Interested youth must be a Colorado or Wyoming resident between 14 – 21 years of age and will be selected based on the procedure for the $20,000 RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining. They will submit a completed application and a short video showing the horse/rider pair’s potential for a freestyle reining performance no later than September 30, 2018. Riders must have a current NRHA membership card and horses must have a current NRHA license to be considered. Selections will be based on quality, talent, creativity and entertainment.

Taking place on opening day January 12, 2019, the Mentor Matchup will match selected youth with industry professionals who will act as their “coach” for the day. They will be given one-on-one practice time in the morning followed by a competition in the afternoon. A Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion will be named and awarded prize money of $1,000 and $500, respectively. Each of the remaining competitors will receive $100.

The Alumni Tournament of Champions is an IHSA style horse show for IHSA alumni from around the country. Riders draw horses before competing and are not able to practice on the horse before walking into the show ring. The purpose of the show is to expand opportunities for IHSA Alumni to ride in a finals type atmosphere, as many only show a few times a year with busy careers and limited funds.