Reining Demonstrations at the Alltech®FEI World Equestrian Games

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce yet another addition to its efforts at the 2010 Alltech®FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) – NRHA Reining Demonstrations September 25 – October 10.
NRHA Professionals, top competitors, and WEG athletes will lead daily NRHA reining demonstrations in the John Deere Reining Arena featuring NRHA “Ride a Reiner” and American Quarter Horses. Casey Deary, Matt Flarida, Mike Flarida, Shawn Flarida (tent.), Tom Foran, Ben Gerst, Craig Johnson, Jordan Larson, Jared Leclair,  Mandy McCutcheon, Tom McCutcheon (tent.), Tim McQuay (tent.), Matt Palmer (tent.), Rieky Young, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association / Central Kentucky Riding for Hope and many others will give insight on riding and training reining horses. NRHA alliance partner and WEG reining breed sponsor, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), will offer American Quarter Horse demonstrations, as well. Look below for a tentative NRHA demonstration schedule.

NRHA is grateful to the many owners who have generously donated the use of their horses for reining demonstrations and NRHA “Ride a Reiner.” Owners Ann & Ian Barnard, Jennifer & Tom Hoyt, Kyle & Heather Johnson, Becky Jordan, Michael & Pam Shelton, Kim Switzer, Mindy Truex, Bailey Walters and Brett Walters are tremendous supporters of Reining’s presence at the WEG.

NRHA Reining Demonstration Schedule:
September 25 & 26: Matt Flarida (NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Division Reserve Champion and multiple NRHA Top Ten rider), Mike Flarida (NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee and two-time NRHA Futurity Open Champion), Shawn Flarida (tent.)(Only NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider, 2002 World Equestrian Games Individual and Team Gold Medalist), and guest Terry Howell

September 27: Mandy McCutcheon(First and only Non Pro and female NRHA Million Dollar Rider, multiple Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity and multiple NRHA Derby Non Pro Champion)

September 27 & 28: Casey Deary(NRHA Futurity Level 2 Division Champion and Level 3 Open Division Reserve Champion and NRHA Professional)

September 29 & 30: Craig Johnson (NRHA Million Dollar Rider, two-time NRHA Open Futurity Champion and multiple AQHA Reining World Champion)

October 1: Rieky Young (FEI World Reining Masters CRI-A Restricted Open Reserve Champion, Mallorca Reining Trophy Open finalist, Reining Trophy Open finalist and 2006 World Equestrian Games Team Member)

October 2 & 3: North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (NARHA members help more than 42,000 children and adults with physical, mental and emotional challenges find strength and independence through the power of the horse each year)

October 5: Jordan Larson (Top 20 NRHA Professional, NRHA Intermediate Open World Champion and NRHA Limited Open World Champion)

October 7 & 8: Tom Foran (NRHA Professional, AQHA Junior Reining World Champion, and multiple Adequan® North American Affiliate Champion)

October 9 & 10: Ben Gerst (NRHA Professional and NRHA Level 2 Open Division Futurity and Derby Champion) andJared Leclair (NRHA Top 20 Professional and NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open Division Champion)

TBA: Tom McCutcheon (2002 World Equestrian Games Team Gold Medalist and Individual Silver Medalist and NRHA Million Dollar Rider) and Tim McQuay (2006 World Equestrian Games Team Gold Medalist, NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider, NRHA Million Dollar Owner and NRHA Hall of Fame inductee) and Matt Palmer (Carolina Classic Level 4 and Level 3 Open Division Derby Champion, seven-time All American Quarter Horse Congress Level 3 Open Division Futurity finalist and NRHA Professional)

Media Opportunities
Media contacts also will be given the prospect of experiencing the adrenaline rush of Reining. A limited number of spots are available for WEG credentialed media to sit astride a reining horse and learn more about the sport first-hand. To express interest, e-mail Christa Morris at cmorris@nrha.com.

More About NRHA
NRHA is a long-time proponent of the Games and the global expansion of Reining, even prior to Reining’s debut at the 2002 Games. NRHA provided the support and input needed to create and enhance the Games’ Reining competition format. Due primarily to NRHA, the newly improved format offers an augmented purse, deeper payouts for team and individuals, as well as increased days of competition. For more information on NRHA and the sport of Reining, visit nrha.com.

Photo Credit: Waltenberry/NRHA