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News from the 2022 NRHA Winter Meeting


The National Reining Horse Association Winter Meetings held February 13-16 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Denton, Texas, provided a venue for NRHA Board, staff, committee members and the membership to meet and discuss issues and to guide the Association’s direction going forward. Over the days of the meetings, the Board, Executive Committee and the Reining Horse Foundation Board, along with Aged Events, Eligibility, Professional’s, Judges, Non Pro, Stewards and Youth Committees all met in separate sessions as well as in the Annual General Membership Meeting.

In his comments at the February 15 Annual Meeting, NRHA President Rick Clark spoke about the growth of the NRHA and its events and shared his optimism about the future of the Association. He noted, “The Board, the Executive Committee, and NRHA Committees are all committed to making the NRHA the best it can be and I’m proud of the work they have done and how our industry has such a bright future ahead. Horses are selling well, the events are thriving, and this is a great time to be in the reining business!”

NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter agreed, and added, “The NRHA Board held a successful first meeting of the year. There was a lot of discussion, and some thoughtful and forward-thinking decisions were made. Our committees also convened, and I look forward to seeing the results of our hard-working and dedicated members who volunteer their time to the Association.”

A highlight of the meeting was the announcement of new Affiliates approved by the NRHA. The board and staff were glad to welcome the Sicily Reining Horse Association and the Western Canada Reining Horse Association along with recognizing the Israel Reining Horse Association as an NRHA National Association Affiliate.

In response to feedback from the membership, the Board created a working group to guide the process of planning a function to recognize the 2021 Top Ten achievers during the 2022 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel in Oklahoma City. Details will be announced as soon as they are available.

The following items were also discussed and amended:

Nomination Deadlines for Elections

Election procedures were simplified so that now there is one nomination deadline for both write-in and affiliate candidates, and that deadline will be 90 days prior to the start of the elections. For the 2023 elections, that will be a June 1 deadline. Additionally, write-in candidates for regional director positions must now obtain 25 endorsement signatures from members in good standing who are eligible to vote.

Show Results Correction Deadline

In the past, the length of time required for possible show results corrections has often made it very difficult to get eligibility information compiled in a timely manner. The deadline for show results corrections by members has been December 31. However, the large number of NRHA events that now take place in January mean members need their eligibility quicker, so it was necessary to push the deadline back to allow this. The new guidelines stipulate that members must contact NRHA with any possible show results corrections within eight weeks of the show results being published online, and no later than December 1 for events held after October 1.

Amateur Division Clarification and Extension of Trial Period

With two rule change proposals submitted for consideration in 2023, the trial period for the Amateur classification was extended from April 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023. NRHA events may apply to host an Amateur division during this time frame. There will continue to be only one level of Amateur and added money in the Amateur division cannot exceed half of the Level(L) 4 added money and also cannot exceed

the L1 added money.

New conditions were approved for Amateur eligibility as well. They were amended so that anyone who has NRHA lifetime earnings in excess of $100,000 in Categories 2, 6, 8 and 11 as of the previous year, or is currently eligible for L4 Non Pro only, or L4 and L3 only, will be excluded from competing in the Amateur division. Other eligibility and criteria were unchanged.

Bluetooth Headset or Electronic Communication Device Use

The use of Bluetooth headsets or electronic communication devices was previously allowed only in Para-Reining classes. Now, they can be used in any class other than category 2 and 6 aged events. Use in those events will result in a no score.

European Event Approval Deadlines

Responding to a request from the NRHA European Executive Board, the European Event Approval Deadlines for AA and A event have been changed to 180 days prior to the first day of the event. Additionally, one AA event will be allowed every three weeks, and A events will require two weeks in between or at least a distance of 1000km. The European Council felt this would allow them to organize the year’s events so the overall health of each event is maintained. This submission of major events well in advance will help provide to time adjust schedules for other events to allow exhibitors to plan their year accordingly.

Judging Unapproved Events

The definition of unapproved Events that NRHA Judges are allowed to judge was clarified by the Board to amend the following exceptions where NRHA judges may judge unapproved reining classes. Judges may now officiate unapproved classes with $1,000 added or less. Total added money for unapproved classes may not exceed $2,500 for the entire event. Changes were also made to the ratio of added money in affiliate level classes and National Federation classes when compared to the concurrent NRHA approved class. These unapproved classes can now offer up to 50% of the added money in the NRHA class.

Judges may still officiate unapproved beginner or green classes as well as Junior, Senior, Amateur and Youth breed association classes.

For a full summary of all NRHA rules and policies visit nrha.com.

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Foals-R-Us Joins NRHA Corporate Partner Lineup

Raised in Italy, Lorenzo Lotti has always had a passion for horses, and over the years, he has transitioned that love into thriving businesses that are all equine-centered. Lotti, under the name of Foals-R-Us Reproduction Center and Stallion Station, recently joined the National Reining Horse Association Corporate Partner lineup.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Lorenzo Lotti and Foals R Us as an NRHA Corporate Partner, and we look forward to a successful partnership,” Rick Clark, NRHA President, noted. “Corporate Partners support our association and our industry in a way that is wonderful for the riders, owners, breeders, and everyone else who has committed their lives to this sport.”

