Oklahoma City, OK – February 6, 2008 – It’s the academy awards of the Reining horse industry. Members of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) were treated to a glamorous night at the 2008 NRHA Convention. The final evening of the convention was filled with special honors as the NRHA inducted five new members into its prestigious Hall of Fame and recognized the top riders, owners and horses of 2007.The NRHA held its annual convention January 25 – February 2 in Oklahoma City. The convention was designed to be a “working” event. It started on January 25th with a Judges School. The rest of the week was filled with Executive Board and Board of Directors meetings as well as full committee meetings. The open forum to discuss the proposed Futurity and Derby Nomination Program and the general membership meeting were both well attended.
Many thought it was a very productive week. NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall agreed, “By creating a working convention this year, we were able to get down to business. The convention was scheduled earlier in the year to allow many committees to get a jump start on the goals they hope to accomplish in 2008. All in all, I think this year’s Convention was a big success.”
As well as honoring the Top 20 riders and owners and the Top 10 riders and horses in each division on Saturday evening, the NRHA inducted five new members into the Hall of Fame. Through their involvement and significant contributions they’ve changed the sport and the NRHA. The 2008 inductees are the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), Dr. Jim Morgan, DVM, Mr Gun Smoke, Taris Little Vintage, and Miss Okie Too. After recognizing all of the NRHA Hall of Fame members in attendance, the NRHA paid a special video tribute to each new inductee.
NRHA President Dr. Kim Sloan also announced the NRHA Volunteer of the Year during the awards banquet. Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) Fundraising Chairman Terry Owens was chosen as the Volunteer of the Year for her hours and hours of time dedicated to planning events for and promoting the RHSF. Owens was pleasantly surprised and deeply honored to be recognized by the association. The annual NRHA Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Induction was a night to remember for many.
