When a foal is born, it’s an exciting time for everyone involved, and right away, its owners start thinking about its future, including required nominations.

The National Reining Breeders Classic has set the standard for stallion programs in the reining industry, and has become a must-attend event for Derby-aged reining horses. That means nominations begin to pour in early in the foaling season and peak over the holiday season so owners can beat the December 31 deadline.

NRBC Nomination Coordinator Meredith Harrison said, “We noticed the number of nominations increasing as we approached the December 31 deadline. The excitement grew as the numbers soared higher, and when enrollments passed the 2,900, it was a real thrill.”

In 2021, the NRBC received 2,674 nominations, and in 2022 that number reached a record-shattering 2,914 – the highest number of enrollments since the program’s inception in 1997.  The sire leading the number of enrolled foals in 2022 was Spooks Gotta Whiz with 185, followed by A Vintage Smoke with 124, and Colonels Shining Gun in third with 117. Rounding out the top five were Inferno Sixty Six and Spooks Gotta Spark with 115 and 108, respectively.

 Harrison added that the upward trend is not a new phenomenon, but this year’s jump was unprecedented. “The numbers have climbed every year since the previous high in 2007,” she explained.

Click here to check enrollment status of foals from 2022.

Since its inception, the NRBC has grown to include more than 200 subscribed stallions, and has paid more than $26 million since it was created in 1997. The 2023 NRBC Show will take place April 16-23 at the Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, for the first time ever, the NRBC Level 4 Open Champion will receive $100,000 and the L4 Non Pro Champion will win $50,000.

For information on the NRBC, call 580-759-3939.