By Savannah Magoteaux

In April, reining horse enthusiasts from across the country and around the globe traveled to Tulsa, Okla., for the National Reining Breeders Classic. The event, one of the largest in the reining industry, made its move to Tulsa in 2023, after more than two decades in Katy, Texas. The move was lucrative, and the event set multiple records, prompting the NRBC Board of Directors to expand the event to 12 days.

When the spin was spun and the final slide slid, the event had awarded more than $1.7 million in prize money alone, plus countless prizes that would fill two rooms – that’s not including the two trophy trailers presented to the Open and Non Pro Champions. The NRBC will return to Tulsa April 15-26, 2025.

Weatherford’s Casey Deary Wins Open Championship on Down Right Amazing
Scores started out high in the NRBC Open Finals and continued to build through the evening, along with the anticipation of the crowd, all waiting for that big run to topple all the previous scores. That ride came to rapturous applause as Casey Deary and Down Right Amazing rode out of the arena to the sound of “The Circle of Life,” the song denoting a new high score at the NRBC.

To read more, pick up a copy of the June issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

By Norman Winter | Horticulturist, Author, Speaker

The Garden Guy has become completely mesmerized by a bowl of blackcurrants. You can guess I am having a little fun with you. I am not talking about the fruit but the flowers referred to as Superbells Blackcurrant Punch.

This year most everything came through the winter including a few plants I am even asking where did you come from? The spring has been long, gloriously beautiful and still in progress and all of the Superbells calibrachoas taking your breath away with their beauty.
I have written about the ‘Punch Group’ but never about a single color. I love every one of them but this year I just have to dedicate a column to Superbells Blackcurrant Punch. Yes, I do have a couple of yellow bowls where they are showing out but in reality, they are mixed in a lot of my containers.

Superbells Blackcurrant Punch has won a ‘baker’s dozen’ of awards, Top Performers, and Perfect Scores north to south and east to west. Like the others they reach about 12 inches tall with up to a two-foot spread. They obviously have some cold tolerance as mine have come through the winter. The caveat is they did spend five consecutive nights in the garage. Their beauty in March and April has defied logic.

To read more, pick up a copy of the June issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

Stephen J. “Tio” Kleberg of Kingsville, Texas, has been selected as the 2024 National Golden Spur recipient for his contributions to the ranching and livestock industries. Kleberg will receive the National Golden Spur Award at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center in Lubbock, Texas, during the annual National Golden Spur Award Honors on Saturday, October 5.

“The National Golden Spur Award is the most prestigious national honor given by the ranching and livestock industries to one person,” explained Jim Bret Campbell, executive director of the Ranching Heritage Association and National Ranching Heritage Center. “As the 46^th recipient, Tio Kleberg continues the tradition of excellence that characterizes National Golden Spur Award honorees.”

Presentation of the National Golden Spur Award is a joint annual recognition given by six of the leading state and national ranching and livestock organizations: the American Quarter Horse Association, National Cattlemen’s Foundation, Ranching Heritage Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Farm Bureau, and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. 

Kleberg served as the vice president of agricultural operations for the legendary King Ranch from 1971-1998. He then served on the board of directors of King Ranch, Inc. from 1998 until 2021. During his more than 50 years of service to King Ranch, Kleberg revitalized the American Quarter Horse breeding program, contributed to the development of the Santa Cruz breed of cattle and implemented sweeping wildlife conservation efforts. 

“As the manager of the livestock operations at the family’s King Ranch Properties in South Texas, Tio made a tremendous contribution to the Quarter Horse breed by introducing the services of Buster Welch and the stallions Mr. San Peppy and Peppy San Badger to the extremely talented band of King Ranch mares,” said Red Steagall, the 2018 recipient of the National Golden Spur Award. “The King Ranch horses took control of the equine industry for several years. Those bloodlines continue to influence the Quarter Horse breed today.” 

In addition to his contributions to the success of King Ranch, Kleberg tirelessly served the ranching and livestock industries. A longtime director of the American Quarter Horse Association, Kleberg served as one of the youngest AQHA presidents in 1985. He was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1997. Kleberg was also a director for the National Cutting Horse Association and the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.  

Kleberg’s commitment to wildlife conservation is legendary, having served on the boards of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and the East Foundation. Kleberg has been recognized by his peers with multiple awards, including being recognized with the Texas Tech University distinguished alumni award, and by both the Texas House and Senate with resolutions recognizing his contributions to Texas agriculture. Kleberg received an honorary doctorate from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. He was honored with the Phi Delta Theta fraternity Legion of Honor award in 2015.  

“Tio was a cowboy first and then became a cowman, a horseman and, ultimately, the leader of the agribusiness operations for King Ranch, where he became the face of King Ranch throughout his tenure,” said Jay Evans, who worked for Kleberg at King Ranch and now manages Bridwell Ranches. “I can best describe his character and values by pulling from the cowboy/western culture code, which is summarized as strong faith, honesty, fairness, loyalty, hospitality, a deep respect for the land and its animals and a rock-solid work ethic and being a man of his word.” 

“Tio, by his own words, always wanted to be a cowboy,” said Steve Stevens of Houston, Texas. “He represents the fifth generation to have lived and worked on King Ranch. Following graduation from Texas Tech University and service as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Tio was heavily involved in the management of all operations of King Ranch, including serving as a member of the board of directors. He has been successful in achieving his goal of working on the ranch to service in the board room.” 

Sponsorship packages for the National Golden Spur Award Honors, including table sponsorships, are currently available. Individual tickets for the National Golden Spur Award Honors will go on sale to the public August 8. For event details, visit goldenspurhonors.com.