NRHA
Derby Offers Western Riding Action
Cowboys and horses on the prairie may be in short supply on the
great plains of Oklahoma. But cowboys and horses working together,
displaying
phenomenal teamwork
in patterns of lightning speed, sliding stops, and spins as fast as an Oklahoma
twister can be found at the State Fair Park Arena, May 17-23 at the NRHA (National
Reining Horse Association) Derby.
Besides the action and competition that comes with the sport of Reining, the
NRHA Derby holds entertainment, education, a horse sale and shopping in old west
fashion. There’s no better place to enjoy the atmosphere of the western
lifestyle than at the NRHA Derby.
The
NRHA, the governing body of the sport of Reining, is headquartered
at Oklahoma State Fair Park where
two of the association’s biggest events are held
annually – the NRHA Derby and the NRHA Futurity & Championship Show,
which begins each year on Thanksgiving day.
The
2004 NRHA Derby
For most, May is a time for finishing out the school year and
planning summer vacations. To a reining exhibitor, early May
is a time for final preparations
and training for the Derby where each of the more than 500 exhibitors pack
their tack, suitcases and haul their horses to OKC in hopes that
the Derby will be
payday. The Derby boasts of a total purse of more than $500,000.
Entertainment
If you’re looking for entertainment, check out the Freestyle Demonstration
held Saturday evening. A real crowd-pleaser, Freestyle is a reining routine choreographed
to music with horse and rider in costume.
To
watch the best Non Pros in the reining industry compete on their
4-, 5- and 6-year-old horses at
one of the most prestigious events of the year, take in
the Non Pro Derby Finals Saturday evening.
For
an on-the-edge-of-your-seat experience, don’t miss the NRHA Open Derby
Finals Saturday evening. NRHA’s most talented and respected professional
riders go head to head in the event’s premier and most highly anticipated
competition. The Open Champion will earn a guaranteed $50,000 paycheck!
Special
Activities
For the first time ever, the NRHA Derby will host the Bayer/USEF Open Reining
Championship Final with a purse of $75,000. Competitors will also be adding
to their earnings to qualify for the World Reining Masters Finals at the NRHA
Futurity & Championship
Show. NRHA will offer free admission all day Sunday for any and all who want
to watch reining action on an international level. NRHA’s newest Million
Dollar Rider, Duane Latimer of Ardmore, Oklahoma, will be honored during a special
ceremony Friday evening as well. NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Sire, Reminic,
owned by the Reminic Partnership, will also be honored on Saturday evening preceding
the Open Derby Finals. And the United States best collegiate reining competitors
will come together to compete in the NRHA Collegiate Reining Champion- ship at
11 a.m. on Friday. Also, highlighting
the Derby is reining’s best
young riders competing for top honors in the USEF Young Rider Reining Medal Class
on Sunday
morning. NRHA Youth will be competing on Saturday morning.
In
The Market for a Reiner?
Looking for a reining horse? The NRHA Derby is host to the Derby Spotlight
Sale, Saturday, May 22 at 10 a.m. This sale features outstanding individuals
representing
the premier bloodlines of the reining horse industry.
Shopping
Western Style
The NRHA Derby also features shopping at its best, including
Western décor,
clothing, jewelry, artwork, tack, trailers and everything for horsemen, western
enthusiasts and horse lovers alike. There is something for everyone at the Derby
Trade Show.
Unable
To Attend?
If
you are unable to attend, you can kick off your boots and saddle
up for two
hours of highlights from the Derby’s Friday evening performance, as well
as lots of other interesting information about the NRHA, its competitors and
the sport of Reining. The show will broadcast May 21 at 6:30 p.m. and will
air on Cox Communications local cable channel 7.
If
you would like to learn more about the sport of Reining, the NRHA
and its
member benefits, go to www.nrha.com or contact
the NRHA office at 405-946-7400.
FREE ADMISSION TO THE NRHA DERBY ALL DAY, SUNDAY MAY
23RD!
