From the NRCHYA

PRIMO MORALES

Youth lead line is always a crowd pleaser and a great way to involve young riders and their parents or trainers.

Even NRCHA Executive Director Anna Morrison was nominated for the dunk tank fundraiser at the DT Horses Western Derby.

The hot weather didn’t stop National Reined Cow Horse Youth Association members and all the youth at the show from having a good time at the 2022 DT Horses Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona. From poster decorating to the very popular dunk tank, there was an activity for all to participate.

Starting with the dunk tank, there were trainers, kids and parents lined around the tank; everyone was waiting to see their favorite NRCHA professionals get dunked. While it was major fun for everyone involved, it also earned tons of fundraiser money for the Youth! In total, the NRCHYA raised $15,040 off the dunk tank!

Another great fundraiser was the 50/50 raffle tickets. NRCHYA members sold tickets throughout the show, and 50 percent of the money went into our youth savings account while the other 50 percent was held together for the winning ticket that was announced during the show. The raffle tickets raised $1,190. The NRCHYA would like to thank everyone who participated in our fundraisers, and we can’t wait for the next one.

In addition to the fundraisers, there were activities every day to keep the youth busy throughout the show. The sorting was a huge hit this year as well as the lead line. Scavenger hunts and pony pong also had the kids out and about at the facility. Another yearly tradition was the herd help horse decorating. Herd helpers let the youth paint their horses and then gave them back for the herd help to turn back on. Lastly, there was poster and Cinch hat decorating. Kids could decorate a poster to support their favorite horse and rider duos as well as decorate a Cinch hat or go around and get autographs from their favorite NRCHA professionals and Non Pros. The Western Derby was so much fun for all youth members!

At the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, the Youth and other attendees were again treated to special ice cream desserts from MARS during the youth ice cream social and poster decorating. There was a full slate of events for not only NRCHYA members, but also youth of all ages, including a scavenger hunt for the first few days and then youth relay races. The show wrapped with the MARS Equestrian™ Youth Lead Line.

Every premier event offers something special for the youth members, and we can’t thank our advisors, supporters and the NRCHA staff enough for their continued support. —Tylor Todd