A spontaneous trail ride when Lotti was just 10 years old in Italy sparked his drive to be around horses. “I haven’t been away from horses since then,” he shared. “From the age of 10 to 16, I helped every day after school in a barn close to home. From 16 to 18, I helped at Latorre Quarter Horses, and then at the end of 1998, I went to Texas to work for 50 days with (NRHA Million Dollar Rider) Craig Johnson.”

Two years later, Lotti went back to work for Johnson for three months, then began to train two-year-olds before starting work as a horseshoer assistant.

During that time, he met renowned reproductive veterinarian, Dr. David Hartman. “I got to be at the Hartman clinic pretty much daily, and I was always trying to stay longer than I needed and help if they were short-handed,” he recalled. “One day, Dr. Hartman told me, ‘If you ever need a job, just drive in and start.’”

When his boss decided to downsize his business, Lotti knew it was time to take Dr. Hartman up on that invitation. Fourteen years later, Dr. Hartman decided to retire. “He gave me the opportunity to purchase the Hartman Equine Reproduction Center, and I am excited that it is now the home of Foals-R-Us Reproduction Center & Stallion Station, the home of Pro Fit Equine and EQ Promo. I am finally able to run all my businesses under one roof.”

Lotti’s services include breeding, foaling, stallion management, semen freezing for domestic and export, on-site full-service embryo transfer, oocytes aspirations, ICSI transfers, sale fitting, sales, and more.

“I would never be where I am today if it weren’t for David. He helped me and did more for me than I can ever thank him enough for. I feel it is only right for me to take on and continue with the business,” Lotti said. “Thank you to all my past, current, and future clients for keeping me going forward.”

Learn more about Foals-R-Us, Pro Fit Equine by Lotti, and EQ Promo, visit foals-r-us.com. 

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NRHA Year-end Statistics Reflect Impressive Growth

In recent years, the planet has been in a state of upheaval and change. COVID-19 had a staggering impact. Some marginal businesses thrived and grew. Other long successful companies couldn’t survive and people lost jobs as well as lifelong enterprises.

For the equine industry, facing a pandemic was especially challenging. In early 2020, the National Reining Horse Association Board and Executive Committee scrambled along with the rest of the horse world to make correct decisions – to plan, predict, and survive. Now, with two years of history, the state of the reining industry shows very positive statistics according to the data released during the NRHA Winter Meetings, held Feb. 13-16 in Denton, Texas.

Thankfully, along with the pandemic, the reining industry and the entire western performance industry has enjoyed the unprecedented publicity created by Taylor Sheridan.  “The impact on the reining world, through Yellowstone and The Last Cowboy, along with The Run For The Million, can’t be calculated. It’s been incredible for our industry,” said NRHA President Rick Clark. He continued, “These are exciting times and overall, the Association is thriving.”

Money won at NRHA events worldwide hit an all-time high in 2021 at $19,157,953, as did added money at $12,621,353. Total annual entries, at 112,929, were also the highest ever.

The number of shows recovered last year, as well, after a drop of more than 50 percent in the number of events in 2020 at the peak of the COVID restraints. 

As far as entries, both ends of the spectrum, from entry level Ride & Slide classes to aged events, set records in 2021. With the all-time high of 10,465 entries in entry level classes to the record-breaking 28,959 entries in Aged Events – Categories 2 and 6, the growth was overwhelmingly positive. The number of unique horses shown, 10,211, was also the highest in the past five years.

Membership numbers tend to correlate to the amount of people showing, so it was not surprising that NRHA membership numbers fell off in 2020 when there were fewer events to attend. But the indomitable spirit of reiners showed in the 10+ percent upwards recovery in 2021. The number of NRHA professionals was at the highest in ever, at 1,833, and Non Pro numbers were the highest in the last three years, with 8,841 Non Pro members.

At the NRHA produced shows, the news was overwhelmingly positive in 2021. The 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel was a record-breaker in number of entries, number of stalls, added money, and payout. The Four Sixes Ranch was joined by Yellowstone and Bosque Ranch in naming the event and along with Markel, the Story Book Stables Amateur Derby, the Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes, the GlycoGuard Novice Horse Derby, and the Colston Paving Inc. Non Pro 4-Year-Old Stakes headlined the variety of opportunities for reiners.

The 2021 NRHA Futurity paid a record $350,000 to L4 Champion Casey Deary on Ten Thirty, thanks to the efforts of the Futurity Challenge Sponsors and increased commitment from the Association. The show also boasted a 16 percent increase in total entries and paid out a record $2,668,910 – more than $400,000 above the previous year

The NRHA Markel Futurity Sales were once again held on Thursday of Futurity week for an all-in-one-day sale spectacular. The event boasted the second-highest net income in history with $4.9 million in horses sold.

