Randy Snodgress and Arena Werks Bring Decades of Experience to the 2025 NRBC

When horses are ridden into the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex at Expo Square for the 2025 National Reining Breeders Classic, the footing beneath their hooves will be handled by someone who knows exactly what it takes to make a great arena. Randy Snodgress, founder of Arena Werks, is taking the reins this year – bringing nearly four decades of hands-on experience and a seasoned crew that’s well known to NRBC exhibitors.

Snodgress didn’t plan to start an arena equipment company. “I was training horses and needed a drag,” he said. “I saw some parts at a trailer place near Fort Worth, and one thing led to another. Before long, I was always in the shop building drags instead of riding.”

He and his wife built Arena Werks with family in mind – raising their kids close to home instead of staying on the road full-time. Today, his son William and son-in-law Ty Ferguson are leading the next generation of the company. “I told them, if you want it big, you’ve got to learn it from the ground up. They went in the shop, learned to weld, and now they’re taking it to the next level.”

Arena Werks has become a go-to name at major shows across the country, including The Run For A Million, APHA World Championship Show, and NSBA World Championship Show. One of the key tools behind that success is the Arena Werks Elite, a drag design they developed eight years ago. “We changed everything about the way it works,” Snodgress explained. “It’s heavier, it has solid sides so dirt doesn’t leak out, and it really moves ground the way it should. It’s made a big difference.”

As Snodgress steps in, he’s following in the tracks of longtime NRBC drag sponsor Jim Kiser of Kiser Arena Specialists, who has stepped back to focus on other areas of his business. “I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for the Kiser family,” Snodgress said. “Bob Kiser revolutionized dirt prep – before that, people were showing on junk dirt. And Jim’s carried that legacy forward. He’s moved on to other things, and we are glad we were in the right place at the right time.”

NRBC show management is confident in the transition. Tim McQuay said, “We’re excited to welcome Randy and Arena Werks. Our exhibitors know their work from other shows, and we expect the same high standards here.”

Snodgress isn’t coming alone. “I don’t want to walk into a show like this with a brand-new crew,” he said. “There are some familiar faces – Matt Amsden, and the rest of the team from shows like the APHA World Show or The Run For A Million. These guys know what they’re doing. I’ve tweaked a few things my way, but I couldn’t do this without them.”

Attendees will also have the chance to visit with Snodgress and his crew in person. Arena Werks will have a booth on-site throughout the show, giving folks a chance to ask questions and learn more about the equipment.

And if you’ve ever wondered why “Werks” is spelled with an E? “We just wanted something different. Everybody wants to spell it with an ‘O,’ just like they want to spell Snodgress with an “A,” but we thought it’d stand out. That’s kind of our thing.”

Arena Werks started out as a way to fill a need – and turned into a trusted name at some of the biggest shows in the country. That reputation takes center stage at the NRBC – one drag pass at a time.