Las Vegas NowState Horse Association Celebrates 50 Years

State Horse Association Celebrates 50 Years

The sport of horsemanship is thriving in southern Nevada and that may be due in part to an organization that's celebrating 5 decades of organizing equine competitions in Las Vegas.

The Nevada State Horseman's Association, or NSHA, has for 50 years provided an outlet for riders of all ages to compete in several disciplines, from English to Western Pleasure.

NSHA President Gale Powers says, lately a wider variety of breeds have been entering arenas in southern Nevada. At one time, they were mostly Arabians, Quarter Horses, Paints, Appaloosas and Thoroughbreds.

"A lot more breeds coming in from all over. We've got Foxtrotters and Tennessee Walking Horses and a lot of gaited horses. And I don't know about other people in the west, but I'm not real familiar with how they show, but we do as best we can to accommodate them, and the mustangs as well. We've got a lot of mustangs coming out and showing too," she said.

NSHA historian Don Triolo says over the years, their open-breed diversity has helped the club outlast some other horsemanship organizations.

"To me, it's the soul of the horse community. I've seen many, many equine clubs of various breeds and disciplines come and go, but NSHA is still here for all the horse people that want to be involved, regardless of the discipline or breed of horse. It's for everyone," he said.

Long-time horse trainer and competitor John Wall is an NSHA charter member. He attributes their longevity to community support and to a torch-passing tradition.

"Through the years, the different generations, you see one generation to the next grow up, and those people who were kids, they run it. Then their kids run it and it's continued. It always brings in new people," he said.

Las Vegas horse ranchers, Barbara and Dave Kent have been involved with NSHA events since the mid 1960's.

"It's been a good opportunity for children and adults to show their horses. Without NSHA they would have had nothing and nowhere to go with them. And as far as economically, it's just a boost for this town," they said.

The multi-billion dollar horse industry supports numerous equine businesses, from tack and feed to training, boarding, recreation, gaming and transportation.

The NSHA got it's official start in Reno in 1957, and at 50, the Nevada State Horseman's Association hopes to remain a part of that industry for generations to come.

The NSHA got it's official start in Reno in 1957.

Email your comments to Rick Andrews.. randrews@klastv.com