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chiara

  • Joined: 11/26/2018
  • Articles: 1504

Julie Elizabeth Hansma Earned Her Wings After Long Battle

Photo courtesy NCHA
Photo courtesy NCHA

Julie was born in Santa Monica, California, on July 15, 1963, to Thomas and Rosemary Dvorak. Her childhood was filled with horses, horses, and more horses. She spent several years under the guidance of Frank and Cindy Craighead, who would become lifelong friends. Rosemary traveled to Southern California to horse shows in a station wagon and trailer with Julie and younger brother Tommy in tow, helping them follow their dreams. 

After graduating high school, Julie went to work for Jack and Judy Adams and wet her feet in the cutting horse world. She then moved to Oklahoma and spent several years with the legendary Terry and Sharon Riddle.

Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award to Debut at NRHA Derby

The late Peter Phinny will be honored by the National Reining Horse Association with the establishment of the Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award. This honor will remain a fitting representation of the legacy of this longtime NRHA member and supporter’s contributions to the association and the sport.
The perpetual award will be presented each year, beginning in 2022 at the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel in June. The Mehl Lawson Bronze which represents the award will remain in the NRHA office in Oklahoma City.

2021 NRHA Professionals of the Year Announced

Photo courtesy ©NRHA
Photo courtesy ©NRHA

In 2012, the National Reining Horse Association created the Professionals of the Year awards to recognize those members who go above and beyond to advocate for the sport, fellow members, and of course, the horses.
NRHA affiliates may nominate NRHA Professionals for the awards, which include the NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, the NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, the NRHA Youth Coach of the Year, the NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year, and the NRHA Up-and-Coming Trainer of the Year.

Teton Ridge Partners With NRCHA as New Corporate Sponsor and Title Sponsor of the Stallion Stakes

The National Reined Cow Horse Association is excited to announce new corporate sponsor Teton Ridge. As part of their sponsorship, the second premier event of the 2022 show season is now the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes. An event for 4- and 5-year-old reined cow horses annually held in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Stallion Stakes Derby is an event where eligibility to enter is restricted to offspring of stallions enrolled in the NRCHA’s Subscribed Stallion Program. As the owner of NRCHA Breeder Sponsor stallion Smooth Talkin Style (sired by Smooth As A Cat), Teton Ridge is positioned to support this ever-growing event that shines a light on the reined cow horse breeding industry.

NRBC Foal Enrollments Climbed In 2021!

Carolyn Simancik
Carolyn Simancik

The National Reining Breeders Classic has been enrolling foals in its program since 1997. The enrollments climbed steadily through 2008 then, like the rest of the equine industry, experienced a large drop in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Since then, the numbers have gradually trended upward.
The enrollments are just being finalized for 2021, and the news is exciting! With 2,633 foals enrolled, 2021 has become the third highest enrollment year in the history of the NRBC, exceeding 2020’s enrollments by 180 foals, and nearing the high numbers set in 2007 and 2008.

Our Condolences – Chocolate Chic Olena 1993-2022

Photo by Waltenberry | NRHA
Photo by Waltenberry | NRHA

National Reining Horse Association Million Dollar Sire Chocolate Chic Olena was laid to rest on January 22.
The 29-year-old stallion, by Smart Chic Olena out of Jae Bar Felcia, left his mark on the industry. With his owner Carter M Smith, he finished third at the 1996 NRHA Futurity, then the pair came back the following year to win the NRHA Derby and Super Stakes. NRHA Professional Darren Stancik and NRHA Seven Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani also piloted the stallion to numerous titles. Those included an American Quarter Horse Association World Championship in Senior Reining, and four AQHA Reserve World Championships in Amateur and Junior Reining.

The Run For A Million Cow Horse Challenge Returns

This August 17-20, in Las Vegas, Nevada, The Run For A Million turns up the reined cow horse heat to not only include the open Cow Horse Challenge but also showcase the roots of reined cow horse with a Cowboy Invitational.
“The cow horse was a fan-favorite at The Run For A Million in 2021,” said Taylor Sheridan, producer of The Run For A Million. “In 2022 we’ll be doubling down on cow horse, bringing you the very best NRCHA bridle horses and professionals in the Cow Horse Challenge, and some of the best hands from America’s biggest ranches in the Cowboy Invitational.”

Our Condolences: Shining Spark 1989-2021

Photo by NRHA/Cam Essick
Photo by NRHA/Cam Essick

On New Years Eve 2021, Carol Rose announced that National Reining Horse Association Four Million Dollar Sire Shining Spark had been laid to rest on December 27.
Immediately, condolences and memories began to flood the pages of social media, telling how the palomino stallion, by Genuine Doc out of Diamonds Sparkle, had affected their life.
Shining Spark became the cornerstone of Rose’s breeding program for decades, but before he left his indelible mark in his progeny, he proved his prowess in the reining arena.

Red-Hot Ezekiel Mitchell Wins Round 1 of PBR Unleash The Beast Event in Chicago

Photo courtesy PBR by Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
Photo courtesy PBR by Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media

Joao Ricardo Vieira continues quest to become oldest PBR World Champion in history with Top-5 effort in opening round of competition from Allstate Arena

CHICAGO – On a snowy Friday evening in the greater Chicago area, Ezekiel Mitchell (Rockdale, Texas) was red-hot as the 12th PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Unleash The Beast event in the Windy City got underway. As one of 13 riders to cover their opening-round draw, Mitchell won Round 1 of the tour stop inside Allstate Arena, surging to an early lead at the PBR Tractor Supply Co. Invitational.