Next Board of Directors Meeting: September 12, 2008 at 6:30 pm at the Quality Inn Conference Room, Rapid City, South Dakota.

THANK YOU to all the owners and riders who attended the 8^th Annual SDRCHA Stallion Stakes & NRCHA sanctioned show held August 29^th-31^st at the Events Center on the Central States Fairgrounds in Rapid City, SD.  With a minimum of $20,000 added to the Stallion Stakes, $8,000 added to the Non-Stallion Stakes, and $2,000 added to the ancillary classes, this is was a great event!  Photographs, class placings, and other information will follow in the next few issues of The Wrangler.

The SDRCHA extends a big Thank You to the sponsors and volunteers who made the SDRCHA Stallion Stakes and show a huge success.  We couldn’t have held such a great event without you!

Upcoming SDRCHA Practices & Clinics:  Deb Black has reserved October 25^th, November 22^nd, and December 20^th at the Hermosa arena for fall SDRCHA practices.  Frank Kenzy will be the clinician for the NRCHA clinic to be held in April 2009 at the Seven Down Arena in Spearfish.

NRCHA North Central Region Standings:  Our members are continuing to have a great show season!  Chuck Baltazar and his horse Hes Queens Rooster, are ranked 3^rd in the Non Pro Bridle.  Frank & Jerri Kenzy’s horse, Rattlen Pepper, is ranked 7^th in Open Hackamore.  Jack Gully and Tangys Hickory are ranked 1^st in the Non Pro Two Rein and 5^th in Novice Non Pro Bridle.   Kelly Gully and Sailors Luv Freckles are ranked 1^st in the 5K Non Pro Limited and 1^st in the Non Pro Limited Provisional.

We’re proud of our members’ accomplishments.  We want to know how your show season is going!  Please send your show results to Deb Brown at nphorses@sdplains.com or call 605-797-4514.

Congress is taking another stab at the horse slaughter issue with their consideration of H.R. 6598—the “Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008.”  Unlike the other bills that would just ban the sale or processing of horses for human consumption, H.R.       6598 would CRIMINALLY PROSECUTE YOU for knowingly owning, selling, transporting, or even possessing a horse with the intent of slaughtering that horse for human consumption. 

Never before has slaughtering a livestock animal been cause for criminal prosecution by the U.S. Attorney General.  H.R. 6598 also requires the U.S. Attorney General to take care of the horses they confiscate—making you, the taxpayer, responsible for paying the horses’ feed bill.

Congress has good intentions with these bills aimed to “protect” horses, but since their last legislation on the subject has prohibited the market from working, more horses have become neglected, abandoned, and starved.  Is this more humane?

NRCHA Happenings:
The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) is the governing body of cow horse competition, is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition, and educating its members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse.  It is important for our membership to be aware of NRCHA programs, rule changes, events, etc.  SDRCHA will provide periodic information; however, our members are encouraged to visit the official NRCHA website at www.nrcha.com to be appraised of NRCHA activities.

The NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity celebrates is 39^th anniversary September 21^st-October 5^th in Reno, Nevada.  The contest is open to 3-year-old horses of any breed.  To test the young horses’ cow working ability, the futurity consists of three events:  herd work, rein work, and work with a single steer “down the fence,” typically called cow work.

Scoring is on a scale of 60 to 80 points with 70 considered to be average.  A five judge system is used, with the highest and lowest scores discarded.  A horse’s total scores in each of the three events—herd, rein, and cow work—are added together to form an overall combined score. 

Preliminary go-rounds determine the finalists who then compete again in each of the three events to determine the ultimate winners.  The action is breathtaking and the athletic ability of the colts and fillies are amazing to see!

Several of our members are competing at or entering horses in the Snaffle Bit Futurity.  Good luck to all our contestants and owners!  You can watch the action on the web cam through the NRCHA website if you are unable to attend the futurity.

At the NRCHA Celebration of Champions in San Angelo, Texas, spectators see three major events—NRCHA World Championship Show, World’s Greatest Horseman, and NRCHA Derby.  In the NRCHA World Championship Show, the top 10 horses and riders from each of the NRCHA’s geographic regions compete for World Championship titles in 11 exciting events.  These events will be held January 31^st—February 8^th.

The World’s Greatest Horseman is one of the most prestigious titles in the horse world—representing a skill in both training and riding that few achieve.   In one bit, horses of any age and any breed compete in four contests—herd work, rein work, steer stopping, and cow work.

The NRCHA Celebration of Champions also includes the Circle Y Derby, where the nation’s top 4 & 5 year old cow horses are shown in herd, rein and cow work.

Partial listing of Upcoming NRCHA Sanctioned Events: September 21-October 5, NRCHA Snaffle Bit Horse Show, Reno, Nevada.  October 9-12, Montana Horse Show, Derby, Futurity & SE Cat. 2, Kalispell, MT—contact Debora D. Penner-Fortner at 509-337-6324.  October 31-November 1, Aspen Meadows/Ruby View Shows, Ogden, Utah—contact Shaney J. Cheney 208-359-5860.  For a complete listing of shows, visit the NRCHA website at nrcha.com.

NRHA INFORMATION:
Several of our members compete in National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) events; therefore, updates will be periodically posted by the SDRCHA.  Members are encouraged to visit the NRHA website at www.nrha.com for comprehensive information.

The NRHA has implemented a new Futurity/Derby Nomination program.  This nomination program has a one-time payment of $300 and makes the foal eligible for competition in the Futurity as a 3-year-old as well as the Derby when the horse is 4, 5, & 6 years of age.

Nominations for 2008 foals are due by December 31^st of the horse’s weanling year.  Nomination fees for yearlings are $2,000; 2-year-olds fees are $5,000; 3-year-old fees are $7,500; and 4, 5 & 6-year-old fees are $7,500.

THE NEW NOMINATION PROGRAM IS EFFECTIVE FOR THE 2008 FOAL CROP.  The new nomination program does not affect 2006 and 2007 foals.  Current yearlings and 2-year-olds are not affected at all by this plan.

For complete information on the new NRHA Nomination Program, telephone 405-946-7400 or visit the NRHA website.

Ready to join in the fun?  Contact Clara Wilson for SDRCHA membership applications by calling 307-663-7655 or e-mailing fcwilson@hughes.net.