Oklahoma City, OK – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) rolled into the second day of competition at the 2011 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show being held now through December 3 at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. Friday’s runs consisted of the first go, second section of the $540,000 added NRHA Open Futurity, plus the first two classes of the Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show.

Dell Hendricks took over the lead in the $280,000-added level 4 open division with a 224.5. The NRHA Million Dollar Rider from Tioga, Tex. rode Cache Of Jewels (Conquistador Whiz x Jewels Lil Sparkle). The stallion is owned by James Crews of Myakka, Fla. The pair has already accumulated nearly $24,000 together with a level 4 open division championship at the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity and reserve championship at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic John Deere Reining Futurity.

Guapo Lena and Jay McLaughlin continue to lead the $145,000-added level 3 open division and sit second in the level 4 open division. The Shiners Lena Doc stallion (out of Annies Nu Lena) is owned by Carol Rose of Gainesville, Tex.

In the $75,000-added level 2 open and $35,000-added level 1 open divisions, Brazilian rider Eduardo Salgado rode Gunner Boy (Gunner x Kat Jordan) to a score of 220.5 to take the lead. Jefferson Abbud (Soa Paulo, Brazil) owns the Brazilian Quarter Horse stallion.

Malmberg Wins Two Adequan North American Affiliate Championships
The first champions were named in the Adequan North American Affiliate Championships, a competition that features the top eight riders from NRHA Affiliates across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The show hosted two concurrent classes today - the Limited Open and Rookie Professional.

At the end of the day, Shayla Malmberg (Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada) and Whizzin In The Rein (Jumping Jack Whiz x Rein Dance Lena, owned by Kyle Weston) were tied for the win in the NAAC Limited Open with Brigette Christensen Benson and Legends In The Pine with a 218.5. After the run-off, Malmberg claimed the championship. They also took top honors in the NAAC Rookie Professional.

Watch the live webcast, keep tabs on the leaders and find out about the latest news and upcoming events at http://www.nrhafuturity.com, facebook.com/nrhareining or twitter.com/nrha.

More About the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show
It’s the most elite reining event in the world with more than 3,000 entries competing for nearly $2 million in cash and prizes. More than 1,300 horses and 127,000 visitors come from nearly 20 countries to compete and watch the excitement unfold. During its 10-day run, the show contributes more than $67 million to the overall Oklahoma City economy.

The show features the Open Futurity Finals on Saturday, December 3 when the winning entry is guaranteed a check for $150,000, as well as incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners and award sponsors. The NRHA / Cinch Non Pro Futurity offers an additional $260,000 in added money for non pro reiners, which will be awarded on Friday, December 2. Nearly $100,000 in nominator incentive money also will be distributed to those individuals who originally nominated horses to the NRHA Nomination Program, despite whether or not they still own the horse.

The NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show offers a variety of spectator events and activities including a western gift market, NRHA / Markel Insurance Horse sales, NRHA Open World Championship Shootout presented by Equine Sports Medicine, Silver Spurs Equine Rookie of the Year and 4R Performance Horses Hometown Heroes Slide & Freestyle Reining benefitting the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Go to nrhafuturity.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show Supporters
The NRHA would like to thank the following corporate partners for their support of the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show: Adequan, Arenus, Bob’s Custom Saddles; Cinder Lakes Ranch and Reproduction Center; Classic Equine; Darling 888 Ranch; Horse&Rider; John Deere; Kiser Arena Specialists; Markel Insurance Company; Merial; Montana Silversmiths; Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau; Pard’s Western Shop; Platinum Performance; Purina Mills; Quarter Horse News; Rios of Mercedes / Anderson Bean Boot Company; Miller International – Cinch / Cruel Girl; Silver Spurs Equine; SmartPak, Twister Trailer and Xtra Quarter Horses, plus NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show Sponsors: 4R Performance Horses, Avila’s Pro Shop, Cowdog Saddles, Equine Sports Medicine, eyeD™, Heat-A-Zone, KO Trading, Kyle Tack, Performance Horse Supply, RAM, Sandbur Productions LLC, Scott Cleaners, Shorty’s Caboy Hattery and Soft Ride.

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