2023 NRHyA Officers

PRESIDENT
Aubree Leyva
Scottsdale, AZ

My name is Aubree Leyva. I am 17 years old, and I am from Scottsdale, AZ. These past four years of serving in NRHA youth leadership has been one of my biggest blessings. I have had the opportunity to hold several leadership positions such as NRHyA delegate, Affiliate Liaison, and Historian twice. Being able to have the experience to hold these positions has taught me so many valuable life lessons that I will be forever grateful for. I have had the opportunity to spend years networking and because of it I have made friendships that will last a lifetime. I currently train with Martin Muehlstetter and show in the Non Pro aged events. Next year I will attend Texas A&M University to ride for their D1 equestrian team and I plan on studying animal science. I am so grateful for all of the opportunities that the NRHyA has offered me and I am beyond excited to see what I will accomplish next year as the NRHyA President.

VICE PRESIDENT
Kendall Wigen
Joseph, Oregon

Hi my name is Kendall Wigen and I’m this year's 2023 NRHyA International Liaison. I am 17 years old and I live in Joseph Oregon with my parents Travis and Melissa, and my sister Madison. I am currently a Junior in high school and am member of the National Honors Society and FFA. I also participate in volleyball, basketball, and track.

When I'm not participating in school activities my true passion is reining. I am currently showing my horse SS Moneyman (Cash) in non-pro and youth 14-18 classes. My involvement in the NRHyA started when I was 5 years old and showed in my first short stirrups class. Since then I have taken on many leadership positions in this great association. I first started holding an officer position at a local level. These local positions included Treasurer, Vice President, and later on President. After being in these positions I then decided to run for a regional position. Later on I held a delegate position for the Northwestern region in the year 2020. Once I had been a delegate for a year I continued my role as a Northwestern delegate by rerunning in the year 2021 so that I could improve my leadership skills for when I later ran for NRHyA officer. Then I was able to serve as your 2022 Treasurer. As Treasurer I came up with multiple fundraising ideas to help raise money to support the youth. Since then I have also helped the youth association grow and I have grown as leader. Then this past year I have held the position of International Liaison. After I have held all of these positions I realized how much I loved being a part of the NRHA youth. Throughout my career as a youth rider, NRHyA has become a huge part of my life. It has brought me so many different opportunities, taught me valuable life lessons, and I have made so many good friends that have made an impact on my life and will last a lifetime.

I’m very excited to be to be running for your 2024 Vice President. I feel that I will be able to serve this position well due to my growth in leadership skills and experience. I also have knowledge in other aspects, such as fundraising, communication, and organization skills which will be beneficial in helping the NRHyA continue to grow and be successful.

TREASURER/SECRETARY
Ava Welman
River Falls, Wisconsi

Hello! My name is Ava Welman and I am your past 2020 and 2021 NRHyA Secretary. I am 18 years old from River Falls, Wisconsin. Where I am currently a Senior, attending River Falls High School. I have been an active member of the NRHA since the age of four years old and have been involved with reining horses all my life. Aside from my true passion and love for reining horses and the reining industry, I am also heavily involved with my local FFA chapter, where I have held the roles as a Class Vice President, Secretary, and two years as our Vice President. My duties there have included but not been limited to planning meetings, fundraising, budgeting, coordinating events. I would be honored to represent the association as the 2024 NRHyA Secretary and Treasurer. With this role I will be able to use my skills that both NRHyA and FFA have given me with doing things such as fundraising, networking, and coordinating events. Aside from that I want to become more involved with what this amazing program NRHyA has to offer, while also educating others. With your vote, I will be able to make these goals achievable. Thank you and remember when choosing your 2024 Secretary and Treasurer, Slide a Vote for Ava Welman.

INTERNATIONAL LIAISON
JG Codell
Lexington, Kentucky

Hello, my name is JG Codell, and I am 14 years old. I am from Lexington Kentucky, and I have been showing reining horses since I was 10. I am in the 8th grade at Christ the King school, and I am involved in Student counsel.

This year I have served as the East Central delegate, and I have been very involved in the NRHyA. I have participated in every Delegate conference, I have run a youth meeting at my Affiliate Regional Qualifying show, and I competed in the Cinch Youth Speaking Contest. I have really enjoyed being a delegate, it has helped me come out of my comfort zone, meet new people, and develop teamworking skills. I am very passionate about participating and leading in the NRHyA, and I am ready for the bigger challenge of being an NRHyA officer.

I am running for International Liaison, so that I can build relationships with kids around the world, and so that I can help contribute to a part of NRHyA which I think is very important. Having good relationships with people is important in every sport, especially reining. As International Liaison my goals are to build good relationships with international members of NRHyA, make it more accessible for international youth to learn about NRHyA, and have more communication with international youth. I would also like to organize more events with international youth so that everyone can work together.

HISTORIAN
Rayne Anderson
Scottsdale, Arizona

My name is Rayne Anderson and I am 18 years old. I am from South Dakota but around 2 years ago I moved to Scottsdale AZ. I have been riding horses all my life. My grandparents introduced me to NRHA when I moved and I have been involved ever since. NRHA has connected me with so many people and I want to forever be apart of it.
EVENT COORDINATOR
Chase McInteer
Waverly, Nebraska

Hi! I’m Chase McInteer, I’m 17, and I am serving as your event coordinator this year. I am a Junior at Waverly High School and I play two sports, soccer and tennis. I’m also an active member of NHS and I’m an officer for my FFA chapter.

While sports and clubs are a lot of fun, there is nothing I would rather do than ride horses. I have been around horses my entire life and I’ve been riding reiners for the last 11 years. Over the last 11 years, NRHyA has always been one of my favorite parts of showing. When I first started riding, I loved to go to youth meetings to do fun activities and hang out with my friends. Then, a few years ago I decided that I wanted to be more involved with NRHyA so I ran for delegate and won. Since then I have served you in several positions within NRHyA.

For 2024, I will be running for re-election as your event coordinator. I am a good candidate for this position because I am a very confident communicator and an organized planner, and believe it or not, a lot of organization and planning goes into youth meetings and events. As I mentioned I have always loved youth meetings and the same is still true. As your event coordinator, it would be my goal to help all of you have as amazing of an NRHyA experience as I have had.

I have already talked to many youth members and I have a bunch of fun themes and activities for our shows next year.

So if you want to have the most fun in 2024 vote Chase to win the race, for event coordinator!

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