Fifteen nations, 18 top riders, 18 quality reining horses = 1 night of high-caliber competition! The excitement is building for the 2008 $100,000 added FEI World Reining Masters. The competitors will strive to be named the sport of reining's best rider in the world. The FEI World Reining Masters is set for Thursday, December 4, and is definitely one of the most colorful "must-see" events during the 2008 National Reining Horse Association's (NRHA) Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK.

The highly-skilled reiners from 15 different countries will travel across oceans and continents to represent their countries and ride for their flag. NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall said, "This is an amazing international group of equestrians exemplifying reining excellence. We are very fortunate to have been chosen to host this year's World Reining Masters and encourage everyone to join us for this very exciting night highlighting reiners from all parts of the world."

Fans will see reiners from the U.S., Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Mexico, The Netherlands, Poland, South Africa and Switzerland.

While in Oklahoma City, the World Reining Masters competitors and their country's delegations will be treated to warm and friendly Oklahoma hospitality. There will be a special reception honoring the riders who have earned their place to compete in the Masters. International NRHA membership and participation is expanding at a substantial rate, and NRHA is thrilled to have these delegations in the hometown of the association's international headquarters.

The $100,000 added FEI World Reining Masters is an annual competition to find the most elite individual reiners in the world. The top rider, according to a point system, in each National Federation (NF) will qualify to compete in the World Reining Masters (WRM). The U.S., Canada, Italy, Germany and Switzerland will be allowed to send their top two riders to compete in the Masters, open division only. These five countries were finalists at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Other country's NFs can send one rider; these riders are eligible to compete in the open and restricted divisions. As well as competing for the $100,000 purse, the riders will also be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in two divisions: open and restricted.

For more information, contact the Manager of Events and Show Department, Melanie Rinehart at (405) 946-7400 or [email protected]. Make plans to visit Oklahoma City for the 2008 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show.

The NRHA would like to thank the following corporate partners for their continued support: Adequan®, Century Investment Group, Rocky Mountain Clothing Company, Cimarron Trailers, Classic Equine, C.R. Morrison, Kiser Arena Specialists, Land O' Lakes/Purina Mills LLC, Markel Insurance Company, MD Barns, Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pard's Western Shop, Performance Horse, Platinum Performance, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes/Anderson Bean Boot Company and SmartPak.

For more information on the NRHA, or the sport of reining, please visit www.nrha.com or call (405) 946-7400.