One of the many benefits of being a National Reining Horse Youth Association member is the ability to participate in contests outside of the show pen. One of the most unique opportunities is the annual Art & Photo Contest sponsored by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Entries for this year’s competition are due May 10.
Not only do the winners of this contest earn a prize, but their artwork will also be displayed at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum during the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel from June 11 to 23.
“We’re so proud of our partnership with NRHA, and we’re especially proud to host these NRHyA Art & Photo Contest winners here at the museum,” said Seth Spillman, Chief Marketing Officer at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. “It’s always a pleasure to see the work of this next generation of Western artists here at the museum.”
There are two categories, Photography and Mixed Media, in the age categories: 14-18, 13 & Under, and 10 & Under based on their age as of January 1.
Last year, nearly 40 entries were made in the contest.
“I love seeing the excitement on our youth members’ faces when they see their art on a wall next to industry professionals,” said Sara Honegger, NRHA Director of Marketing, who oversees the Youth and Affiliate programs. “This is such a special opportunity and I hope everyone will make time to go visit the display at the beautiful museum while they are in OKC in June.”
Entry forms for the 2024 NRHyA Art & Photo Contest can be found here. Entries will be accepted until May 10.
On Friday, June 23, NRHyA Members proved that their skills extend beyond the show pen in the CINCH Youth Speaking Contest, held at the 2023 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.
This contest, sponsored by CINCH, allows youth members to compete for scholarship money in one of three categories, in the 13 & Under or 14-18 age divisions. Prior to 2023, a $500 scholarship was awarded to the winner in each category. This year, CINCH increased their contribution to allow for a $700 scholarship to be earned by the winner in each category, as well as a $200 scholarship for second place, for a total of $5,400 being awarded in total. The three categories members may compete in are Delivering A: General, Prepared Public Speaking, and Community Service Presentation.
Delivering A: General is a contest unique to NRHyA, in which the competitor must memorize, and recite, A: General to a panel of judges. John “JG” Codell won the 13 & Under division, a feat that required extensive preparation. “One of our friends helped me,” Codell explained. “We had nightly meetings over Zoom to prepare for the speech.
For the Prepared Public Speaking contest, youth were asked to choose any leadership and equestrian topic, and present a four-eight minute speech, without the assistance of visual aids. The 13 & Under Prepared Public Speaking category winner, Wade Kiser, conquered his nerves to earn his $700 scholarship from CINCH. “I was nervous at first, but the more and more I talked, the more comfortable I got,” Kiser said. “It was a lot of fun; I’d definitely do it again.”
The final contest offered is the Community Service Presentation, in which youth create an eight-10 minute presentation explaining their completed community service project. Current NRHyA President, Adrianna Runzo, took home the win and the $700 scholarship from CINCH. Runzo’s presentation focused on her involvement with the Akron Children’s Hospital’s Reach Out and Read program, where she collected 500 books. “It’s amazing, especially because the speaking contest is bigger than ever,” Runzo stated regarding her win. “I know the first year I competed, there were only three of us youth kids in the same category. Now that number is 20.”
Runzo and the other youth competing in the contest were grateful to CINCH for their support. “It’s amazing to see the added scholarship money,” stated Runzo. “It really elevated the experience as a youth, seeing that we could win such great scholarships from a corporation that already supports us so much throughout all of our youth endeavors.”
The 2023 NRHyA Art & Photo Contest featured more than 30 entries across two categories and three age brackets.
Due to a continued, special partnership with the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, everyone can visit the winning art displayed at the museum during the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel in Oklahoma City. NRHA encourages all its members to take a trip to the beautiful museum during the Derby to support these young artists. Be sure to tell them you are there supporting NRHyA and congratulate the NRHyA members who participated!
The NRHyA thanks the museum for its contribution, as well as this year’s judges: Emily Rush, Membership & Accounting Customer Service Coordinator; Michael R. Grauer, McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture/Curator of Cowboy Collections and Western Art at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
To celebrate their 25-year partnership anniversary with the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), CINCH is offering increased scholarship opportunities for youth members at the CINCH Speaking Contest.
This annual event serves as an opportunity for National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) members to increase their skills and earn scholarship dollars regardless of their age.
Members compete to improve their skills, but also impressive scholarships. To celebrate CINCH’s milestone, the first-place scholarships have increased from $500 to $700, and a second-place scholarship of $200 has been added.
Participants will be divided into two age groups, 13 & Under and 14-18. The three categories will be Delivering A: General, Prepared Public Speaking, and Community Service Presentation. In the Delivering A: General, contestants recite A: General, a guide to judging reining horses and a hallmark of the NRHA Handbook. Prepared Public Speaking involves contestants delivering a five-to-eight-minute speech on either a leadership or equestrian topic. Lastly, the Community Service Presentation allows participants to create an eight-to-10-minute presentation showcasing a completed community service project.
Scholarships for the 2023 NRHyA CINCH Speaking Contest:
Age 14-18
Delivering A: General 1st place: $700 2nd place: $200
Prepared Public Speaking 1st place: $700 2nd place: $200
Community Service Presentation 1st place: $700 2nd place: $200
Age 13 & Under
Delivering A: General 1st place: $700 2nd place: $200
Prepared Public Speaking 1st place: $700 2nd place: $200
Community Service Presentation 1st place: $700 2nd place: $200
2022 NRHyA CINCH Speaking Contest Winners:
Becca Schaffhauser: 13 & Under Delivering A: General
McKylie Ivie: 13 & Under Prepared Public Speaking
Haley Turner: 14-18 Delivering A: General
Isabelle Hildebrandt: 14-18 Prepared Public Speaking
Faith Horner: 14-18 Community Service
Youth members interested in competing in this year’s CINCH NRHyA Speaking Contest can find more information, including the entry form at NRHyA.com. The entry deadline is June 1. Please email entries to youth@nrha.com.
One of the National Reining Horse Youth Association’s most unique opportunities is the annual Art & Photo Contest sponsored by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. This partnership allows the first-place piece in each category to be displayed at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum during the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel Insurance.
“It has been incredible to see so many NRHyA members’ work on the walls of the museum alongside professional artists,” said Sara Honegger, NRHA Director of Marketing, who oversees the Youth and Affiliate programs. “This partnership is so special, and we have even had youth sell their artwork because of it being displayed.”
Last year there were nearly 50 entries in the contest.
Already on board as judges for this year’s contest are NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter, Michael R. Grauer, McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture/Curator of Cowboy Collections and Western Art at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Other judges will be announced.
“Youth members already frequently send in artwork to the Varsity Reining Club, so sending it into the contest should be a no-brainer!” said Honegger. “Talk to your friends and participate together; you never know what opportunity can come from putting yourself out there!”
The categories for the competition will be Photography and Mixed Media in the following age categories: 14-18, 13 & Under, and 10 & Under based on their age as of January 1.
Last year’s winners were:
Photography 14-18: Kalena Reynolds Mixed Medium 14-18: Sofía Carreño Becerra Mixed Medium 13 & Under: Pip Brown Mixed Media 10 & Under: Lynleigh Jo Durbin
Entry forms for the 2023 NRHyA Art & Photo Contest can be found on nrhya.com. Entries will be accepted until May 10.
For information on the NRHyA, visit the website at nrhya.com.
