Category: Foundation

Two Decades of Helping Reiners

Reiners helping reiners is a story that never gets old, and the Reining Horse Foundation, which turns 20 in 2021, has been helping that happen for two decades.

It’s often a real eye-opener to find how much help is available. When Bud Roebuck, an NRHA Professional, had his Florida training facility destroyed by a tornado he did not even think of reaching out until a friend urged him to do so. He said, “I guess I thought that the Foundation help was mostly for people who had injuries or illnesses.”

But the RHF has a broader focus and its Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund helped Bud and his family survive the setback. “Like most people in the horse world, it was hard to admit we needed help, but the funds really took the pressure off while we rebuilt and got our business going again.” These days, Roebuck, like many others who have received assistance, is committed to giving back to the Foundation.

That same giving spirit from people around the globe is allowing the charitable arm of the National Reining Horse Association to kick off its milestone year announcing increases in grants available through its cornerstone program, the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund. NRHA members impacted by medical, accident and disaster hardships will find that the Foundation grant maximums are now 20 percent greater and that is on top of previous increases made in 2016 and 2017. Go here for complete details on grant tiers and criteria.

“Increasing these grants is an ideal way to commemorate two decades of support for the reining community. The Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund has been helping reiners since shortly after it was established in 2001,” said RHF President Tim Anderson. “In recent years our Board of Directors has been dedicated to substantially increasing the amount of financial support we can provide to NRHA members in crisis. Thankfully, donors from around the world are stepping up to make these larger grants possible.”

Other welcome news for this anniversary year is that the Foundation plans to host its largest annual fundraiser, Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch. The event, which takes place annually during the NRHA Futurity, was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, but it is expected to come back bigger than ever in 2021 to celebrate the RHF’s 20th-anniversary theme.

“We hope that continued strong donor support will allow us to make additional announcements around our core programs in 2021,” said Rick Clark, NRHA president and member of the RHF Board of Directors. Clark also chairs the Foundation’s Development Committee and is enthusiastic about future projects.  “We have some ambitious goals to expand the scholarship programs for members of the National Reining Horse Youth Association and establish an endowment that will support this organization’s work for decades to come.”

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The Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund exists to help reiners and in 2021, has increased most grant maximums by 20 percent. That increase is in addition to the substantial increases made in 2016 and 2017.

The RHF Crisis Fund criteria separates grant applications into a four-tier system depending on the type of hardship. With this increase, Tier 1 medical and Tier 2 accident grants will increase to a maximum of $3,600 each, and Tier 3 disaster grants will increase to a maximum of $6,000.

NRHA members in need of assistance can get a Crisis Fund application and see details here or contact Leslie Baker, RHF Executive Director, at lbaker@nrha.com or (405) 946-7400.

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Follow RHF on NRHA’s social media channels, including weekly #FoundationFriday posts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.  For details on how you can help support the Crisis Fund or any of the RHF programs, contact any RHF Board member or Leslie Baker, RHF Executive Director, at lbaker@nrha.com or (405) 946-7400.

Since its creation in 2001, the Reining Horse Foundation has existed to help reiners in need, preserve National Reining Horse Association history, create opportunities for youth, and shine a positive beacon on the entire reining industry. In 2020, the organization may have missed out on holding its signature Sliders’ Night Out fundraiser presented by Toyon Ranch, but its direction remained the same, as did the needs of the many programs it supports.

Notwithstanding the challenges of the year, the philanthropic arm of NRHA kept its focus on expanding fundraising and continuing its mission. Helping reiners through the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund, providing youth leadership development and scholarships, and perpetuating the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame were made possible by a variety of fundraisers.

Opt-in donations, Affiliate fundraisers, memberships in the Reiners Club, Foundation grants, Facebook birthday donations, AmazonSmile support, and memorial gifts breathed hope in troubled times and kept the spirit of giving alive.  Additionally, NRHA Professionals gave in unprecedented numbers and there was an increase in international giving.

It was an opportune time for new avenues of giving as the pandemic created challenges for a cross-section of the reining industry. “Every day, we see the need within our industry. By giving, individuals and businesses have the power to make such a difference in the reining community. Gifts of every size are meaningful,” said Reining Horse Foundation Executive Director Leslie Baker.

“In my case, one simple $25 donation to the Reining Horse Foundation led to a $100 donation and then to more,” said Tim Anderson, president of the volunteer-led RHF Board of Directors. “I began by wanting to help other reiners enduring a tragedy of some sort. What I discovered is that helping others gives me an overwhelming feeling of goodness and purpose. When you are doing your holiday shopping and year-end giving, I hope you will remember the reining community that we all love.”

Besides topping off your Christmas list, there are plenty of reasons to give before the end of the year, including new tax benefits. The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act enacted this year expands charitable giving incentives and allows taxpayers who take the standard deduction to make up to $300 of charitable contributions to qualified charities. For those who itemize their deductions, the new law allows for cash contributions to qualified charities to be deducted up to 100 percent of their adjusted gross income for the 2020 calendar year. Donors who make year-end gifts to the 501(c)3 nonprofit Reining Horse Foundation by December 31 may gain the maximum benefit of these tax incentives.

