The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is thrilled to announce the Top 20 Standings list for the 2022 year in each sector—Professionals, Non Pros, and Owners. NRHA’s Top 20 program is designed to feature the talent of the association’s top riders and owners each year. These frontrunners of each section are true representatives for the sport of reining in competition as well as in the industry day to day.

Spain’s Marco Fuste, known for his bountiful charisma and extensive experience in the equestrian sporting sphere, including his tenure as FEI Jumping Director since 1 February 2021, passed away on 5 January 2023 from heart complications. He was 60 years of age. 

Reined cow horse events and the corresponding class purses grew considerably in 2022. In turn, many sires and dams saw offspring launch them into new earnings brackets within the industry, including Bet Hesa Cat, the newest National Reined Cow Horse Association Two Million Dollar Sire.

On December 25, past National Reining Horse Association President Mike Deer passed peacefully in his sleep at 82 years old. The reining community feels the loss of Deer, who not only served the industry and participated for more than 20 years but was a true fan of the sport.

During the 2022 National Reining Horse Association Futurity, Martin Larcombe was able to make the finish line to $1 Million NRHA earnings when he marked a 221.5 in the Level 3 Open Futurity finals aboard Vincent Van Whoa (Spooks Gotta Gun x FM Master Tag Chex), pocketing $40,375 for a Reserve Championship.

The 2022 National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships crowned new champions and helped add additional milestones to multiple riders’ careers. The 2021 NRHA Professional Horseman of the Year, Trevor Dare, passed the coveted $1 Million in earnings.

In 2010, a flashy young colt burst onto the reining scene. By National Reining Horse Association Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Gunner, and out of Shining Little Peach (by Shining Spark), Colonels Shining Gun was poised to do great things. In early November, the stallion, affectionately known as Jojo, added another line to his resume when he became a Million Dollar Sire. While he’s now known for his prepotency, he proved his prowess in the show pen early on.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – RC Landingham (Hat Creek, California) walked out of the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas $1 million richer, taking home the WCRA Triple Crown of Rodeo, presented by the Lazy E Ranch and Arena on December 17. The 32-year-old bareback rider’s career was beaten, bruised, bloody, and filled with tragedy leading up to this $1 million moment. Landingham went into the event with two wins under his belt, only needing to win one more event to earn the bonus. Landingham rode supreme and punched his ticket to $1 million WCRA Triple Crown of Rodeo cash bonus. Landingham is the third athlete to be in contention for the Triple Crown of Rodeo, but the first victor of $1 million bonus.

Chrome Cash’s huge purses at the 2022 NCHA Futurity made it even more rewarding to ride a Paint. More than $116,000 was paid out across nine divisions, with 224 Paints vying for the cash. Non-Pros and Amateurs cashed in especially big, scoring $63,505 in Chrome Cash just for them.