When a National Reining Breeders Classic champion wins a saddle, there is no question of quality. The four saddle sponsors that produce the NRBC’s champion trophy saddles are all industry leaders and there is often a waiting list to become an NRBC saddle sponsor.

“It became apparent early on that having too many saddle manufacturers of dealers would reduce the chance for a successful show for our vendors, so saddles and tack became one of the few protected product categories for the show,” said Loren Morris, who coordinates the trade show vendors at the NRBC. For the past decade, the saddle sponsorships have been limited to four manufacturers.

Each saddle sponsor, Bob’s Custom Saddles, Kyle Tack, Continental Saddlery, and Superior Saddlery produce saddles every year and those saddles are always prominently placed and widely admired during the show.

Kyle Tack

At the forefront of the line of saddle sponsors is Kyle Tack, a family-owned business that has been sponsoring the NRBC since the beginning. Marshall and Phillis Kyle own the company while Lainey Kyle-Barshofsky acts as saddle manager with her husband, Robert, serving as office manager.

Specializing in custom silver and leather craftsmanship, Kyle Tack saddles are built in-house by master saddle smiths and are highly sought after in the reining horse industry. The pride of the company is to stand behind its products through the full repair shop in its retail store.

Although Kyle Tack is located seven miles south of Whitesboro, Texas on Highway 377, most customers do business at the multiple horse shows and events that the Kyle Tack crew travels to throughout the year.

With friendly personalized service, the Kyle Tack booth is always a popular place to visit and offers a full range of services and products. The online store at kyletack.com offers easy access and quick shipping with the same individual service found in person at the store and in the booth.

To contact Kyle Tack, email at sales@kyletack.com.

Continental Saddlery

The original Continental Pullman Saddle Company was an Indiana business founded in 1985. Now located atop Sand Mountain in the small town of Ider, Alabama, the company has grown to international prominence largely because of two special individuals.  Oliver and Heike Dusterhoff are a husband-and-wife team that began managing the company twelve years before they purchased it in 2008.

Exceptional customer service is paramount to the Dusterhoffs’ business. The two make it a priority to personally man their booths at events where they can create personal relationships with customers.

The saddles are made by hand in-house on “Equi-flex” trees,  developed specifically with today’s performance horses in mind. Equi-flex trees eliminate pressure points and bridging that are known to cause dry spots and sore backs on equine athletes.

For riders, state-of-the-art seat padding provides what many consider the most comfortable ride they have ever had while still providing the closest possible contact with the horse.

The combination of excellent customer service and using the best materials available to create beautiful, distinctive, quality saddles at a reasonable price has earned Continental Saddlery a place in reining culture. For more information, visit continentalsaddlery.com.

Superior Saddlery

Since 1998, Superior Saddlery has been providing custom and private label saddles for customers worldwide using only the finest materials available.

For over a decade, Andreas Maschke has been researching, testing, designing, and improving his concept of a new saddle tree. In close cooperation with some of the industry’s most successful trainers, the company developed a variety of saddle trees to cover most of today’s performance horses and improve the performance of horses and riders in competition across the world. SYMMETREES are the very base of Superior saddles. Known for being the most precise and symmetrical trees around, they are made in-house.

Superior Saddles are made 100% in the shop in Texas with all American materials. The skirting leather is made at the Hermann Oak Tannery in St. Louis, Missouri. The sheep-skins are processed and tanned in San Antonio, Texas, and all the hardware is from Texas as well.

To learn more about Superior Saddlery, LLC., email info@superior-saddlery.com or call (940) 391-7476 or (417) 793-1403. You can also visit the website at superior-saddlery.com.

Bobs Custom Saddles

Bobs Custom Saddles has been a consistent supporter of reiners and the reining industry worldwide, endorsing riders and sponsoring events as well as the National Reining Horse Association.

Bob’s Custom Saddles has been building custom saddles for over 40 years. The company takes pride in truly custom creations from intricate, hand-designed tooling and silver patterns to the meticulously crafted seat, tree, fender, and horn variations.

The greatest element of every Bob’s Custom Saddle is formatted from a close contact riding system that the company began developing in 1976. The saddles are designed to sit the rider correctly with a line from the shoulder to the hip to the heel.