Giving to the Reining Horse Foundation is easy. Gifts can be made digitally in ReinerSuite, by texting “RHF” to (405) 300-5919, or via PayPal or credit card at reiningfoundation.com/donate, or simply by mailing a check to the NRHA office at 3021 W. Reno Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73107.

For more information, visit reiningfoundation.com, or email rhf@nrha.com.

The Reining Horse Foundation (RHF) is awarding $13,000 in academic and need-based scholarships to eight students in 2020. The recipients are: Cassandra Townsend of Andover, South Dakota; David Gringeri of West Haven, Vermont; Megan D’Andrea of Fowler, Ohio; Liz Blaser of Duncan, Nebraska; Morgan Ritz of Comstock, Nebraska; Morgan Knerr of Plain City, Ohio; Kelly Harper of Inverness, Florida, and Natalie Gydesen of North Loup, Nebraska.

Applications are reviewed by an independent committee with scoring based upon financial need, academic achievement, an essay, involvement in the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA)  and community, and personal references. NRHyA members first apply as high school seniors, and if selected, are eligible to reapply.

Applicants in 2020 penned their essay about this topic: NRHyA members are having visible success in the show arena across many levels of competition. What does success look like for you—inside and outside of the reining arena? Their responses were creative and inspiring.

“I remember the first time I loped, my first blue ribbon, and my first reining pattern,” wrote Gringeri. “At those moments spirits were high, but I recognized that it was hours in the saddle and late nights at the barn that I was celebrating.”

Harper, a first-time scholarship recipient, wrote, “I have received an unwarranted amount of support from those around me, and soon it will be my turn to do the same for the next generation of young reiners.”

Townsend, Gringeri and D’Andrea will each receive $2,500 scholarships. Townsend is majoring in human biology in the pre-medicine pathway at South Dakota State University with the goal of becoming a physician’s assistant. Gringeri attends the University of Vermont majoring in business/finance preparing for a career in agribusiness. D’Andrea is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in nursing at Kent State University with plans to become an emergency room nurse.

Blaser and Ritz each are being awarded $1,500 scholarships. Blaser, the 2019 NRHyA President, is attending Wayne State College majoring in pre-professional/medicine with the goal of becoming an emergency medicine physician. Ritz is the 2020 NRHyA President and will attend South Dakota State University majoring in nutrition/dietetics. Both Blaser and Ritz held multiple NRHyA national officer positions.

Knerr is the recipient of a $1,000 RHF scholarship. She attends the University of Findlay with plans to become a pediatric pharmacist. She held multiple positions as an NRHyA officer, including president in 2017.

Earning $750 scholarships are Harper and Gydesen. Harper will attend Oklahoma State University to major in agribusiness/pre-law. Gydesen is majoring in animal science at South Dakota State University with the goal of becoming a veterinarian. Her scholarship is designated as the John McQuay Memorial Scholarship.

For more information about the RHF Scholarship program, or for application information, go to reiningfoundation.com or nrhya.com.  Scholarship information will be updated and open for applicants in early 2021. The RHF scholarship program is made possible by donations—primarily from individuals. To make a difference as a donor, contact RHF executive director Leslie Baker at (405) 946-7400, ext. 106 or rhf@nrha.com.

 

For Immediate Release – May 22, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – An exhibitor-based fundraising campaign to benefit the Reining Horse Foundation is underway for 2020 after generating $25,000 in support for the nonprofit in 2019. Based upon small donations that add up to make a big difference, the campaign encourages show entrants to make a $10 donation when they enter select shows.

The first 2020 reining offering this convenient donation opportunity is the Arizona Reining Horse Association Mother’s Day Slide, May 24-31, in Scottsdale, Arizona. AzRHA piloted the show-entry campaign in 2017. Tentatively, these additional shows also are expected to participate this year: NRHA Derby, North Carolina Classic, National Reining Breeders Classic, Tulsa Reining Classic, Southwest Futurity, Low Roller Reining Classic, and NRHA Futurity. It’s anticipated additional show managers and NRHA affiliates also may participate.

RHF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves as the charitable arm of NRHA. In addition to the financial support offered through the campaign, it has helped increase awareness.

“There is power in $10, and every donor helps,” said Leslie Baker, RHF Executive Director, “We are so appreciative to have these shows offer this campaign. It provides visibility and funds that are significant in fulfilling our mission of caring for and honoring our reining community.”

Exhibitors will find the option to donate or opt-out on their show-entry form, making it a convenient way to support RHF. The most visible of the nonprofit’s core programs is the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund providing grants to reiners enduring hardships such as medical crises, accidents, and disasters. Other RHF programs include youth scholarships and leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association and perpetuation of the NRHA Hall of Fame.

Affiliates and show managers willing to offer the entry-donation campaign are encouraged to notify RHF by contacting Leslie Baker at rhf@nrha.com, (405) 946-7400, ext. 106. Online giving—including monthly donations—also can be made conveniently at reiningfoundation.com/donate.