There Has Never Been a Better Time to be a Rookie in Reining
As in years past, the National Reining Breeders Classic will provide an exciting opportunity for rookies to showcase their skills on the big stage. The Yellowstone Rookie Shootout will be back for its sixth consecutive year at the NRBC, slated for April 16-23 in Tulsa, Okla.
To be eligible for the Rookie classes, competitors must have a valid National Reining Horse Association membership and must not have attained more than $100 in Lifetime Earnings at the start of the NRHA competition year. Rookies must enter both slates of the rookie classes to be eligible to advance to the Shootout.
NRBC Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Cody said, “The Impact of Yellowstone has been immense, and it has showcased reining to many watchers for the very first time. When we came up with the idea of the Rookie Shootout, Yellowstone producer Taylor Sheridan saw it as an opportunity to attract and encourage new reiners into the competition circle.”
At the first NRBC Yellowstone Rookie Shootout in 2018, there were more than 50 entries, and that number increased to 130 by 2021. With the move to Tulsa, 2023’s numbers are expected to grow even larger, as the NRBC will be more accessible, bringing in new names and faces to the competition.
The first round of the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout, which will run concurrently with the ancillary rookie classes, will be Wednesday, April 19, in the Super Duty Arena, with the second round being held the following day, April 20, in the Mustang Arena. The Shootout finals, for the top five composite scores, will take place the following day, April 21, at 5 p.m. in the Ford Truck Arena. Non-Shootout qualifiers who competed in both slates can enter the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout Consolation round set for Sunday, April 23, in the Mustang Arena.
There have been some great prizes over the years, with one of the best being the 2020 life-sized fiberglass horse. The first year’s prize was a custom mini golf cart. A custom designed tack trunk was the prize in 2019. In the years 2021 and 2022, custom cast iron benches were awarded to the winner. The major prize has not been announced for the 2023 competition year yet, but it is sure not to disappoint. All Shootout qualifiers receive a custom Yellowstone Paramount Network Rookie Shootout buckle.
Whether new to reining or an industry veteran, the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout always engages the audience. Watching others at the beginning of their reining career has a universal appeal.
Competing in the Rookie classes at the NRBC is made even easier, thanks to John and Nancy Tague of Toyon Ranch. For the second year in a row, the Tagues are paying the entry fees for all Rookie classes with the Toyon Ranch Rookie Free For All.