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Story Via: Cheryl Cody, NRCHA Media & Public Relations
NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Begins September 17!
The National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity is slated for September 17-29 in Reno, Nevada.
The Snaffle Bit Futurity was created to perpetuate the first stage of the traditional progression of training the California Vaquero Bridle Horse and its special mystique blends the heritage of the American west with today's most precise contemporary horsemanship.
The Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion will receive a paycheck of $100,000 on finals night at the Reno Livestock Events Center. Mirroring the intensity of the top open riders are the other divisions which award championships to Intermediate and Limited Open and Non Pro, Intermediate and Novice Non Pro, Amateur and Level One Open. There's something for everyone at the Futurity and the fun factor is slated to be huge in 2012.
Amanda Gardiner, appointed to the NRCHA Board of Directors in early 2012, has spearheaded a new approach to the Snaffle Bit Futurity and her efforts and direction have resulted in a Clinton Anderson Colt-Starting Seminar and Celebrity Cow Work on Friday, September 28, and a large video screenthat will be in place during the last three days of the Futurity.
Gardiner has also lined up country music artist Trent Willmon to perform at the new Finals Party to be held in the Arena Floor just after the Open Finals on Saturday night, September 29. Joining Willmon as entertainment for the week is western and folk singer-songwriterJuni Fisher, who will perform both at the NRCHA Hall of Fame Banquet and at the Finals Day opening ceremonies.
Admittedly, Amanda is excited about the changes that the NRCHA Board has put in place for 2012. "We want to give a new look and feel to the event," she noted. Additional changes for 2012 include a change in ticketing so that only the last three days of the event are ticketed with all seats selling for $15. Bleacher seating will not be available to create space for other activities such as a wine tasting and an autograph session by Clinton Anderson
Besides the arena action, the "Best of the West Trade Show", select cow horse sales and special activities give this show a unique personality. The trade show set for September 22-29 is an ideal place to get started on Christmas shopping. Trade show vendors offer everything from jewelry to clothing to artwork to unique horse equipment.
It's all there to be found and for those interested in purchasing their own cow horse, the offering of consignments in the NRCHA World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales is better and larger than ever. The sales begin on Thursday and go through Saturday morning.
The Snaffle Bit Futurity always sets the stage for remembering great riders of the past, as the headquarters hotel for the futurity, the Silver Legacy, hosts the Annual NRCHA Hall of Fame Banquet on Thursday, September 27. A special video presentation of the 2012 NRCHA Hall of Fame inductees will highlight the evening.
Each year, the renowned Ward Ranch of Kingsburg, California, donates a well-bred 2-year-old reined cow horse for the NRCHA Raffle Colt, and the winner of this year's filly - Prima Madonna - will be drawn during finals day, as well.
Both because of the tremendous payoff and the "who's who" list of entries, which includes the western horse industry's most skilled riders, the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity is the most visible cow horse event in the world. The three distinct competitions that make up the event - herd work, rein work and cow work - offer a challenge for equine talent and horsemanship skill that is unequalled. The exciting action keeps fans on the edge of their seats, or springing to their feet to watch a horse turn a cow on the fence at warp speed!
In the herd work, the horse cuts a cow from the herd and shows its ability to control it with little assistance from his rider. In the reining, the horse is judged on precise maneuvers that include circles, sliding stops, spins and rollbacks. The climactic cow work demonstrates the ability to control the movements of a cow down the fence and in the center of the arena.
The National Reined Cow Horse Association, now in its 62nd year, is the governing body of cow horse competition, is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, John Deere, Markel Insurance Company, Platinum Performance, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino, and Merial products UlcerGard and EQUIOXX, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today's equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.
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