. He himself has won more than $400,000 in competition. “We still ride two to three horses every day and compete, although unfortunately not much in the last year due to the limited number of shows and restrictions on travel,” he explained. Recently with one of his homebred horses Its All Gun (Its All About Smart x Snow Gun) he was Reserve Champion in Level 2, 3, and 4 and the Prime Time winner in the Non Pro Futurity at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.
 
While reining is still a developing sport in Quebec, its popularity is quickly growing thanks in part to the foresight of enthusiasts like De Bellefeuille. De Bellefeuille served as President and vice-president of the Association Québécoise de Reining (AQR) for more than a decade. In 2011 André was inducted to the AQR Hall of Fame. On a national level, André has fulfilled several positions; active on several NRHA committees, vice-president of Reining Canada, and also involved with the Cheval Quebec (Quebec Horse Federation) regarding their breeding programs. Many awards such as breeder of the year in Canada (the only person ever winning in a Western discipline) and several times winner in Quebec.
 
De Bellefeuille thanks his family, especially his wife Danielle, for their support, understanding, and for letting him live this crazy passion.
 
Learn more about Andre de Bellefeuille and Equine Plus website www.equineplus-excalibur.com and Facebook page.  

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6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Recap to Air on the Cowboy Channel

Over the last couple years, the National Reining Horse Association and the Cowboy Channel have collaborated to bring reining to the channel’s viewers. That partnership continues Monday, October 11, when the Cowboy Channel will air the recap of the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

NRHA Commentator Steve Ross will join Cowboy Channel host Jeff Medders to share highlights, insights, and stories from the Derby, which was the largest in the event’s history.

The recap will be broadcast at 8 and 9 p.m. EST, and can be found on DirecTV (Channel 603), DISH (Channel 232), or on the Cowboy Channel + app (available on Apple, Android, Amazon Fire, and Roku devices).

For more information about the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, visit NRHADerby.com

About The Cowboy Channel: The Cowboy Channel is the official network of ProRodeo and the first 24-hour television network totally dedicated to western sports and the western lifestyle. Headquartered in the Fort Worth Stockyards, The Cowboy Channel also features a wide variety of “live” coverage from major western events showcasing the world’s toughest and most talented cowboys and cowgirls. The network reaches 42 million homes on cable/satellite systems on Altice, Charter Spectrum, DISH, DIRECTV®, AT&T U-Verse, Cox, Comcast, Mediacom, Verizon FIOS TV, and many other rural cable systems. The Cowboy Channel can also be streamed online via The Cowboy Channel Plus at cowboychannelplus.com, DIRECTV NOW, Roku, iOS, Android, Firestick, Apple TV, and Sling TV’s Heartland Extra package. For more information, please visit thecowboychannel.com Facebook: @CowboyChannel | Twitter: @Cowboy_Channel | Instagram: @TheCowboyChannel

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Sliders’ Night Out Presented by Toyon Ranch Celebrates 20 Years of the Reining Horse Foundation

For Immediate Release – October 7, 2021 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – 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 December 1 at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Okla.

“Reiners are ready to gather and celebrate two decades of impact by the Reining Horse Foundation and to honor inductees into the National Reining Horse Association Hall of Fame and recipients of the NRHA Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Leslie Baker, executive director of the RHF. “We didn’t hold Sliders’ Night Out in 2020, so it feels like there is extra excitement this year, which is the third in this format.”

“We have so many donors who have stepped up to make Sliders’ Night Out special,” said Rick Clark, chairperson of the RHF Board of Directors Development Committee and also NRHA President. “Toyon Ranch’s John and Nancy Tague are in their third year as presenting donors. We have several first-time Hall of Fame Table Hosts along with dozens of other committed partners who make this a night to remember. The event raises important funding to support the RHF mission, and I personally get excited that each year Sliders’ Night Out keeps reiners celebrating the history of our sport.”

Inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame will be the late Doug Carpenter and Jose Vazquez for the class of 2021 and the late Sally Brown and the late Jerry Kimmel for the class of 2020. The program also is set to recognize Charles Vaughan and Mike Carrier with the 2021 and 2020 NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Awards respectively.

