Youth Riders Match Up With Mentors to Compete For Scholarship Cash at NWSS
Denver, Colo. – The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) hosted a successful inaugural Youth Ranch Horse Mentor Matchup on opening day of the 113th National Western Stock Show. The brand new event was created to provide an opportunity for local equestrian youth to learn and compete during the National Western Stock Show through relevant hands-on educational activities with their equine partner and top equine professionals.
Prior to NWSS, individuals ages 14-21 from Colorado and Wyoming were encouraged to apply for the inaugural program. On January 12, 2019, ten selected youth were paired with industry professionals who acted as their “coach” or “mentor” for the day. Donned in matching shirts, the selected youth received one-on-one practice time with their coach, rotating through area to practice various skills. Then the youth competed against each other for scholarship money provided by the National Western Scholarship Trust. They were asked to complete a ranch trail pattern, a ranch riding pattern, a modified reining pattern then they chose to box, rope or fence a cow.
Comments from the selection committee were echoed from both the coaches and renowned judge Jody Brainard on the talent level and dedication of the youth riders and their athletic horses. In between learning and practicing, there was also time out of the saddle for the youth to get to know the other youth riders and coaches. The camaraderie showed during the competition when every youth rider and coach cheered for each other.
In a closely scoring competition, two top individuals earned the titles of Grand and Reserve Grand Champion and scholarship money to use at the school of their choice. 21-year-old Colorado Mesa University student Amanda Seymour from Olathe, Colo. was paired with Colorado trainer Cody Crow for the day. Aboard her 13-year-old bay roan Quarter Horse gelding Fourth and Ten (Pinky), the pair scored an impressive 281 ½ to win her top honors and $2,000 from the National Western Scholarship Trust.
Only a half point behind her, 21-year-old Fort Lupton, Colo. native Kaylynn Sheldon rode her 8-year-old homebred grey Paint mare Hickory on the Moon to Reserve Grand Champion honors and $1,000 scholarship. Attending Laramie County Community College for dental hygiene, Kaylynn teamed up with now two-time NWSS Invitational Ranch Rodeo Champion Team captain Jesse Jolly from Agate, Colo. Jesse is the assistant coach for the Otero Junior College Rodeo team and has two WRCA Ranch Rodeo world championships to his name among many other impressive titles.
Congratulations to all the youth riders, their horses and coaches. Watch for more information on the second year of this fun, educational youth program!
