The National Reining Breeders Classic has long been the leader in the reining world for introducing innovative ideas, and the NRBC is doing it again with a new program that will certainly transform the industry.

The NRBC Classic Challenge Program, which will be offered for the first time at the 2011 show, is for those horses that have aged out of the existing Derby programs in the reining industry.

“The Classic Challenge Program will begin with a horse’s 7-year-old year,” said NRBC President Tom McCutcheon. “It will give horses an extension of their show careers and a chance for FEI horses to have another big-money event to compete in.”

It will also encourage proper training and maintenance for long show careers at all levels while also rewarding owners for supporting international competition, added McCutcheon, who is a member of Team USA for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The Classic Challenge Open Class will feature $20,000 added and will run concurrently with the $25,000-added NRHA Category 1 Open Class and the $5,000-added CRI, making an incredible $50,000 in total added money for the Open horses to compete for.

The Non Pro Classic Challenge will have $25,000 added, and will be run concurrently NRHA $5,000-added NRHA class, giving Non Pro riders a total added purse of $30,000. Additionally, the Intermediate Non Pro will have $10,000 added, the Limited, Level 1 and Prime Time divisions will each feature $2,000 added. Youth riders will compete for $500 added.

To be eligible for the Classic Challenge, NRBC-enrolled horses must be advanced to the program with the payment of a one-time fee, which is $300. The advancement will make the horse lifetime eligible for the Classic Challenge.

“We are very excited about this new program and the opportunity to promote long-term careers for reining horses,” Tom said.

The National Reining Breeders Classic is the most successful stallion incentive program in reining history. In just 14 years, the NRBC has grown to include upwards of 230 subscribed stallions and in 2009, there were more than 2,800 enrolled foals. Annually, the payout at the NRBC exceeds $1.4 million. For information on the NRBC, visit the web site at www.nrbc.com  or call 580-759-3939. The 2011 NRBC will be held April 18-24 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas.