Tag Archives: NRHA Derby

IHSA Members to Compete for 2018 NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship at NRHA Derby

Danielle Paulson and Juice owned by Andrew Wolf. Photo by alcookphoto.com.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – June 26, 2018 – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby is an annual one-week event held in Oklahoma City, June 23 – July 1. The competition showcases the world’s best reining horses and riders and attracts thousands of spectators each year. One of the highlights of the Derby is the Collegiate Reining Championship scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, June 29, at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, featuring the top college riders from North America.

This year, four standout Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) riders are slated to compete in the Collegiate Reining Championship. The riders include Morgan Knerr, Danielle Paulson, Kendall Woellmer and Travis Fortune. The draw takes place Thursday at 1 p.m. The warm-up starts Friday at 1 p.m. with the class kicking off at 1:30 p.m.

Morgan Knerr is the IHSA 2018 NRHA Individual Open Reining champion and is a freshman at the University of Findlay studying pharmacy. From Plain City, Ohio, her parents are actively involved in reining and she has grown up in the sport. Before joining the University of Findlay, Knerr rode at Autumn Rose with Ollie and Debbie Griffiths. She has held multiple positions as an NRHyA officer, including president in 2017, vice president in 2016 and secretary in 2015.

“Showing in the Collegiate catch ride is a great opportunity,” Knerr said. “I’m really excited because it will be a completely different experience. I’m really looking forward to it!”

Danielle Paulson is from Rochester, Minnesota and is a junior at the University of Wisconsin River Falls. She qualified for IHSA Nationals for the first time this year and earned the 2018 IHSA Nationals AQHA Team Reining Open Reining championship and was third in 2018 NRHA Individual Open Reining. Paulson has shown American Quarter Horses for 10 years, this is her first year competing in reining. She credits her coach, Janie Huot, for giving her a leg up in the sport.

“I am so excited; it’s such a blessing to compete at this huge event,” Paulson said. “(Competing in) IHSA is the only time I’ve reined in my life. I hope to ride my best on some amazing horses that they’re providing for us.”

Travis Fortune is from Booneville, Indiana and studies at Murray State University. Fortune finished second in the NRHA Open Reining at Western Semi-Finals and fourth the 2018 IHSA Nationals.

“I am really excited about competing at the Derby,” said Fortune. “For me, it’s the fact that I made it there. The first horse show that I reined at was in October for IHSA. To go to Nationals and be fourth and qualify for the Derby for the Collegiate Championship is just really awesome.”

Kendall Woellmer is a sophomore from Sedona, Arizona and attends West Texas A&M University where she is majoring in agriculture communications and minoring in English. The talented rider competes in both Western and hunter seat. Woellmer earned the 2018 IHSA Sportsmanship Award and the 2018 IHSA Versatility Rider Award at the IHSA Nationals. Along with top placings in the hunter seat divisions, Woellmer finished third in the AQHA High Point Western Rider fifth in NRHA Individual Open Reining.

“I am very honored to compete against some of the best collegiate riders in the nation,” Woellmer said.

For more information on this year’s Derby, visit www.nrhaderby.com.

For more information, go to IHSAinc.com or contact media@IHSAinc.com.

Hurd and Marsh Earn National Titles at 2014 Adequan/USEF Youth Reining National Championship

Amanda Hurd (Waltenberry)

Lexington, Ky. – The top youth reiners in the U.S. went head-to-head on June 28 at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., to stake their claim on coveted National Titles in the Adequan/USEF Youth Reining National Championship. At the competition held in conjunction with the NRHA Derby, Amanda Hurd claimed top honors in the 14-18 division, while Emmy-Lu Marsh earned the 13 & Under crown.

