From the Executive Director

CONTENTS//////

OFFICIAL SHOW PROGRAM Reined Cow Horse News, Volume 27, Number 5

IN EVERY ISSUE

4 From the Executive Director 8 From the President 10 From the Judge’s Chair 14 From the NRCHYA

SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

34 2022 Snaffle Bit Futurity Schedule 36 Committed to Cow Horse 38 Guide to the Action 44 Evolution of a Reined Cow Horse 52 Past Snaffle Bit Futurity Champions 64 Past Hackamore Classic Champions 72 Past Open Bridle Champions 74 Past Open Hackamore Champions 84 The Million Dollar Club 114 Meet the NRCHA’s Boss Mares 120 Snaffle Bit Futurity Awards 138 NRCHA Bolstered by Sponsor Support 144 Western Bloodstock Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales® 148 ARHFA World Championship Rope Horse Futurity 152 Cowboy Class 156 MARS Equestrian™ Rodear National Finals 170 The 2022 Snaffle Bit Futurity Staff 180 2022 Open Futurity Entry List 186 2022 Non Pro Futurity Entry List 188 2022 Non Pro Boxing Futurity Entry List

NRCHA INFORMATION

164 Meet the NRCHA Board of Directors 174 NRCHA Affiliate Listing 178 NRCHA Committee Directory

PRIMO MORALES

In the 2021 NRCHA Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station, Lance Johnston piloted Annies Smart Cat to the Open Champion title.

FEATURES

18 Visit Pilot Point

Stop by the NRCHA’s headquarters in Pilot Point, Texas, on your travels. 24 Finals Weekend Fun

See, taste and experience the full Futurity during the Finals weekend with this guide. 30 Cow Horse at The American

This inaugural event turns the spotlight on Western performance horsemen in 2023.

ON THE COVER: NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Champions Zak 34, owned by Melissa Fischer, and Justin Wright.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

In a matter of weeks, one rider is going to sit atop one very special 3-year-old cow horse in the alley in the historic Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas. Maybe they will close their eyes, try to slow their breath, and say a prayer they draw a good cow. Maybe they’ll have their eye on the pen already, the notes of a hype song playing in their head, adrenaline starting to pump. The horse will be alert, attention trained on the rider despite the electric atmosphere, ready to make its sixth and final run of the show. Then the gate will open, the rider will push their hat down, gather their reins and ride into the arena, the packed crowd cheering above the noise Dr. Anna Morrison of the announcers and the music. The rider will turn and call for their cow, and minutes later they will ride out as the 2022 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Champion.

Some of you know that feeling. Some of you have ridden out of that arena victorious. The rest of us have ridden every stride with you, cheering on these incredible horses as they push the scores higher and higher until the winning run stands alone. What our Snaffle Bit Futurity Finals contenders accomplish—preparing and competing across three events on 3-year-olds, TWICE—is nothing short of phenomenal. There is no other event in our industry’s futurity season that demands as much physically and mentally from horses and riders. The bar couldn’t be set higher. While the bar couldn’t be higher, this year the prize money certainly is. For the first time, the Open Champion will ride for a top prize of $200,000, and the Non Pro Champion will win their highestever prize of $40,000. It is exciting to see our purses growing closer to the level warranted by the degree of difficulty and the level of excellence our sport demands. Our sport and our purses are growing because of you—our members, riders, owners, sponsors, friends and fans. Your passion for this sport is contagious, and your welcoming nature makes it easy for people to become a part. So this October, don’t let a friend miss the party. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring a new fan and come one, come all to the 2022 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, presented by Metallic Cat.

We’ll save you a seat, but you’ll only need the edge.

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

NRCHA

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

NRCHA STAFF

Executive Director: Anna Morrison Accounting Manager: Kasydi Valentine Data & Entry Results Assistant: Taylor Meek Media & Communications Manager: Callie McCarthy-Boevers Membership & Affiliate Shows Manager: Tina McCleary Premier Event Manager: Emily Konkel Programs Manager: Jennifer Bishop Sponsorship Assistant: Bailey Carter