Oklahoma City, OK – September 28, 2006 – It was a history-making event as South Africa hosted its first ever National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) approved show. This NRHA historic milestone was held Saturday, September 9th at the Southern Riding Center in Johannesburg. Seventeen reiners competed in three different classes; Open, Limited Open and Non-Pro.
The South African Reining Horse Association (SARHA) was founded four and a half years ago and membership has grown every year since. SARHA President Lynn Muller says, “I must thank the NRHA and all their team for going out of their way to help us with all our last minute rush jobs. Without this help, our first-ever, in fact, Africa’s first-ever affiliated Reining show could never have happened. We in South Africa are hoping this exciting event will in its small way help Reining to one day be accepted as an Olympic sport.” The excitement over this historic milestone is being felt halfway around the world at the NRHA International Headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dan Wall, NRHA Executive Director, says “We are proud of South Africa’s first NRHA sanctioned event. This paves the way for the sport of Reining to grow in South Africa and we look forward to working closely with the officers of the South African Reining Horse Association in the future development and promotion of Reining.” South Africa is just one of 99 NRHA affiliates round the world. In the future, the SARHA plans to offer NRHA Judges’ Seminars and clinics to educate Reining enthusiasts about the sport.
For more information contact Kathy Damrill at kdamrill@nrha.com or (405) 946-7400 ext. 129.
