By Tara ChristiansenThe American Quarter Horse JournalJune 29, 2011
Rebekah Irish of Black Hawk College is one of the four Intercollegiate Horse Show Association reining riders who qualified to compete in the 2011 Collegiate Reining Championships at the NRHA Derby. Journal photo.
The Ultimate Catch Ride
Twelve collegiate riders will experience the ultimate catch ride at the 2011 Collegiate Reining Championships at the National Reining Horse Association Derby July 2 in Oklahoma City.
NRHA selects four riders from a pool of collegiate NRHA members, and this year, a record number of applicants were evaluated on a number of criteria, including NRHA points, earnings and show history. The individuals selected to compete on behalf of NRHA are:
Four individuals are selected to represent NCAA Varsity Equestrian competitors. The riders are evaluated by a committee of collegiate coaches who recommend the top four reining athletes. The riders selected to compete on behalf of Varsity Equestrian are:
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association is represented by the top four placing individuals in open reining. This year, the qualifying competition was held in Lexington, Kentucky, at the IHSA National Championships. The riders who qualified to compete on behalf of IHSA are:
Fourteen donated horses will be used in competition – one for each of the 12 competitors, plus two alternate horses. As a thank you, each donated horse’s stall fees will be refunded after the NRHA Derby.
Economic Impact
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which were September 25 - October 1, 2010, at the Kentucky Horse Park had an economic impact of $201.5 million, says Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear.
According to the report commissioned by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Alltech World Equestrian Games Foundation reported that it sold or provided complimentary tickets to 419,853 visitors. They came from 63 countries and all 50 states.
The economic impact took into account “direct” spending that accounted for $128.2 million. This includes guest spending at the Horse Park, lodging, restaurants, shopping centers and retail outlets.
It also considered “indirect” spending – $73.3 million – such as money spent for food and lodging suppliers, construction and other services that were needed to support the influx of guests.
More than $55 million was spent on tickets, food, souvenirs and other items at the event, while $39.6 million was spent on lodging. The games also generated nearly $18.4 million in state taxes and nearly $4.6 million in local taxes, according to the report.
The study was conducted for the cabinet by Certec Inc. of Versailles. Information for the study was supplied by the World Games 2010 Foundation Inc., the Kentucky Horse Park and the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. An online version of the report is available on the Kentucky tourism website.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games had a direct impact on passenger travel at Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport. In October 2010, passenger enplanements increased by 39 percent from the previous year, according to the airport’s 2010 annual report.
The airport and its partners hosted more than 700 private and corporate airplanes, provided security for international dignitaries, welcomed more than 460 international athletes and facilitated 18 special-event charter flights, said Eric Frankl, executive director at Blue Grass Airport.
The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games was the first time the international event had been held outside of Europe. The games are composed of eight events – dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, para dressage, reining and vaulting.
Select World Schedule Change
If you’re attending the 2011 Adequan Select World Championship August 28 - September 3 in Amarillo, makes sure that you note the tentative schedule.
In past years, halter finals kicked off the Adequan Select World, but that’s not the case for 2011. Cutting and working cow horse prelims will start the show on Sunday, August 28.
Again, check out the Adequan Select World tentative schedule so you can start planning your trip to Amarillo!
Watch the Ranch Sorting National Championships
Enjoy the excitement from the Ranch Sorting National Championships in Ardmore, Oklahoma, from the comfort of your own home as you watch the event live.
The RSNC started on June 27 and runs through July 2. The event offered AQHA team penning and ranch sorting classes on June 26.
As an interesting tidbit, almost 4,000 teams competed at the 2010 RSNC, and a truly diverse group of competitors – from as far and wide as New York, Florida and California – made their way to Ardmore for the 2011 RSNC.
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