NRHA Regional Clinic with Stefano Massigan and Marco Ricotta – May 14 – 15!

The 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Regional Clinic Series is coming to Santa Fe, New Mex., May 14th and 15th. NRHA Professionals Stefano Massigan and Marco Ricotta will hold a clinic for reiners of all ages and experience levels at the Santa Fe Equestrian Center.

Massignan, an NRHA European Futurity finalist and multiple Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) Futurity, Derby and Maturity finalist, recently relocated to the Southwest with his wife Ky. Their new operation is based in Belen, N.M. With lifetime earnings of nearly $200,000 it is no surprise that he was a member of the Italian Bronze Medal winning team at the 2010 AlltechR FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) last September. He was the head trainer for Arcese Quarter Horses in Italy for the past four years.

Training alongside Massignan will be a teammate from the 2010 WEG, Marco Ricotta. Ricotta is also an accomplished Italian native and NRHA Professional with over $300,000 in lifetime earnings. Among his achievements are the 2009 NRHA Level 4 Open Derby Reserve Championship aboard Hollywoodstinseltown, the open championship title at the 2003 NRHA European Affiliate Championships, and multiple finalist finishes at the NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby finalist, IRHA Futurity and IRHA Maturity. Ricotta is currently an assistant trainer for McQuay Stables in Tioga, Tex.

This is the sixth year the NRHA has organized the clinics to help raise funds for the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA). The clinics are designed to help anyone interested in learning more about reining horses, the reining business and the NRHA. The one-on-one training that attendees receive is tailored to each individual’s needs. Every clinic consists of two, one-day clinics giving participants the opportunity to attend either or both days as they prefer.

Participants from all disciplines learn by doing and by watching other reiners during the hands-on sessions. “The clinic was phenomenal!” said Deann Soults, a 2010 clinic participant. “The information was broken down in a very understandable way.” Another participant, Chase McBurney, commented, “I really liked the format of the clinic. I enjoyed all the different points that were covered. We had a lot of one-on-one time and I was able to ask a lot of questions. I really liked how my questions were answered and then the maneuver was demonstrated.”

Space is limited so sign up as soon as possible. All the proceeds go to support NRHyA scholarships, programs and youth activities. The cost is $250 for youth riders participating both days or $150 per day. Adults are encouraged to participate with an entry of $450 for both days or $250 per day. Auditors are welcome to attend for $25 per day. For more information or to register for a clinic, please contact NRHA at (405) 946-7400 or [email protected].

If you would like more information about the NRHyA, go to www.nrhya.com, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/nrhya or contact NRHA Youth Programs at [email protected] or (405) 946-7400.