Oklahoma City, OK - The last Thursday in November is known to most as Thanksgiving Day or the day before “Black Friday.” But to reiners around the world, it’s known as the first day of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show. The NRHA kicked-off competition today with the first go, first section of the $540,000 added NRHA Open Futurity featuring the world’s most talented three-year-old reining horses and open riders. The show is held at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City now through December 3rd.

Guapo Lena and Jay McLaughlin jumped to the top of the leader board with a 222.5. The duo currently leads the $280,000-added level 4 open and $145,000-added level 3 open divisions of the NRHA Futurity. The Shiners Lena Doc stallion (out of Annies Nu Lena) is owned by Carol Rose of Gainesville, Tex.

NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal and Wranglen The Waves (Wrangle Whiz x Tidal Waves Melody) are in second place in the level 4 open division with a 220.5. The Wranglen Partnership of Overbrook, Okla. owns the stallion that placed in the top ten of the level 4 open at the NRHA Cowtown Classic Pre Futurity with Schmersal aboard.

Garth Brown and Showtimes Packinagun (Mister Nicadual x Showtimes Tinseltown) marked a 220 for owner Jeffrey Palmer of Chiloquin, Ore. The duo lead the $75,000-added level 2 open division and are the second high-score in the level 3 open division.

In the $35,000-added level 1 open division, David Zimmerman and Starlit Tinsel hold the lead with a 219.5. Rosanne Sternberg (Aubrey, Tex.) owns the Tinsel Nic mare who is out of Gay Light Star.

The nearly $2 million show features the Open Futurity Finals on Saturday, December 3rd 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.

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

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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.

MORE ABOUT THE NRHA FUTURITY & ADEQUAN NORTH AMERICAN AFFILIATE CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
The international sport of Reining will host the world’s premier event for reiners – the 2011 NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate ChampionshipShow, now through December 3rd at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. This year’s eventwill be the 25th to be held in Oklahoma City.

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 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.

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