Oklahoma City, OK β April 3, 2008 β The Board of Directors of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has just approved a brand new division to be added to the 2008 NRHA Derby, June 23-28, 2008 at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK.
The new Youth Non Pro Division will be open to all Youth members. NRHA Youth riders have shown they can be very competitive at many different levels. The 2006 NRHA Futurity was the first time the Youth were included in the Futurity competition. At the 2007 NRHA Futurity, four out of 13 Youth Non Pro Futurity riders won a total of $29,000 in several NRHA Cinch Non Pro Futurity divisions including the Non Pro Futurity.
Hall of Fame member and Non Pro Committee Chair Dr. Jim Morgan, DVM has worked diligently to ensure NRHA Youth members have the option to be competitive at higher levels. βThe Youth proved that they can ride three-year-olds by winning over $29,000 in the 2007 NRHA Cinch Non Pro Futurity. The total entry fee for all the youth participating in the Youth Non Pro division was a little over $27,000. It makes good sense to include NRHA Youth in every NRHA program. We do not have to lower the standard for them. They will elevate their level of performance to meet and exceed our expectations given a chance. The NRHA has provided them that opportunity,β said Morgan.
The NRHA Non Pro Derby Youth Non Pro division will run concurrent with the Non Pro Derby. Youth members are required to enter the Non Pro division in addition to the Youth Non Pro division to compete. The entry deadline for the Youth Non Pro division is May 15, 2008 and the entry fee is $100.
For more information about the Youth Non Pro Derby division, please contact Membership Services Supervisor of Futurity/Derby Entries Susie Trimmer by calling 405-946-7400 ext.131 or email at strimmer@nrha.com.
