The Youth are a vital part of our organization, and we welcome their input and participation in RMRHA shows, clinics and events. One of the ways we support the young reiners in our association is through the RMRHA Youth Scholarship. Please click here to view an application for the scholarship program.

. Youth News .

Youth Scholarship: RMRHA will award two (2) $1,000 scholarships to RMRHyA members who apply by the June 1, 2011 deadline and who meet the criteria. An application is available on line. Youth members must be in their last year of high school, be planning post high school education for the 2011-2012 school year, be active in RMRHyA as outlined below, and meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in the application.  Please contact Chad Hartmann is you have any questions about the application process.

2011 Activities: RMRHyA is planning many activities for the year.  We will again be hosting a Silent Auction at Summer Slide to raise funds for RMRHyA. There will be a contest for the youth who solicits the item that is the high seller in the auction. Also at Summer Slide, we will be providing coffee and donuts in the morning for exhibitors and guests. There will be a donation jar available to help defray the costs. The Art Of Reining will also be held again at the Summer Slide. Please watch for more information.

Members of RMRHyA have participated in the NRHyA Raffle for the past several years. However, during 2011 members will make these raffle ticket sales a high priority activity for the group. We will also be selling lemonade at the Sagebrush Slide as a fund raising activity.

The Colorado State Fair will offer their Youth Freestyle Reining competition again this year on Sunday, September 4 during the weekend of NRHA reining. There are 10 spots available to anyone age 18 and under. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jan Guynn via email to make sure there is space available in the class. There is also more information available on the Entry Form.

NRHyA Varsity Youth: Congratulations to Christi Gordon who was named the NRHyA Varsity Youth of the Year for the second time by NRHA. Christi was the NRHyA Youth of the Year in 2007, was runner-up in 2008, and was third in 2009. RMRHyA congratulates Christi on her accomplishments!

Youth Sportsmanship Award: Congratulations to Rylee Justus, the 2010 RMRHyA Youth Sportsmanship Award Winner. This award is voted on by the members of the youth association. Rylee is shown accepting her award, a pair of Darnell spurs, from Shane Brown at the RMRHA Banquet. The spurs were generously donated by Jan and Mark Guynn.

Youth Elections: The RMRHyA conducted their elections via mail. Congratulations to the new 2011 officers: Christi Gordon, President; Marie Carrothers, Vice President; Rylee Justus, Secretary; Ali Gordon, Treasurer.

RMRHA congratulates the 2010 Youth Scholarship recipient Christi Gordon. Christi resides in Evergreen with her parents, two sisters, and younger brother. She graduated from Colorado Heritage High School with a 3.8 GPA, and will be attending Colorado Christian University where she will be majoring in Music Performance or Math. Along with her love for reining horses Christi keeps busy playing baseball, performing on the piano and choir, along with being the owner and founder of Custom Horse Portraits. Christi has been very active in the RMRHyA over the past few years, holding the Vice President position in 2008, and being the President in 2009 and 2010. She has been very instrumental in helping grow the youth organization through her hard work and dedication.

Amy Stoney, an avid reiner and photographer from McClave, CO, is 13 years old and was recently chosen by the RMRHyA Board to be the first ever "Youth Photographer". Through photographs taken at 2010 RMRHA shows, Amy will visualize the RMRHyA events and fundraisers. Amy's photography webpage, www.amystoney.com, reveals her one of a kind talent in photography.

The Youth Advisor for 2011 is Chad Hartmann. His contact information is listed below with the RMRHyA Officers.

. Youth Year-End Awards/Scholarship Programs.
The RMRHA Board approved these Year End Awards Program requirements at their October 2008 Board meeting upon the recommendation of the Youth Committee.

For a youth to be eligible for any Youth Year-End Award given by RMRHA or the RMRHA Youth Scholarships, he/she must meet the following requirements:

1. Attend three youth meetings which will be held throughout the year at the RMRHA qualifying shows as identified in the RMRHA Year-End Awards Program.  Please make sure you sign the attendance sheet which will be circulated at each youth meeting and returned to the Youth Advisor.
2. Participate in one fundraiser and complete the Participation Form which can be downloaded here.
3. Earn one participation credit by volunteering a minimum of four hours at any RMRHA sanctioned event and completing the Participation Form.
4. All requirements will be tracked by the current Youth Advisor

Christi Gordon, President Hi, my name is Christi Gordon, and I am 18 years old. I live in Evergreen, CO, with my younger twin sisters and younger brother. I am currently a sophomore at Colorado Christian University, where I am studying music and math. This is my fourth year as an RMRHyA Officer, and my third year as the president. I am very excited about this year, and I am thrilled to have my same officer team from 2010 back with me for 2011! I train with Devin Warren and love every bit of reining! This year, I will show my 8 year old paint horse, Nugget, in NRHA Youth and Non Pro classes. Best wishes to all the RMRHyA Youth on your show season!

Marie Carrothers, Vice President Hey Guys! I am excited to, once again, serve as your youth vice president this year. I am currently a junior at Chatfield Senior High in Littleton, Colorado. As an academic letter/ honor roll student, school is very important to me and soon enough I’ll be deciding on a college. Outside of academics I enjoy riding Cruiser, spending time with my family and friends, and running cross country. This past year Cruiser and I represented RMRHyA at the NAAC in Oklahoma City. I really enjoyed showing there and meeting other youth from all over. This year I am excited to help improve the youth program and get all of you involved! We have a fun-filled year to look forward to in the RMRHyA, so get ready!

Rylee Justus, Secretary Hi, my name is Rylee Justus. I am 13 years old and a 7th grader at Denver Christian Schools. I live on a ranch in Larkspur, Colorado, with my parents and two younger brothers. I love the sport of reining! I am honored to serve my second term as your Secretary. I have been riding horses since I was 4 years old. This year will be my third show season in reining. Last June, I placed in the top ten at the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City, and I placed 3rd in the USEF National Reining Championship. In July, I won the World Championship at the APHA World Show in Ft. Worth, Texas. The accomplishment I am most proud of is receiving the RMRHyA Sportsmanship Award in 2010. When I am not reining, I enjoy photography, soccer, swimming and skiing. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to serve as your Secretary again this year. I look forward to helping promote youth in the sport and within our association.

Ali Gordon, Treasurer Hi! My name is Ali Gordon and I am a 16 year old sophomore from Evergreen, CO.  During 2011, I am honored to have the opportunity to serve my third term as an RMRHyA officer. This year, I will be serving as your RMRHyA Treasurer. As the 2011 show season begins, I eagerly anticipate your involvement in the RMRHyA. Other than serving as an officer for the RMRHyA, I am also the Youth Writer for the NRHA Reiner.  I enjoy my family’s four horses on a recreational level, and I play competitive basketball for Conifer High School. I look forward to an incredible and active year for the RMRHyA, and I hope to see you get even more involved as the RMRHyA continues to grow. Have a great show season!

Chad Hartmann, Youth Director Chad Hartmann has been the Youth Director for the RMRHA for the last four years. He has been on the RMRHA Board of Directors for the past 6 years and has been very instrumental in building the youth program to where it is today - heading up the Youth Scholarship Program, Participation Requirements Program, fundraisers and the Sportsmanship Award Program. Chad thrives on seeing the kids setting goals and working together as a team to achieve those goals. He wants the experience that the kids have with RMRHA to be one that creates a foundation for their life.