Category: Youth

The National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) is thrilled to announce the winners of the highly anticipated 2024 NRHyA Art & Photo Contest sponsored by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. This annual competition celebrates the creative talents of our youth members, showcasing their unique perspectives and artistic interpretations of the reining community, their love for equine athletes, and the Western culture.

After careful deliberation, we are excited to recognize the following youth members for their talents. The winning entry in each category is displayed at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum throughout the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. This showcase allows the broader Western community to appreciate and celebrate the artistic achievements of our youth members. We encourage everyone to visit the museum to view these inspiring works.

“The NRHyA Art & Photo Contest is a wonderful opportunity for our youth members to express their creativity and passion for reining,” said Sara Honegger, NRHA youth program manager. “We are continually inspired by the incredible talent and dedication of our young members, and this year’s submissions were truly exceptional. Congratulations to all our winners!”

The NRHyA Art & Photo Contest is a cherished tradition that encourages young artists and photographers to explore their passion for the reining horse sport through visual arts. This year, we received more than 30 impressive submissions, each reflecting the dedication and enthusiasm of our talented youth members.

10 & Under Mixed Media

1. JP McClure
2. Harper Ruppel
3. Ella Justice

10 & Under Photography

1. JP McClure
2. Harper Ruppel
3. Lilah Durbin

13 & Under Photography

1. Victoria McClure
2. Rooney Dennis
3. Brooke Schwebach

13 & Under Mixed Media

1. Kynley Bell
2. Deanna Davidson
3. Millie Jean Piper

14-18 photography

1. Kayla Gibson
2. Chloe Hansen
3. Kayla Gibson

14-18 mixed media

1. Graci Reeder
2. Emily Justice
3. Chloe Hansen

The NRHyA extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants, judges, and supporters who made this year’s contest successful. We look forward to continuing this tradition and inspiring future generations of artists within the reining horse community.

About the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA): The NRHyA is dedicated to promoting the sport of reining among youth members and providing opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and community involvement. The NRHyA aims to inspire and empower young individuals to excel in the reining horse industry through various programs and events.

CINCH and the National Reining Horse Youth Association are proud to again offer the CINCH Speaking Contest at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

Not only is CINCH continuing to offer increased scholarship opportunities for youth members, but each participant will also receive products.

“CINCH is proud to once again support the NRHyA Speaking Contest in its initiative to offer opportunities to some outstanding young individuals,” said Cassi Nichols, CINCH Marketing Coordinator. “CINCH appreciates the efforts of NRHA staff to offer industry-driven opportunities and rewards for the next generation.”

This annual event serves as an opportunity for NRHyA members, regardless of age, to increase their skills and earn scholarship dollars. NRHyA is a program funded through the Reining Horse Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. RHF scholarships offered across several NRHyA programs will exceed $70,000 in 2024.

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.

To enter, participants must fill out this form by June 1

Scholarships for the 2024 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

2023 NRHyA CINCH Speaking Contest Winners:

Age 14-18

Delivering A: General
1st place, Isabelle Hildebrandt: $700
2nd place, Lilian Roush: $200

Prepared Public Speaking
1st place, Lilian Roush: $700
2nd place, Emma Klug: $200

Community Service Presentation
1st place, Adrianna Runzo: $700
2nd place, Chloe Hansen: $200

Age 13 & Under

Delivering A: General
1st place, John ‘JG’ Codell: $700
2nd place, Millie Jean Piper: $200

Prepared Public Speaking
1st place, Wade Kiser: $700
2nd place, Presley Timmerman: $200

Community Service Presentation
1st place, Cavannah Hansen: $700

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 results for this year’s contest are:

Age 14-18

Delivering A: General
1st place, Isabelle Hildebrandt: $700
2nd place, Lilian Roush: $200

Prepared Public Speaking
1st place, Lilian Roush: $700
2nd place, Emma Klug: $200

Community Service Presentation
1st place, Adrianna Runzo: $700
2nd place, Chloe Hansen: $200

Age 13 & Under

Delivering A: General
1st place, John ‘JG’ Codell: $700
2nd place, Millie Jean Piper: $200

Prepared Public Speaking
1st place, Wade Kiser: $700
2nd place, Presley Timmerman: $200

Community Service Presentation
1st place, Cavannah Hansen: $700

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.

10 & under mixed media
Rooney Dennis

10 & under photography
Lilah Durbin

13 & under photography
Lily Forzani

13 & under mixed media
Cora Bowman

14-18 mixed media
Stella Rugani

14-18 photography
Carson Masuisui