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RHF’s Raise A Million Live Auction Returns to TRFAM 2023

The Reining Horse Foundation’s Raise A Million Live Auction returns to The Run For A Million in 2023. Attendees will have the opportunity to take home coveted and unique auction offerings. Over the past two years, the results have been impressive, sparking memorable energy at the TRFAM and providing philanthropic support for the Reining Horse Foundation (RHF), the charitable arm of the National Reining Horse Association.

Attendees will find the Raise A Million Auction in a new location this year as part of the Live Festival stage at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The public is invited to attend the auction on Friday, August 18, at 1:00 p.m. before the Million Dollar Invitation Draw. The live auction is expected to offer approximately six lots, and the assortment is impressive. Items include:

  • The Run For A Million Show Headstall: donated by Bob’s Custom Saddles
  • Original Work of Art: created and donated by Duke Beardsley
  • Italy Wine & Horses Travel Adventure for Six: with considerations by Spooks Gotta Spark
  • Reining Power. Women Power. History by the Millions: Signed memorabilia featuring the women competing in the 2023 TRFAM Million Dollar Competition. Plus, a 100X Custom Hat certificate from Shorty’s Caboy Hattery! Donations by Cira Baeck, Mandy McCutcheon, Gina-Maria Schumacher, and Shorty’s
  • The American Performance Horseman Exclusive VIP Offering & Premium Seating: for 2024
  • Run For the Roses, 2024 Kentucky Derby Experience: donated by Tim Anderson and Rick Clark

“The Run For A Million provides an unmatched gathering of performance horses enthusiasts and an unequaled venue for this type of support,” said Tim Anderson, RHF president. “We appreciate Taylor Sheridan, Brumley Management, and TRFAM for this opportunity to change lives through core programs like the RHF Crisis Fund and our youth leadership development and scholarship programs.”

“The mission of the RHF is to care for and honor the reining community,” said Executive Director Leslie Baker, CFRE. “The work of this foundation is continuing in big ways thanks to the generosity of donors and many givers. We are proud that the Raise A Million Auction attracts generous support.” Limited proxy bidding is available by contacting Leslie Baker, RHF Executive Director, at (405) 946-7400, ext. 106, or rhf@nrha.com, no later than 5:00 p.m. CST, Thursday, August 17.

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Art Sale Event Benefits Reining Horse Foundation

A casual evening of art, music, and connection resulted in a significant donation to the Reining Horse Foundation. Held July 22 at Ranchos Los Vaqueros, a private reining training barn in Pilot Point, Texas. The event featured the paintings and sculptures of Tammy Tappan. Proceeds from the sales, combined with donations, have generated $27,590 to date for the charitable arm of the National Reining Horse Association.

The event was produced by Dwayne Hildreth with Key of D Productions and hosted by Debbie and Gary Conway with support from additional RHF Board members and volunteers. The energy was described as electric, the food delicious, and the music by Zachary Lee entertaining.

Owners, trainers, and equine lovers from diverse backgrounds attended in support of the cause. Additional sales of art through August 16 will benefit RHF. For information on available works, contact Debbie Conway at debbiejconway14@gmail.com or the RHF office at (405) 946-7400, ext. 106. The artist will make a presentation of the proceeds to the RHF at a later date.

“This pop-up type event was rewarding in so many ways,” says Debbie Conway, a member of the RHF Board of Directors. “We really thank everyone who played a part. And, if anyone wants to match any portion of the donations with a financial gift to RHF, there is still time to multiply the impact of this event.”

Based in Tryon, North Carolina, and Scottsdale, Arizona, Tappan specializes in contemporary equestrian artwork. She offers works by commission and through gallery and private sales.

For more than two decades, members of the equine community have been doing good things through the Reining Horse Foundation. With its mission of caring for and honoring the reining community, the RHF has supporters from around the world. Core programs include the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund helping reiners enduring major hardships; youth scholarship and leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association; and perpetuation of the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame. For more information or to give, visit reiningfoundation.com.

