Oklahoma City, OK – January 2, 2008 - A group of enthusiastic young leaders are gearing up for an exciting year with the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA). Five outstanding youth members were recently elected by their peers to lead the NRHyA in 2008.

The NRHyA annual meeting, which included the national officer elections, was held on December 1, 2007, during the NRHA Futurity. Youth members from all across the United States traveled to Oklahoma City to run for a position on the National Youth Officer Team. Fifteen candidates spent time campaigning and educating their fellow youth members about the new online voting. This was the very first time youth members were allowed the opportunity to cast their vote online. This encouraged much more participation for those members who were unable to attend the youth meeting.

The NRHyA is very excited to present the 2008 Youth Officer Team. NRHyA President is Ian Barnard, of Kendallville, IN. Cash Bridges, of Weatherford, TX, was elected to the office of Vice President. The 2008 NRHyA Treasurer is Abigail Grabein, of Houston, TX. Meaghan Burns, of Cheyenne, OK, was elected Secretary. The Sentinel is Melanie Galbraith, of Rocky Mount, NC.

Ian Barnard served as the NRHyA Vice President in 2007 and is currently an undergraduate studying pre-veterinary medicine at Purdue University. In addition to serving on the NRHyA officer team and being a full time college student, Barnard is also very competitive in the Show arena.

Cash Bridges, a sophomore in high school, has been on the NRHyA officer team since 2006 and has been showing Reining horses for seven years. Bridges will continue to be an asset to this youth leadership group.

Abigail Grabein has been showing Reining horses for six years and was able to graduate high school a year early. Grabein will attend Texas A&M University in the fall of 2008 and will compete on their women’s equestrian reining team.

Meaghan Burns, the 2007 NRHyA Sentinel, looks forward to serving as Secretary. In addition to her NRHyA activities, Burns also participates in 4-H, Robotics, Choir and cheer.

Melanie Galbraith, a high school junior, has traveled around several countries showing horses in NRHA. She has earned the title of Youth World Champion, USEF National Champion as well as many other accomplishments in the show arena.

Mandy Kennedy, NRHA Supervisor of Youth Programs, said, “I am very excited for 2008, this is a great group of youth members that will represent the NRHyA well.�

The first order of business for the NRHyA Officer Team will be to attend the NRHA Convention in Oklahoma City, OK, January 25 – February 2.