NRHA Hires Billy Smith as Next Commissioner


Following the announcement of current NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter’s retirement at the end of the year, NRHA has hired Billy Smith as his replacement to lead the association.


Following the announcement of current NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter’s retirement at the end of the year, NRHA has hired Billy Smith as his replacement to lead the association.


For Immediate Release:
Cremona, May 27 — The €483.567-Added National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, closed today with the Open Finals in the CremonaFiere reining arena. 48 horse-rider combinations across the four levels made the prestigious Finals following Wednesday’s qualifier with one run that stood out from the others. Italian Manuel Cortesi and July Joe Snap stormed into the arena and performed a breathtaking NRHA pattern #12 paid back by the judges with the highest score of the event, a 232.


For Immediate Release:
Cremona, May 26 — The first champions of the 2023 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, were crowned on Friday night in the CremonaFiere reining arena.
Topping the field of 32 horse-rider combinations across the 4 levels was Matteo Capello of Italy riding Shya Shine. The duo had already left their mark by winning the Non Pro qualifier with a 220 score. They came back with a strong performance worth a 218.5 in the second section of the Finals, enough to win the EUR 79.953,76-Added Level (L)4 Non Pro Championship.


For Immediate Release:
Cremona, May 25—As the 15th edition of the $250,000-Added NRHA European Futurity continues, NRHA Non Pro and Youth classes took center stage in Cremona, Italy, today.


For Immediate Release:
Cremona, May 23—The 15th edition of the $250,000-Added NRHA European Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, lit up the CremonaFiere arena with the Open qualifier. 95 horse-rider combinations competed for a spot in Saturday’s Open finals with the 2022 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity Champions, Manuel Cortesi and July Joe Snap, scoring a 226 to lead the Level (L)4 division.


For Immediate Release:
Cremona, May 22—The 15th edition of the $250,000-Added NRHA European Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, opened today with the Non Pro qualifier. In a field of 61 combinations, Italian Matteo Capello and Shya Shine (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine x Shyawhiz) came back strong to win the Level (L)4 go round with a 220 score.


The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) honors a new member of the elite NRHA $9 Million Dollar Sire list, Gunnatrashya. After reaching the $7 Million milestone 14 months ago, this stallion’s offspring continue to propel him to new achievements rapidly, securing his place in history books.


For Gina-Marie Schumacher, her ride in the NRBC Non Pro Classic Level 4 Finals aboard Gunnastepya was a lot of fun. For the judges, it was top of the class, and the 227.5 score reflected that feeling.
Schumacher, from Germany with Gordonville, Texas, being home in the United States, is an NRHA Million Dollar Rider. Gunnaztepya (Gunnatrashya x SDP A Lasting Step) didn’t quite have as extensive of a resume, but the stallion is continuing to build it, one event at a time.


Taylor Sheridan, writer and producer, of the Paramount Network’s hit series “Yellowstone,” “1883,” and many other movies and series, has been named the 2023 recipient of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association’s (NCEA) Ring of Honor.


Those to witness the Open Classic preliminary round at the 2023 NRBC are sure to never forget it. The 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-year-olds brought the heat to Tulsa, Oklahoma, these two days. Andrea Fappani and All Bettss Are Off (Gunner x Wimpys Little Chic) owned by Rancho Oso Rio LLC, take the lead in the Level 4 preliminaries marking a whopping 230 and winning $17,306.


By the 50th draw in the NRBC Open Classic, there was already a 226.5 to set the bar for the rest of the day’s competitors. By the time the 121 runs completed, 14 runs were a 225 or above, with Cade McCutcheon and Varsity Blu (Wimpy Chic x Flo N Blu Boon) taking the lead with a 229.5. The bay stallion was bred by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC, and is owned by Frank and Susan Costantini, Rick Clark and Brent Clark, and Joe Wolfe. McCutcheon leads the Level 4 headed into Day Two’s runs.