Oklahoma City, OK – February 8, 2008 – The Board of Directors of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has just approved the schedule for the 2008 NRHA Derby set for June 23 – 28 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK. The NRHA Derby is the NRHA’s premiere event for 4, 5, and 6 year old horses and awards hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes each year.
As well as spectacular reining, this year’s Derby has many added attractions created especially for families. The Derby will feature family-fun events including exhibitor parties, daily block parties, a street basketball tournament, dunk tank and plenty of youth activities.
Inside the arenas, spectators will find impressive reining action from past NRHA Futurity champions, a full slate of ancillary classes and AQHA and APHA reining classes. The NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship, billed as the ultimate catch ride, gives riders a chance to prove their skills aboard horses they ride for the first time just prior to entering the arena to compete. While at the Derby, those in the market for a reining horse are also invited to attend the NRHA/Markel Insurance Spotlight Sale on Saturday, June 28 at 10:00 am.
The NRHA moved the Derby to late June so more families with children and Non Pro competitors could attend. NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall hopes the change will allow more exhibitors to participate, “The Aged Events Committee took a long, hard look at the past history of the Derby and because of the previous date in mid-May many people opted not to attend because of school or work conflicts.” Wall continued, “By moving the Derby back into late June and adding fun parties and events that the whole family can participate in, we hope more people will make Oklahoma City and the NRHA Derby the destination of their family vacation this year.”
For the first time, the NRHA Derby will host the Adequan®/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach and the Selection Trial for the North American Young Rider Championship (NAYRC) Reining teams. 2008 marks the first year that Reining has been included in the NAYRC.
The Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach will bring the nation’s finest reiners together to compete for their chance to land a spot on the U.S. Reining Team. The top four reiners from the U.S. will go on to compete at the first-ever FEI World Reining Championships in September in Manerbio, Italy.
The 2008 NRHA Derby will also provide an excellent opportunity for young reiners. The Derby will hold the first-ever Selection Trial for the NAYRC. In order to compete in the Championships, USEF young riders between the ages of 16-21 must first qualify by competing in the CRI-Y (Concours Reining Internationale – Young Rider) class offered at the Derby. Qualifiers will then advance to the NAYRC held July 30 – August 3 in Parker, Colorado.
As well as fantastic reining competition, families can expect to have lots of fun, food and fellowship at the 2008 NRHA Derby, June 23-28 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK. For a look at the schedule for the 2008 NRHA Derby go to www.nrha.com.
If you’d like more information about the Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach, please contact USEF Director of Reining Courtney Barnett at 859-225-6919 or cbarnett@usef.org.
For more information about the NAYRC qualifier held at the Derby contact either Barnett or NRHA Supervisor of Youth Programs Mandy Kennedy at 405-946-7400 ext. 130 or mkennedy@nrha.com.
