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

The late Peter Phinny will be honored by the National Reining Horse Association with the establishment of the Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award. This honor will remain a fitting representation of the legacy of this longtime NRHA member and supporter’s contributions to the association and the sport.

The perpetual award will be presented each year, beginning in 2022 at the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel in June. The Mehl Lawson Bronze which represents the award will remain in the NRHA office in Oklahoma City.

A member of the NRHA since 1966, Phinny was raised in Fremont, Michigan, and lived most of his life in the Glen Arbor area. He will be remembered as a solid citizen, devoted to family, and always kind and generous with friends, associates, and worthy causes.

But to the reining horse world, he was simply part of the universal family drawn together by their love of the industry.

In 1972, Phinny graduated with a degree in literature from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. Writing was one of his regular pursuits, and books he wrote over the years, one with NRHA Hall of Fame member Jack Brainard, combined his passion for writing with his love of reining.

Phinny’s horse breeding and training properties were located in Maple City, Michigan, and Patagonia, Arizona. He met Tom Pierson, who was working for Jack Brainard during the writing of the book, and Pierson ultimately went to work for Phinny.

Pierson said, “I worked for Peter at his Cold Spring Farm for 10 years, and I can say that this award is a real fit for him. He always studied pedigrees and what was working and wasn’t so that would tie into this. He spent time poring over pedigrees looking for nicks and crosses. It was a big part of him and our conversations – what mares to buy – what stallion to breed to.

 “As soon as AQHA let you ship semen, Peter brought all his mares home, and it was so enjoyable for both of us. I’ve always been a broodmare guy, too, and it was like a winter wonderland full of foals. We’d keep them inside in the heated barn then let the mares and babies out in the heated arena every morning until spring when the weather changed, and they’d get to go outside. We both enjoyed that!”

NRHA Professional Matt Lantz was business partners with Phinny. “We were partners for over 30 years and I stood his stallions the majority of the time. Both Mr Melody Jac and Brennas Kid had won the NRHA Futurity. He loved the breeding business,” Lantz recalled.

NRHA Three Million Rider Tim McQuay had ridden Mr Melody Jac to the Futurity title and had some horses for Peter over the years. “He was just a very good guy and a dedicated promoter of our industry,” McQuay recalled.

Lantz added, “He was good to everyone. His kindness was very real – not a façade.”

Phinny’s cousin, Frank Merrill, who partnered with him as breeder partners on Gallo Del Cielo (Rooster), agreed.  “He was the kindest person. He loved the reining futurity and looked forward to it every year,” Merrill said. “He never missed it as long as he was able. He and his wife, Molly, gave a trophy every year to the Futurity champion in the name of Cold Spring Farm.”

That involvement has come full-circle and Peter Phinny’s legacy will live on with the annual sire recognition beginning in 2022 when it will be presented to Gunnatrashya owner Arcese Quarter Horses USA.  

In 2012, the National Reining Horse Association created the Professionals of the Year awards to recognize those members who go above and beyond to advocate for the sport, fellow members, and of course, the horses.

NRHA affiliates may nominate NRHA Professionals for the awards, which include the NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, the NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, the NRHA Youth Coach of the Year, the NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year, and the NRHA Up-and-Coming Trainer of the Year.

“These are really special awards. Not only is it great to be nominated by the affiliate, but it’s unique in that they are voted on by their peers,” noted Nick Valentine, Chairman of the NRHA Professionals Committee. “It’s been great to be able to recognize the people who are committed to NRHA and are dedicating their lives to it.”

According to Valentine, the class of 2022 is truly impressive. “I think each year we have a lot of really deserving nominees, and it’s always a hard thing when it’s time to vote because it is so hard to pick. This year, I think the winners truly are ambassadors of the NRHA. It’s not just about success in the show pen, which they all have, but about giving their time. They also all demonstrate that taking care of the horse is one of their top priorities,” he said.

Valentine added that notifying the recipients is one of his favorite tasks as Professionals Committee Chairman. “It’s really fun for me to call and congratulate them. Most of these people I know quite well, and I consider it a privilege and honor to be the one to surprise them with the news,” Valentine said.

The 2021 NRHA Professionals of the Year will be honored with custom spurs from NRHA Corporate Partner Montana Silversmiths and will be featured in the NRHA Reiner Magazine.

