First 2011 Reining Clinic Scheduled with Top NRHA Professionals

December 11, 2010 Off By Roberta Johnston

Two top NRHA Professionals will kick-off the 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Regional Clinic Series in La Mesa, New Mexico. The weekend of January 29 and 30, trainers Josh Armstrong and Jordan Larson will hold a clinic to benefit reiners of all ages and experience levels at Armstrong Equine Services.

Larson, recent winner of the NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Championship with over $800,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings, is a tough contender at major NRHA events. He was the 2001 NRHA Limited Open World Champion and Intermediate Open Reserve World Champion, and the 2008 FEI World Reining Reserve Champion, and. In the 2010 NRBC he was a co-reserve champion in the Level 4 Open riding Stop Like A Dream.

Hosting the clinic will be Armstrong, a Top Ten finalist at the NRHA Futurity and the All American Quarter Horse Congress Reining Futurity. Perhaps best known for his memorable Freestyle performances, Armstrong has over $43,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings.

This will be the sixth year the NRHA has organized the clinics to help raise funds for the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA). The clinics are designed to help anyone who is interested in learning more about reining horses, the Reining business and the NRHA. The one-on-one training that attendees receive is tailored to each individual’s needs. Every clinic consists of two one-day clinics giving participants the opportunity to attend either or both days as they prefer.

Participants from all disciplines learn by doing and by watching other reiners during the hands-on sessions. “The clinic was phenomenal!” said Deann Soults, a 2010 clinic participant. “The information was broken down in a very understandable way. Another participant, Chase McBurney, commented, “I really liked the format of the clinic. I enjoyed all the different points that were covered. We had a lot of one on one time and I was able to ask a lot of questions. I really liked how my questions were answered and then the maneuver was demonstrated.”

Space is limited so sign up as soon as possible. All the proceeds go to support NRHyA scholarships, programs and youth activities. The cost is $250 for youth riders participating both days or $150 per day. Adults are encouraged to participate with an entry of $450 for both days or $250 per day. Auditors are welcome to attend for $25 per day. For more information or to register for a clinic, please contact NRHA at (405) 946-7400 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

If you would like more information about the NRHyA, go to www.nrhya.com or contact Manager of RHSF and NRHA Youth Programs, Brian Bendele at [email protected] (405) 946-7400, ext. 130.