Person · 2000
NRHA Hall of Fame · Inducted 2000
Richie Greenberg
Non Pro Pioneer · Breeder · NRHA President · Inducted 2000
Chicago-born businessman and horseman Richie Greenberg discovered reining in 1972 when he found Hollywood Jac 86. Together, he and "Jac" won NRHA's first-ever Non Pro World Championship in 1974 — a title he went on to win nine times total. A staunch advocate for opening the NRHA to all breeds, Greenberg is widely credited with building the Non Pro division into the thriving competitive class it is today. His breeding legacy may be even more profound: Hollywood Jac 86 sired Hollywood Dun It, the NRHA's first $4 million sire.
"Richie Greenberg can be credited with making the Non Pro division what it is today."— Tim McQuay, NRHA Hall of Famer
Career Highlights
- 9 NRHA Non Pro World Championships plus 3 Non Pro Futurity championships, 2 Non Pro Derby wins, and 2 Superstakes championships; NRHA President 1975–1977
- Owner of Hollywood Jac 86 — the stallion became the first sire with $1M in NRHA offspring earnings (1993); his son Hollywood Dun It became the sport's first $4M then $6M sire
- Credited with creating the Non Pro division — his advocacy for amateur competition opened the sport to thousands of non-professional riders and transformed NRHA's membership base
Class of 2000