On Dec. 29, 2011, the NRHA responded to the letter on its website, “Latest News” section:

“The Board of Directors wants to make the membership aware of a pending investigation. Following the NRHA Futurity, an anonymous complaint was submitted, asserting that the association’s President improperly visited with judges during the Futurity, along with other complaints. The Executive Committee has retained an independent firm to conduct an investigation. As required by the NRHA Handbook, the investigation will be performed in a confidential manner. The Executive Committee or the Board will update the membership, as appropriate, of action taken following completion of the investigation. The Vice President will assume the responsibilities of the President during the pendency of the investigation. The Executive Director will continue in his official capacity.

The anonymous letter, with the above statement can be read in its entirety on the Quarter Horse News website (www.quarterhorsenews.com). It was posted on Pat’s Blog, Dec. 30, 2011. You can read it by clicking here.

In addition to the complaints lodged against Mitchels, who owned an entry in the 2011 NRHA Futurity, the letter questioned why NRHA’s Executive Director Dan Wall “knowingly allowed for the president of the organization to conduct himself in this way and either chose to do nothing or was instructed to do so.”

The letter also questioned the possible conflict of interest in hiring NRHA Executive Committee member Dale Lopp as an official at the 2011 NRHA Futurity.

At the January NRHA board meeting, the Executive Committee and board of directors were asked to assess the findings of the independent firm hired to conduct the investigation and act accordingly.

On the evening of Jan. 21, the NRHA posted the following on its website:

“The Bylaws of the 2012 NRHA Handbook, Article VII, Section 10; states: Any Officer, Director, or the president of the Reining Horse Sports Foundation may be removed from the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the Board of Directors whenever, in its judgment, the best interests of the association would be served thereby. However, such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

Pursuant to the above Bylaw the following is recorded concerning Allen Mitchels:

On motion duly made, seconded and passed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors of the National Reining Horse Association, Allen Mitchels:

1. Is removed as President of the NRHA.

2. Is removed from the Teaching Panel,

3. Is removed from the Judges Committee,

4. Has his judge’s privileges revoked for a period of five (5) years,

5. Has a lifetime ban on appointment or election to a position of authority within the

NRHA.

6. At the end of five (5) years, Mr. Mitchels may reapply and retest for his judging

privileges, pending a letter of apology is to be written to the Membership and the

Board of Directors for his actions.”

With regard to the allegations against NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall the Board’s response was as follows:

“On motion duly made, seconded and passed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors of the National Reining Horse Association, the report and findings of the independent investigators was approved and Dan Wall was absolved of any wrongdoing.”

With regard to the question of conflict of interest concerning Dale Lopp, the board’s response was as follows: “Dale Lopp was absolved of any wrongdoing and was found to be properly selected as an Equipment Judge at the 2011 NRHA Futurity and did not violate any conflict of interest rules.”