The Winning Position is achieved for every rider through three different seat styles and a choice of eight different fender styles and custom lengths. Multiple tree variations provide the horse and rider a better fit and seat while the four different front ends, three different gullet widths, three different cantle heights, and six different horns further customize the ride. By utilizing all these choices to create the perfect fit for horse and rider, the Winning Position helps riders perform better in their discipline to achieve a higher winning score. To learn more, visit bobscustomsaddles.com.

The National Reining Breeders Classic never skimps on quality when deciding on awards, so in 2018, when Skyline Silversmith was chosen to provide custom award buckles for NRBC champions, it was a natural progression. Skyline Silversmiths has continued to produce beautiful trophy buckles every year since.

Dave Hammond, who shares ownership of Skyline Silversmiths and Vaquero Trophy & Tack with Ryan Fowler, said, “The NRBC is one of the crown jewels of the Reining Horse industry, and it is a real honor to be the official buckle maker for the million-dollar show. We are proud to be a part of it.”

The custom engraved buckles with signature tooling are given to NRBC Classic, Classic Challenge, and Yellowstone Rookie Shootout champions and reserve champions as well as the high point winners of the double slate of NRHA Classes.

NRBC Secretary Treasurer Cheryl Cody is proud that the show can offer these one-of-a-kind buckles to high-achieving competitors. She said, “The NRBC Board of Directors and Show Management have always tried to give quality awards that exhibitors are proud to earn and use. These buckles are a fitting symbol of accomplishment at the NRBC.”

To be in the running for one of the distinctive high point buckles made by Skyline Silversmiths, exhibitors must enter both slates of qualifying ancillary classes. A point system is used to combine points from the first and second slate to determine the champion.

This year those high point categories are:

Open

Intermediate Open

Limited Open

Rookie Professional

Novice Horse Open L1

Novice Horse Open L2

Novice Horse Open L3

Non Pro

Intermediate Non Pro

Limited Non Pro

Prime Time Non Pro

Novice Horse Non Pro L1

Novice Horse Non Pro L2

Novice Horse Non Pro L3

Rookie Level 1

Rookie Level 2

Rookie Prime Time

Green Reiner Level 1

Green Reiner Level 2

Unrestricted Youth

Youth 14-18

Youth 13 & Under

Short Stirrup

Youth Walk Trot

Located in Marysville, Cali., Skyline Silversmiths and Vaquero Trophy & Tack have been designing and manufacturing custom hand-crafted buckles, jewelry and silver items for over 40 years. Both Dave and Ryan have competed in the rodeo and horse show world and know what winning a trophy buckle means. Hammond said, “We are proud that our buckles will represent the hard work, skill and competitive spirit that it takes for you and your horse to be winners.”

For information on Skyline Silversmiths, visit the website at skylinevaquero.com or call Dave at (916) 801-9465.

In 2020, youth riders at the National Reining Breeders Classic were able to compete in the youth classes for free, thanks to Brad and Amanda Kelly of Adh Mor Ranch. The Kellys, under the name of their stallion PS Mega Shine Chic, known in the industry as Crush, covered all youth horse show entry expenses, including entry, video, drug, and judges’ fees.
The sponsorship – Crushing the Fees – will continue at this year’s NRBC, which will be held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center April 19 – 25.
The 2021 sponsorship illustrates the Kellys’ commitment to supporting youth in the reining industry. Amanda said, “We love this opportunity to showcase the youth and reward them, especially after last year when so many had to endure disappointment from dealing with COVID. Hopefully, this will help them to feel rewarded for their talent and achievements with reining horses.”
NRBC Vice President Colleen McQuay noted, “In every industry, it is of utmost importance to support the next generation. The Kellys, with their innovative idea to pay the fees associated with the youth classes, are ensuring that these young riders can come and compete in this great atmosphere. We believe that their sponsorship will help bring more youth to, and keep them in, the reining industry.”
Cheryl Cody, NRBC Secretary-Treasurer, added, “Reining can be expensive. This partnership with Brad and Amanda – and Crush – gives the parents a financial break so that the kids can get on their horses and do what they love to do, which is go show!”
One of the most successful National Reining Horse Association Markel Futurity Prospect Sale Alumni in history, PS Mega Shine Chic is an 8-year-old AQHA stallion by Shine Chic Shine out of Megas Sugar Baby. He was a 2016 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Finalist and 2017 NRBC Open Reserve Champion. In 2019, Dany Tremblay rode him to win the Level 3 Open NRBC Championship, as well as the $100,000 Open Shootout at the Run For A Million. PS Mega Shine Chic’s first foals will be debut on the futurity scene in 2021.

