For the past four years, the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes has called the Idaho Horse Park in Nampa, Idaho, home. On Wednesday, March 24, many of the nation’s elite reined cow horses and their riders will converge once again on the top-notch facility.

The NRCHA Stakes is one of five NRCHA Premier Events, and annually boasts a payout near the $300,000 mark! Part of the Stake’s success is its tie to the NRCHA Subscribed Stallion program. Owners of NRCHA Subscribed Stallions pay a fee every year, making that stallion’s foals eligible to compete in the NRCHA Stakes. Only foals of enrolled stallions are eligible to compete.

But the Subscribed Stallion program is far-reaching, as offspring of those stallions are giving priority at the prestigious NRCHA Sales at the Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno, Nevada.

Along with the Stakes, which is open only to 4- and 5-year-old reined cow horses, the event also hosts a full slate of NRCHA Approved classes, including the Coyote Rock Ranch Open Bridle Spectaculars. Whereas the Stakes showcases the up-and-coming talent, the Bridle Spectaculars highlight the skill of the most experienced reined cow horses.

There’s something for everyone during the 2010 NRCHA Stakes. A full trade show will be set up alongside the arena, and on Saturday, March 7, at 4pm the in-arena action will have more of a “fun” feel with the NRCHYA Bat-N-Bucket Fundraiser and the Cowan Ranches Calf Branding.

The event begins at 8am daily, and a complete schedule can be found at www.nrcha.com. The Stakes concludes on Sunday, March 28, with the clean-slate finals.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, now in its 61st year, is the governing body of cow horse competition, is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Markel Insurance Company, Wide World of Horses, John Deere, AdequanR, Bob’s Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Quarter Horse News, Pfizer Animal Health, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and EQUIOXX, Running W Designs, and the Silver Legacy Hotel, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.