We are getting ready for the May Great Summer Slide at the GSWEC!

Here are the direct links you’ll need for forms, paid warmups, online entries, and show information:

Show Schedule, Entry Form & Trainer Split FormAll show materials — including the schedule, entry form, trainer split form, and the paid warmup link — are available at: https://gswec.com/great-summer-slide/
 
Paid Warmup Sign‑Up (Direct Link)Reserve your paid warmup times here: https://www.timetosignup.com/gailforce/sheet/1385150
 
Online Class Entry (Skip the Paper Form!)You can register online through ShowManager:

1. Log in at Showmanager.info
2. Scroll down to find our show
3. Click Online‑Inscription to begin your entry

 
Need Help? Please reach out if you need assistance with entries or navigating the new system.

We’re still learning the software and have implemented new processes to improve efficiency and customer service. We hope it feels seamless — but we all know there may be a few bumps along the way. Thank you in advance for your patience and good humor.
 
Big Shoutout!
Congratulations to Adrian, who is now a certified NRHA Show Secretary! We’re proud to have her on the team.

A Special Thank‑You to Denise

We also want to extend a huge thank‑you to Denise, who traveled to Tampa twice to work alongside another reining show office team and train on the new software. Many of the improved processes you’ll notice in the show office this season are a direct result of her time, effort, and commitment to making things better for exhibitors, trainers, and our team. Her dedication has made a real impact.

Gail Berghorn
Show Manager-GSWEC
813-426-5707

Hello Exhibitors, Trainers, and Friends,
The Great Escape Winter Slide was a fantastic start to our 2026 reining season! We enjoyed beautiful weather—plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures—and it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces along with many new ones.
Thank you for your patience as we rolled out our new horse show software. The online registration feature worked smoothly. Additional tools such as instant NRHA eligibility checks, trainer‑grouped exhibitor lists, and live score updates helped improve show office efficiency and enhance customer service.
2025 Year‑End AwardsSTRHA held the 2025 Year‑End Award Ceremony on Saturday afternoon. If you were unable to pick up your award, it will be available at the Great Summer Slide.
Reminder: To qualify for year‑end awards, exhibitors must show in 3 of the 4 class offerings and must be STRHA members before the Great Summer Slide.
Congratulations to Our First 2026 STRHA Buckle Winners!STRHA expanded the buckle series from three classes to six this year. Congratulations to our Winter Slide champions:

• Green Reiner Lvl 1 – Isabella Krajicek riding Crown On Lets Whiz
  
• Intermediate Non‑Pro – Nino Cervantes riding Shines Sugar Rose (Tie with Emily Fernandez; Nino won the flip)
  
• Prime Time Non‑Pro – Bill Cain riding Magic Jersey (Tie with Anne Kayl and Mary Dodson; Bill won the short‑straw tiebreaker)
  
• Masters Non‑Pro – Mary Dodson riding Ready Player Won (Tie with Bill Cain; Mary won the flip)
  
• Rookie Lvl 1 – Sapphire Smith riding I Dream of Chicks
  
• STRHA 3K Rookie – Sapphire Smith riding I Dream of Chicks
  

STRHA Buckle Rule: A rider may only win a buckle in the same class once every two years.
A special thank‑you to Quantum Quarter Horses for adding an extra $100 to the Novice Horse Open and Novice Horse NP Level 1 classes, bringing the added money to $300 per class.
Looking Ahead: The Great Summer Slide – May 29–31, 2026

• If you would like to increase added money in a class, please notify us by March 18, 2026.
  
  • If the added money changes the award level (e.g., from a $73 plaque to a $320 Morgan trophy), the sponsor covers the difference.
    
• The show bill, entry forms, and online entries will open April 16 on GSWEC.com under Events. An email announcement will also be sent.
  
• A special Shout Out to Jody and David David for donating money for class prizes. Look for goodies to pick from in selected classes.
  

Heritage Classic – September 11–13, 2026We plan to offer a Futurity during the Heritage Classic and are seeking sponsors to make this possible.

