National Reining Breeders Classic Begins This Week

At the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, it seems that the National Reining Breeders Classic has already been going on for days. The event crew moved in over a week ago and paid warm-ups have been going on in the arena nearly that long, as the facility was transformed into the fully-decorated formal look. Flowers, flags and special displays are part of the unique identity of the NRBC, and displays of the bountiful prizes are another highlight. While that face-lift has been going on for a week, the actual competition began April 16, with the first section of the Non Pro Classic Preliminary round.

The top 25 Non Pro finishers out of the field of 133 will compete in the Non Pro finals, slated for the afternoon of Friday, April 20.

Although the show began yesterday, the NRBC reiners were competitive Sunday in the Reiners’ Golf Tournament and the Texas Hold ‘Em competition. The Golf Tournament took place at Cinco Ranch Golf Course, just minutes from the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. Seven teams vied for the first place awards in the scramble format event.

Winning the first-place NRBC crystal trophies for their 13 under par finish was the team of Jim Morgan, Todd Sommers, Thom Tsika and Ross Bradeaux. They also collected $560 for the win.

For the third consecutive year, the NRBC Texas Hold’em Tournament, sponsored by Jim Pierce, was the site of a head-to-head contest between some of the industry’s top reiners. That tournament took place upstairs in the Coliseum Arena.

When Tenth Anniversary NRBC reining action begins, there’s something new right away, with the first-ever Pro M – Just Stitch It Drag Awards.

Monogrammed items sponsored by Just Stitch It, the NRBC’s official monogrammer, and Pro Management, Inc., the NRBC’s management company, will be given to the top scorer in each drag during the prelims of both the NRBC Open and Non Pro Classic.

The show will continue through April 22 and admission is free.

The National Reining Breeders Classic is the most successful stallion incentive program in reining history. In just ten years, the NRBC has grown to include nearly 300 subscribed stallions and over 18,000 enrolled foals.

For information on the NRBC, visit www.nrbc.com.