National Reined Cow Horse Association Non Pros

07/20/2023

Join us for the Non Pro meeting at the upcoming Mars Equestrian™ Hackamore Classic presented by Oswood Stallion Station! The Non Pro committee will host a Non Pro meeting on July 26th, 30mins following the World's Greatest Non Pro herd work.

07/05/2023

Don’t forget to get your entires in! This included entires for the World’s Greatest Non Pro!

Today is the last day to enter the Mars Equestrian™ Hackamore Classic presented by Oswood Stallion Station! Entries close 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟓𝐭𝐡.

Enter Now ➡️ https://nrcha.co/CowHorsePlus

The Hackamore Classic will head to Tulsa, Oklahoma July 24-30. The event schedule, hotels, and more are available online at https://nrcha.co/Hackamore-Classic.

06/26/2023

𝐍𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐒𝐍𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐋𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐓 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐄

The NRCHA Board of Directors held a telephone conference call on the evening of June 22nd to review the information presented by Non Pro members regarding the 2023 Snaffle Bit Futurity® schedule that was released during the Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona. Thank you to those members who took the time to provide feedback and those involved in creating show schedules submitted for consideration. The Board reviewed the proposed schedules and reviewed both the comments supporting the current Futurity schedule and the comments requesting a revision.

After careful consideration, the Board unanimously voted to move forward with the NRCHA schedule as posted for the 2023 show. The NRCHA office will work towards making the Non Pro Weekend an outstanding event to highlight and support the Non Pro divisions of the NRCHA.

The Board always welcomes ideas and input on how to better the Association and continue the growth of the reined cow horse. All of the feedback the Board received shows the strength and dedication of the NRCHA Non Pro community to our sport.

Thank you,

NRCHA Board of Directors

Snaflle Bit Futurity® Event Informaiton ➡️ https://nrcha.co/SnaffleBitFuturity

06/20/2023

MORE INFORMATION HOT OFF THE PRESSES!!!!!
NON PRO MEETING
June 13, 2023

Western Derby, Scottsdale, AZ

Thanks to all of you who took time to attend the Non Pro meeting at the Western Derby in Scottsdale. It was a great show and some challenging cattle made it really fun to watch. Here are some notes from the meeting:

Board of Directors voted on and passed changing Rule 3.8 (and all associated rules) so that the $750 in Fence earnings that is allowed for participants in the Boxing classes will be carried forward to the end of the show year.
This will be effective in the 2024 NRCHA Rulebook

Board of Directors voted on and passed changing Rule 3.9.1 (and all associated rules) to lower the current 55 age limit for Select Classes to 50 years of age as of November 1 of the current year.
This will be effective in the 2024 NRCHA Rulebook

Board approved $500k arena banners for the following:
-Anne Reynolds
-Laurie Richards
-Debbie Crafton
Earnings have been verified with the NRCHA office. Banners will hopefully be ready to hang at the Hackamore
Classic in Tulsa.

New 2023 Snaffle Bit Futurity Schedule
I am not going to expand on this at the moment as changes are under review due to concerns from some of
the Non Pro’s.

The one comment I will make is that the Board does understand folks need to plan ahead in order to attend a
Premiere Event and be away from home, jobs and life commitments for a week or two. They try to get these schedules posted as soon as all the show details are ironed out. It is VERY unlikely that you are going to see a schedule posted more than 2-3 months in advance. There are SO many components that go into scheduling any horse show, let alone a Premiere Event. It is just about a given that some will like the schedule and there will be some that won’t like it. The goal is to make it user friendly for the bulk of the attendee’s.

The Board approved adding a $5,000 Novice Horse class to the Hackamore Classic Non Pro division. It will be run
concurrent with the Non Pro Hackamore Classic divisions and you must enter all divisions to be eligible. More details will be available when entry information is released for the Hackamore Classic.

The NRCHA office is still working on gathering data on the Boxing division participants in order for the Non Pro Committee to review and perhaps change the Boxing division to a 3-year earnings based qualification similar to the Non Pro division. We are not going to hurry this process so until we have all the information we need, it is feasible this won’t change until the 2025 show year. We will keep the Non Pro membership apprised of the situation.

A hand vote was held to see if there was support to change Rule 2.4.5.3 so that in the Intermediate Boxing class, the rider would also be required to own the horse. Currently, the only Boxing class that the rider must also own the horse if the Non Pro Boxing. It was full support for this change so I will put this in front of the Board at our next meeting.

A hand vote was also held to see which would be preferred:
-Intermediate Non Pro Two Rein
-Intermediate Non Pro Hackamore

It appeared the Non Pro Two Rein was the winner. This is just for discussion purposes only at the moment.
Perhaps you will see this on a Non Pro Survey in the coming weeks.

