| The National Reined Cow Horse Association's Merit Award
Program was created in 1979 to recognize the accomplishments of reined cow
horses in competition and to give cow horses lasting, nationwide
recognition. There are three levels of honored achievement - NRCHA
Certificate of Ability, the Superior Cow Horse Award, and, at the top of the
list of laurels, the designation of Supreme Reined Cow Horse. The
NRCHA Certificate of Ability is awarded to horses that earn a total of $500
in any NRCHA class or combination of classes and events. Superior Cow
Horses are given to those earning $5,000 in any NRCHA class or combination
of classes or events. All earnings form reined cow horse snaffle bit
events can be added to the hackamore and bridle earnings to earn this award.
The most prestigious National Reined Cow Horse
Association Merit Award is that of Supreme Reined Cow Horse and that honor
is reserved for the unique individual horses that win over $15,000 in a
prescribed combination of events. As Debbie Sanguinetti wrote in a
NRCHA Stock Horse News article in the November/December 1999, "An individual
might do great in earning money in one aspect of their show career, but the
tried and true individual could stand the test of time in all disciplines of
reined cow horse competition. Durability, trainability and acceptance
of all equipment of the Spanish tradition sets these individuals apart form
the rest."
With these goals in mind, the association set the
following guidelines for Supreme Reined Cow Horses. The horse must have
been shown at a Limited Aged Snaffle Bit Reined Cowhorse Event, but is not
required to have won money there. Only $5,000 of any money won at
these events can be counted toward the Supreme Reined Cow Horse requirements.
The horse must also have been shown in the hackamore, and as the only record
of this is money earned, it must have won some money in the hackamore
division. Only $5,000 of hackamore earnings can be applied to the
required total. The horse must win the balance of the $15,000 in
bridle competition. Earnings from all approved NRCHA shows, NRCHA
Limited Aged Events, and Special Events count toward these awards.
By Sue Karges from the April/May 2003 Stock Horse News Since the
inception of the program only 44 horses have earned the honor of Supreme
Reined Cowhorse. The leading sire of these horses in Reminic, the sire
of seven, and 2nd leading sire is Mr Gun Smoke, the sire of three. |
