There’s a lot to celebrate during the National Reining Breeders Classic, slated for April 17 – 24 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. One of the ultimate celebrations occurs on Thursday, April 19, when attendees gather together for the excitement of the Open Draw Party.
This year, the party is sponsored by longtime NRBC supporters Matt and Karen Mills of Matt Mills Reining Horses. “We’ve been sponsors of the NRBC for coming on 20 years now. First off, just from the beginning, this show has been a game-changer, giving us a place for our derby horses to be shown for a significant amount of money. That, combined with great management, makes it not only a major event, but one that goes really smooth,” Mills said. “It’s just a great environment.”
Mills, a National Reining Horse Association Million Dollar Rider, has been one of the trainers featured on Paramount Network’s “The Last Cowboy” and was a part of The Run for a Million in 2019 and 2021. He trains and shows futurity and derby horses. He also coaches non pro and youth riders and is always in high demand for clinics in the United States, Europe and Mexico.
The Mills have recently relocated from their home in Arizona to Texas. “It’s been a bit chaotic because we packed up 25 years of training, and brought everything to Texas,” he explained.
Matt Mills Reining Horses is now located at Taylor Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch in Weatherford. “It’s a great place to be. The facility is great, as is the location. There’s action everywhere, and I feel I am able to produce a better, more seasoned horse,” Mills said. “I’m really excited for this.”
The Matt Mills Reining Horses Open Draw Party will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the Sponsor Pavilion, although everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
Mills is always busy, and one of his very successful projects, his popular online instructional videos, can be found at MattMillsReining.com. With all of that going on, Mills is consistently ranked on the NRHA Top Twenty Professionals Riders list and is regularly a finalist at major NRHA events earning multiple titles including NRHA Intermediate Open Futurity Reserve Champion.
For more information visit MattMillsReining.com, or email TeamMattMills@gmail.com.
The 25th Annual National Reining Breeders Classic will take place April 17-24 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas and at its end, the event will have paid out over $25 Million in its history. For information on the NRBC, visit the website at www.nrbc.com or call 580-759-3939.