It was brought up at the meeting that the Boxing Division at the Snaffle Bit Futurity does not offer a Slot payment system like is offered in the Non Pro and the Open Divisions. Emily Konkel attended our meeting and will take this under advisement for the 2024 Snaffle Bit Futurity entries.

That is everything I have in my notes. I hope to see many of you in Tulsa for the Hackamore Classic! We will have another Non Pro meeting at that show.

Thank you!!!
Diane

06/18/2023

NRCHA NON PROS – THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS LISTENING…

For those of you that have seen the current 2023 Snaffle Bit Futurity some of the Non Pro’s have expressed concern regarding the change of having a Finals Day just for the Non Pro Futurity Finalists on the middle weekend of the show. The Board (myself included) thought this was an excellent way to SHOWCASE the Non Pro Futurity Finalists. The NRCHA office is committed to making it an EVENT for riders and spectators alike. This was also a way to shorten up the time riders have to be away from home, family, jobs and other commitments. Then those who chose to stay for the Open Finals could make a “vacation” out of it as they would be done showing or if it is within time and budget, you could go home after the Non Pro Finals and then come back for the Open Finals.

Being that we have heard some concerns being voiced, the Board has a request of the Non Pro’s:

To those that are interested, please submit a COMPLETE 2023 Snaffle Bit Futurity Schedule as you would like to see it. There are many, many moving parts to making a schedule for any show so keep in mind having staff available (back gate, cattle, scribes, judges…) for all arena’s and being mindful of cost for paying said staff.

Please, Please, keep in mind that this a request and will be taken under advisement-it is NOT a guarantee that the schedule will change. BUT THE BOD IS LISTENING!!!

Proposed schedules will be accepted until SUNDAY, JUNE 25th. All classes to be included!

Send completed schedules to:

[email protected]

More notes from the Non Pro meeting at the Western Derby in Scottsdale will be coming. Stay Tuned!!!

Thanks!

Diane

06/07/2023

My Sincerest Apologies-
I had planned on attending meeting.
Intended on FB Live again for meeting and didn't have back up plan in place fast enough.
Missed the email with agenda last night-
I will post here now and will post minutes from meeting as soon as I get.
Again I am sorry for not keeping everyone in the loop...
Kathy Ferguson

Meeting Agenda-June 6, 2023

1) Introductions

2). Update from Board of Directors meeting

-Rule Change for 2024
A contestant who achieves an Earnings limit ($750) will be eligible to compete in the
division for the remainder of the show year.

-Rule Change for 2024
Select classes open to riders 50 years of age and older.

3). 2023 Snaffle Bit Futurity schedule

4). $500k Arena banners for
-Anne Reynolds
-Laurie Richards
-Debbie Crafton

5). Discussion on lower entry numbers in Non Pro Limited Aged Events

6). Open discussion
Thanks!
Diane

05/25/2023

WESTERN DERBY NON -PRO MEETING
-Tuesday, June 6th
30 minutes after end of Non Pro Bridle Herd Work (approximately 4:30 - 5:00 pm)
Hopefully in Sponsor Lounge near Arena In-Gate

04/24/2023

Information and More Information!

NON PRO MEETING-Las Vegas
March 27, 2023

Thanks to all of you who attended the Non Pro Meeting in Las Vegas. We had a pretty good turn-out in person as well as a group that tuned in on “Facebook Live” (thanks to Kathy Ferguson for setting that up). The following is a re-cap of what was discussed at the meeting:

INTRODUCTION OF NON PRO COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
*Kathy Ferguson
*Kris Troxel
*Tim Swain
*Lanham Brown
*Tammy Johnston
*Andi Paul
*Nelle Murphy
*Kat DeHaan
*Parke Greeson

NON PRO SURVEY RESULTS REVIEW:

1) Do you think that NRCHA Non Pros should be able to receive sponsorships?
YES: 36.28%
NO: 63.72%

2) Do you think that paid “lopers” should be able to receive Non Pro status?
YES: 46.16
NO: 53.84%

3) Do you attend the Non Pro meetings held at the Premiere Events you go to?
ALWAYS: 12.78%
SOMETIMES: 56.29% NEVER: 30.93%

4) What age group are you in?
We are not sharing the results of this question for privacy reasons

5) Do you currently compete in NRCHA classes?
YES: 86.04%
NO: 13.96%

NON PRO ITEMS FROM THE BOARD MEETING:

1). Board was approached about having $500,000 Arena Banners for:
-Mike Miller
-Laurie Richards
-Debbie Crafton
There may be another name or two added to this list. The NRCHA office will
provide names of any other Non Pro’s that have achieved $500,000 in Lifetime NP
Earnings.

2). Discussion was held on modifying the age on the Select Classes from the current 55
years old to 50. Fifty would match AQHA Select and the NRHA Prime Time
divisions. This will be discussed again at the Board meeting in Scottsdale.

