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RHF Announces Scholarship Program Deadline

The Reining Horse Foundation is proud to announce new scholarships that provide opportunities to students already enrolled in higher education. Along with these new RHF Merit Scholarships, the longstanding RHF Scholarships are available. Applications are due March 1, 2024.

The RHF Merit Scholarships include five $1,500 awards for students who were National Reining Horse Youth Association members, maintain an NRHA membership, and are actively pursuing a college or trade school education full-time at an accredited institution. The eligible applicants may not have previously received any RHF/NRHyA scholarship.

The RHF Scholarships include ten awards in varying amounts from $1,500 up to $5,000. The criteria are weighted toward financial need with additional academic achievement and involvement considerations. Applicants must be NRHyA members for at least 24 months prior to application and be high school seniors. Previous recipients may reapply and are eligible to receive these scholarships one additional time during their post-high school education. Students must be current members of NRHA to apply.

“The RHF Merit Scholarships should be especially attractive to students who have been active in NRHyA and the NRHA. These are designed to encourage students as they keep striving for their education,” said Terri Mainey, chair of the RHF Scholarship Committee. “RHF takes great pride in continuing to expand our scholarship offerings. Our donors believe in the next generation and what they will contribute to reining and the world at large.”

RHF funding comes from a broad cross-section of the equine community, including individuals, businesses, and foundations. NRHyA members, NRHA affiliates and shows, and reiners of all ages hold creative and successful fundraisers benefiting RHF programs.

“There are stories about the RHF Scholarship program coming to life when movers and shakers got together at an NRHA show and started dreaming of ways to help young people involved in the sport,” said Tim Anderson, RHF president. “That’s been decades ago now, and today’s scholarship program is growing thanks to the support of many givers.”

A major program expansion doubled the funding amounts for RHF Scholarships in 2022 and increased them again for 2023. The RHF and Merit Scholarships are part of a larger program that makes more than $60,000 in awards available annually to NRHyA members. Other opportunities are available through the Varsity Reining Club, Affiliate Regional Scholarships, and the NRHyA’s CINCH Speaking Contest.

New in 2024, the application process is completely online. The forms and additional criteria can be viewed at nrhya.com/scholarships.

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, which provides financial relief to reiners enduring major hardships; youth scholarship and leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association; and the perpetuation of the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame. For more information or to give, visit reiningfoundation.com.

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RHF Elects Board Members and Officers

The Reining Horse Foundation Board of Directors has elected new officers and Board members. Tim Anderson of Milbank, South Dakota, was re-elected to serve a two-year term as president of the nonprofit charitable arm of NRHA. Rick Clark of Catlettsburg, Kentucky, is the new vice president, and Nancy Tague of Pilot Point, Texas, is the new Secretary/Treasurer. Under new Bylaws approved in 2023, as vice president, Clark will be automatically nominated for the office of president for a two-year term beginning in 2026.

Patrick Flaherty of Scottsdale, Arizona, Jamie Walters of Laguna Beach, California, and Billy Williams of Aubrey, Texas, were re-elected to serve their second, three-year terms on the Board. Under RHF Bylaws, the officer and board member recommendations were reviewed and approved by the NRHA Board of Directors at its November meeting. All the positions take effect beginning January 1, 2024.

“What excites me about having been part of the successful leadership of RHF is how far we have come and how far we can possibly go,” said Anderson. “I appreciate those who have dedicated their service to helping us move the organization forward, and I look forward to the next two years.”

The RHF Board meets via conference call at least quarterly. There are working committees to advance the work of the Foundation and make recommendations to the Board. Generally speaking, directors are eligible to serve two consecutive full, three-year terms before retiring for a minimum of one year. Officers may continue to serve while on the Executive Committee.

Retiring from the Board after serving since becoming a Distinguished Director in 2016 is Loren Booth of Orange Cove, California. Booth later served as an officer on the executive committee and as vice president.

RHF Board members are responsible for meeting the duty of care, loyalty, and obedience accepted as well-established principles of nonprofit governance. They support the organization’s mission to care for and honor the reining community. In practice, they facilitate fundraising for the growing RHF, develop and executive the organization’s strategic plan, and give attention to core programs.

Anyone interested in serving on the RHF Board should contact Nancy Tague, the Nominating/Governance Committee chair, or RHF Executive Director Leslie Baker at rhf@nrha.com.

