The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Cow Horse Incentive has opened stallion subscriptions.
The program, launched earlier this spring, advances the previous Subscribed Stallion Program to bring larger payouts and more recognition to the sport of reined cow horse.
“We are thrilled to launch this incentive that aims to accelerate the recognition and popularity of our sport. This innovative program is designed to enhance our athletes’ earnings and engage and inspire the breeders of the next generation of reined cow horses,” Patty Tiberg, NRCHA cow horse incentive and marketing manager, said. “We already have numerous stallions subscribed to this program, and we are confident it will help set new standards for breeding reined cow horses.”
Beginning in 2025, horses competing in the limited-age event at the Stallion Stakes sired by a subscribed stallion and nominated for the NRCHA Cow Horse Incentive will be eligible for the increased payouts. The annual stallion subscription fee is one times the published stud fee with a $1,500 minimum per year. Subscribers can choose to subscribe a stallion for a one-year or five-year term.
If a stallion was enrolled in the former Subscribed Stallion Program, they are now recognized as Legacy Stallion Subscribers. They will receive a credit to apply for each subscribed year between 2020 and 2025. The credit will be incrementally applied to the new incentive annually at the rate of up to $1,000 annually.
“This marks the beginning of a transformative journey for our sport. In the coming weeks, we will be opening nominations for offspring, providing a unique opportunity for breeders and owners to stay connected with them throughout their career in the show pen,” Tiberg said.
Nominations for offspring will open in early July. NRCHA is offering a one-time nomination of $275 for all horses born in 2019 through 2024, due by November 15, 2024. The nomination rates will resume the standard pay structure following the November deadline. Horses sired by a Legacy Stallion Subscriber will still be eligible to compete in the limited-aged event at the 2025 Stallion Stakes in their own division for the purse money from the former program. Only nominated offspring sired by a subscribed stallion will be eligible for the new Cow Horse Incentive purse.
For more information on the program, to subscribe to a stallion, or to view a list of currently subscribed stallions, visit nrcha.com/nrcha-incentive-program.
About the National Reined Cow Horse Association
Based in Pilot Point, Texas, the National Reined Cow Horse Association was formed in 1949 in California, with the goal of preserving and educating the public about the rich history of this traditional horsemanship. The NRCHA is responsible for promoting the sport and ensuring high standards of competition and continuing to work to keep the Vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. The NRCHA also supports numerous affiliate clubs across the United States, Europe and abroad. These groups serve as the association’s backbone, holding many NRCHA-sanctioned competitions and events each year. For more information on these events and reined cow horse, visit nrcha.com.
National Reined Cow Horse Association
Callie McCarthy-Boevers
Director of Media & Communications
callie@nrcha.com