3). Discussion on increasing Added Money in the Select Classes. This will be reviewed
at the Annual Board Member Budget meeting in December 2023. The Board was
supportive of the request to increase the money in these classes.

4). Proposed that a 2024 Rule Change be made that keeps the current $750 limit in
fence earnings for those that also show in the boxing but extends the earnings
carry-over until the end of the show year. The Board approved this change.

5). Proposed that at the Western Derby in Scottsdale we add a “Select” Box Drive class.
Participants must also enter the Box Drive class and it (Select) would be a Jackpot
only. If it is successful, it may be added again at the Hackamore Classic in Tulsa.
The Board supported adding this class at the Western Derby.

6). Dates for the 2024 World Show are:
February 9th - February 24th 2024
NRCHA has additional show days for 2024 so it should alleviate the boxing classes
from having to show in the Watt Arena.

7). The Hackamore Classic in Tulsa will include a NP Bridle Spec, NP Two Rein Spec
and a NP Boxing Spec

FURTHER DISCUSSION:

There was some lengthy discussion on the Sponsorships question and the Lopers
question from the survey. The biggest concern regarding allowing Sponsorship of Non Pro’s is the monitoring of those receiving Sponsorship. There will be more conversation on this item at future meetings (both Non Pro and Board Member).

Allowing paid “loper’s” to show as Non Pro’s was also discussed and again, the biggest obstacle would be “policing” those that are allowed to show as Non Pro’s. After the Non Pro meeting, I spoke with some of the other Board members and I don’t think this is going to get any traction with the majority of the Board. In other words, if it was currently put to a vote with the Board, it would not pass.

The response from the group regarding the first Survey that was sent out to the Non Pro’s was VERY positive. This is something that we will try to do from time to time. It is highly likely that another survey will be sent out prior to the Western Derby in June.

On another note-it is often asked how the protocol works for NRCHA. I received an email from AQHA a while back and it gave a nice explanation that I would like to share (copy) with you:

NRCHA operates primarily upon decisions of the membership through the
Board of Directors. The Board is elected by the members in good standing
of the NRCHA. The Executive Committee is responsible for implementing
the important decisions and governing the organization between meetings.
The Executive Committee is elected by the Board of Directors at it’s January
meeting each year.

I hear from time to time that “transparency” word from members about decisions that are made by the Board/Executive Committee. Having come from a business world myself, I liken it to the Executives of a company making the day to day decisions to make that company be the best it can be. They do not need to include all of the employee’s in that decision making. Any successful company always tries to do what is best for its employees (members). Rule changes are always discussed at a minimum of two times before being voted on and it is always with the thought in mind of what is best for the whole of the NRCHA.

Stay tuned…. I will post the date for a Non Pro meeting at the Western Derby in the next couple weeks!

Thanks!
Diane

03/25/2023

Lessons learned- Streaming not broadcasting- Move slower from person to person- Any others suggestions for FB Live?

03/24/2023

FB Live Broadcast will start here approx 30 mins after end of NP Bridle herd-Today

03/22/2023

ATTENTION !!!!!!
NON PRO MEETING AGENDA
Friday, March 24

30 Minutes after the conclusion of the Non Pro Bridle Herd Work
Cinch Saloon

**PLEASE NOTE WE ARE GOING TO TRY A NEW FORMAT FOR THIS MEETING. I WILL PRESENT INFORMATION FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING THEN WE ARE GOING TO COVER NON PRO ISSUES/ITEMS FIRST. FOLLOWING THE NON PRO ITEMS WE WILL COVER THE NON PRO BOXING SPECIFIC ITEMS**

1) Items from Board of Directors meeting

2) Non Pro Items:
Survey Results: (997 Survey’s Returned)

-Allowing Sponsorship for Non Pro’s:
36% in Favor 63% No

-Allowing paid “Lopers” to have NP Membership
46% in Favor 54% No

Working on $500,000 Arena Banners for:
-Debbie Crafton
-Mike Miller
-Laurie Richards

Name Change for Non Pro Greatest Horseman

Modify the age on the Select Classes (currently 55) to 50 Years Old
Increases in Added Money in the Select classes

3) Non Pro Boxing:
Keep the current $750 in Fence Earnings but allow those earnings to carry over to the end of the show season.

Addition of Select Box Drive Class at Western Derby. Participants would still have to enter the Box Drive class as well.

Questions/Comments

HOPE TO SEE YOU IN VEGAS!!!
Diane

*****From Kathy- We will be trying FB Live for the meeting- Emphasis on trying- being that meeting is in a public room hearing may not be the best- and camera will be stationary so members talking may be off screen- Please be patient while we try a find a solution for those not attending...More information to follow on how to watch.

03/14/2023

NRCHA Non Pros That Have Not Completed Survey Sent Via Email- Please Do- Survey Closes 3/17/23