When the National Reining Breeders Classic debuted the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout in 2018, the feedback was all positive. The Shootout provided Rookie competitors from the ancillary classes the chance to compete in a clean-slate contest in the main arena of the NRBC. The Yellowstone Rookie Shootout has historically been held on a prime evening, typically before the high-added-money NRHA Open and Open Classic Challenge. It has also helped grow entries in the Rookie classes.
For 2024, the NRBC Board of Directors expanded the dates of the show and, in doing so, elected to inflate the Shootout opportunities to include Shootouts for three more divisions – the Masters Non Pro, Legends Non Pro, and Green Reiner.
“We are excited to feature these important exhibitors in a new venue. The Masters (riders 60 and over) and Legends (riders 70 and over) are the heart of our industry. Their enthusiasm and camaraderie will make these new Shootouts fun, as will that of the Green Reiners. I encourage everyone to come support them in the Shootout the final Thursday night of the NRBC,” noted NRBC President Tom McCutcheon.
As with the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout, the entries with the top five composite scores from both slates of classes will earn a spot in that division’s shootout. Only entries who enter both slates are eligible to advance, but there is no additional entry fee to compete in the Shootout rounds.
The Rookie classes will be held Sunday, April 21, and Tuesday, April 23, while the Green Reiners will compete on Saturday, April 20, and Monday, April 22. The Masters and Legends competitors will show on Sunday, April 21, and Monday, April 22.
The qualifiers will show again in the Ford Truck Arena on Thursday, April 25, prior to the inaugural $20,000-added $40K Claiming Class.
“Thursday will be a fun evening,” Cheryl Cody, NRBC Secretary/Treasurer, said. “We kick off the night with the Leadline class, then move into the Shootout lineup. We will wrap up the night with the innovative new Claiming Class.”
The Champion of each Shootout will win a special and unique prize, and the top 5 Shootout contestants in each division will also receive commemorative awards.
The consolation round for the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout will be held on Friday, April 26.