Category: Foundation

For Immediate Release – May 28, 2021 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The Run For A Million, set for August 18-21, will feature two auctions to benefit the Reining Horse Foundation. The South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas will welcome both a silent auction featuring items for bidding throughout the competition and a live auction that will precede the Gala Select Sale on August 21.

NRHA President and Foundation Board Member Rick Clark reached out to The Run For A Million team leaders Taylor Sheridan and Amanda Brumley about a fundraiser at the event. He said, “We were already set to have our volunteers run an RHF booth at the event to encourage people to be part of the Reiners Club, and I asked what we could do to raise money while we were there. Amanda suggested a silent and live auction and this grew from that. I ran the idea past the RHF Development Committee and Board and got their blessing, then challenged each of them to get donations for the auction.”

Clark continued, “This is a wonderful opportunity for the Foundation and we can’t thank Taylor and Amanda enough. This is really big and really appreciated.”   

Brumley agrees that the auctions will be massive – both in content and in result. “When Rick asked me what we could do, I thought this would be a perfect venue and a big moneymaker for the Foundation – considering the huge crowd.  The energy of the event will help the items sell.”

With Las Vegas opening completely on June 1, The Run For A Million event is expected to be a sellout, and the response to the auction should result in considerable benefit for the Foundation. She added, “We encourage people to get creative with what they can donate – with items in all price ranges. I urge everyone to take part and help the Reining Horse Foundation so it can help others. We are all paying it forward.”  

Reining Horse Foundation Executive Director Leslie Baker said, “The Run For A Million was developed to celebrate and grow the sport. Now, this new collaboration has resulted in the creation of The Raise A Million Auctions with the sole purpose of giving back to the reining community through NRHA’s charitable, nonprofit organization. This is especially meaningful given that we are celebrating the Reining Horse Foundation’s 20th anniversary throughout 2021. We are grateful that those attending The Run For A Million will have a chance to get to know more about our mission and programs.”

Already, the items donated for the auctions are indicative of the impact of the event and promise to create a fun event that raises money for an important cause.

• 2022 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo VIP “Night at the Rodeo” donated by BMW Quarter Horses
• 100X Custom J.W. Brooks Hat donated by J.W. Brooks
• Custom Belt made and donated by Eclectic Beadwork
• Headstall donated by Mullinax Custom Leather
• Custom Headstall donated by Bob’s Custom Saddles
• Show Pad by Golden West donated by Nancy Tague
• Show Pad donated by Show Diva
• Show Pad donated by Show Stoppin
• Moody Chic Scrap Sketch Ink/Watercolor by artist Josey Butler, donated by Terri Mainey
• Commissioned Drawing created by and donated by Kaci O’Rourke
• A Breeding and Chute Fee for No Smoking Required, the co-champion of The Run For A Million 2019 donated by owners Schmersal/ThorSport Inc.

Other items are being received daily and there is still plenty of time to take part in the auctions! Donations of trips, unique experiences, services, training packages, artwork, jewelry, goods and more are all welcome. Donors should submit by August 1 to Brumley Management Group,

Attn: RHF Auction, 28150 N Alma School Pkwy #103-619, Scottsdale, AZ 85262. For information on the auction or RHF, contact Leslie Baker at lbaker@nrha.com or (405) 946-7400, ext. 106.

The mission of the Reining Horse Foundation is to care for and honor the reining community. Core programs include the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund to benefit reiners enduring hardships such as major illness, accidents and disasters; youth leadership development and scholarships for members of the National Reining Horse Youth Association; and perpetuation of the sport’s history through the NRHA Hall of Fame. For information on the RHF auctions, visit reiningfoundation.com/auctions.

Named for the man known as the “father of modern-day reining,” the National Reining Horse Association Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award is a prestigious accolade.

Dale Wilkinson stood out among his peers as his technique and willingness to teach transformed the sport of reining into the model of collection and finesse that we know today. Wilkinson was one of the founding members of the NRHA and the first Hall of Fame inductee. During his lifetime, he was an educator, promoter, and mentor to all reiners. He set an example of how riders should conduct themselves, train and exhibit a horse. Due to his unmatched lifetime of accomplishment in reining, the NRHA Hall of Fame Committee created the NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award, supported by the Reining Horse Foundation.

Each year, the NRHA Board of Directors and past Hall of Fame inductees vote to approve a worthy candidate for recognition. Unique among its counterparts, the criteria for the award is not centered around NRHA membership, competition/earning records or even status as a breeder or owner. It is solely based on the person’s positive impact on the sport of reining.

In keeping with the culture that Wilkinson helped to form, the NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award nominee must have an inherent passion for the industry. They must have contributed to or changed the course of reining in a positive way irrespective of personal gain. Additionally, the recipient will have demonstrated the ability and desire to attract new people to the sport.

“To be nominated for and receive the Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award is one of NRHA’s highest honors,” says NRHA Executive Assistant & Governance Coordinator Liz Kelsey, who also serves as the staff liaison to the NRHA Hall of Fame Committee. “When you look at who else has received the award, you will see some of reining’s most notable contributors.”

Any NRHA member can submit a nomination which is due on June 1, 2021. All nominations should be sent to Liz Kelsey at lkelsey@nrha.com.

This year’s recipient will be formally recognized during Sliders’ Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch held on December 1 during the NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships in Oklahoma City.

Click here for the NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award nomination form.

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.