First-timers at the National Reining Breeders Classic have sometimes been a little puzzled at the pomp and circumstance of the signature event – from the decorations to the sound of the herald trumpet during finals events. “After all, it’s a horse show!”
But, after they’ve enjoyed the ambiance, attended the parties and receptions and inhaled the flavor of the show, it all seems to fit.
With the first day of competition set to begin Monday, April 12, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, the NRBC has already been going on for days. The event crew moved in over a week earlier and paid warm-ups have been going on in the arena nearly that long, while the facility is being transformed into the fully-decorated formal look that defines the NRBC. Flowers, flags and special displays throughout the facility are part of its unique identity, and extravagant displays of the bountiful prizes are another highlight. The face-lift takes a week of 16-hour days but the result is always worth it.
“From the beginning,” said NRBC Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Magoteaux, “the NRBC has done those special touches, largely due to Colleen McQuay’s influence. She initiated so much of this because of what was the norm in the hunter world that she’s such an integral part of. Then it became status quo at the NRBC. It’s really what people expect, and now we try to do a little more each year.”
New to the NRBC Management team is Tonya Garrison. Although her job is primarily in the media department, she has found herself doing a variety of tasks to help get ready for the big event. “I was a part of the media that covered the NRBC for many years, and I always loved coming to the NRBC because it was the most fun and best run show of the year,” she said. “Although I knew a lot of work had to go into it, I never appreciated how much thought and effort is put into making the show great for spectators, fans, and sponsors. Even though it is hard work, it makes it worth it when we hear how much people enjoy these special touches.”
Magoteaux laughed, remembering. “Most of our show crew has been with us for years, but when someone new comes on, you might hear them talking about this extra work. I remember one guy we hired muttering about how he wasn’t hired to ‘haul flowers around.’ The next year, he came to me with an idea for ramping up the decorations a little more. I guess we all get caught up in it and everyone is proud of all the little differences that make this show special.”
The crew is also proud – and quick to report to Magoteaux – when they see their ideas being copied at other shows. “I tell them that’s just great – we want this show to be a leader!”
The 2010 NRBC, celebrating its tenth year at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, begins Monday, April 12, with the Non Pro Classic Preliminaries. It concludes Sunday, April 18.
The NRBC also features a full-slate of National Reining Horse Association-approved classes, which run in the East Arena while the Classic is held in the Coliseum. The NRBC is the most successful stallion incentive program in reining history. In just twelve years, the NRBC has grown to include upwards of 275 subscribed stallions and in 2009, there were over 2,800 enrolled foals. Annually, the payout at the National Reining Breeders Classic exceeds $1.25 million. For information on the NRBC, visit the web site at www.nrbc.com or call 580-759-3939.