Hurd (Wilmington, Del.) and Mark Hurd’s 11-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Whale of a Whiz cruised to a score of 140.5 to claim the National Title by a half point. Additionally, the horse that served as a reserve for the U.S. Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games helped the 18-year-old win the Junior U.S. Team Selection Trial for the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have won the USEF 14-18 National Championship in reining,” said Hurd, who enjoyed the atmosphere of the Championships. “While we all compete to win, I’m glad for the camaraderie and friendships we share. I was also grateful that my parents, grandparents, and other family members – including my younger sister, Elena, who placed fourth – were all able to be in Oklahoma and share this special moment with me.”

Earning Reserve Championship honors in the 14-18 division was 2012’s National Champion Elizabeth Cosper (Leland, N.C.), who piloted Double Run Farm’s 6-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Oties Tradition to a score of 140.

Emmy-Lu Marsh (Waltenberry)
Emmy-Lu Marsh (Waltenberry)

Marsh (Tallulah, La.), last year’s 13 & Under Reserve Champion, went one better in 2014 to claim her first National Title. Riding her own seven-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Who Whiz Who, she was awarded a score of 138.5.

Finishing three-and-a-half points behind Marsh and earning the Reserve Championship were Mary Elizabeth Sullivan (Winnsboro, La.) and her own 14-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, Freckles Cody Jack, on a score of 135.

In the Young Rider U.S. Team Selection Trial for the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, Jake Letner (Harris, Mo.) and Larry Letner’s 15-year-old Paint gelding, A Genuine Diamond, proved unbeatable, scoring 138.5.

To learn more about the NRHA Derby, visit: http://nrhaderby.com/.

Follow the U.S. Reining Team here.

Choate, Cosper, and Johnson Win USEF National Youth Reining Championships

Layla Choate and Plus One Chex (Waltenberry Photography)

Oklahoma City, OK – Youth reiners in three age groups competed in the USEF National Youth Reining Championships at the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City Saturday evening. Layla Choate, Elizabeth Cosper, and Karl Johnson left the Adequan Arena with titles.

In the 19-21 age division there was no lack of drama. When competition ended with Layla Choate (Hazel, KY) and Plus One Chex and Michael Pope (Theodore, AL) and Whizota locked in a tie at the top with scores of 146, the two decided to run off for the National Championship. In the end it was Choate with a run off score of 144 that squeaked out the win. Pope and Whizota gave it their all but finished with 143. Laura Sumrall (Summit, MS) finished third on Einsteins Fancy Pine.

Elizabeth Cosper (Wilmington, NC) and Magnums Pretty Patty bested a field of ten to take the 14-18 age division National Championship. It was a close competition in which the top three riders were separated by only half a point. Cosper’s 139.5 was good enough for a win over Hailey Munger (Atlanta, GA) and Surely A Smartpepto who took second via tiebreaker over Javier Melo (Pinecrest, FL) and Wimpy Little Girl. Munger and Melo both finished half a point off the championship score with 139s. Scores of two judges, one representing NRHA and one representing USEF, were combined to determine final scores. The score given by USEF judge Greg Darnall was used as a tiebreaker. Darnall scored Melo at 69 and Munger just a bit higher at 69.5.

Continue reading Choate, Cosper, and Johnson Win USEF National Youth Reining Championships

Choate, Cosper, and Johnson Win USEF National Youth Reining Championships

Oklahoma City, OK – Youth reiners in three age groups competed in the USEF National Youth Reining Championships at the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City Saturday evening. Layla Choate, Elizabeth Cosper, and Karl Johnson left the Adequan Arena with titles.

In the 19-21 age division there was no lack of drama. When competition ended with Layla Choate (Hazel, KY) and Plus One Chex and Michael Pope (Theodore, AL) and Whizota locked in a tie at the top with scores of 146, the two decided to run off for the National Championship. In the end it was Choate with a run off score of 144 that squeaked out the win. Pope and Whizota gave it their all but finished with 143. Laura Sumrall (Summit, MS) finished third on Einsteins Fancy Pine.