• Goal: $6,000
  
• Committed so far: $1,000 from Julie McFarlane
  
• Deadline for funds: July 1, 2026
  

If you or someone you know would like to sponsor Futurity money, please reach out.
There are many exciting things happening at our reining events this year. We hope you’ll join us for another season of great horses, great people, and great fun!
See you in the arena,

Gail Berghorn
Reining Show Manager
813-426-5707

Our first show of 2026 is shaping up to be a fantastic event. Here are a few highlights:

• Added Money: A big thank‑you to Quantum Quarter Horse for donating added money to the Novice Horse Open Level 1 and Novice Horse Non‑Pro Level 1. Each class will receive an additional $100 in prize money.
  
• More Buckle Opportunities: STRHA is expanding buckle offerings in 2026. Members can now win buckles in:
  
  • Green Reiner Level 1
    
  • Intermediate Non‑Pro
    
  • Prime Time Non‑Pro
    
  • Masters Non‑Pro
    
  • Rookie Level 1
    
  • STRHA 3K Rookie (back for 2026)
    
• Saturday Evening Banquet: Don’t make any plans for late Saturday afternoon. STRHA will host a casual banquet dinner at 5:30 PM to celebrate the 2025 Year‑End award winners.
  
• Green As Grass Classes: These classes will run concurrently with the NRHA Green Reiner classes on Friday. No national or affiliate membership is required, and there are no horse‑ownership restrictions. They’re designed as introductory classes for riders who want to learn more about reining.
  
• Ride & Slide Classes Return: We’re excited to bring back the Ride & Slide classes for 2026.
  
• Prize Sponsorship Opportunities: Exhibitors in Green and Ride & Slide classes are just beginning their reining journey. Receiving a prize after completing their ride—no matter the outcome—helps encourage and inspire them. Let me know if you’d like to sponsor prizes for these classes.
  
• Futurity Class Sponsors Needed: We’re also seeking Futurity class sponsors for the Heritage Classic in September. Thank you to Julie McFarlane for stepping up as our first sponsor.
  
• Entry Form Update: The entry form had to be rebuilt, so it may have a few glitches. Please let me know if you encounter any issues.
  

A special Shout-Out to Jessica Richards for designing our show poster. Share it with your friends. We look forward to seeing you soon!
--
Gail Berghorn
GSWEC Reining Manager
813-426-5707

We’re excited to kick off the 2026 Reining season at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center!
This email includes important updates about our upcoming show, the Great Escape Winter Slide, along with several changed NRHA rules/eligibility you’ll want to be aware of.

The show schedule is attached for your review. The entry form will be sent out in the next few days. We are also transitioning our reining show management software to ShowManagerInfo. This upgrade will streamline many aspects of our operations and will allow exhibitors to track scores and pre-enter classes online—making the show experience smoother for everyone.

STRHA has expanded the number of buckle classes available this year. Buckles will now be awarded in:
Green Reiner Level 1
Limited Non-Pro
Prime Time Non-Pro
Masters Non-Pro
Rookie Level 1
STRHA 3K Rookie (returning for 2026)

To be eligible, exhibitors must be STRHA members at the time of the draw. Each buckle may only be won once every two years.

STRHA will also be hosting a casual year‑end awards dinner at the showgrounds pavilion next to the show office on Saturday evening at 5:30 PM. Additional details will be shared soon.

Now for some amended rules/eligibility from NRHA:
54-2-26 EQUIPMENT AND ATTIRE
PAGE 54. GENERAL SHOW CONDITIONS
(14) It is mandatory for all riders to use appropriate western tack and western attire while showing; this would include a long sleeve shirt with collars and buttons, snaps, or zipper western hat or safety helmet, boots, western saddle, and western bridle. Long sleeves must be rolled down. All types of sweatshirts are not permissible. Sweaters, vests or jackets may be worn over an appropriate shirt. It is recommended that chaps must be worn in every class that has more than $2,000 or more in added money. (Freestyle reining being exempt based on conditions.) Failure to use appropriate attire will result in a no score score of 0.

Change in Rookie Level 2 Earnings:
$2,000/300 youth pts. (exclude SS)

Another attachment included with this email is a Reminder on NRHA's Show Arena Schooling Policy.
We look forward to seeing everyone in Katy and starting the season strong.

​Gail Berghorn
Reining Show Manager
813-426-5707