2015 NRCHA Hackamore Classic Derby Open Champions Red River Rivalry and Shawn Hays • photo by Stephanie DuquetteTwo National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Premier Events will be held simultaneously next year, as the NRCHA board of directors voted to schedule the 2016 Hackamore Classic in conjunction with the reined cow horse industry’s largest and most prestigious event, the 2016 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity.
The 2016 Hackamore Classic will be held Sept. 18-25, 2016, at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center in Reno, Nevada. The Hackamore Classic herd work, rein work and cow work will be incorporated with the 2016 Snaffle Bit Futurity schedule. Detailed information will be released as it becomes available.
The Hackamore Classic showcases the second stage of the years-long vaquero horsemanship process unique to the reined cow horse. Four- and 5-year-old horses are shown in the hackamore, the traditional bitless bridle consisting of a bosal noseband and a closed mecate rein. Hackamore Classic entries are judged in three events: herd work, rein work and cow work.
The Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo, Colorado, hosted the Hackamore Classic from 2012-2015. The event has also been held in Paso Robles, California (2004-2011); Winnemucca, Nevada (2002-2003); and Rancho Murieta, California (2000-2001).
“Our biggest audience, both competitors and spectators, is at the Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno. I am excited about presenting our hackamore horses there. Reined cow horse fans really like the hackamore, and the Futurity is a perfect showcase for that phase of our traditional training process. For competitors, it should be a better experience all the way around. We expect the entries to go up quite a bit, which means a larger payout. The Livestock Events Center is a excellent facility, and everyone will have more time to prepare their horses, which can be a big deal when you’re showing in the hackamore,” said NRCHA President Todd Bergen.
2016 NRCHA Premier Event Schedule:
Celebration of Champions/World’s Greatest Horseman
Feb. 12-20, 2016
Will Rogers Equestrian Center, Fort Worth, Texas
NRCHA Stallion Stakes
Date TBD, 2016
South Point Equestrian Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
NRCHA Derby
Date TBD, 2016
Paso Robles Event Center, Paso Robles, California
NRCHA Hackamore Classic
Sept. 18-25, 2016
Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, Reno, Nevada
NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity
Sept. 19-Oct. 1, 2016 (tentative)
Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, Reno, Nevada
For more information, visit the NRCHA’s website.
