The ORHA Futurity program was created to promote the breeding, training and showing of reining horses. Nominated foals are eligible to compete in a 2-year-old prospect class, a 3-year-old Futurity class and a 4-5-6-7 year-old Derby class.
*photo credit Dallas Callum
It’s that time of year again! The time to start nominating your weanlings and prospects into aged programs such as our ORHA Futurity Program!
Check out last year’s winners on the ontarioreining.com website and see some of the incredible photos from last year’s Futurity & Derby entries! While the deadline is January 15th, 2024, we’ve made the nomination process easier by adding the ability to fill out the form online! Check it out! Be a part of our growing program and your prospects will be eligible for the two year old on the rail class, the 3 year old Futurity and four years of Derbies ages 4-7!
Photos left to right features our Level 4 Derby Champion Loris Epis riding Gunnatrashtherest marking a 149.5, by Gunnatrashya and Rest Stop by Topsail Whiz, owned by Joyce Paquette
Level 4 Derby Res-Champion Martin Audet riding Nicaflinn, by In Like Flinn and Nicaflinn Gun Lena by Colonels Smoking Gun, owned by Sophie St.Louis
Level 1 Derby Champion Liz Adamson riding Ebony Sparkles, by Jacs Electric Spark and Ebony Spooky by Smart Spook, owned by Jeff & Sandra Dunwoodie
…and Level 1 Derby Res-Champion Bill Rinzema riding Starrlightwhizz, by Spooks Gotta Whiz and Seven S Belle Star by Shining Spark, owned by Bill Rinzema
Photos by Tara Carrington of ForestLND Photo
It’s the final day to get your ORHA Futurity and Derby entries in before the late fee applies. You have until midnight tonight to get a copy of the entry form, your ORHA and NRHA memberships, NRHA competition license, breed registration and payment all to ORHAFuturity@gmail.com. You can find the entry form at ontarioreining.com under forms in the menu.
We have a very special sponsor to highlight today. Gary and Kerri of G & K Training Centre & Tack have been our saddle sponsor since the ORHA Program’s first futurity in 2021. But who better to tell you their story than Kerri herself!
“G & K Training Centre & Tack has been representing the Continental brand since Roy Ionson brought the saddles to his tack shop in Chesley over 15 years ago. Lyndy Hallman had brought the first saddle home to Canada from the US and had Roy take a look. He quickly recognized the quality materials and workmanship as one of the best he had seen in a long time. Roy and Joan were long time friends of the family and Gary had been training/assessing horses for Roy. Roy had Gary try the saddle out on a few horses at home and let him know what he thought. The saddle exceeded Gary’s expectations in fit and comfort for both the horse and rider. Not one for bling and fancy, Gary was more concerned about fit. How did the horse move? How did the rider feel? Were the materials used quality materials? Would the saddle last? From there, Roy made the call to Ider, Alabama and spoke to Oliver & Heike Dusterhoff about being a dealer in Canada for their brand. Roy Ionson was the very first dealer for Continental Saddlery in Canada. Roy and Gary displayed the saddles at CanAm, Gary did numerous saddle fittings for customers looking for a comfortable saddle. The rest is history. Gary quickly began selling this brand as the top brand and eventually stopped representing other brands.
In 2020, the end of an era happened. Roy and Joan Ionson decided to retire and sell their store. Having already established a good working relationship with Oliver & Heike Dusterhoff of Continental Saddlery, it was only natural for Gary & Kerri Marsolais to become the next Canadian Dealer for Continental Saddlery. G & K Training Centre & Tack has been involved with and sponsoring the ORHA along with Ionson Saddlery for well over a decade. Roy and Joan were avid supporters of the horse industry in Ontario and are missed deeply. They were part of Gary and Kerri’s family and it gives them great joy to continue a tradition started by Roy & Joan so many years ago. G & K Training Centre & Tack are happy to once again sponsor 2 trophy saddles to the ORHA Futurity for both the Level 4 Open & Non Pro Champions. Good luck to all entries!”
