The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) is steeped in vaquero traditions yet moves confidently into the future with the energy of a cow horse going down the fence. There’s a lot to learn from this dynamic association that is leading the way in membership engagement, growth across multiple sectors of competition, and spectator enthusiasm.
What we talk about:
At the Cowboy Office Today:
Paul Bailey
Brian Dygert
Jody Brainard
The NRCHA has proven to be resistant to the inflationary pressures experienced by most of the economy. Shows experienced a 20% growth rate in 2022 and they are expecting moderate growth to continue this year. This exciting multidiscipline event attracts both competitors and spectators, which is a draw for sponsors to help further boost NRCHA’s five premier events. The first premier event of the year is held this month.
Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions
When: February 10-20, 2023
Where: Ft. Worth, TX
Details:
Cutting, reining, and fence work form the trifecta of NRCHA premier events with steer stopping added to the World’s Greatest Horseman competition. This year’s World’s Greatest Horseman competition will be the largest ever with 75 competitors vying for the coveted title. Youth are getting in on the action with the Youth World’s Greatest Horseman competition while non pro and open riders can compete in an array of classes throughout the ten day celebration.
About the Cow Horse:
Training of cow horses follows the vaquero tradition from snaffle to hackamore into the two-rein and finally the bridle. Like many western disciplines, the historical pressure has been put on young horses, but NRCHA sees the value of encouraging longevity and incentivizing progressing training to finish horses in the bridle. They have added purse money to these events for older horses to encourage owners and trainers to keep the future of their horse’s in mind.
Creating Stability:
NRCHA has a vision: To produce the best cow horse events possible. Keeping this simple vision in mind helps them focus on the steps that will help them reach their goal. They have assembled one team that manages all five of their premier events in-house. These five events paid out $5.6 million dollars in 2022. That’s a big challenge for a single team but consistency lends itself to the success of these events and the association overall.
Customer service is a cornerstone for the NRCHA and listening to their stakeholders is key for meeting their customer service goals. When the membership expressed their desire to keep boxing classes through higher levels, the association listed and incorporated boxing into their non pro and youth eligibility levels. The response was an increase in membership and show entries. The membership can also be credited with much of the sponsor interest and have been called “the most loyal supporters” of NRCHA’s sponsors.
Professionals at all levels can enjoy a wider payback schedule that pays deeper into the competition giving owners and trainers a greater chance and earning back at least a portion of their expenses. The Snaffle Bit Futurity purse pays at least $10,000 to 25th place. These deeper payout structures contribute significantly to the number of riders inducted into the million dollar club.
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National Reined Cow Horse Association
Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions: February 10-20
Production and marketing by ConsultMent.Agency
Episode 37
The NRHA has 40 rule proposals on the table for 2026. We review and discuss each rule and explore the effects for the sport and association.
Episode 36 The Arabian Working Western Alliance. AWWA.
The newest challenge to the working western horse in a competitive arena. Amateurs are the highlight as well as the skills of a western horse put together in a challenging format that is more than Ranch Riding.
Episode 35 Jim Kiser from Kiser Arenas.
The Man in the Arena. He is riding forward as he shares how to measure, test and manage our performance ground to keep horses sound, performing higher and producing our events better. Join us for a great discussion.
2024 Open Reining Champion. Kaci O”Rourke and The Fireman make history as the 1st woman to win this prestigious event.
We review the event and provide data and analytics for the officiating performance relative to the professional talent displayed.
Episode 34 has an epic discussion around the common issues and scenarios in the industry. Race horses or high performance horses, change the names, venues and towns as the story may be very similar. From medications performance enhancing drugs, government regulations and the bond between horse and human along with what competition will do to human behavior. Join us for a great conversation.
Episode 33 has the #2 Open Rider from All Time in Reining, Shawn Flarida as he shares his insights, forward thinking and lessons learned from one of his Great Horses, Spooks Gotta Whiz and the dynamic event, The Run for the Million in Vegas.
Selecting a horse for the TRFM Finals, preparing your horse along with lessons learned from this ride as the sport continues to evolve. Shawn has qualified and been in every TRFM Finals to date. What event is the SuperBowl of Reining?
1 Rider: 1 Horse competition as opposed to 1 Rider: 3 Horses in open aged events; we discuss along with the open leveling for riders. Is there a difference between L3 & L4 ?
