August 6, 2001

Cinch/NRHA Intercollegiate Judging Contest

The National Reining Horse Association has announced a two-year agreement with Rocky Mountain Clothing Corporation to sponsor the Cinch/NRHA Intercollegiate Judging Contest.

The Intercollegiate competition, held annually at the NRHA Futurity, has become one of the most prestigious equestrian judging events for college students. Winners receive over $5,000 with scholarship prizes of $1000 to the winning team.

Annually, over 100 students from colleges coast-to-coast enter the contest in five-person teams. In 2000, the team championship went to the Kansas State University team of Kristi Coch, Justin Ochs, Katie Jansen, James Jost, Jill Sump and T.J. Stow, coached by Julie Wolf. Courtney May of West Texas A & M was the highest scoring individual.

Shane Schutte, Judges Committee Liaison for the National Reining Horse Association, is enthusiastic about the program. "The Cinch/NRHA Intercollegiate Judging Contest is truly one of the most unique competitions in the industry. It allows collegiate students to demonstrate their skills in judging and the students are tested to almost the same degree as our applicant judges. "

He also feels that it helps encourage future participation. "It's a great tool for encouraging college students to become involved as exhibitors and judges and the students that compete in the Cinch/NRHA Judging contest will become the NRHA judges of tomorrow."

Judging competition at the 2001 Futurity will take place from 8 am to noon on Friday, November 30. The judging contestants have a fun learning experience, and so do the scribes. Scribes for the judging competition are all volunteers, and each year Camille Hobbs of Edmond, Oklahoma, coordinates getting enough participation to furnish a scribe for every judging participant.

Hobbs explains, "It's a great way to spend a Friday morning. You get to watch the reining, plus this is a really good way to learn how the NRHA judging system works. Scribes attend a school before the competition where they are taught to scribe." To volunteer, simply stop by the NRHA Show Office during the Futurity to sign up.

The National Reining Horse Association is the governing body of the sport of reining, responsible for promoting the sport, working to insure the highest standards of competition and educating its members and the public about reining. For information, contact the NRHA at 405-946-7400 or visit the web site at www.nrha.com.