Check out our website www.gktrainingcentre.com
Follow us on facebook & instagram
Kerri & Gary Marsolais
Thank you both for everything you do. You have been critical in the growth of our program. Your involvement is immensely appreciated.
Last edited August 15, 2023
Tomorrow is the deadline for Entries into the Futurity and Derby! Please don’t forget to get a copy of all your paperwork into ORHAFuturity@gmail.com including Entry form, ORHA membership, NRHA membership, NRHA license and your horses breed registration. The entry form can be found at Ontarioreining.com under the Forms tab in the menu.
*📸 Exciting News for Futurity and Derby Participants! 📸*
We’re thrilled to announce our Official Photographer for the Futurity and Derby – Tara Carrington of ForestLND Photo! Tara’s raw talent and keen eye for detail are evident in every frame she captures. While she might describe herself as relatively new to the photography world, her portfolio undoubtedly paints a different picture.
During the pandemic, Tara faced challenges, like many of us. “When my job was deemed non-essential during lock downs, I took it as an opportunity to learn something new. Having been around horses all my life and participating in breed level shows, I have a sense of what people desire in their show photos. I’m also eagerly looking forward to the ORHA Introduction to Reining class with my horse on Thursday night.”
Not only will Tara be capturing the magical moments during Futurity and Derby which includes giving competitors their best photo, but she’ll also be around throughout the weekend. Expect to see her lens pointed at candid moments, beaming smiles, and all the exciting action. Fancy a personal session? Tara is available for hire! Preview her brilliant work on her Facebook page, ForestLND Photo as the photo below does not due her work justice due to the limitations of the website’s uploading capabilities. And stay tuned! A link for pre-booking her for your classes will be available soon.
While Tara specializes in equine and pet portraits, she’s also a pro at family photography. If you’re in or around London, Ontario, she’s open to traveling 2-3 hours for shoots.
Last edited August 14, 2023
Only THREE more days to August 15!
As the deadline quickly approaches I want to remind those planning to enter their horses that the owner and rider must be ORHA members at the time of entry. If you do not enter your membership information correctly and get your payment in properly and on time your entry will not be valid and will be subject to the late fee. We highly recommend you not wait until the last day to get your entry in! Please go to the Futurity website Ontarioreining.com and click on FORMS under the menu at the top of the page for the entry form and information.
Our next sponsor has been a member and showing in the ORHA since she was a youth while following her dad to shows and sitting quietly during board meetings and AGM’s. Now a board member herself, Samantha Speed (formerly Munroe) has continued her passion for horses and reining by owning and operating her own farm and boarding facility Erie Wind Farms. Going pro in 2023 Sam has a wonderful list of clientele that constantly sing her praises as a coach and trainer. On top of this Sam has a nearly 2 year old son running around at home all while becoming an entrepreneur! SS Performance Show Pads specializes in making custom show pads to create that dream look you’ve always wanted! Providing stock pads and a plethora of wool samples to help find that perfect colour! But how did this idea come about? “Honestly, it all started with a shirt that I couldn’t find the perfect matching pad for. Then I started paying attention to the prices of pads, and it was outrageous. Showing is expensive enough, I wanted to come up with a more affordable alternative without sacrificing quality.” And what a match did she create! Below on the left is the shirt and pad she created to match! On the right you’ll find just a sample of what Sam has in stock. Check out her Facebook page Erie Wind Stables to see some of the amazing show pads she has created for her clients!
Last edited August 13, 2023
While the Futurity and Derby requires a pre-entry by August 15th, the two year old prospects on the rail class can be entered at the show. The class will be held on Saturday September 16th at 8am. To enter, the two year olds must be nominated into the program and both owner and rider must be an ORHA member for this year. If not already submitted, please have a copy of your horse’s breed certificate available.
Now I’d like to put the spotlight on Kelly Plitz, who has sponsored the Futurity with her lovely paintings since our first futurity two years ago. Thank you for all your hard work and for the creativity that you put into your paintings. They truly showcase the love and passion you have for horses.
A little background on Kelly-
“I have always loved to draw and attended my first painting class when I was only twelve years old.
