Quarter Horse News returns for the ninth consecutive year as sponsor of the Tulsa Reining Classic Stallion Service Auction, hosted in 2020 by the National Reining Breeders Classic. The event, set for August 26 – September 6, features a quartet of Futurities and the National Reining Horse Association’s South Central Regional Affiliate Championships along with the NRBC Classic and two full slates of ancillary classes.

According to NRBC Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Cody, this year, the Tulsa Reining Classic Stallion Auction will be hosted by the NRBC, but the purpose of the auction remains the same. “The annual show in Tulsa receives a good portion of funding from the stallion auction. We thank Quarter Horse News for maintaining this important event this year. In these uncertain times, the support of all our sponsors is crucial and we count ourselves fortunate that they have stayed loyal to the Tulsa Reining Classic and NRBC, and to helping us have a show that is very much needed by the reining industry.”

Patty Tiberg, vice president of Morris Equine Group, also values the relationship between Quarter Horse News and the Tulsa Reining Classic Stallion Auction. “The management of the TRC and the NRBC always produces a first-class event. We feel strongly about the importance of stallion owners and breeders, as they are such an integral part of the western performance horse industry. The Stallion Auction is the perfect avenue for us to show our support,” she said.

The Tulsa Reining Classic Stallion Auction regularly features some of the most elite stallions in the reining industry. It begins on August 7 and concludes at 7 p.m. on September 4, giving mare owners plenty of time to plan and prepare for next year’s breeding season. As in the past, the offspring resulting from the Stallion Auction is eligible for one free entry into the Tulsa Reining Classic Futurity when it comes of age. Bidders may bid both online at www.tulsareining.com or at nrbc.com and in person at the Quarter Horse News Tulsa Reining Classic Stallion Auction display at the NRBC.

Cody added, “We also deeply appreciate the support of stallion owners who choose to be a part of this auction. Because of their participation, we try to keep the stallions at the forefront leading up to and during the show.” Stallions are heavily promoted during the event as well as prior to and after the show and stallion owners who participate receive sponsorship benefits at the show.

Thanks to Quarter Horse News, each stallion is entered to win one of two stallion promotion packages valued at $5,000. The leading source for news in the western performance world, Quarter Horse News is a staple for any serious reining participant or fan for event coverage, profiles and in-depth reporting on issues that impact the industry. For information on Quarter Horse News, visit the website at www.quarterhorsenews.com.

The Prime Time Non Pro division of the National Reining Breeders Classic set for August 26-September 6 has always provided a lucrative playing field for Non Pros of a certain age. Now, thanks to Story Book Stables, it’s TWICE as good as before, with $20,000 added to the division at the 2020 NRBC!

Story Book Stables co-owner Brenda Joyce is extremely passionate in her support of people of all economic levels who create the backbone of the reining industry and especially Prime Time riders. In her words, “There is a huge group of very competitive Non Pros today who are over the age of 50 that deserve to run for a respectable amount of added money. It is a division that continues to grow and deserves a little bit more attention. This group of competitors has typically been involved for many, many years and continues to invest, compete and they are excellent horse people. Beefing up the Prime Time just makes sense.”

NRBC President Tom McCutcheon agrees, “Thanks to Story Book Stables, the added money in the Non Pro Prime Time just doubled and we are, for the first time, able to offer $20,000 in that division at the 2020 NRBC. As a group, Prime Time Non Pro riders are the ones who are totally devoted to reining. They support it with their time, their money and participation across the board, from buying horses for open riders to showing themselves and serving as volunteers. It’s great to have an opportunity to reward them.”

Story Book Stables is the culmination of a lifetime passion for owners Brenda Joyce and Rick Christen. When the pair met at the High Roller Reining Classic in 2013, both were avid Non Pros who were breeding show horses for themselves and competing on them. After they married, they shared horses, swapped embryos, and then built Five Bells Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona. Their ranch encompasses 22 acres in the heart of Rio Verde, Arizona. It includes a 41-stall show barn, a 280 x 150 covered arena and state-of-the-art amenities for mares, foals, yearlings and show horses.

