Category: Youth

Avaré, August 24—The beautiful Parque de Exposições Dr. Fernando Cruz Pimentel horse show facility set in Avaré, Brazil, is host to the ANCR POTRO DO FUTURO DE RÉDEAS 2022 which includes the Futurity, the National Championship Finals, the Copa Internucleos, the Brazilian International Reining Cup, and the inaugural NRHA/RHF/ANCR World Youth Reining Cup.

Thanks to the vision of Cardinal Reining Horses’ Joao Marcos, to the passion of ANCR President Chico Moura, and to the generosity of the owners loaning their horses, riders representing 11 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA) will ride for the title—and write history in the main arena ground—on Friday, August 26, at 2 p.m.

“We are so thrilled that Joao Marcos has created this event for our youth to showcase their talent on a global scale. Not only are these the top youth riders, multiple are involved on NRHyA Youth Councils helping to grow the sport in their regions. It will be an exciting week for our youth making lasting connections worldwide,” said NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter.

Leslie Baker, RHF Executive Director, added: “The Reining Horse Foundation proudly supports youth leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association. The World Youth Reining Cup is a unique event that promotes global connection and awareness for our reining community. We are excited for everyone who is involved.”

Adding to the excitement for the NRHA approved event is the prize money offered:

o 1st Place: $3,000USD

o 2nd Place: $2,000USD

o 3rd Place: $1,000USD

The young riders vying for the podium— Guillermo Gellmini (URY), ALIERA CHERNOFF (CAN), REBECCA FOLCIA (ITA), Guillermo Armendariz Jr. (MEX), Vladimir Cejka (CZE), Giovanna Rocha Pucchi (ARG), Jhi Whatts (AUS), Luna Faverais (CHL), Nanina Staub (SUI), Gabriel Cordeiro Martins (BRA), Anna Harris (USA)—were treated to a great Brazilian Churrasco BBQ generously offered by Jefferson Abbud and family’s Harras Sacramento, the beautiful breeding and training facility located in the rolling hills of Avaré.

For further information regarding the event: www.ancr.org.br

Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com

The 2022 NRHyA Art & Photo Contest featured tough competition and a new age bracket, making the judges’ work harder than ever! A continued, special partnership with the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum allows the winning art to be displayed at the museum during the 6666 Ranch NRHA Derby presented by Markel. Thank you to our judges, 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; and Steve Miller, vice president, event marketing at NRHA Corporate Partner Montana Silversmiths. We encourage all NRHA members to take a trip to the beautiful museum during the Derby

Photography
14–18
Kalena Reynolds
Angelina Widmoser
Brooke Hudson

Mixed Media
14–18
Sofía Carreño Becerra
Graci Reeder
Isabelle Hildebrandt

Mixed Media
13 & Under
Pip Brown
Tanner McInteer
Elizabeth Letherer

Mixed Media
10 & Under
Lynleigh Jo Durbin

We had a total of nearly 50 entries, almost double from 2020. Congratulations to all who entered and we encourage each of you to enter again next year!

Josselyn Mumm
Michelle Fumagalli
Lillian Bains
JP McClure
Julie Warnick
Isabelle Hildebrandt
Ava Bush
Hayden Jones
Hailey Jones
Logan Putvinski
Cambrey Hedges
Dakota Woodring

Olivia Thompson

There is never a dull moment for youth at the 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel. In addition to showing their horses, NRHyA members can look forward to fun times with friends at the CINCH Youth Speaking Contest, the CINCH Youth Gathering, and recently, a Regional Food Bank volunteer opportunity and NRHyA Dance has been added to the lineup.

Any NRHyA or NRHA members are welcome to join the NRHyA Officer team at the Oklahoma City Regional Food Bank on June 21 at 9 a.m. Please send an email to youth@nrha.com by June 14 if interested in assisting with the Food For Kids Backpack Program or assembling boxes full of food for seniors living on fixed incomes.

“The NRHyA Dance was a huge hit at the 2021 Futurity, so having one at the Derby was an easy decision,” Director of Youth Programs Sara Honegger said.

