The National Reining Horse Association’s (NRHA) prestigious event for four, five and six year old horses is nearing and NRHA officials have just released the schedule for the spectacular event. It’s packed with six days of Reining competition. You can find the NRHA Derby schedule, stall reservation forms, and conditions at www.nrha.com. There are several deadlines approaching so don’t delay.
The 2007 NRHA Derby is set for May 14–19 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK. NRHA officials have spent months planning a family fun time filled with all sorts of activities.
At the 2006 NRHA Derby, approximately 1,000 horses competed for more than $500,000 in cash and prizes. This year’s event is expected to attract even more entries and that means a bigger purse.
In addition to great Reining competition at the NRHA Derby, you’ll find all sorts of things to do. Be sure to support the Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) at the “Taste of Reining.” For just $10, you can taste the mouth-watering fare from some of Oklahoma City’s finest restaurants and support the RHSF at the same time! The event has become such a huge success since its debut at the 2005 NRHA Derby, the RHSF is making it an annual event. Bring your money and your appetite to the Cantina in the State Fair Arena on Friday, May 18.
Then on Saturday, May 19, the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) is hosting its annual Youth Day at the Derby. You’ll find a Youth Judging Clinic, demonstrations by the Oklahoma City Mounted Police and agility dogs, a Reining demonstration with NRHA Professional John Horn and a Derby Block Party featuring a petting zoo, moonwalk, dunk tank and a rock climbing wall. Everyone attending the Derby Block Party is encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item. The NRHyA is having the food drive to benefit and raise awareness for the Oklahoma City Food Bank.
Saturday also features the popular NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship competition. It’s billed as the “Ultimate Catch Ride” where reiners will have 15 minutes to warm up on a borrowed horse and then compete with other qualifiers in the Championship.
If you’re in the market for a yearling, broodmare, two or three year old or a broke horse, you don’t want to miss the 2007 NRHA Markel Derby Spotlight Sale, Saturday, May 19. Consignments will be posted at www.nrha.com in early April… so watch for updates.
Then, the grand finale at the NRHA Derby, the Open Derby Finals will be held Saturday evening. In 2006, it was a Derby Open of “Firsts”! For the first time in its 26-year history, a woman walked to the winner’s circle at the Derby, for the first time the Champion won three divisions of the Derby, and for the first time the Derby was won by a horse that was bred, born, raised and trained in Europe. Kelly Zweifel rode Master Snapper, owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi of Modena, Italy, to claim the 2006 NRHA Derby Championship. It will be hard to top that one, but one thing’s for sure, the competition will be fierce as the world’s best reiners try to take home the title of the 2007 NRHA Derby Champion and lay claim to a share of the more than $500,000 in cash and prizes.
