For Immediate Release – March 30, 2020 

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the NRHA European Executive Board met to discuss qualification for the NRHA European Affiliate Championship, to be held this summer (6-11 July) in Regstrup, Denmark.

For Immediate Release – March 28, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Just two short weeks ago, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) made swift decisions regarding COVID-19, including instructing the office team to work remotely for at least two weeks and issuing a statement strongly encouraging event producers to postpone or cancel all NRHA-approved events through March 30, 2020. NRHA officials carefully considered both of these decisions and understand their far-reaching implications on the industry as a whole. Following is an update on those situations as well as decisions made this week by the NRHA Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

The latest stallion to enter the elite ranks of National Reined Cow Horse Association million-dollar sire is Bet Hesa Cat. The 2006 red roan stallion has sired NRCHA earners of $1,155,263.14—and counting—to rank 19th overall on the NRCHA top sires list.

Widows Freckles, 2002 NCHA Eastern Nationals Open and Non-Pro champion, owned by NCHA Hall of Fame inductees David and Stacie McDavid, of Fort Worth, Texas, was put to rest on March 24.
The McDavids, also owners of the stallion Hickorys Indian Pep, purchased Widows Freckles from Robert Middleton in 2006. Bred by the late Franklin Jones Jr., Marshall, Tex., Widows Freckles was sired by Freckles Playboy out of The Widow Wilson, by Son Ofa Doc, and was raised and trained by Son Ofa Doc’s owner Sam Wilson, Pattison, Tex.

Rome, March 25th, 2020 – Following meetings with the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), Sport e Salute SpA and the Italian Equestrian Federation (FISE), the Rome CSIO5* Piazza di Siena Organising Committee has decided to cancel the event scheduled for May 2020.

AQHA honors Leonard Berryhill, Karen Graham and Marilyn Randall as the 2019 AQHA Professionals of the Year.

The American Quarter Horse Association is proud to announce the 2019 Nutrena Don Burt AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year, Nutrena AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year and Most Valuable Professional award winners.
These individuals will be recognized in November at the AQHA Awards Celebration in Oklahoma City, coinciding with the 2020 Lucas Oil AQHA World Championship Show.

Please find a letter from WCRA President Bobby Mote in regards to the Stampede at The E below:
Dear Rodeo Community,
In light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and the most recent regulations and recommendations from the CDC, the World Champions Rodeo Alliance has announced the cancelation of all events and functions associated with the May 12-16 Stampede at The E in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

He President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Abe Shinzo, Held a Conference Call This Morning to Discuss the Constantly Changing Environment with Regard to Covid-19 and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

AQHA world championship shows are the most prestigious events in the equine industry. Due to the rapidly evolving pandemic worldwide, exhibitors are facing several challenges to get qualified for the 2020 AQHA world championship shows.

The two speed sports see plenty of crossover in the breeding shed.

It’s easy to say that barrel racing and flat racing are similar in that the fastest horse wins. On the other hand, the two segments of the industry can sometimes seem worlds apart. In recent years, however, those two distinct worlds have come closer, as barrel racers seek to add more speed to their bloodlines, and racehorse breeders and stallion owners seek new revenue streams.