Oklahoma City, OK – November 6, 2007 – 15 Nations, 20 Top Riders, 20 Quality Reining Horses = 1 Night of High Caliber Competition! The excitement is building for the 2007 $100,000 added FEI World Reining Masters. The competitors will strive to be named the sport of Reining’s best rider in the world. The FEI World Reining Masters is set for Thursday, November 29 and is definitely one of the “must-see” events during the 2007 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK.
The highly-skilled reiners from 15 different countries will travel across oceans and continents to represent their countries and ride for their flag. NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall said, “Combined, these top-notch riders have earned close to $1.5 million dollars in lifetime earnings. They’re a group of equestrians exemplifying reining excellence. We are very fortunate to have been chosen to host this year’s World Reining Masters and encourage everyone to join us for this very exciting night highlighting reiners from all parts of the world.”
Fans will see reiners from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the USA.
While in Oklahoma City, the World Reining Masters competitors and their country’s delegations will be treated to the sights Oklahoma’s capital city has to offer. There will be a special reception honoring the riders who have earned their place to compete in the Masters. They will also be given the opportunity to experience all the beautiful works of western art and Oklahoma history at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The riders and delegations will also visit several other Oklahoma City landmarks during their stay and shop ’til they drop at many of the western stores in the area.
The $100,000 added FEI World Reining Masters is an annual competition to find the most elite individual reiners in the world. The top rider, according to a point system, in each National Federation (NF) qualified to compete in the World Reining Masters (WRM). The USA, Canada, Italy, Germany and Switzerland will be allowed to send their top two riders to compete in the Masters, open division only. These five countries were finalists at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Other country’s NFs can send one rider; these riders are eligible to compete in the open and restricted divisions. As well as competing for the $100,000 purse, the riders will also be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in two divisions: Open and Restricted.
For more information contact Sr. Director of Alliances, Equine Sales and International Development Debbie Drinko at 405-946-7400 ext 119 or ddrinko@nrha.com.
