articles | Cascade Horseman March 2006
Cascade Horseman March 2006
Mar 1 2006
Author: Judy Caton
The face of WRHA has undergone a lift. Cheryl James completed an overhaul on the WRHA website this winter. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly suggest you get after that as it will make you proud!
The collective resources of our new board were being put to the test this spring as we digested the new rule that stops NRHA Judges from judging club classes separately if they have an NRHA counterpart. For example, NRHA has a Novice Horse Non-Pro class, and WRHA has a Novice Horse Non-Pro class. Previously these two classes could be ran separately, each as a class by itself. Under the new rule, effective this year, the WRHA class cannot be judged by an NRHA judge unless it is run concurrent with the NRHA class. Contestants may enter either one or both of the concurrent classes but, if we are going to offer WRHA classes, they must be paired up with their NRHA counterpart, if they have one. We are still allowed to offer as separate classes, those that are unique to our club, such as the Green Reiner, Beginner Rider, and Aged Horse, as these classes do not have an NRHA counterpart. The driving force behind the rule change is that there have been occurrences where an Affiliate club (mainly European) has conducted a show in which there were no NRHA approved classes, yet the show was ran by NRHA rules and an NRHA sanctioned judge was engaged to judge the show. Essentially the Affiliate club was realizing all the benefits of the NRHA program without honoring and supporting NRHA by running NRHA classes that would pay NRHA their 5%.
If you are experiencing any frustration over this rule change as you process this information, please let me assure you, you are not alone. The first knee-jerk reactions sounded something like "We did not take advantage of NRHA, why were we being punished? If it's not broken, why are they trying to fix it? We shouldn't have to pay for the wrong-doings of overseas clubs!" The main concern most of us had was that this rule would drastically reduce the number of runs we could offer during our shows. It definitely created a logistics challenge! Once we were able to open our minds up and explore some options, it became apparent that the rule is not as bad as it first appears. Let's first understand that NRHA, the mother-ship, would not maliciously set out to sabotage her fleet of Affiliates thereby opening themselves up to a mutiny. There could possibly even be some opportunities here that we didn't have before. 
NRHA is the international governing body of the sport of reining. They cannot make a rule that isolates one population from another. The rules must unilaterally apply to National and International Affiliates alike. What's good for the goose must be good for the gander. At this time there are several schedules under consideration that will offer contestants, at least, the same number of runs available in previous shows, if not more. If the class schedule for the Spring Fling in April looks a bit different from last years, hopefully you can now understand why.
As with any change, there is bound to be an adjustment period. As it's been said, "Growth is painful" especially since we'd finally gotten our class schedules into a very acceptable lineup that offered something for everyone every day and didn't have us in the saddle until 2am. I'm convinced that this rule change is just the gentle nudge (or stern boot, depending on your emotional experience just now) that will encourage WRHA to take the next step up the ladder as a strong, respected Affiliate The challenge is to look for the benefits of the future and let go of the comfort zone of the past. Since we have no choice but to adapt, it would be smart, and less painful to make lemonade out of the lemon. We ask at this time that you all have faith that your Board has the desires of our membership held in highest priority and trust that we are offering you a premium show product. Any feedback that you care to offer during this transition period will, as always, be appreciated. As I'm a firm believer that the right to openly offer scrutiny comes with the responsibility to also offer a solution, any suggestions will also be appreciated.
Speaking about the future is hard to do without taking a look at the past and realizing just how far WHRA has come. The standard of showmanship among our membership produces some very serious competition that will hold up against any other Affiliate and at top level shows. With that said, WRHA still provides an opportunity for reiners of all levels to learn and grow in a completely supportive and encouraging environment. 2005 produced Regional Affiliate competitors in Karen Davis on Smooth Chicory, Kelsey Davis on LSR Whizdom, Samantha Gately on Jac Be Smart, Amy Roy on Godiva Chic and Carrie Burnside on Hob Nob Kip - all in the Rookie class! Kelsey Davis and Samantha Gately also competed in the Youth 13 & under. Amy Roy and myself on Meerly Inwhizable qualified to run in the Non-Pro, Intermediate Non-Pro and Limited Non-Pro class. Kelsey Davis and I progressed to the National Adequan Affiliate Championships in Oklahoma City held during the NRHA Futurity. Kelsey won the Youth 13 & Under Championship and placed 5th in the Rookie class on LSR Whizdom, and "Whiz" and I won the Intermediate Non-Pro Championship.
The Affiliate Championship program has been compared as the NRHA version of the AQHA World Show, where the horse and rider have to earn points to qualify. The Affiliate club is allowed to qualify the top 7 riders in each NRHA class to advance to the Regional Affiliate Finals where they compete with the top riders from the other Affiliates in their Region for a slot in the National Affiliate Championships in Oklahoma City. Only the top 4 places in each class, plus ties, from each of the Regional Finals are qualified to compete for the National Championship. This was such an awesome experience! If you need a goal to work toward, check out this program!
Once the tally was completed 2005 gave us the following High Point Winners:
4 & 5 Year Old Open- Inger Helsen on Peppy San Elan
4 & 5 Year Old Non-Pro-Judy Caton on Meerly Inwhizable
Aged Horse Non-Pro-Libby Metz on Lena Nuff
Rookie-Sheri Clevenger on Jacs Jethro Express
Green Reiner Horse-Inger Helsen on Peppy San Elan
Limited Non-Pro-Tracy Lewis on Sweet Chocolate Chic
Prime Time Non-Pro-Jack Patton on Double Decked Chex
Novice Horse Non-Pro-Julie Daviscourt on Nobodys This Lucky
Novice Horse Non-Pro Prime Time-Julie Daviscourt on Nobodys This Lucky
Novice Horse Open-Inger Helsen on Jacs Jethro Express
Youth 13 & Under- Shelby St. Hilaire on Joses Automn Jac
Youth 14-18-Kelly Pinkerton on CDB Hickory.
Congratulations everyone!
Way to go WRHA you rock!! Stay on Pattern! Judy