It would be hard to come up with a more generic description for a horse than the old sorrel, but a talented stallion with that moniker made his mark as a foundation sire for the historic King Ranch. Now, Old Sorrel can be found in the pedigrees of top reining horses more than a century…
The Southwest Reining Horse Association Even though the reining industry in the north Texas and southern Oklahoma areas was in its infancy, the dedicated reiners were people of action. Wayne Laske, who worked for the Tony Lama Boot Company, had moved to Ardmore. An avid proponent of and participant in reining, he remembered, “Jack Brainard…
Although many could not understand their decision, something about moving to Oklahoma resonated with a special group of reiners who felt a sense of homecoming on arrival. Like those who moved to Texas, the early immigrants created a new equine-centered community and a competitive but supportive culture. The Sooner state became home. There was plenty…
Yonathan Baruch Horsemen and women across the world often give their lives to the pursuit of greatness in the arena. Easter egg hunts with children are often spent with their reining family at the National Reining Breeders Classic; and Thanksgivings are spent at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City at the beginning of the National…
Growing up in Ohio, Katie Davis was not born into a family of horsemen, but as luck would have it, there was a lesson facility next door to her mother’s business. At just six years old, she would take lessons after school while her mother finished up work for the day. “It kind of became…
Ty and Rhea Pole have a mission: to get as many youth as possible to be actively involved in reining in some manner. For the couple, who live in Gainesville, Texas, where they own and operate Blue Collar Horse Co., getting kids to engage with peers, adults, and of course, horses, is the most important…
Everything has a beginning. Each story begins with the first word, and each day begins with the first glimmer of sunrise. Each horse show begins with the first concept, just as each Million Dollar Owner began with a first horse. NRHA Futurity Champions are no exception, as each one started with a solid foundation. While…
Since the first NRHA Non Pro Futurity was held in 1976, there have always been the standouts – the eye-of-the-tiger ultra-focused riders that seemed to rise above the field with multiple wins and reserves. Randy Alderson of Sharpsville, Indiana, won the first two Non Pro Futurities in 1976 and 1977 and was co-reserve in 1979….
Exodus is defined as a departure of a lot of people or in the second book of the Bible the liberation of the people of Israel. The book of Exodus teaches about people’s yearning to be free, but in the early eighties, the Exodus to Texas have been about reiner’s yearning to get out of the cold country….
The story of Shining Spark always begins with two other stallions – the first was Zan Parr Bar. Owned by Carol Rose, the three-time AQHA world champion halter horse was also a performer and producer of the 1985 National Reining Horse Association Futurity Champion, Sparkles Rosezana, out of American Quarter Horse Association Superhorse Diamonds Sparkle….