Enroute to NRBC

So we headed out over 24 hours ago from Phoenix, Arizona, to Katy, Texas. And honestly, I can\’t even tell you how long the actual driving part was – I tried very hard to sleep in the truck. Unsuccessfully, I must admit. And I am so bagged at the moment that you will have to forgive any spelling errors you find in this blog entry. For some reason I\’m not getting any sympathy from my husband – who did most of the driving. Or from Jim and Andrea Anderson of Strathmore, Alberta, Canada – who drove 54 hours to get to Katy.

Regardless, while it\’s all fresh in my mind, I figured I should upload and share the trip with you. In and amongst my regular scheduled blogging, I\’ll be back throughout the coming week with updates and pictures from the 2010 National Reining Breeders Classic.

All horses traveling from Arizona to Texas require health papers. So early in the morning on April 7, Clay and I picked up the papers that would allow Clay\’s show horse \”Bob\”, aka Whiz N Starlight, to head towards the NRBC. Then towing a trailer full to the brim of hay and show supplies, we headed over to pick up friend, Tricia Hamilton and her horses. We left Scottsdale, AZ, at approximately 1 pm. Our trip took us through Tucson and Dragoon and past a strange tourist attraction called \”The Thing.\” Unfortunately we had no time to stop. Even though I would have loved to see a mummified body… <smile>

In addition to spare tires and a roadside emergency kit, something we now also travel with is our EquiPass membership. Since we spend so much time on the highway, EquiPass gives us peace of mind on long hauls. Providing AQHA members with 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, EquiPass is now available in Canada, as well at the USA and offers unlimited towing, tire assistance, delivery of fuel or emergency fluids, locksmith service and unlimited mobile mechanic dispatchment.  Plus, we can put both of our trucks (a Mini-Freightliner and a dually) and all of our trailers (ours range from 2-8 horses) on the plan.

EquiPass also guarantees that your horses won\’t be left behind on the highway – they will dispatch a qualifed service provider to tow a truck and trailer unless it cannot be safely used to transport horses. In which case alternative transportation arrangements for the horses would be made through EquiPass\’s Equestrian Concierge line. This, and the fact that EquiPass now operates in Canada were our 2 biggest reasons for getting a membership.

So back to our NRBC trip. Next we went through El Paso. And we dipped very low, almost touching the Mexican border.

Then we came through a mandatory truck stop. At first we thought it was a regular weigh station, but something about this one seemed different…

Once at the inspection station, border guards with dogs stopped our rig and ask us where we\’re going. They asked us if we had identification to prove our nationality and since we did, we were sent through.

Clay didn\’t think it was appropriate for me to take pictures of the guards…

By the next morning, we had hit San Antonio. And while it would have been pretty awesome to stop in a take a look at the Alamo, we had horses on board. Plus a show to get to.

It truly was a beautiful morning but after so much time on the road, the horses were ready to get into stalls, Clay was ready to set up our tack stall and I was ready for a nap.

With rigs like this everywhere you look, it can only mean one thing: a reining is about to happen!

The NRBC is held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX. The facility is phenomenal and features many riding and exercising areas. During its 7-day stint, the show offers several varying classes occurring simultaneously in two separate arenas.

The NRBC has become an integral event for reiners because of the opportunities it presents for 4, 5 and 6-year-old horses. It also gives riders and owners international exposure and a chance at top prize money.

In fact, in its first 11 shows, the NRBC has paid out over $10 Million to competitors. The Breeders Classic has always strived to offer rewarding purses to competitors that also pay deep into the placings and as such, the NRBC is the largest added money reining event in history.

Since this was my first time attending the NRBC, I really wasn\’t sure what to expect. However, the friendliness and accommodating nature of show organizers absolutely blew me away. Chris Potter of Pro Management helped me get our entries organized, find a hotel and answered every single question I had – altogether there were probably about 50 in separate emails and phone messages.

And upon arrival, we met up with some familiar faces…

But that\’s not all. Check out www.nrbc.com for more information about the show. Please note, I am not an official NRBC show coverage representative, however I will do my best to blog various results and post scenes from the event throughout April 12-18 – in addition to regular blogging. Stay tuned and good luck to all exhibitors!