Founded in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is an organization dedicated to the promotion of the reining horse. It serves as the standard setting body for the sport of Reining worldwide. Check out our Historic Milestones. 

NRHA MISSION STATEMENT:
Title: This organization is incorporated under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and shall be known as the National Reining Horse Association, and shall at all times be operated as a not for profit association in accordance with the laws of the State of Oklahoma and the United States of America.

Objective: To promote and encourage development of and public interest in agriculture and ranching through the promotion of public Reining Horse Shows; the development of suitable and proper standards of performance and judging intended to govern all Reining Horse Contests sponsored and approved by the National Reining Horse Association; to encourage the development and breeding of better Reining Horses; and to develop and disseminate informational material deemed desirable to provide contestants and spectators a better understanding of a proper performance of the Reining Horse in the show arena. 

NRHA
The National Reining Horse Association is a nonprofit association dedicated to promoting and encouraging the development of and public interest in the sport of reining. The focus is on developing and maintaining suitable standards of performance and judging and in providing a fun filled, family-oriented atmosphere. 

WHAT IS REINING?
Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse within the confines of a show arena. In NRHA competition, contestants are required to run one of thirteen approved patterns, included in the NRHA Handbook.

Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs over the hocks, 360 degree spins done in place, and exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse.

The NRHA Judging System is recognized as the leading format for judging an equine event that combines technical and stylistic elements coupled with consideration of "degree of difficulty." Many segments of the equine judging discipline have openly embraced the NRHA Judging System.

REINING WORLDWIDE
NRHA has flourished over the past two decades. Membership numbers have continued to grow and now surpass 14,000; including more than 1,400 youth members. There are currently over 1,300 NRHA approved shows and more than 150 Entry Level Reining events held around the world each year. NRHA’s premier reining events draw competitors from around the world. The NRHA Futurity, the largest reining in the world, pays $300,000 to the Level 4 Open Champion and more than $2.9 million throughout the entirety of the show. In addition, the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel pays out more than $1.5 million to competitors.

The NRHA Executive Committee has aligned with other worldwide equine associations to accomplish common goals and to move the sport of reining into the international arena. In 1988, Americana became the first show in Europe to be NRHA approved. Gaining acceptance as the first Western Discipline of the United States Equestrian Team (USET) in 1998 marked an important milestone in the history of reining, the western horse, and the NRHA. In 2000, the Federation Equestrian International (FEI) accepted reining for International Competition, and reining was approved as the first Western Discipline to be inducted into the World Equestrian Games in 2002. Today, NRHA is continuing their efforts to expand the sport of reining across all borders.

OUR PREMIER EVENTS

The NRHA Futurity - NRHAFuturity.com - NRHAFuturity.com
3-year-old horses ride for their chance to win $350,000 in total championship earnings, with a total purse and prizes reaching nearly $2.9 million to exhibitors! Nearly 5,000 entries competing in all classes, three special reining horse sales and approximately 125,000 spectators from more than 20 countries. NRHA's finest million dollar event held in late fall in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

The NRHA Derby - NRHADerby.com - NRHADerby.com
4, 5, 6 and 7-year-old horses competing for approximately $600,000 added in purse money. Held in the late spring / early summer in Oklahoma City.