NRHA Finds Balance Amid Leadership Change

Reining is poised for continued advancement if it can maintain a delicate balance. NRHA leaders discuss NRHA shows, medication rules, officiating and much more.

Episode 16: We peek behind the gate with NRHA President Mark Blake and President-Elect Mike Hancock to see what’s happening in the sport of reining today and hear how they are planning for the future.

Can NRHA leadership capitalize on the current enthusiasm for the western culture to ensure the future of reining?

Cowboy is cool again thanks to the popularity of Yellowstone and innovative producers of The American Performance Horseman and The Run for a Million. Reining is poised to tap into the potential for continued growth and advancement if the leadership can maintain its balance through ever-changing terrain. The Cowboys and NRHA leadership ride through trails including NRHA Futurity & Derby, medications rules, officiating and much more. 

At the Cowboy Office Today:

Mark Blake

  • NRHA President

Mike Hancock

  • NRHA President-Elect

Brian Dygert

Jody Brainard

  • Professional Horseman
  • Multiple World Champion
  • Professional Coach and Teacher for Youths & Non-Professionals
  • Official, Researcher, Monitor & Mentor for over 35 Years

What we talk about:

The American Performance Horseman

  • Redefining the horse show event by interspersing reining, cutting, and cow horse with concerts from contemporary singers and bands. 
  • 18,000 tickets sold
  • Exposition vs competition
  • Producers entered own horses, does it matter? 
  • How a one horse, one rider event differs from competitions that allow one rider on multiple horses

Medications

  • How does the NRHA adopt a modified sedative rule for competition? 
  • Takes effect June 1 (Derby will have in effect)
  • Stiffer penalties for violations
  • Romifidine – Board reviewing that decision
    • Member survey
    • Veterinarian input
  • Balancing rules that allow you to do what is best for horse with performance enhancement that creates an unfair advantage  

Association Leadership

  • NRHA Commissioner, Gary Carpenter, retiring
    • The search begins for the next NRHA leader
  • Economy Concerns
    • Will the war in Ukraine impact the future of reining?
    • Changing economics in the US
  • Governance
    • Social License to Operate
    • Making the most of current excitement in the sport and prepare for potential dips in the future
    • Strategic planning meeting this summer

What we learned from COVID

  • Positive impact regarding slowing training down and longevity of show horses 
  • Resilience of outdoor activities and cowboy mindset

Reining & International Competition

  • Partnering with international producers
  • Providing foundation by maintaining rules, oversight, technology record keeping

NRHA Futurity & Derby

  • Event management 
  • NAAC and the NRHA Futurity

Growth

  • Membership remains steady
  • Entries up 22% from 2017 to 2022 
  • Nominations hovered around 2500, this year over 3000

Cowboy Office

Website: CowboyOffice.com

Facebook: @cowboyofficeshow

Instagram: @cowboyofficeshow

LinkedIn: cowboy-office>

TikTok:@cowboyofficeshow

Email: Exec@CowboyOffice.com

Resources

National Reining Horse Association: www.nrha.com

Production and marketing by ConsultMent.Agency

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