Elizabeth Cosper (Wilmington, NC) and Magnums Pretty Lady bested a field of ten to take the 14-18 age division National Championship. It was a close competition in which the top three riders were separated by only half a point. Cosper’s 139.5 was good enough for a win over Hailey Munger (Atlanta, GA) and Surely A Smartpepto who took second via tiebreaker over Javier Melo (Pinecrest , FL) and Wimpy Little Girl. Munger and Melo both finished half a point off the championship score with 139s. Scores of two judges, one representing NRHA and one representing USEF, were combined to determine final scores. The score given by USEF judge Greg Darnall was used as a tiebreaker. Darnall scored Melo at 69 and Munger just a bit higher at 69.5.

Continue reading Choate, Cosper, and Johnson Win USEF National Youth Reining Championships

NRHA Derby Added Money More Than Doubles to $615,000

Nomination Program brings nearly $375,000 more to the Derby!

Oklahoma City, Okla. – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Board of Directors recently discussed major changes to the 2012 NRHA Derby (June 25-30 in Oklahoma City, Okla.). These changes and enhancements for 2012 include massive increases in added money due to the NRHA Nomination Program, an increase in the number of Level 4 and Level 3 Non Pro finalists and granting five- and six-year-olds the ability to compete for Nomination Program added money (excluding Nominator Incentives). Find more details on these and other items below.

March 1 Entry Deadline Approaching

The entry deadline for the NRHA Derby is March 1. Conditions and entry forms can be found at nrhaderby.com.

Continue reading NRHA Derby Added Money More Than Doubles to $615,000

Pope, Cosper and Hartman Claim 2011 USEF National Youth Reining Championship Titles

Oklahoma City, OK – Michael Pope’s 7-year-old horse, Whizota, “tried his heart out” and that determination edged the pair over their competitors into first place. Pope, Elizabeth Cosper and Olivia Hartman were crowned USEF National Youth Reining champions of three separate age groups at Saturday’s 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby.

The Youth qualified for the USEF Championships by earning points in Qualifying Classes throughout the country in 2010-2011.

Pope, a 21-year-old from Theodore, AL, won the 19-21 age division on a score of 141 over Pilot Point, TX-rider Breanne Bertrand, who took the reserve spot on Stoned Chick on 140. Pope also claimed the third-place position, riding Whizn Freckle on a score of 139.5.

“The show is always fun and people were great,” Pope said. “I am very proud of my horse he did great.  It was a long trip to get here but it paid off big. Tim McQuay did a great job training this horse and I really enjoy showing him.”

Pope’s victory is just the latest in a long string of accomplishments that include: showing at all three NRHA Non Pro levels and leading the nation in USEF Youth 19-21 division and Adult Amateur division; 2009 Mississippi Reining Horse Association Year-End Champion Youth 14-18; 2008 Mississippi Reining Horse Association Year-End Reserve Champion Youth 14-18; 2005-2007 Mississippi Reining Horse Association Year-End Champion Youth 14-18; 2009 Year-End Champion Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2; and 2009 Year-End Reserve Champion Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1.

Continue reading Pope, Cosper and Hartman Claim 2011 USEF National Youth Reining Championship Titles

USEF Names List of Qualified Riders for USEF Youth Reining National Championship

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced the list of Youth Reining Riders who have qualified for the USEF Youth Reining National Championships to be held in conjunction with the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City on July 2, 2011. The USEF will award Youth National Championship titles in three age categories: 13 and under, 14-18, and 19-21 age divisions.  The Youth qualified for the USEF Championships by earning points in Qualifying Classes throughout the country in 2010-2011.

More information regarding this event, including the prize list is available here: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/allreining/developingYR.aspx.

2011 USEF Youth Reining Championships Qualified Riders:

13 & Under
Stephen Timberlake
Rylee Justus
S. Alexandra Fuller
Olivia Hartman
Nick Taylor
Caroline Gute
Jordan Eddy

Continue reading USEF Names List of Qualified Riders for USEF Youth Reining National Championship