Oklahoma City, OK – September 12, 2008 – A major change in the NRHA Futurity and Derby nomination process is expected to provide endless benefits for many reiners for many years to come. The Futurity / Derby Nomination Program features increased and deeper payouts, especially in the Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Intermediate Non Pro and Limited Non Pro divisions. The deadline to nominate 2008 foals – December 31 – is right around the corner, and is a deadline that should not be missed by reining horse breeders.

 

The Futurity / Derby Nomination Program begins with 2008 foals and consists of a $300 one-time weanling nomination fee. This fee makes nominated foals eligible to enter the NRHA Futurity as three-year-olds, and the NRHA Derby as four, five and six-year-olds. At that time, all other applicable entry and judges fees will apply.  The nomination fee for 2008 foals must be in the NRHA office by December 31, 2008. After December 31, the nomination fee jumps to $2,000 for yearlings.

 

The NRHA Futurity / Derby Nomination Program was approved by the NRHA Board of Directors and was expected to help strengthen the NRHA Futurity and NRHA Derby. The Task Force that developed the plan spent the better part of a year working on a solution to bigger purses and increased stability to the Futurity and Derby.   

 

Tom McCutcheon, NRHA Board of Director member and task-force chair, feels they have come up with a nomination program that will provide a substantial amount of prize money for Open and Non Pro riders in both the Futurity and Derby.  “The increased payout goes into the Intermediate and Limited Open and Non Pro divisions, which ultimately is the best thing for the industry.  The new nomination program will double the prize money for those levels.�

 

One of the most exciting parts of the new plan is the Nominator Incentive in which the person or entity that nominates the foal will receive five percent of that horse’s winnings in any division of the Futurity or Derby whether they still own the horse or not.  “You can sell that colt as a yearling and receive checks on it for up to five years later,� said McCutcheon. 

 

For more detailed information on the NRHA Futurity / Derby Nomination Program, a nomination form and a list of Frequently Asked Questions, go to www.nrha.com.