For Immediate Release – June 4, 2025 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The Reining Horse Foundation (RHF) Scholarships are the pinnacle awards in an overall program that now offers nearly $90,000 in scholarships per year. RHF is proud to announce the 10 RHF Scholarship winners for 2025.
The 10 RHF Scholarships are structured as three at $5,000; three at $2,500; three at $2,000 and one at $1,500. Selection is based on financial need, academic record, involvement in the school and community, a special essay, and references.
To apply, students must be members of the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) for at least 24 months prior to applying and be a senior in high school pursuing an undergraduate degree in a two- or four-year institution, trade or technical school. A previous recipient of an RHF Scholarship may reapply if she or he meets all other criteria and can earn two total awards.
RHF Scholarships are part of a comprehensive program. Other scholarships are available through the Varsity Reining Club, Affiliate Regional Scholarships, NRHyA’s CINCH Speaking contest, and RHF Merit Scholarships.
The RHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the charitable arm of NRHA. It supports NRHyA, including youth leadership development woven throughout youth programming. Donors are invited to support NRHyA in numerous ways, including individual donations, memorials/honorariums and fundraisers. To learn more, visit reiningfoundation.com.
$5,000 Scholarship Recipients
Kinsey Cooper
Kinsey Cooper of Montrose, Georgia, is a two-time winner of the RHF Scholarship. She currently attends the University of Georgia (UGA) where she studies agribusiness and intends to go to law school.
Cooper is a member of the UGA Equestrian team where she competes for the reining squad. She is a team captain and an inductee to the Georgia Way LEAD program. As an NRHyA member, she assisted in organizing youth meetings and fundraisers and created Heart of Dixie Reining Horse Association (HDRA) merchandise among other activities. She is a two-time recipient of an RHF Scholarship.
Cassandra Mercier
Cassandra “Cassie” Mercier, of Franklin, Georgia, will be attending the University of Georgia where she is committed to compete on the equestrian team. She will work toward her goal of becoming an equine veterinarian by pursuing a degree in animal health. Mercier was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and many other organizations in high school. She completed concurrent classes at the University of West Georgia while maintaining a 4.0 GPA all four years of high school.
Mercier has served as the NRHyA Southeast Region Delegate where she hosted youth team tournaments, attended meetings, and put on youth events at her local horse shows. Outside of reining, she is active in her community, logging many community service hours at her church. She also was a member of her local FFA chapter.
Madison Wieferich
Madison Wieferich is another two-time recipient of the RHF Scholarship. Currently attending Eastern Michigan University, she is studying interior design with plans to become a residential or commercial interior designer.
Wieferich was incredibly active in high school as a member of the basketball team, marching band, National Honor Society, Student Council and many other organizations. In college, she is a member of the interior design student organization and Honors College.
$2,500 Scholarship Recipients
Jenna Batton
Jenna Batton of Sidney, Ohio, attends Miami University and is being awarded an RHF Scholarship for the second time. She is pursuing a degree in strategic communication with a real estate minor to take her into a career in public relations.
Batton is a member of Alpha Delta Pi, serving as the director of informal recruitment. She is also a member of the Miami Television and News Club and the Miami Management and Leadership Club. As an NRHyA member, she can be found assisting in the show office and running youth parties at the Buckeye Reining Series horse shows.
Emma Klug
Emma Klug of Columbus, Nebraska, has experienced firsthand the many opportunities offered by the NRHyA. She has been an active participant for years, previously serving as the secretary/treasurer, organizing youth meetings at affiliate shows, managing youth fundraising activities, representing NRHyA at the AQHA Youth Excellence Seminar, and lobbying in Washington D.C. alongside other youth equestrians.
Klug is serving as the 2025 NRHyA president and looks to put her leadership experience to use in college. She will be earning her degree in agricultural communications with the goal of becoming an agricultural lobbyist. She has been successful outside the reining pen, serving as a Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute delegate, a student council member, and an honor roll student.
Chase McInteer
Chase McInteer from Lincoln, Nebraska, will utilize his scholarship to become a doctor. His list of accomplishments while serving in the NRHyA is long, including a term as the South Central Region delegate, an affiliate youth liaison, and two-time NRHyA Events Coordinator. In these roles, McInteer hosted multiple youth meetings, organized silent auctions, and produced fresh fundraising ideas such as a “Simon Says” reining class.
McInteer found success in high school as a member and vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the National Honor Society, and Global Voices discussion leader.
$2,000 Scholarship Recipients
Lenzi Halling
College Station, Texas native Lenzi Halling is a fierce competitor at NRHA events and an impressive student. She plans to use her scholarship to major in biology, with the goal to become a biologist. Halling is a member of the National Honor Society and recipient of the AP Scholar with Honor award. She is already pursuing her passion for biology as a member of the 4-H Vet Science Club
In her own words, Halling says that being a member of the NRHyA has taught her the power of dedication, perseverance, and resilience. She adds that she’s learned that sportsmanship is about facing misfortune with determination, rather than just celebrating victories.
Kendal Norcross
Kendal Norcross of Corvallis, Oregon, will be attending the University of South Carolina to earn her degree in sport and entertainment management while also competing as a reiner on their equestrian team. She wants to build a career in sports event management.
In her essay, she recounted how taking part in the social events that bring NRHyA members together has meant just as much to her as competing. She helped set up many of these social and fundraising events at affiliate shows. When she is not at a reining, Norcross is active in 4-H as vice president of two different organizations and successful in judging, horse bowl, and hippology.
Gracie Mae Stingle
Gracie Mae Stingle of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, is a two-time recipient of the RHF Scholarship. She is currently putting her scholarship to use at the University of South Carolina (UofSC) as a business student. After graduation, she intends to become a sales representative or own her own business.
Stingle competes as a reiner on the UofSC equestrian team and in only her first full semester of college, has already found success as both a student and an athlete. She is a member of the Dean’s List and has made an impact on her community by volunteering at a local animal shelter and participating in sports camps for kids to learn about college sports.
$1,500 John McQuay Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Drew Baseggio
Drew Baseggio of Atwood, Colorado, comes with an impressive resume of high school activities. She is a member of FBLA, varsity basketball team, FFA, and the art club. Within the FBLA, Baseggio has qualified three times for the Colorado FBLA State Conference.
She served as a member of the Rocky Mountain Reining Horse Association’s youth board as the social events coordinator position. In this role, she set up the youth meeting and organized their fundraiser, dubbed “basket bonanza.” Baseggio says this event helped to bring the affiliate’s youth kids together for fun activities and a good cause.
For nearly 25 years, members of the equine community have been doing good things through the Reining Horse Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Reining Horse Association. 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 providing financial relief to reiners enduring major hardships; youth scholarships 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.