The National Reining Breeders Classic program was begun in 1997 and the program has not changed much since then, paying out over $26 million in the ensuing years. But how it works can be confusing to those new to the industry.
Stallions are enrolled in the NRBC so their foals will be eligible to be enrolled so they can compete as 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds.
When a foal’s sire is in the program in the year of the foal’s enrollment, it can be enrolled so it will be eligible to compete in the NRBC from its 4-year-old year through its 7-year-old year. Once it ages out of the NRBC Classic, it is eligible to be advanced to the next level of competition, the Classic Challenge, for horses ages eight and up.
It is important to enroll the foals as weanlings, as the price is the most economical. There are substantial late fees for waiting until the yearling year or later.
One hundred percent of the foal enrollment money, along with 90% of the stallion enrollment money goes into the show’s purse.
Once a foal is enrolled in the NRBC program, it is eligible to enter the NRBC but is not actually entered in the show. Foal enrollment is a one-time fee to make the horse eligible to compete at the NRBC. An additional entry fee is paid to enter the event.
To enter the NRBC Classic or the NRBC Classic Challenge, horses must be enrolled. However, non NRBC enrolled horses are eligible to compete in the two slates of NRHA Ancillary classes at the NRBC.
To help understand the way the program works, here are the actual Terms & Conditions:
Foal Enrollment:
To be eligible for the 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-year-old National Reining Breeders Classic, the foal must be sired by an NRBC stallion that was paid up in the year of the foal’s enrollment. The owner/agent must complete the enrollment form (attach a copy of the registration papers, if available at the time), and enclose a one-time payment of $250 per foal if postmarked by September 15 of the foal’s birth year, or $300 if postmarked by December 31 of the foal’s birth year. Enrollment forms missing any required information will be held. The owner/agent will be notified by phone, email, or mail to complete the enrollment process. The nominator of the foal is the person or company paying for the enrollment or passing out.
Late enrollment of foals is as follows:
Yearlings – $2,500
2-year-olds – $7,500
3-year-olds and older – $10,000
Yearlings that were not enrolled as weanlings may late-enroll and pay all at once or make the following two payments: $1,250 postmarked by December 31 of their yearling year and $1,250 postmarked by December 31 of their two-year-old year.
Two-year-olds that were not enrolled as weanlings or yearlings may late enroll and pay all at once or make the following three payments: $2,500 postmarked by December 31 of their two-year-old year, $2,500 postmarked by December 31 of their three-year-old year, and $2,500 postmarked by April 1 of their four-year-old year. The final payment must be received prior to the entry deadline for the Breeders Classic. If the final payment is received after April 1, the horse will go first in the draw.
Horses three years old and older that were not enrolled as weanlings, yearlings, or two-year-olds, may late enroll and pay all at once or make the following two payments: $5,000 postmarked by December 31 of their three-year-old year, and $5,000 postmarked by April 1 of their four-year-old year. The final payment must be received prior to the entry deadline for the Breeders Classic.
Foal enrollment eligibility is dependent upon the sire being currently enrolled the year that the foal is enrolled.
All named foals (provided the NRBC Office has a copy of the foal’s registration papers, National DNA Registry certificate or NRHA Competition License) will receive an NRBC Certificate when enrolled. Those foals with names pending will be enrolled as “Pending” and receive their certificate when the NRBC Office receives a copy of their registration papers. Grade horses may also be enrolled.
Classic Challenge Advancement:
To be eligible for the 8-year-old and older Non Pro and Open Classic Challenge classes, the horse must be sired by an enrolled NRBC stallion and enrolled as an NRBC foal. The owner/agent must complete the advancement form (attach a copy of the registration papers) and enclose a one-time payment of $300 per horse.
Stallion Enrollment:
Stallions enrolling for the first time will pay an initial fee of $6,000. The $6,000 is divided as follows: $3,000 for the first annual fee and $3,000 for the prepaid pass-out fee. For stallions renewing enrollment, the fee is $3,000 postmarked by February 1. After February 1, the renewal fee is $4,000, which includes a $1,000 late charge.
In the event of death, sale, or the stallion owner electing to no longer participate in the program, the stallion’s prepaid pass-out fee will be used to ensure that the foals of the stallion’s last breeding year will be eligible.
The annual stallion fee is allocated in the following way: $250 funds the purse money for Classic Challenge and 10% is for administrative expenses (advertising, promotional materials, office staff, etc.) The $2,450 balance goes to the added money for the Classic.