From the Executive Director

RESOLUTE RESOLUTION

Traditionally, the New Year is a time for making resolutions. What is a resolution, really? Well, according to our friends at Merriam-Webster, to resolve means to make a definite or serious decision to do something.

While at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® I had the opportunity to enjoy some of the herd work while visiting with NRCHA member, owner and supporter Beverly Servi. Beverly posed a question about NRCHA that stuck with me: Who do we Dr. Anna Morrison

say that we are, and are we living by that?

That’s a big question, applied to any part of your life. And it’s a really big question when applied to a collective of individuals, even if like-minded. How do we as an organization decide who we are? How do we balance the rich heritage of our sport with its inevitable change? How do we grow and welcome new members while preserving the family atmosphere and sportsmanship that makes our association special? How do we focus on the future without losing sight of the past?

Forgive the many questions, but these are things I consider daily, and I know many of you do, as well. The more I reflect on these questions the more I am convinced that this calls for a resolution. So, if you haven’t made any resolutions of your own this New Year, join me in mine. I resolve — I make the definite and serious decision — to have fun at NRCHA events, and make sure others do, too! To be welcoming to all who join us, whether new to the arena or returning. To be respectful of our members, our organization and what we stand for together. To support the excellence that you bring to the arena through what we bring to the office. To prioritize the family-friendly atmosphere of our events so we continue to be a place where families grow together. And, to support the sportsmanship that is a cornerstone of who NRCHA is as a group of professionals and competitors.

At the core, I think that’s a big part of who NRCHA is: fun, welcoming, respectful, excellent, family-friendly and sportsmanlike. Are we living by that? I believe so. Yet, for good measure, let’s resolve to!

I look forward to seeing you in Fort Worth, Texas, in February to kick the New Year off at the Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions, featuring the Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby, MARS Equestrian™ World’s Greatest Youth Horseman and Western Bloodstock / Hashtags World’s Greatest Horseman!

Volume 27, Number 1 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: Todd Crawford 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 Membership & Affiliate Shows Manager: Tina McCleary 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.