Known for innovation, the National Reining Breeders Classic is normally a flurry of activities with parties almost every night, a poker tournament, and so much more; however, in 2021 many of those activities won’t be possible due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Joao Marcos, owner of Cardinal Reining Horses understands that people still need a handy place to unwind during the horse show and that’s why he continues to sponsor the Dun It For Whizkey / Inferno Sixty Six Hospitality Patio named for the ranch’s showcase stallions.

The Dun It For Whizkey / Inferno Sixty Six Hospitality Patio will be conveniently located across from the concession stand during the show slated for April 18-25, 2021 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. It will be a comfortable refuge to enjoy food and beverages, catch up on the day’s events, or unwind after a busy morning. Social distancing and masking requirements will still be in order so everyone can enjoy the Patio safely.

Marcos recognizes the importance of safety as well as the need to unwind all too well as he said, “

With a regal heritage, Dun It For Whizkey is quickly becoming a household name in the reining horse industry. His sire, Topsail Whiz, reigned as the NRHA All Time #1 Reining Sire for twelve years. His offspring have earned over $12 million. His dam, Dun It For Chex, is a 2018 NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee who became NRHA’s second Million Dollar Dam in 2019.

Inferno Sixty Six has been turning heads ever since he first walked in the show pen. Sired by NRHA Million Dollar Sire and NRHA Open Futurity Champion Gunnatrashya. His dam, Snip O Gun, is an NRH All-Time Leading Producer, Hall of Fame Inductee and Million Dollar Dam. Inferno Sixty Six showed incredible talent early, ending up as the 2015 Tulsa Reining Classic Futurity Champion and the NRHA Open L4 Futurity Reserve Champion accumulating LTE 208,000+.

Situated on 200 lush acres in Aubrey, Texas, Cardinal Reining Horses is a top reining horse operation quickly moving to the forefront of the performance horse industry. It features the largest private covered arena in the world, a first class show barn, over 200 stalls and a state-of-the-art breeding facility. Cardinal Reining Horses is breeding top-level equine athletes thanks to an outstanding collection of broodmares and stallions. For more information about the ranch and its stallions, visit http://cardinalranchtexas.com/.

Twenty-four years ago, a select group of reiners put their heads together to create one of the most groundbreaking programs in the reining world, the National Reining Breeders Classic. The show, slated for April 18-25 in 2021, is held annually at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas.

Eighteen years after the inception of NRBC – in a similar fashion – a group of veterinarians began fulfilling a vision for a probiotic that would effectually improve the gut health of foals and equine athletes. The result was Glycoguard and its key to success are the two strains of bacteria exclusive to this probiotic.

These two innovative entities – the NRBC and Glycoguard – were destined to unite. “Glycoguard’s values reflect the NRBC’s in many ways, but I feel the biggest is that we are both here to support the riders and their horses,” said Glycoguard Senior Sales Representative Caitlyn Caldwell. “So, when choosing who to sponsor and work with, it was very easy to choose NRBC. It’s a great show that brings top riders and horses from across the country and some internationally. Glycoguard strives to support our riders and their equine athletes. The stress of training, hauling, showing puts a huge strain on our equine athletes’ gut and overall health and wellbeing. A healthy gut means a happy healthy horse!”

Glycoguard is a 100 percent drug-free probiotic that supports the equine athlete’s gut for optimal health from the inside out. It is all live active bacteria made in small batches able to colonize in the gut. The unique combination of B. infantis and L. plantarum is designed to improve the balance of healthy microbes and promote the production of important short-chain fatty acids necessary for gut health. For more information about Glycoguard, visit the website at Glycoguard.com or contact Caitlyn Caldwell at 610-246-2073.

The National Reining Breeders Classic’s longest-standing sponsor, Twin Cities South renewed its sponsorship for the 24th year since the show began. The company began its tradition of providing a year’s use of their trailers for the Open and Non Pro Classic Champions only six years after their company’s inception.