Photos by Shauna Larcombe

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2023 NRHA Oceania Affiliate Championships

August 7-12
AELEC, Tamworth NSW

With 450 runs and counting, the 2023 NRHA Oceania Affiliate Championships are the largest to date!

This event allows members of this region to come together in competition, comradery and to earn regional championship titles. Each year affiliates bid to host this event, moving it to different locations to allow as many members as possible to have the opportunity to compete for these prestigious titles.

The NRHA Oceania region consists of Australia, South Africa, Japan, and Thailand.

Learn more about this region and follow along for event results at nrhaoc.com or facebook.com/oceanianrha

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Reiner Magazine Wins General Excellence

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Reiner Magazine earned top honors at the 2023 American Horse Publications Equine Media Awards. The presentations were held during the AHP Meet at the Mesa Conference in Tempe, Arizona, on July 24th. The awards program recognizes media in over 50 categories based on judges’ scoring of the submitted items.

Promoting excellence in equine media has been part of AHP’s mission for over 50 years, and the general excellence award is one that is especially coveted. The Reiner Magazine won this award in 2017 and is proud to have earned it yet again for the 2022 publishing year.

“Undoubtedly, I am proud of our team,” said NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter. “While they appreciate the awards, they work extremely hard to put a Reiner Magazine in the mailbox that appeals to you as an NRHA member.

“We appreciate our partnership with Morris Communications and the success that this partnership enjoys. Kelsey Pecsek works tirelessly to keep our content, statistics and data above and beyond anything this industry has seen, and it shows. I appreciate that Sara Honegger, who has so many other balls to juggle, puts so much useful effort into the Reiner Magazine as well as its staff liaison.”

The annual awards competition recognizes standards in journalistic integrity for informative and engaging content in various media categories. Showcasing excellence in equine media and providing guidance for improvement are the two key elements of this member program.

Submissions to the 2023 Equine Media Awards totaled 515 entries from 87 AHP members. Finalists represent 26 Media Industry members, 25 Media Professional members, and 10 Business members who have advanced to the top five in one or more of the 54 classes. Congratulations to the NRHA Reiner Magazine on the following awards:

Top NRHA Placing Entries

General Excellence Association Publication circulation under 15,000
Kelsey Pecsek Hruska, Editor
Holly Tarquino, Art Director
Sara Honegger, Staff Liaison
June 2022 and August 2022

Judge’s Comments: The pair of editions submitted for this publication are incredible. The editorial content is high-caliber and appeals to readers with diverse interests within the western world. Each story effectively stamps personality and individuality throughout the editions. Additionally, the design, high resolution and appropriately sized photos, nearly flawless usage of color theory, and perfect white space and design proportionality set this publication apart. Simply put, this publication sets the standard.

Association Equine Media Personality Profile Single Article
No. 19
Kelsey Pecsek Hruska, Editor
March 2022
Read the article here.

Judge’s Comments: This submission exudes infallibility. The author crafts a heartfelt, impactful story of the late Jack Brainard – his life, inspiration, and legacy. Every sentence contributes to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the precedent established by Brainard. This submission provides emotional appeal, has impactful contributory quotations from supplementary sources, and meshes all trains of thought, theory, and reflection into a beautifully constructed feature. This story encapsulated the epitome of high caliber writing.

Association Equine Media Service to the Consumer Single Article: 1st Place
Building the Band
Kristin Pitzer, Author
Kelsey Pecsek, Editor
February 2022
Read the article here.

Judge’s Comments: One mark of a good article is its appeal to someone outside the intended audience. I’m not into reining horses, and I’m not looking for broodmares, but I found myself reading this article because it was interesting. This article had multiple sources, adding credibility and simplicity to its explanation of breeding concepts.

The National Reining Horse Association is not responsible for the information contained in this press release. Please contact the author or submitting organization for further information, requests, or questions.