“We realized what we had as a combined force – how many horses we had in training, how many babies on the ground, how many yearlings. Between the two of us, we had a dozen really great mares. It was time to take SBS to the next level and go big time. We have Arno Honstetter training out of our facility and he is doing a great job for us as well as his own clients. We also keep a few horses with other trainers which keeps it exciting.” Story Book Stables is committed to a small but elite breeding program with their two stallions, Star Spangled Whiz and Wimpys High Bid, and an exceptional band of broodmares. “We are focused on our mares. People think we only breed to our own stallions, but we breed to outside stallions like Gunnatrashya, Voodoo and a few more. We have a great crop of twos and yearlings this year.”

In 2019, Brenda realized it was time to seriously begin developing an Open program. “I’m not sure when we were bitten by the Open bug, but for sure, in 2019, I wanted trainers on Open horses, especially at the Futurity, not trying to make the Open Finals on my Non Pro horses.” In the fall of 2019, Story Book Stables purchased the 3-year-old Super Marioo. The rest is history with Cade McCutcheon’s historic win on Super Marioo at the Futurity in not just the L4 Open, but in Level 2 and 3 as well. “What a way to end the first year of our Open Program!”

For information on Story Book Stables, visit the website at storybookstables.com. To enter the NRBC Prime Time Non Pro, visit nrbc.com.

There’s no way around it, showing horses can cost major bucks. For parents, hauling their children to events can cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. That’s why Brad and Amanda Kelly’s sponsorship, “Crushing the Fees,” under the name of their stallion PS Mega Shine Chic, affectionately known as Crush, is so special. The Kelly’s are known for their support of youth riders and have committed to continuing that special sponsorship at the 2020 National Reining Breeders Classic in Tulsa August 26 – Sept. 6.

This year the Kelly’s, new parents themselves since their son, Carson, was born last December, continue their focus on youth by “Crushing the Fees” for youth entries. At the 2020 NRBC, youth entry costs are paid, including entry, video, drug and judges’ fees, for all ancillary and ARC classes!

NRBC President Tom McCutcheon noted, “With all the expense of showing these days, it’s great that Brad and Amanda are committed to helping our youth. Their commitment helps ensure that the reiners of tomorrow are able to go show, even in these uncertain times.”

PS Mega Shine Chic is a 7-year-old AQHA stallion by Shine Chic Shine out of Megas Sugar Baby. With Dany Tremblay at the reins, he was a 2016 NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Finalist and 2017 NRBC Level 4 Open Reserve Champion, a two-time NRBC Open Level 3 Champion, and in 2019, won the $100,000 Shootout at the Run for a Million. His first foals will come of age next year. For more information visit the website at crushpsmegashinechic.com.

The Adh Mor Big Luck Ranch in central Alberta is not only the home some of great reining horses, it is also known for exceptional bucking bull bloodlines. Youth riders can enter the 2020 NRBC by visiting www.NRBC.com.

The 23rd Annual National Reining Breeders Classic, set for April 12-19 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas is known for its exceptional awards and prizes. Nowhere is that more evident than with the buckles which are given at the prestigious event. Skyline Silversmiths of Marysville, California, creates them each year for the NRBC.

NRBC President Tom McCutcheon noted, “It’s always been part of the NRBC culture to have great awards and these buckles represent the NRBC well. People are always proud to wear them as a symbol of their accomplishments. We are glad to have Skyline on our sponsorship team and appreciate their support of the NRBC.”

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

NRBC Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Cody noted, “Besides the Custom engraved buckles with the signature tooling that are given to Champions and Reserves in the NRBC Classic and Classic Challenge, there is another set of buckles that are extremely popular. The high point winners of the double slate of NRHA Classes also receive unique custom Skyline Silversmith buckles. 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, 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, and Youth Walk Trot.”

Skyline Silversmiths and Vaquero Trophy & Tack have been designing and making custom hand-crafted buckles, jewelry, and silver items for over 40 years. Hammond noted, “Our silversmiths come to work every day to our shop in Marysville, California, and create buckles that will represent lifetime accomplishments.”

Co-owners Ryan Fowler and Dave Hammond 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 a winner.”

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

For the third consecutive year, the National Reining Breeders Classic 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 Great Southwest Equestrian Center Coliseum Friday night prior to the start of the NRBC Open Classic Challenge. Shootout round qualifiers who have entered to qualify for the Rookie Competition at the Run For a MIllion will be qualified.

