It was announced in early December that the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) would debut a new division in 2016. According to NRBC Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Magoteaux Cody, the Development Division will begin at the very next NRBC, April 17-24. The $10,000-added NRBC Development Division is for NRBC Classic Open Horses that have not won $2,000 by March 31, 2016.
“Whether it’s due to having been held back for an injury, a late start or from maturing more slowly, sometimes horses just don’t progress by the traditional calendar,” Cody said. The NRBC officers and board feel strongly that giving these horses their own division helps put the welfare of the horse first.”
Four-, 5- and 6-year-old eligible horses can compete in the Development Division for no additional entry fee. An additional $500 per entry will be added to the Development Division purse. This division will pay five places in 2016.
NRBC President Tom McCutcheon said, “There are so many good horses that are unable to go to the NRHA Futurity for one reason or another. Having another place to go softens the blow to the owner and takes some of the pressure off. It creates a great second-chance starting point and provides a reason to keep a horse in training even if it has gotten behind.”
He added that the Development Division will be evaluated and tweaked after the inaugural year, but that the plan is to continue to grow the opportunities.
To enter, eligible horses entered in the NRBC Open Classic must submit a Development Division designation form prior to the cutoff for the Open Draw. Development Division designation forms will be available March 31 at www.nrbc.com.
For additional information on the National Reining Breeders Classic, visit the web site at www.nrbc.com or call 580-759-3939.