In 2021, Sliders’ Night Out will include a limited live auction. Sure to be popular is an embryo from the top-producing mare Wind Her Up Chic (Smart Chic Olena x Wind Her Up Doc), donated by RHF President Tim Anderson & Kim Niven. The 2003 bay mare has LTE of $100,000 and has produced foals earning $622,000. Bidders can also watch for a private reining clinic for up to eight people with NRHA Professional Mirjam Stillo at Rancho Los Vaqueros in Pilot Point, Texas. The day will include lunch and conclude with a reception, including food and beverage. The total package is made possible by Gary and Debbie Conway, Mirjam and Andrea Stillo, and Nancy and John Tague and must be scheduled in 2022. Additional auction items will 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. They come from individuals, corporations, ranches, training barns, foundations and groups of reiners joining forces to support the event. Early Platinum Donors are Tim & Kim Niven, Ian & Kristen Cantacuzene, Rick Clark, and Jamie Walters. James Turpen is a Gold Donor. To date, Silver Donors include Mark & Julie Blake, Booth Ranches, Mike & Bryan Hancock, Markel/Frank & Susan Costantini., Mike & Beth McFarlin, Rich & Cartmill Insurance, and the Williams Family Fund by Fidelity Charitable. Baker said additional donor commitments are anticipated and welcomed.

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.

Advance reservations are encouraged to ensure a chance to be in attendance at Sliders’ Night Out and enjoy the chef-prepared dinner and celebration. The benefit is held in conjunction with the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show. Individual tickets are available.

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

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NRHA Ceases Negotiations with FEI

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) collaborated for more than 20 years to showcase and expand the sport of reining worldwide while creating historic memories valued by many.

Unfortunately, countless impediments throughout the relationship – legal, cultural, structural, and financial in nature –  presented numerous hurdles over that time, and include recent FEI actions. Therefore, the NRHA leadership made the decision not to move forward with a new FEI agreement.

Although it was announced that FEI had terminated the original agreement in 2020, a new Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations was approved by the FEI Board of Directors in June 2021. The NRHA Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Task Force members were comfortable with that agreement, which would have created a framework for a limited group of international championships.

Then, an entirely different agreement was drafted and submitted to NRHA on September 15, 2021. “We are unsure of what led up to this development, and why NRHA was not consulted,” noted NRHA President Rick Clark. “At this time, the Executive Committee, with the support of the NRHA Board of Directors, has made the decision to not move forward with a new agreement with FEI.”

NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter expanded on Clark’s statement. “NRHA has worked diligently over the past two years to collaboratively negotiate a new agreement and made it a top priority for the association. Through our Executive Committee, Board, FEI Task Force, and staff, we remained fully committed to working closely with the FEI, and were excited for what the future held,” he said. “Unfortunately, a lack of direct and clear communication from FEI has been one of the biggest hurdles. We have constantly seen the goal post move further out of reach, to the point where a relationship is no longer feasible or beneficial to our members.”

Both Clark and Carpenter noted there is no ill will towards the FEI, its leadership, staff, and members. “We are thankful for everything the FEI has done for reining and the reining horse over the years, and proud that reining was able to contribute excitement in the form of an alternative discipline in the FEI World Equestrian Games™. We hope that in the future we may be able to work together in some capacity,” Clark shared.

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NRHA Reiner Receives Awards and Recognition at 2021 AHP Equine Media Awards Banquet

The annual American Horse Publications three-day conference features the Equine Media Awards Banquet. Held September 16 – 18 in Irving, Texas, this year, AHP’s Equine Media Awards competition featured nearly 600 entries for materials published in 2020. After the entries were reviewed and the judging was complete, the National Reining Horse Association’s monthly publication, the NRHA Reiner, and the marketing department received multiple awards.

Sara Honegger, Manager of Youth, Professional, and Affiliate Programs, helped create one of the award-winning entries. She also works closely with the production team of the Reiner. “These awards are such an honor to be a part of, and we couldn’t be successful without such a strong team. Between our marketing, media and Reiner departments, we have such passion and talent, and I am proud to be part of the team,” she said.

Gary Carpenter, NRHA Commissioner, reflected on the awards received by NRHA. “As proud as I am of what our Reiner and marketing staff accomplished in this competition, the key to me is that competition helps us stay sharp and keep our edge. Ultimately, it’s the value we bring to NRHA members that matters.”

Top NRHA Placing Entries

1st Place – ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION SERVICE TO THE CONSUMER SINGLE ARTICLE

Megan Arszman, Author – Jennifer Paulson, Editor

The Breeding Game: To Show or To Sell? June 2020

Judge’s Comments – This was a great article that easily rose to the top of this class; it was clear, concise, and incorporated a variety of quotes from varied breeders in the industry. All of that input and variability is what made this story so interesting.

2nd Place – BUSINESS EQUINE-RELATED SHORT VIDEO (2 MINUTES OR UNDER)

Together, We Rein On

Sara Honegger, NRHA Youth & Professionals Programs Manager – Lindsay Humphrey, NRHA Public Relations and Communications

Judge’s Comments – This touching, bittersweet short video conveys the plaintive status of the reining horse world in pandemic times. Great footage and stills and the soft background music come together with the voiceover. A good script with a natural delivery that sounds as if it’s spoken by a rider. That much narration is often way too much, but it works here as a special message to the reining horse world.

For more information about the American Horse Publications, visit AmericanHorsePubs.org