From NRHA:

Hello all,
At the 2021 May Board meeting, a proposal was approved from the Youth Committee to create a new, optional position called the Youth Affiliate Liaison to be enacted starting in 2022. This new position would essentially be a delegate position for your specific affiliate instead of just two delegates per region.
This decision was made because the committee realizes that the delegate voting is strictly a popular vote, and often there are many kids at local levels who are not able to attend those meetings and are deserving of a leadership role. We also see that there is at times a communication breakdown between delegates and local affiliates. The Youth Affiliate Liaison position seeks to fill that void. This role is also suggested for a youth member in your affiliate who ran for an NRHyA Officer position the previous year and did not receive it. Allowing them this opportunity is a great way to keep them engaged and reward them for their hard work.
This position is NOT mandatory. If you do not feel like you have a youth member in your region who fits the description and would be extremely involved in delegate meetings/conversations, please do not nominate a member. If you do have a youth member who has wanted to be a delegate or someone you feel would stay extremely involved and work to help grow youth programs, please reach out to them and then email me their information if they choose to accept the role. We are leaving the decision up to the youth coordinators because we feel you know your membership best. If you need to consult your Board to get ideas or to help decide between a few members, please feel free to do so.
Please note that at this time, Youth Affiliate Liaison will also be able to run for Officer once they have served as a liaison for a year. This again will give more leadership opportunities to those youth members who show those strengths and want to be involved.
Please send me your Youth Affiliate Liaison’s information by March 15 if you choose to fill this position. If you have any further questions, please let me know!
Best,
Sara Honegger
Director of Marketing
3021 West Reno Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
405-946-7400 Ext. 204
shonegger@nrha.com
nrha.com

In 2021, the National Reining Horse Association paid out more than $118,000 to exhibitors competing in the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships in Oklahoma City. With nearly 1,000 entries, the NAAC classes provided fun, excitement, camaraderie, and some lucrative payouts and prizes.

At the December 2021 NRHA Board of Directors meeting, the Board announced the qualification criteria for the 2022 NAAC and Affiliate Regional Championships will be identical to 2021.

The first step to earning a spot in Oklahoma City is to compete at one of the 10 ARCs held across North America in late fall. To do so, a rider must be an NRHA member and a member of an NRHA affiliate. “There is no need to designate an affiliate, and riders can show at any ARC,” explained Sara Honegger, Manager of Youth, Professional, and Affiliate Programs. “We are so encouraged by the number of riders who came to Oklahoma City and the increased enthusiasm for the affiliates, ARCs and NAAC. The members of the Affiliate Committee are passionate about continuing to grow these programs and look forward to what 2022 will bring.”

Any exhibitor who receives a score higher than a zero at an ARC will be able to enter that class, on that specific horse, at the NAAC in Oklahoma City. There are no requirements to compete at an ARC other than the rider must be a member of an NRHA affiliate. Riders are encouraged to join beforehand but can also join at the ARC if they need assistance with that process, or they can always call the NRHA office to have guidance as well.

As in 2021, riders will be allowed to participate in multiple ARCs with one exception; if they win a class, they cannot compete on the same horse in the same class at another ARC.

The Board of Directors also approved a change for renewing Affiliates, who now only need to host one full slate of ancillary classes in 2022, down from three.

“The Affiliate Committee knows what a financial burden it can be to host a horse show for any affiliate, and during these times especially,” Honegger explained. “They want to find the balance of allowing our members a place to show across the country while realizing our affiliates know their region best and will host what they feel like will be most supported by their membership. This solution seemed to fit the best for 2022.”

For more information about NRHA membership, the NRHA Affiliate program, or to find a local Affiliate, visit nrha.com/affiliate.

Renew here: North American Affiliate Application & Renewal Form


The National Reining Horse Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the sport of reining through a core mission: “Respect the Horse. Respect the Sport.” Founded in 1966, NRHA now has nearly 15,000 members and sets the standards for reining worldwide. Reining is an international sport and continues to grow year after year by offering opportunities for horse enthusiasts of all ages.

Media Contact:
Haley Carmen
Director of Digital Marketing & Communications
National Reining Horse Association
hcarmen@nrha.com
(405) 946-7400 x 102
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