The relationship began with a friendship between owner Gary Raak and NRBC Founder and current Board Member Tim McQuay. Tim said, “I’ve known Gary for at least 50 years. He was in the horse business when I was a kid, and he and my dad were very good friends. Before his business moved to Texas, we were going to Minnesota to buy trailers from him. When I asked him to provide trailers for the first NRBC, he never hesitated and still hasn’t.”

“Whatever Tim does, is usually a good thing to be involved with.” Gary added, “The trailers we offer are pretty deluxe, and they are hauled by the top names in the reining world with our name and lettering on them. Sometimes the winners will go ahead and buy the trailer after a year and sometimes people see the trailers and bring us their business. We support the reining industry, and we hope it will support us, too.”

Twin Cities South prides itself on providing the best customer service with knowledgeable sales and support staff and a huge inventory of new and used trailers to choose from. The company has an aggressive trade-in policy, easy financing options, and will deliver trailers anywhere in the lower 48. For more information, visit twincitiessouthtrailers.com, or stop by 8448 Hwy 377 in Pilot Point. Texas.

The American Paint Horse Association and the NRBC are continuing their partnership for the sixth consecutive year! Custom Gist Silversmith buckles will be awarded to the highest-scoring Paints in Non Pro Classic and the Open Classic and the high-composite in the two slates of Youth, Rookie and Non Pro classes.

“We are glad to have the American Paint Horse Association returning as part of the NRBC,” said NRBC President Tom McCutcheon. “These Gist buckles are a great award for the winners. This provides an additional opportunity for our exhibitors, thanks to them.”

 Freddie Alexander, American Paint Horse Association Member Care Representative, will be in attendance at the show. He said, “Our involvement with the NRBC gives us an opportunity to meet and get to know our members in the reining community. Being able to participate with the NRBC, allows us to be a part of a wonderful and exciting sport and form a true partnership with many of the breeders, trainers and contestants which helps us learn how we can serve our members more efficiently and effectively. Through this incentive program, we have provided the competitors extra opportunities to win awards showing their Registered Paint Horses. We are continually working on ways to improve these programs and appreciate hearing the feedback from the exhibitors.”

Besides being on hand with the High Point awards, Freddie and on-site staff will process memberships, transfers, registrations, and other paperwork that you may need to complete. Entering the APHA High-Point Incentive Award classes is FREE and easy! – Email falexander@apha.com or sign up at the APHA booth on site. Be prepared to provide your horse’s registered name and registration number, your exhibitor name and APHA ID number, and the classes in which you’re competing and your back number.

To enter the incentive classes, or for more information, contact Freddie by email or (817) 834-2742 x309. Freddie added, “We look forward to seeing you, and good luck to all the competitors!”

Since it began 23 years ago, Twin Cities Trailer Sales has been part of the National Reining Breeders Classic. The prominent trailer retailer has consistently provided the Open and Non Pro Classic Champions with one year’s use of a horse trailer ever since. This year will be no different. The Open Champion will get use of a 4-horse trailer and the Non Pro Champion will get to use a 2-horse trailer until next year.

NRBC President Tom McCutcheon feels that Twin Cities’ support really adds to the prestige of winning the NRBC. He noted, “These quality trailers have become a symbol of some of the biggest wins in the reining world, thanks to Twin Cities.”

Owner Gary Raak is a longtime friend of NRBC Board Member Tim McQuay, who was key in acquiring his support. “Gary has been a great help to me personally in my whole life. I’ve always bought my trailers from him. If I have any problems, I take them to him and he fixes whatever it is and gets me right back on the road again.”

But in McQuay’s case, the excellent Twin Cities customer service has never been just about trailer maintenance. He recalls, “The year I got a truck stolen in Gladstone, New Jersey, he even sent a truck out there to me and got me home!” Tim summarized, “He’s been a friend to me and he’s been one to the reining industry as well. We sure appreciate all he’s done for reining.”

Twin Cities South is a full-service operation selling both new and used trailers and providing servicing and financing. Twin Cities is located at 8448 Highway 377, just south of Pilot Point, TX. Contact them at (855) 585-6548 or visit the website at TwinCitiesSouthTrailers.com.

For the third consecutive year, the NRBC Board and Management team are excited to present the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout, sponsored by Paramount Network’s hit series Yellowstone. The 2020 Yellowstone Rookie Shootout will continue a tradition of honoring Rookie reiners with special time in the spotlight and a very special prize!