At NRBC, everyone gets a chance to win, and many get more than one chance. On Sunday, everyone who competed in both preliminary rounds of the Shootout except for Friday night’s champion may enter the Rookie Shootout Consolation round. In the Shootout Consolation, any Rookie who finishes in the top five who has entered to qualify for the Run For A Million will be qualified.

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. Yellowstone chronicles the Dutton family, led by John Dutton, who controls the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect – the ranch is in constant conflict with those it borders – an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park.

In 2020, the NRBC welcomes Glycoguard back for the second consecutive year. “We are glad to have the support of this progressive company,” noted Cheryl Cody, NRBC Secretary-Treasurer. “Glycoguard representative Caitlyn Caldwell is a proponent of healthy horses – and of reining, so in just a short year she has become a familiar face to many of our exhibitors.”

Originally marketed for foals, the usage propriety has been expanded and now when Glycoguard is given to adult horses, clients and vets are seeing dramatically improved digestion and nutrition absorption of feed. Many top reiners are using this product so it’s not surprising that Caldwell would choose to be a part of the NRBC. She noted, “Glycoguard Gel is a proud supporter of the 2020 NRBC, and we want only the best for all the equine athletes. If you don’t have your Glycoguard yet please contact me or find me at the show.”

Glycoguard is an oral activated microbial gel, containing the only direct-fed microbials: B. Infantis and L. Plantarum. Glycoguard is the only product on the market with this strain of bacteria, which unlocks key nutrients and short-chain fatty acids.

Caldwell said, “Glycoguard is safe and fast-acting for horses of all ages. Competition horses undergo lots of stress whether it be travel, training or competing so make glycoguard the first thing you reach for and remember a healthy gut is a happy horse/foal. It’s never too late to start Glycoguard.”

For information and to learn more about Glycoguard, visit the website at glycoguard.com or contact Caitlyn via call or text at 610-246-2073.

2020 will mark the ninth consecutive year that Markel Insurance has sponsored the National Reining Breeder’s Classic Markel Non Pro Draw Party. This popular party is set for Wednesday, April 15 at 7 p.m., upstairs in the Texas Children’s Hospital Arena Club at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. The party has become an annual highlight for the National Reining Horse Association’s second-largest reining.

The Markel Insurance Non Pro Draw Party puts non pros on center stage at an event with special touches and special fun! The wine glasses lined up with numbers on the bottoms make for some fun times while each finalist draws a glass one-by-one to determine their running order. Who will get the first run of the finals? Come to the party to find out! Everyone is invited to attend. And thanks to the creative enthusiasm of Makel, there is always something special to remember from the event. From a beautiful dessert display, one year to amazing door prizes the next, the fun factor is definitely a key part of the event.

Markel Director of Western Disciplines and National Reining Horse Association Hall of Fame member, Frank Costantini has been a true NRBC fan and supporter for years and an integral part of the reining industry.

NRBC Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Magoteaux Cody noted, “Frank’s onsite Markel team includes Non Pro reiners Chloe Lawrence and Karen Schedlauskas, and the combined years of experience as reiners and business people has resulted in a remarkable pool of reining knowledge.” Costantini, with his years of experience a Non Pro, an owner, an NRHA Board member, Committee Member and Chair, donor, President, visionary – has made him a part of NRHA history and culture and has propelled Markel to an unmatched relationship. Cody continued, “We are thrilled that he chooses to support the NRBC, personally and as the leader of the Markel sponsorship team.”

Frank added, “Markel is very fortunate to once again host the Non Pro Draw Party. We have been there for a number of years and we always try to come up with new and innovative ideas – come to the draw party this year to see what we can do to benefit reiners – everyone is invited to enjoy the festivities. Markel and the remarkable board and staff of the NRBC will always put our heads together to create something fun.”

Not only does Markel sponsor the Non Pro Draw Party, but it also awards the Markel Non Pro Commitment Award annually during the festivities. The announcement is always a surprise with only select NRBC staff and the Markel team knowing the new recipient for 2020.

With a long history of supporting the horse world in general and the reining industry in particular, Markel has insurance to fill all of your needs. For information on Markel Insurance, visit the booth at the NRBC and the website at http://www.horseinsurance.com.