nrha-logo

NRHA Adds Novice Horse Class to 2019 Derby

A new class that aims to encourage trainers to give young horses time to develop will be added to next year’s National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby. Officials say the class, the Novice Horse, will have $25,000 added money.

Silver Spurs Equine will sponsor the class, which will run concurrently with the NRHA Derby. However, entrants do not have to enter the Derby Open.

“The welfare of the reining horse is our top priority,” Silver Spurs Equine owners Michael and Michelle Miola said in a statement. “Therefore, Silver Spurs Equine is proud to sponsor the Novice Horse Derby. This class offers a venue that will enable trainers and owners to give the horses who need additional time an opportunity to compete at high-level events with outstanding added money. The Novice Horse Derby gives those trainers and owners another event in which to compete when their horses are both mentally and physically ready to perform at the top levels.”

Officials say additional details about the class, including entry criteria, will be released after the NRHA Board of Directors meeting in February, 2019.

“The Silver Spurs Equine Novice Horse Derby, beginning in 2019, supports NRHA’s strategic plan to grow entries,” NRHA Director of Corporate Relations Sammi Miller said in a statement. “Thank you to Michael and Michelle Miola for being strong advocates of breeding sound reining horses and for expanding the level of Silver Spurs Equine’s corporate partnership that promotes the growth of reining.” 

The 2019 NRHA Derby is scheduled for June 13–23 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

For more news and information from the Western performance horse industry, subscribe to Quarter Horse News.