Press Releases

For Immediate Release
December 11, 2006
National Reining Horse Association

NRHyA Elects New Youth Officers

Oklahoma City, OK – December 11 – The National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) is looking forward to continuing the Year of the Youth into 2007 and beyond with a newly elected officer team. The NRHyA recently held its annual youth meeting during the 2006 NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. During that meeting, the youth members elected officers for the next year and also learned new ways to become involved in one of the largest growing equine youth organizations in the world.

Outgoing NRHyA President Ashley Fuchs says she cherished her time as President and looks forward to even more success for the Youth Association next year. She says, “I was thrilled with the participation and success we had in the ‘Year of the Youth’ and I’m confident the new officer team will be able to keep the momentum going in 2007.”

That same sentiment is echoed by the new 2007 NRHyA officer team. Newly elected Sentinel Meaghan Burns says she’s excited to join the new leadership team. The 12-year old from Oklahoma says, “I am looking forward to helping grow the NRHyA Youth membership in the coming year.”

Cash Bridges was re-elected to the office of Treasurer for a second year. The 15-year-old sophomore from Texas says, “The new officer team is planning several activities like youth days, youth rookie days and more events to grow the sport of Reining and to attract even more Youth members who haven’t been exposed to Reining before.”

Each year, the NRHyA elects two delegates in each affiliate region of NRHA competition and has five elected officer positions - President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Sentinel.

In 2007, 16-year old Brandon Boyle will serve as President of the NRHyA. Boyle is from California and will serve his term as President in a rather unique situation. Boyle’s father, Mike, is also the 2007 President of the NRHA.

NRHyA Vice-President for 2007 is Ian Barnard. He’s a 17-year old senior from Indiana.

16-year-old Kailey King will serve as Secretary. King is returning to the NRHyA Officer team for a second year. Last year the California youth served as Sentinel.

Bridges continues as Treasurer and Burns becomes Sentinel.

In 2001, the NRHA established the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) a leadership organization open to all youth members of the Association. The NRHyA also offers exciting activities and programs such as the Youth Team Tournament, Youth Incentive Program, Paul Horn Youth Memorial, the Arbuckle "Bound for Glory" Trophy and the McQuay Memorial Scholarship.

A photo of the new 2007 NRHyA officer team is attached to this press release. The names in the photo are from left to right: Kailey King, Cash Bridges, Meaghan Burns, Brandon Boyle and Ian Barnard.

For more information about the NRHyA, contact Youth Supervisor Mandy Kennedy at mkennedy@nrha.com or (405) 946-7400 ext. 130.

Incorporated in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is the governing body of the sport of Reining. NRHA, with their International Headquarters in Oklahoma City, is responsible for promoting the sport of Reining and working to ensure the highest standards of competition. The NRHA continues to educate its members and the public about Reining.