The Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) recognizes the importance of growing Reining worldwide. That growth begins with great leaders. Great leaders begin with our youth, which is why the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) delegate elections and Youth Team Tournament Scholarship Reining are being held this year at the NRHA European Affiliate Championship in Deurne, Netherlands.
“Having European representation among the officers of the NRHyA is truly a milestone in the history of our organization,” said Frank Costantini, president of the RHSF and NRHA Hall of Fame member. “We have five core programs that were designed specifically to develop and enhance the sport of Reining worldwide. Fulfilling that mission involves stepping beyond the boundaries of the United States and into the regions of the world where Reining is experiencing explosive growth. Europe certainly qualifies.”
On Saturday, July 9th, the NRHyA will elect two delegates to represent the European Affiliates at the Officer Elections. The actual NRHyA Officer Elections will be held in December at the 2005 NRHA Futurity & North American Affiliate Championship Show in Oklahoma City, OK, November 23 – December 3. Delegates will vie for NRHyA President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sentinel positions.
Dave Young, organizer of the European Affiliate Championships, is coordinating the elections in Deurne.
“The youth reiners in Europe feel that the time has come for them to work on an international level,” Young said, “especially considering the enormous growth that the sport of Reining has experienced. They, too, see the need for contributing to our sport on a worldwide basis, and that doing so ensures they are the foundation that we are building the future of Reining on.”
Elections will have already been held at the affiliate level prior to the NRHA European Affiliate Championship to determine (1) 13 & Under and (1) 14-18 representative from each affiliate to run for a delegate position.
Dedicated to developing and enhancing the sport of Reining worldwide, the Reining Horse Sports Foundation provides financial support for the NRHyA. That support includes $3,600 in academic scholarship money, which will be awarded at the European Youth Team Tournament Scholarship Reining in Deurne. The Youth Team Tournament is held concurrent with the NRHA Championship Youth classes. Each team will have three members, at least one of which will meet the qualifications of Youth 13 & Under competition.
The first place team will split $1,800 in scholarship money, second will divide $1,050, and third place $750. For more information about the Youth Team Tournament visit the nrhya.com website. In all, the RHSF provides over $60,000 a year in support of NRHyA.
The RHSF also provides leadership opportunities that benefit Reining’s Youth. Many of today’s top young trainers and top Non Pros have participated in Youth competition and have benefited from RHSF leadership and scholarship opportunities, citing those opportunities as a major influence in their development as riders and students.
“What a great way to provide opportunities to our future leaders. Shared experiences, positive environment, and fun. I wish I could attend,” said Mike Hancock, chairman of the NRHA Youth Committee.
In April of each year, the NRHyA Officer Team attends an NRHA Board of Director’s meeting. The NRHyA Officer Team also has the opportunity to travel to Amarillo, Texas, for the Youth Excellence Seminar (Y.E.S.), a leadership and team building conference.
“We certainly want to see our young competitors in Europe benefit from the NRHyA program,” said Tania Warnock, manager of the RHSF. “Whether those students want to study abroad, attend a university in their home country, or pursue higher education of another sort, we want them to experience what the RHSF has to offer and know that we are a worldwide organization. As we add European representation to the NRHyA, they will have an opportunity to help us mold the program so we can truly represent the needs of reiners on every continent.”
