NRCHYA Youth 

Photos

Bylaws

The NRCHYA begins as an official part of the National Reined Cow Horse Association in 2009. The NRCHYA Youth Committee Chairman is Paul Bailey, To contact Paul, email to paulb@cb-trucking.com or phone 931-260-3909.

News

Officer elections were first on the order of business at the world show. President Mary Allen, Vice President Kimmy Ferrante, Treasurer Walker Pozzi, Secretary Sam Etsell and board members Brody Fitch, Sarah Allen and Stormi Talley led the NRCHYA into its first year.

At the world show, trainer Ted Robinson met with the youth and shared his own colorful anecdotes from years of showing. He encouraged the youth to never give up in their horse showing and to surround themselves with positive people. He stressed that everything always comes down to the cow work, so no one ever knows exactly how the show is going to turn out.

At the NRCHA Stallion Stakes in Nampa, Idaho, the NRCHYA organized a wheelbarrow race fundraiser. Race contestants paid an entry fee, which went back to the NRCHYA. Several sponsors generously donated prizes, which were awarded to the race contestants.

The NRCHA Derby in Paso Robles, Calif., featured two fundraising events put on by the NRCHYA.

At the derby, Clayton Edsall showed that not only can he train horses, but he knows his way around a poker table. Edsall was crowed the champion of the Aspen Meadows Ranch Poker Night and pocketed $212.

Another fan favorite at the derby was the NRCHYA Bull Riding competition. The featured bovine of the night was the mechanical bull at Big Bubba’s Bad BBQ. The winner of the women’s bull riding division was Mary Allen. Stealing the show in the 7-and-under and 8-and-over divisions were Garrett and Wyatt Hershberger.

The NRCHYA finished off their year with two fundraisers and a youth meeting at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno, Nev.

With 11 entries in the youth limited and eight in the youth bridle at the Snaffle Bit Futurity, the show offered a great chance for youth riders across the country to meet and discuss the goals of the youth association and upcoming scholarship opportunities.

Mary Allen said that many ideas are in the works for how to use the money that was raised throughout the year and the NRCHYA’s ultimate goal is to give back to the youth and increase further youth participation. Possibilities for how to use the money include decreasing entry fees for youth classes and creating more scholarship opportunities.

Looking back on the inaugural year of the NRCHYA, Mary Allen said that she has seen an increased bond between youth competitors. She said that the many benefits of the NRCHYA include improved communication between youth riders at NRCHA shows and increased participation from NRCHA’s youth riders.

And as for her championship bull ride at the NRCHA Derby, Mary Allen said, “It was fun! The mechanical bull would sometimes spin, which was similar to spinning on a horse, but fortunately the horses we get to ride are a lot smoother than the bull! I definitely prefer riding my horse!”

Tara Chritiansen