There are tons of fun activities scheduled in the Platinum Zone on Wednesday, June 22 during the Derby. First thing in the morning, it will be the venue for the Youth Speaking Contest, which contestants must enter by June 1. Then, at 5:30 p.m., the Platinum Performance Welcome Party featuring the Non Pro Finals Draw will commence. At its close, Reiners Rope will begin its Reining Horse Foundation benefit dummy roping. After the champions have been crowned, the NRHyA Dance will begin at approximately 8 p.m.

Just like at the Futurity, the dance will again be presented by “DJ Sammy Olds,” also known as NRHA Sr. Director of International Affairs & Development Samantha Oldfield, and attendees can expect to jive to their favorite hits and learn some new jams.

“Our youth officer team and NRHyA delegates have worked hard to come up with new, fun ideas for youth activities for this event, along with keeping their favorites,” Honegger shared, “I encourage parents and youth members to follow NRHyA on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date with the latest activities, times, and locations.”

Since 2001, young reiners in the National Reining Horse Youth Association have benefited from their memberships through college scholarships, learning experiences from some of the top Reining trainers, life-long friendships, and a whole lot of fun along the way. NRHyA fosters leadership qualities and provides young members with a roadmap for success to guide them along their future career paths. For information, visit NRHyA.com.

The National Reining Horse Youth Association is proud to continue the second year of partnership with NRHA Professional Gil Friedman of Mental Athletics. Mental Athletics became an NRHA event sponsor in 2021 to impact the lives of NRHyA members, in and out of the show pen, and continues with big plans in 2022.

“I am excited for the opportunity to sponsor the NRHyA,” Friedman shared. “This is a lifetime journey. I believe that every opportunity that we have to educate and put the attention into the well-being of our youth, the future NRHA professionals and non pros, and leaders of our industry, is the most unique and fulfilling opportunity. This builds the future foundation of NRHA, which will be fruitful due to efforts like these.”

Mental Athletics is a mindset coaching program practiced around the globe, and Friedman will be offering two separate three-part online workshops free of charge exclusively to NRHyA members. The first workshops will be May 8, 15 and 22 at 9 a.m. CT.

The three-session workshops will provide knowledge, techniques and training tools for the personal development of every competitive rider leading up to the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel.

The scheduled dates for the Mental Athletics Online Workshop are:

• Sunday, May 8 at 9:00 a.m. CT
• Sunday, May 15 at 9:00 a.m. CT
• Sunday, May 22 at 9:00 a.m. CT

There will also be a second workshop will be held in the fall leading up to the NRHA Futurity and Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championships.

To sign up for the workshop email youth@nrha.com
For more information about Mental Athletics, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/mentalathletics.il/ or the website at Mental-Athletics.com.

Brush Up on those Speaking Skills

At the 2022 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel, reining will not be the only competition occurring at the prestigious event. The CINCH National Reining Horse Youth Association Speaking Contest returns this year, cultivating and encouraging leadership and life skills amongst reining’s talented youth.

In the CINCH NRHyA Speaking Contest, participants will be divided into two age groups, 13 & Under and 14-18. Members compete for not only bragging rights, but also impressive $500 scholarships in three different categories: Delivering A: General, Prepared Public Speaking and Community Service Presentation. In the Delivering A: General, contestants recite A: General, which is 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 that showcases a community service project they have completed.

The competition will be held on Wednesday, June 22, at 9 a.m. The location for the contest will be announced closer to the event.

“The CINCH NRHyA speaking contest is a wonderful opportunity for our youth kids to pick a topic and speak publicly about it,” said NRHA President Rick Clark. “Many times, it is the first time they have attempted public speaking. This experience educates our youth for the career choices they make in the future!”

2021 NRHyA CINCH Speaking Contest Winners:

Becca Schaffhauser: 13 & Under Delivering A: General

McKylie Ivie: 13 & Under Prepared Public Speaking

Justin Eddy: 14-18 Prepared Public Speaking

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.