For more than two decades, members of the equine community have been doing good things through the RHF, which has supporters from around the world. Core programs include the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, which provides financial relief to 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.

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Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch Honors Inductees and Raises $300k for Reining Horse Foundation

The room glittered brightly as reining industry stars and enthusiasts turned out for the shining event of the charitable season: the Reining Horse Foundation Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch.

Spurs and saddles were set aside in favor of sequins for the gala Nov. 29 in the historic Centennial Building at OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. The event raised more than $300,000 for the Reining Horse Foundation and honored difference-makers during the National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships.

“This is an annual celebration to come together and honor new and previous inductees into the NRHA Hall of Fame, as well as the recipient of the NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award – the highest honors bestowed by NRHA. The second purpose is to raise funding crucial for the RHF and its core programs,” said Rick Clark, chairman of the RHF Board of Directors development committee and a foundation officer. “This is the fifth year the gala will be in this format. I’m proud to say Toyon Ranch has been the presenting donor all five years; we have great appreciation for the leadership from owners John and Nancy Tague.”

The newest members of the NRHA Hall of Fame were inducted:

  • The late Bob McDonnell, known as “Bob Mac”
  • Dell Hendricks
  • Gunnatrashya

The NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to:

  • Dave Belson
  • Jenifer Reynolds & Chris Cook

The event recognizes honorees and shines a light on history makers, said Leslie Baker, executive director of the Reining Horse Foundation, while also serving as a primary fundraiser for the Foundation.

“We raised more than $300,000 for the Reining Horse Foundation – a record for this event,” Baker said. “We want to thank all the donors and event supporters. Toyon Ranch, already the presenting sponsor, offered to match up to $25,000 in donations for the Dale Wilkinson Crisis Fund, and donors met that match.”

Since 2018, Sliders’ Night Out has been the single largest annual fundraiser for the Reining Horse Foundation, the charitable arm of NRHA.

“(The donations) give us tremendous momentum to continue growth of the Foundation’s core programs,” Baker said.

Adrianna Runzo, NRHyA president, announced on behalf of the Reining Horse Foundation that beginning in 2024, former youth members who remain active NRHA members can apply for five new Merit Scholarships, which are $1,500 each, available to students in accredited college or trade school programs.

RHF is broadening the pool, Runzo said, as these scholarships will be reserved for students who have never been awarded any scholarships by the NRHyA and Reining Horse Foundation and who have started in higher education programs.

“This is a terrific way to reach more members and help more students,” Runzo said. “There’s a good chance it may even reach some nontraditional students.”

Jeff Tebow led the live auction with six generously donated goods and services. The proceeds will go toward the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, the Hall of Fame, and youth scholarships, among other benefits for NRHA members. The auction raised $241,500.

Would-be buyers excitedly raised the bid on the NASCAR Truck Series experience, donated by ThorSport. The experience, which included an opportunity to put a logo on a ThorSport truck for the season-opening event at Dayton International Speedway, was the high-seller in the live auction, going for $100,000 to 100X Equine.

Other items were:

$80,000 – Toyon Ranch won the bid for a breeding package featuring GeneTech ICSI Services, an embryo from Dun Dry Whiz, the dam of Mic Dropp, and a breeding to Toyon Ranch featuring stallions. The package was made possible by GeneTech, Clark Reining Horses, Cinder Lakes, and Toyon Ranch.

$19,000 – Cooper Smith bought the John Deere Ztrak Zero Turn Mower, Model Z-720E, donated by Equine Discounts.

$14,000 – Mike McFarlin purchased an exclusive VIP Offering and Premium Seating to the American Performance Horseman. This coveted package included limited edition credentials, Texas cuisine, and more. NRHA provided this opportunity

$13,500 – ThorSport purchased the second available American Performance Horseman package.

$8,000 – Spooks Gotta Whiz won the bid for an 18K white gold paved ring featuring gemstones, donated by MS Diamonds TX, a perennial RHF contributor.

$5,000 – Spooks Gotta Spark won the bid for a Reining Horse Foundation whiskey barrel bar/table, donated by Waugh Designs.

$2,000 –The folks at 100X Equine had the last bid on a custom whiskey barrel featuring a photo of the new owner’s choice, donated by Waugh Designs.

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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