From the Executive Director

As I write this, we are less than a week out from completing the 2021 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat, and I still haven’t come off of the high. What a show—and what an Open Finals—friends! If you were lucky enough to be one of the thousands of people who watched our Open finalists lay down 220+ rein and cow work run after run, you know exactly how electric it was in the historic Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, on the night of October 23rd.

A huge congratulations goes out to all of our finalists, and of course, to Justin Wright for his Championship aboard Zak 34 for owner Melissa Fischer. Many of you Dr. Anna Morrison

now know the story behind this special 3-year-old’s name, and there was no doubt that Melissa’s son, Seth, was there in spirit that evening as Justin and “Zak” took their victory lap.

The Open Finals were an exciting cap on an outstanding 17-day event, and those last runs always stick in our memories. Equally memorable and important were the accomplishments of our Non Pro division finalists, as well as our Intermediate Open and Limited Open finalists. Congratulations to each of our finalist riders and owners on your successes, and don’t forget to give thanks to those special horses who offered the heart and try to get you there. We’ll all look forward to watching you in the Derbies next year!

In addition to our hundreds of Futurity contenders, we also celebrated the accomplishments of our Oswood Stallion Station-supported Hackamore Classic exhibitors, and enjoyed cheering on those who showed in our Horse Show classes and special events, like the Cow Horse for Cutters and the inaugural Cow Horse for Ropers. The time, effort and resources of so many members went into making the Snaffle Bit Futurity a success, and we’re thankful to each of you.

As we ease toward the end of another show season, and I cap my first year in the role of executive director, I would like to extend a thank you to each and every person who participated in our 2021 NRCHA events, whether at an affiliate or sanctioned show or at a premier event. I would like to thank each of you who offered words of encouragement or advice; you helped our team to find our footing and stay on track as we’ve worked on your behalf. Thank you to our sponsors for your trust and support of this special organization. And thank you to our Board of Directors, members and staff for your dedication and commitment to NRCHA.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and we’ll see you in the New Year! Anna Morrison, Executive Director

Volume 26, Number 6 Official Publication of the National Reined Cow Horse Association Published by Morris Equine Group a division of MCC Magazines, LLC NRCHA

256 North Hwy 377 | Pilot Point, TX 76258 Phone: 940-488-1500 | Fax: 940-488-1499 info@nrcha.com | www.NRCHA.com

NRCHA OFFICERS & DIRECTORS:

President: Corey Cushing Vice President: Paul Bailey Secretary: Frank Prisco Treasurer: Trey Neal NRCHA Foundation: MJ Isakson

NRCHA STAFF

Executive Director: Dr. Anna Morrison Premier Event Manager: Emily Konkel Accounting Manager: Kasydi Valentine Communications Manager: Kate Bradley Byars Program Manager: Elizabeth Ellis Director of Judges: Bill Enk Official NRCHA Photographer: Primo Morales Official NRCHA Videographer: Equine Promotion REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Vice President: John Lunn Editor: Kate Bradley Byars Managing Editor: Jennifer Denison Production Manager: Sherry Brown Art Director: Susan Sampson Advertising Sales Shawn McCoy, 817-929-8597 shawn.mccoy@morris.com Sales Customer Service Manager: Diana Buettner, 817-569-7114 diana.buettner@morris.com Advertising, Fax 817-737-9633

Reined Cow Horse News (ISSN 23803975) is published six times a year by Cowboy Publishing Group. Known office of publication: 2112 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107. All contents are copyright of the National Reined Cow Horse Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission from the NRCHA. Opinions expressed in articles and advertising in Reined Cow Horse News do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of the NRCHA or its officers and members. Accuracy of material is the sole responsibility of the authors. Unsolicited materials are submitted at the sender’s risk and the NRCHA accepts no responsibility for them. Please address all submissions to: Reined Cow Horse News, 256 North Hwy 377, Pilot Point, Texas, 76258. Subscription rate is $25 a year. Periodical postage paid at Pilot Point, Texas, 76258 and additional mailing offices. USPS number, 024-906. Postmaster: Send address changes to Reined Cow Horse News, 256 North Hwy 377, Pilot Point, Texas, 76258.