Another key function that takes place during the Futurity, the Reining Horse Foundation Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch, set attendance and fundraising records. The charitable arm of the NRHA announced major scholarship expansion through 2024. In addition, it was announced that 2021 show entry donations totaled $26,000 and Professionals’ donations increased 22 percent over the program’s first year.

Support for NRHA continued to grow as the year went on and over the past four months eight new Corporate Partners have come on board: Foals R Us, Enjoy LLC, Cinder Lakes Stallion Station, Oswood Stallion Station, Tenda, White River Ag Products, Teton Ridge and Priefert.

Another set of statistics indicates that people are planning ahead for the horse business of the future. NRHA Foal Nominations reflect upward growth with North American nominations, at 2,675, the highest in three years, and European nominations at 1,339, the second-highest in five years.

Competition licenses surged to a new 5-year high, with 4,656 new horses licensed.

NRHA Chief Executive Officer John Foy summarized, “In March of 2020 the NRHA Finance Committee, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors reacted swiftly and decisively to implement a pandemic response plan. This was successfully executed by NRHA Staff and with the help of NRHA independent contractors and service providers. Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. has been a loyal partner throughout, as have NRHA’s Partners and Sponsors who supported the association during this time. As a result, the NRHA and the reining industry have thrived together, leveraging NRHA’s most strategic assets and strengthening NRHA events and programs. The NRHA today has no debt and is stronger than it was prior to the pandemic. We are excited to see what the future holds.”

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NRHA Announces Patti Carter as New Director of Education and Officials

The National Reining Horse Association began its search for a Director of Education and Officials in late 2021. The purpose of the new position was to serve in an educator role while continuing to advance the NRHA Judges & Stewards programs, ensuring they remain the best in the western performance horse industry.

NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter announced in mid-February that the perfect candidate had been found, adding that Patti Carter will take the reins of the new position on March 7. “Patti will provide additional horsepower, insight, and experience to augment our judges’ program,” Carpenter said.

According to NRHA President Rick Clark, the leadership of the Association created the new position because of the incredible growth of the reining industry. “With all the wonderful developments in the sport of reining that are happening right in front of our eyes, the NRHA Executive Committee felt this was an opportune time to invest more resources into our judges’ program,” Clark explained. “We get tremendous reviews from those who attend our schools and seminars, but want our judging program to continually evolve and improve.”

Carter brings decades of experience to the position, both as a competitor and a judge. The former American Quarter Horse Association Professional Horsewoman of the Year has spent the last several years as AQHA’s Senior Director of Judges and Stewards, and prior to that served as AQHA’s Sr. Director of Shows and Professional Horsemen.

“I am over-the-top excited to be joining the NRHA team. I have so much respect for the NRHA and its leadership. The Association is on fire, and I’m looking forward to expanding the educational footprint for the judges and stewards at NRHA,” Carter said.

Education of judges and exhibitors is of utmost importance to Carter, which is why, during her tenure at AQHA, she helped create and implement AQH University. This platform was developed for AQHA Judges to continue their judge education and to give potential judges insight into what it takes to be an AQHA All Around Judge. Patti and her team recently launched “Behind the Clipboard.” This program offers competitors an in-depth look at how judges prepare and evaluate classes. “In addition, the program helps competitors understand not just the rules, but how judges evaluate runs during a show so they can improve their performances,” Carter explained. “I am blessed to have had the opportunity to serve AQHA, its membership, and the horses. AQHA is a part of my life and always will be. It’s great that NRHA and AQHA are Alliance Partners, and that these two incredible associations work so closely together.”

As an NRHA-accredited judge, she officiated numerous NRHA events worldwide, including the NRHA Futurity twice, the NRHA Derby, and twice for the World Equestrian Games. She has judged at every major show and multiple world championship shows for AQHA, the American Paint Horse Association, and the National Snaffle Bit Association, and held AAA status as a judge for the National Reined Cow Horse Association.

Carter currently lives in Amarillo, Texas, but plans to relocate to Oklahoma City near the NRHA headquarters. “I believe it’s important to be close to the office, and I look forward to working alongside the amazing staff in the day-to-day operations of serving NRHA members,” she said. “I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

Carter will officially start work on March 7 and will be in Oklahoma City for the Judge Applicant School on March 9–10 and the Judges School March 11–13. “I want to expand on the already excellent education process NRHA has for judges and stewards, and I look forward to continuing the education of members and exhibitors,” she explained. “I’m humbled and honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with NRHA’s Commissioner, the NRHA Executive Committee and the NRHA Judges and Steward Committees and will strive to maintain the high standards for NRHA and its membership.”

For more information about NRHA’s Judges Program, visit nrha.com/judges