Professional Horseman: Trevor Dare

Trevor Dare banked the most prestigious win of his career in 2021 when he piloted Jerseys Baby Driver (Yellow Jersey x Wind Her Up Chic) to the Open Level 4 Championship of the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

Dare comes from a family that has been involved with raising horses for decades, and his uncle, Rocky Dare, is a member of the NRHA Hall of Fame. Originally from Ohio, Dare began showing horses when he was just four years old and transitioned to reining at eight. He made the move to Oklahoma more than 15 years ago, and now operates Trevor Dare Reining Horses out of Silver Spurs Equine in Purcell, Oklahoma. Trevor, his wife Laura, and their son live in Lexington, Oklahoma.

With more than $811,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings, Dare finished as the No. 7 money earner for NRHA Professionals in 2021. In addition to his Derby championship, Dare piloted Old Time Roknroll to a Top 10 finish at the 2021 NRHA Futurity.

Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year: Kaci O’Rourke

Talented might be an understatement when describing Kaci O’Rourke. The 2021 Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year is not only great with a horse; she’s also a gifted artist.

O’Rourke was born and raised in Castleton, Vermont, on her family’s Pond Hill Ranch, which, at any time has hundreds of horses. That upbringing now doubt helped O’Rourke grow as a horsewoman. She began reining at just 13 years old and became an NRHA Professional at 18. She worked with NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary for five years and then continued with NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal.

Since beginning her professional career, O’Rourke has made the Open Finals at the NRBC, NRHA Derby, and NRHA Futurity – along with multiple Derby and Futurity wins and placings. Her lifetime earnings now exceed $138,000.

O’Rourke and her husband, fellow NRHA Professional Jack Daniels, own and operate Pond Hill Performance Horses out of Pilot Point, Texas.

Youth Coach of the Year: Bud Lyon

Spend a few minutes with Bud Lyon, and it’s quickly apparent why the charismatic NRHA Professional was voted as the Youth Coach of the Year. As a youth, he competed in all-around events, and become a well-rounded horseman by riding with and learning from legendary trainers including Todd Crawford, Don Murphy, and Randy Paul.

Now, Lyon and his wife, Kim, live in Whitesboro, Texas, where they focus on reining and ranch riding horses.

Lyon has won more than $183,000 in NRHA earnings, including top finishes at major events including the National Reining Breeders Classic and NRHA Derby. He’s also been successful in other associations. He won the 2018 AQHA World Championship in Senior Ranch Riding and took the 2019 NSBA Breeders Championship Senior Ranch Riding and Junior Ranch Riding Championships. In 2019, he also won the APHA Junior Reining World Championship.

Up-and-Coming Professional of the Year: Josh Tishman

Raised in Maine, Josh Tishman began riding horses as just three years old. The only horseman in his family, Tishman tried a variety of disciplines, ranging from team roping to jumping. He eventually moved to Billings, Montana, where he competed on the Rocky Mountain College IHSA Equestrian Team.

He began riding reining horses, and in 2014, his first year to enter the NRHA Futurity, he made the Level 1 Open finals.

Now Tishman is one of NRHA’s Top Professionals, finishing 2021 as No. 9 in the list of money-earning riders. It was a big year for Tishman. At the NRHA Derby, Tishman and Gunnarickashay won the Level 3 Open and took reserve in the Level 4 at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Just months later, the pair won The Run For A Million Shoot Out, earning a spot in the 2022 The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge Million Dollar Competition.

Tishman, his wife Layton, and their daughter live in Weatherford, Texas, where he works for NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary.

Non Pro Coach of the Year: Martin Larcombe

Martin Larcombe’s steady demeanor not only helps him win in the show pen; it also has helped him become a great coach for non pro riders.

Growing up in Australia, Larcombe began his career competing in rodeos and quarter horse shows. He eventually began to focus on reining and has trained and competed on great reining horses in Australia, Europe, and the United States.

Larcombe, alongside his sister, Shauna Larcombe, was part of the first Australian reining team to compete at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.

Larcombe has lifetime earnings of more than $937,000. He’s a two-time NRHA Open World Champion, an NRHA Level 4 Open Derby reserve champion, and is a multiple finalist at all major NRHA events.

He and his wife Sam now live in Whitesboro, Texas.

For more information about the NRHA Professionals program or to find a professional in your area, visit nrha.com/professionals.