Horses were always my main interest however, my Mom insisted I attend University. So I majored in Fine Art at U of T, graduating in the early 80’s.
Still, horses became my vocation in the form of teaching others ride and then owning and running my own riding school business, Dreamcrest, named after my Olympic horse Dialadream- a quarter horse I purchased from Norm Picov as a 2 year old in the 70’s. Today my art continues alongside my horses.”
Photo credit Connie Smith Photography
Last edited August 10, 2023
You’ve got one week left to get those entries in for the ORHA Futurity and Derby program! Starting with the 2018 foals, your horse must be nominated into the program to enter. While the best value is to get your foals nominated the year they are born, we have options to get your horse nominated any year they are eligible for the program!
Weanling: $285.00
Yearling: $570.00
2 years: $775.00
3 years: $1,500.00
4 years: $400.00
5 years: $200.00
And with all the fantastic prizes, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get those 2018 and younger horses nominated!
Our next highly anticipated sponsored product is by Unity-Pad. Owned by a Canadian manufacturer in Mississauga Ontario, “Unity™ Pad is unique – made from a single uninterrupted piece of 100% natural virgin wool, wet pressed felt. The one piece contour will naturally form fit to any horse (or mule) backline while riding. The seamless design provides a custom, comfortable fit that offers security to horse and rider.”
One lucky Open AND Non-Pro rider will have the opportunity to be awarded a Unity Pad this year!
Check out their website for more information on this fantastic Canadian 
product!
Last edited August 9, 2023
Important reminder for the ORHA program nominees interested in this years Futurity and Derby being held at the Grand Finale on September 16th-
We’ve got less than two weeks until the entries are due for the 2023 ORHA Futurity and Derby program! After August 15th you can still enter but there is a $200 late fee. You can find the entry form on our website Ontarioreining.com (Two year old prospects are to be entered at the show).
Our first program spotlight is on the incredible Maurice and Shelly Price who have graciously donated numerous NRHA trophies to the ORHA, six of which will be given to winners of the ORHA program this year! Shiney new front plates have been donated by Mike Munroe!
“We are very grateful for all the wonderful years we have had showing reining horses and the friends we have made along the way. Donating these trophies back to the ORHA where it all started, is our way of saying THANK YOU to everyone from the beginning of ORHA to Now for a lifetime of memories. Hope they bring as much enjoyment to the winners as they did for us.”
Maurice & Shelly Price
Last edited August 6, 2023
The 2023 Futurity and Derby Entry Form is up! Check it out under the Forms tab above and get those Futurity and Derby entries in by August 15th!
Please note the following approved changes that were made to the program at the AGM 2023.
“Entry, judges and show fees for all ORHA Futurity & Derby classes are due in full and payable by August 15th of each show year.” Two year olds will still do their entries at the show. No pre-entries required.
“If you missed the August 15th deadline there will be a $200.00 late fee in addition to your entry, judges & show fees.”
“Horses entered after the draw will go first in the reverse order they are received. The draw will be done the evening before.”
Lastly, either a stall must be booked on our Grand Finale Show Page (coming soon) or a grounds fee is to be paid with your entry.
Please visit our Program Rules page for complete rules and information.
Last edited June 15, 2023
Thank you Samantha Speed of SS Performace & Erie Wind Stables for your product sponsorship towards the ORHA program!
Last edited June 15th, 2023
Thank you Unity Pads for your product sponsorship towards the ORHA program!
Last edited June 15th, 2023
Thank you Gary and Kerri Marsolais of G & K Training Centre & Tack for your sponsorship of two Level 4 Saddles to the ORHA Futurity!
Last edited June 15th, 2023
Thank you Kelly Plitz for your product sponsorship towards the ORHA program in 2023!
Last edited June 15th, 2023
The Enrolled Foals lists have finally been updated! Take a look for your name and don’t forget to send us a copy of your prospects updated breed papers so we have it for our records and update the list!
Last edited April 30, 2023
2022 Results are up! Go check them out along with all the fantastic photos by Rebecca Nelles!!
Last edited November 15, 2022