Headlined by a $25,000 added Non Pro Shootout, $127,500 added Novice Horse Derby and $161,000 added Pre Futurity

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) was formed to encourage the showing of reining horses by providing worthwhile purses for competition. NRHA takes pride in offering revolutionary programs and top-notch events for its members. With this in mind, the NRHA Board of Directors recently approved to ink a deal with Fort Worth and the Will Rogers Memorial Center to host a show offering several innovative competition options for to the reining industry. NRHA is excited to partner with the “City of Cowboys and Culture” to produce the nearly $340,000 added NRHA Cowtown Classic which includes the $25,000 added Silver Spurs Equine Non Pro Shootout, a $127,500 added Novice Horse Derby, a $161,000 added Pre Futurity and two slates of NRHA ancillary classes.

“Today is a big day for NRHA. We’re thrilled to bring an NRHA-owned event of this magnitude to ‘Cowtown’ and to give our members such great showing opportunities. We’re very excited about creating a long-term partnership with Fort Worth and the state of Texas,” said NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall.

“If a four-, five-, or six-year-old reining horse has won less than $20,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings, it can be shown in the Novice Horse Derby and run at a tremendous purse. This is an unmatched opportunity providing significant money to another segment of our industry. We are elated to offer this to our members,” said NRHA President Allen Mitchels.

The NRHA Cowtown Classic is scheduled for August 23-27, 2011, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth. The event includes the $25,000 added Category 1 Silver Spurs Equine Non Pro Shootout, the largest added money class of its kind held in the United States. This class could make a significant impact on NRHA World Championship standings. In addition, the show offers a $67,500 added Novice Horse Open Derby, $60,000 added Novice Horse Non Pro Derby, $113,000 added Open Pre Futurity, $48,000 added Non Pro Pre Futurity and two slates of ancillary classes offering nearly $50,000 in added money.

Both the Pre Futurity and Novice Horse Derby offer four levels of Open and Non Pro competition. The entry deadline is August 1 and only requires entries to enter up one level. Many similar reining events require entries to enter up into all possible levels.

NRHA appreciates Silver Spurs Equine (Michael and Michelle Miola) for being the official title sponsor of the Non Pro Shootout. “Michelle and I are passionate about lending support to the sport that has done so much for us. One aspect of Reining that is near and dear to us is the Non Pro rider. The Silver Spurs Equine Non Pro Shootout is our way of giving back to the fantastic people competing in NRHA’s Non Pro division,” commented Michael Miola of Silver Spurs Equine.

For more information on the Cowtown Classic, visit www.nrhaclassic.com.

To learn more about the “City of Cowboys and Culture,” visit www.fortworth.com.

Looking for details on the Will Rogers Memorial Center? Go to www.fortworthgov.org and visits the Departments/Public Events area.