The National Reining Breeders Classic has become known as the most spectacular show on the reining calendar and the 2000 event helped emphasize why. Held April 12-16, in Guthrie, Oklahoma, the show paid $346,394.27.

Moving into the history books as the 2000 National Reining Breeders Classic champions were Duane Latimer and Conquistador Whiz, owned by George Shifrin.

The 2000 National Reining Breeders Classic was a historic event in more ways than one. Once again emerging as the largest added money reining in the world, the NRBC Saturday night performance was also the location for the stateside announcement of the news the western horse world has long awaited.

During opening ceremonies that featured singing star, Susie Luchsinger, USET Reining Director Carla Wennberg announced that reining had been approved by the Federation Equestre Internationale. As a result, reining will take its place on the international equestrian stage, the only western event to become part of such competitions as the Pan Am Games, the World Equestrian Games, and ultimately, the Olympics