More Than $50,000 in Scholarships Awarded Annually to Young Reiners

Oklahoma City, OK – September 23, 2009 – The National Reining Horse Association is proud to award top National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) reiners each year with college scholarships provided through NRHyA and Reining Horse Sports Foundation. More than $50,000 is awarded annually to young reiners to help with their future careers and competitions. In excess of $40,000 of the scholarship money is up for grabs at NRHA North American Regional Affiliate Finals, as well as at the NRHA European and Australian Affiliate Championships.

Read below to learn the various scholarship opportunities available for young reiners.

Youth Team Tournament – NRHyA members also can participate in the Youth Team Tournament Programs that are held at each NRHA Regional Affiliate Finals. The NRHA awards over $40,000 annually in scholarship and other prizes. Nine North American Regional Affiliate Finals remain for the 2009 show year.

RHSF – The Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) is a separate, nonprofit organization that is dedicated to promoting the education of our youth members. It offers five annual $1,500 scholarships to individuals based on financial need, academic achievement, career choice, and both NRHA and NRHyA involvement.

NRHyA Paul Horn Memorial Scholarship – At the NRHA Futurity & AdequanR North American Affiliate Championship Show the high scoring Youth in the combined ancillary Youth 14-18 and Youth 13 & Under classes is awarded a $500 scholarship an has his/her named added to the Paul Horn Memorial perpetual trophy. The award is dedicated to excellence in the reining horse industry as exemplified by the late Paul Horn, an NRHA Hall of Fame member and past NRHA Futurity Champion, courtesy of Mitch and Sylvia Zuckerman and Bill and Kim Horn.

John McQuay Memorial Scholarship – The NRHyA awards a $250 John McQuay Memorial Scholarship to the highest scoring youth in combined Youth 13 & Under and Youth 14-18 classes at the NRHA Derby. This scholarship is awarded in memory of John McQuay the father of NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider and Hall of Fame inductee Tim McQuay.

Varsity Reining Club – The Varsity Reining Club rewards NRHyA members for their accomplishments outside the show pen including contributions to the community as well as the Reining horse industry.

There are two age groups – Varsity 14-18 and Jr. Varsity 13 & Under. Members can redeem points for a variety of prizes at different point levels. Prizes range from T-shirts to admission to the NRHA Futurity and Derby. At the end of the year, the top five youth in Varsity and Jr. Varsity will be awarded scholarships and receive recognition for their year-long activities.

For more information on the National Reining Horse Youth Association, visit http://www.nrhya.com nrhya.com, or contact Brian Bendele at [email protected]. For information on the Reining Horse Sports Foundation, visit rhsf.com, or contact Krissy Colbath at [email protected].