In order to be eligible for the Shootout, exhibitors must enter both slates of Rookie classes. The Top 5 composite scores (plus ties) from Wednesday and Thursday Rookie classes will advance to the Shootout with no additional entry fees. The Yellowstone Shootout round will be held in the Ford Truck Arena of the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex at Expo Square Friday night before the start of the NRBC Open Classic Challenge.

Yellowstone and Paramount Network came on board as sponsors in 2018, and after two successful seasons of incredible popularity, the show is now headed for season three and another Yellowstone Rookie Shootout.

Avid reiner Taylor Sheridan is screenwriter, producer, and director of the hit series that stars Kevin Costner on the Paramount Network. Yellowstone finished its record-breaking second season with a number of #1 ranks: the top summer series across all of cable TV among total viewers (5.1 million average); as well as the #1 scripted series in the key P18-49 (1.93 rating) and P25-54 (2.71 rating) demos among cable and broadcast; and cable’s #1 summer series among total viewers.

The National Reining Breeders Classic has a different look this year with a new location, new date, extended schedule, and the many changes and adjustments that were made in order to follow COVID-19 related mandates and restrictions. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the support of Markel for the NRBC.

Markel has been a major sponsor of the show for the past two decades. According to Markel’s Director of Western Disciplines and National Reining Horse Association Hall of Fame member Frank Costantini, there was no question as far as continuing Markel’s patronage of the NRBC during the tumultuous year.

Costantini said, “The horse industry has faced an unprecedented challenge in 2020 from a virus that many of our friends and loved ones couldn’t see coming and were completely unaware of the tragedy that was about to unfold. During this time of uncertainty, Markel has remained committed to the horse industry and is available to assist with insurance solutions. The one common thread we all share is our passion for our horses, our competitors and our lifestyle. While things are a little different, Markel is still strong in its commitment to the reining horse industry and our many clients and friends. We aren’t going anywhere!”

Over the years, Markel has sponsored numerous Non Pro draw parties and other special activities. “Due to the social distancing guidelines we must follow, we, unfortunately, can’t have a traditional draw party this year,” said NRBC President Tom McCutcheon. “However, Markel is graciously sponsoring the Non Pro Virtual Draw Party. In addition, Markel will be one of the sponsors who make it possible for each exhibitor’s video from the event to be emailed directly to them after their run. We are thrilled that Markel has chosen to support this event.”

This year, Markel also returns with the presentation of the coveted Markel NRBC Non Pro Commitment Award, given annually during the show. The recipient is chosen by a special panel that recognizes all the qualities that make up incredible Non Pros who willingly devote their time and resources to make reining and the reining industry even more special.

Costantini noted, “Non Pros contribute in so many different ways. It is easy to recognize the higher-level professional or even the higher-level Non Pro. We, at Markel, along with the Board of the NRBC, created this award for the individual that never says ‘no,’ is always pitching in to help at an event, the person that you are always glad to see and that you know is genuinely glad to see you when you walk down that aisle. Maybe not the biggest winner, but darn sure an extremely important participator!”

Last year’s Markel Non Pro Commitment Award went to Ellen Cummins shown here with Frank Costantini and Chloe Lawrence of Markel. The new Markel Non Pro Commitment winner will be announced during the Non Pro Virtual Draw Party, set for August 2.

Markel, with Costantini’s guidance, has a long history of support in the reining industry. For more than 50 years, Markel has provided insurance protection for many of the ranches, trainers, horses, and equipment used in the reining industry. As one of the leaders in the horse insurance industry, Markel pioneered many of the equine coverages available today. Its insurance products include Horse Mortality, Private Horse Owner Liability, Farm/Ranch Property and Commercial Equine Liability. You can even purchase equine insurance online 24-hours a day! For more information visit MarkelHorseandFarm.com. Coverage is provided by one or more of the insurance companies within Markel and policyholder services are provided by the underwriting manager, Markel Service, Incorporated. Insurance carrier, coverage, dividends, and services availability may vary by state. Markel offers both commercial and personal lines products. Terms and conditions for rates and coverage varies. Markel is a registered trademark of the Markel Corporation, a Fortune 500 corporation.