In recognition of outstanding dedication and excellence within our vibrant community, the National Reining Horse Association proudly presents the 2024 Professionals of the Year award recipients. Since their establishment in 2012, these honors have celebrated individuals exemplifying leadership and excellence in the sport of reining.
This award goes beyond accomplishments in the show pen—it acknowledges those who make a lasting impact through their dedication, mentorship, and unwavering support of NRHA and its members. The 2024 recipients embody integrity and passion, working tirelessly to advance and uphold the core values of reining.
Nominations for these prestigious awards—including NRHA Professional of the Year, NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year, NRHA Youth Coach of the Year, NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year and NRHA Up-and-Coming Professional of the Year—come from NRHA affiliates and the NRHA Professionals Committee. From there, NRHA Professionals cast their votes to determine who will join the ranks of past honorees.
NRHA Professional of the Year: Kaci O’Rourke
Collinsville, Texas
NRHA LTE: $827,816
At the final NRHA Futurity held in the Jim Norick Coliseum, Kaci O’Rourke and The Firemen scored a 229 to win the prestigious NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity, a title never won by a woman. They also topped the Level 3 Open. The wins earned them $420,000 (including nominator incentive). O’Rourke and her husband, NRHA Professional Jack Daniels, bought the horse as a yearling, and Daniels started him as a 2-year-old.
O’Rourke previously earned the NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year Award, demonstrating her consistent support and commitment to NRHA. She serves on the NRHA Professionals Committee, donates her time to support the National Reining Horse Youth Association and the Reining Horse Foundation, and promotes the industry through her well-known art and writing showcased on social media.
O’Rourke is involved in every aspect of the industry: breeding and raising prospects, managing a strong 2-year-old program, showing aged event horses and helping many non pro and youth riders.
NRHA Becky Hanson Horsewoman of the Year: Julia Roshelli
Belle Center, Ohio
NRHA LTE $69,546
While attending the University of Findlay, Julia Roshelli worked as an NRHA show management intern at major events. After graduating in 2019, she began working for NRHA Professional Brandon Brant.
Through opportunities at Brant Performance Horses, she has been a finalist at the NRHA Futurity, National Reining Breeders Classic, All American Quarter Horse Congress, and has multiple Level 1 and Level 2 Congress Futurity Championships.
Roshelli’s 2024 accomplishments include: Levels 1 and 2 All American Quarter Horse Congress Futurity Champion and Levels 3 and 4 Finalist along with Tulsa North American Reining Stakes Level 1 Futurity Reserve Champion.
“This award isn’t just about her success in the show pen, but it is acknowledging her character and strength,” said Brant. “She was there for everybody this year, including our clients and our business, when we were going through an incredibly tough situation. She is resilient and was resilient for many people and continued to be a phenomenal coach for non pros all while making her first Level 4 Finals at [All American Quarter Horse] Congress.”
Alongside Brant, she has coached multiple non pro and youth finalists at NRHA’s major events, coached NRHA Top 10 World Title holders, and All American Quarter Horse Congress championships.
NRHA Up-and-Coming Professional of the Year: Leonardo Kellerman
Purcell, Oklahoma
NRHA LTE: $494, 356
Leonardo Kellerman earned an incredible $410,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings throughout 2024, topping the Levels 2 and 1 at nearly every major event.
His season came to a spectacular end when he piloted Frozen Starburst to the Levels 2 and 1 Open Futurity Championships. It all came to fruition in front of his parents, who were able to come to watch him show at the Futurity for the first time. Kellerman is a Brazilian native who now works in Purcell, Oklahoma, at NRHA Corporate Partner 7 Lakes Ranch.
The horse-and-rider team’s 222.5 score earned them a total of $151,564 (including nominator incentives) — $13,000 in Level 1 and $50,000 in Level 2, as well as $35,644 for the Level 3 Open Co-Reserve Championship and $52,919 for an eighth-place tie in Level 4.
Kellerman finished the year in seventh place within the NRHA Top 20 Professionals list.
NRHA Youth Coach of the Year: Dan Huss
Scottsdale, Arizona
NRHA LTE $854,881
Dan Huss had success in the show pen in 2024, including earning the Level 2 Open co-reserve championship at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. He is not only a competitor and judge but also brings 20-30 horses to shows and is known for his excellent youth coaching.
Huss’s nomination for the award came from the Arizona Reining Horse Association, which included the following:
“His incredible attention to detail, methodical approach, and high expectations gave me the confidence to strive for more,” said 2024 NRHA Level 2 and Youth Non Pro Futurity Champion Michelle Fumagali. “This newfound confidence helped lead to increasing results in the show pen, solidifying a belief in myself I didn’t have before. However, shows don’t always go as planned, but Dan always makes it a lesson to learn and grow from, which has taught me how to deal with setbacks and doubt. Overall, Dan has had an immense impact on my skills, mindset, and work ethic which has carried over beyond horses. This is why there is no one better to nominate for this award because he is not only a coach but a mentor as well.” Fumagali also was the Youth Non Pro Champion at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.
NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year: Yonathan Baruch
Whitesboro, Texas
NRHA LTE $576,376
Israeli NRHA Professional Yonathan Baruch managed one of the largest riding schools in Israel, with over 200 students and five instructors. He regularly took at least 30 to 35 youth and non-pro students to surrounding American Quarter Horse Association shows. During the last year of his management, Baruch won many titles along with producing 14 Israeli champions and co-champions in various disciplines, including reining.
Since moving his business to the United States, Baruch has been a Level 4 finalist at every major NRHA event. He was co-champion at the 2024 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel in Level 2 Open and was reserve champion in Level 3 Open. He has also won championships at the AQHA World Championship Show and the American Paint Horse Association World Championship Show.
When he is not in the show pen, you will see him helping many non pros who have also experienced great success.
