2025 National Officers Candidates

Voting closes on December 6 at 10:00 p.m.

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Emma Klug - Running for President

Hi! My name is Emma Klug, and I am running for the 2025 NRHyA President. I am 18 years old, and I live in Columbus, Nebraska. I was the Secretary/ Treasurer in 2023, and I ran for that position again in 2024. I unfortunately did not receive the position, but I took that time as an opportunity to grow. Over the summer I was able to attend different leadership conferences and programs, and they helped me to mature and grow into the person I am today. I was able to become more confident in myself, and what I believe in. Over the summer I was also able to come up with opportunity and growth ideas for NRHyA. I strongly believe in the statement that we are the future of NRHA. In order to build a strong future, I want to bring attention to all the different careers in our industry. I think it is important for youth to see what goes on behind the scenes of NRHA, and all the different important careers that keep it running. I want to support all youth’s passions, and help them see there are more ways than one that they can contribute to making a strong future for NRHA and for themselves. I want to help NRHyA grow to its full potential, and to help others love it as much as I do. I believe I have the patience, experience, and the determination to fulfill this position to its greatest potential. Thank you for your time, please slide in a vote for Klug!

Kendall Wigen - Running for Vice President

Hi my name is Kendall Wigen and I am NRHyA current Vice President. I am 18 years old and I live in Joseph Oregon with my parents Travis and Melissa, and my sister Madison. I am currently a Senior at Enterprise High School and am member of the National Honors Society, student government, and FFA. I also participate in volleyball, basketball, and track. In the spring of 2025 I will be graduating high school and in the fall I will be attending Texas A&M as a member of their D1 Equestrian team.

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 in 2023 I held the position of International Liaison. I am now currently serving as your 2024 Vice President. 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 2025 Vice President for my last year. I feel that I will be able to serve this position well due to my growth in leadership skills and experience. I have been on the officer team for 3 years and have knowledge in all aspects about NRHyA. I also have great skills involving fundraising, communication, and organization which will be beneficial in helping the NRHyA continue to grow and be successful.

JG Codell - Running for Vice President

Hello, my name is JG Codell. I am 15 years old and currently live in Lexington, Kentucky. I attend Lexington Catholic as a freshman. I began showing in the NRHA at the age of ten in the Youth Short Stirrup category and now compete in the Youth, Rookie, and Non-Pro divisions with my four-year-old gelding, Mega Nite.

In 2023, I served as the East Central Delegate, and this year, I have had the privilege of being your International Liaison. Serving on the NRHyA board has provided me with numerous incredible opportunities. One of the opportunities being to represent the NRHyA in Paris at the 2024 NRHA European Affiliate Championships. As International Liaison, I have forged strong relationships with international members of the NRHA and expanded the international sector of the NRHyA. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities this role has afforded me and feel ready to take on the greater challenge of Vice President.

I am eager to share my ideas for the growth of the NRHyA as Vice President. I believe that my communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills will contribute to my success in this role. I am excited to be running for Vice President and pledge to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the NRHyA and its members.

MK Hardin - Running for Treasurer/Secretary

Hi Everyone! My name is MK Hardin, and I am running to be your 2025 NRHyA Treasurer/Secretary. I am from the Western Slope of Colorado, where I am the Western Slope Reining Horse Association Youth President. I have grown up in the sport of reining, where I have found a passion for youth leadership. I have been an NRHyA Mountain Region Delegate for the past three years, and I have learned a lot! I am also the Plateau Valley High School FFA Chapter Secretary. As an NRHyA officer, I have three main goals: to promote inclusiveness, communication, and to create more fundraising opportunities within NRHyA. I am very excited about the future of reining, and I am thrilled to be a part of it! Vote MK Hardin for Treasurer/Secretary to be “all in” for the future of reining!

Ava Smedley - Running for International Liaison

My name is Ava Smedley. I am 17 years old, and I am from Peoria, Arizona. This past year I have had the amazing opportunity to be a delegate for the NRHyA and I have loved every second of it! Being a delegate has pushed me out of my comfort zone and has helped me grow as a person. I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people throughout the regions and I will be forever grateful for them! I have been apart of the NRHA for 4 years and it has been a wonderful experience. Growing up I have always looked up to my uncle as he trains his reiners and when I moved to Arizona I found a wonderful horse who I was able to start showing! I have learned so much from my experiences since joining this association and I will use all of it throughout my life. I now show with my amazing partner Ha Chic Trashya or Chico as I lovingly call him. He has taught me so much and I am forever grateful for him. I am currently getting my bachelors degree in Business and will continue to study animal science afterwards! I cannot wait to continue to develop more skills with everyone in the association that will help me grow personally and professionally throughout my life!

Reed Selner - Running for International Liaison

Hi, my name is Reed Selner. I’m 17 years old, and I live in Plymouth, Indiana. I am running for the position of your 2025 International Liaison. I am a junior in high school, and I am currently doing online school to focus more on the sport I love, reining. I have been an active member in NRHyA since 2016. Even though I am homeschooled, NRHyA has given me the opportunity to get involved with youth activities. These activities have helped get me out of my comfort zone and have helped me engage with other members. An example of this is, Indiana Reining Horse Association has held an annual Easter egg hunt for all of the youth kids. I have participated in it for many years. The past two years I have been given the opportunity to host and set up this event. This has allowed me to bring the same joy I felt growing up to the younger generations. I am so excited to now have the opportunity to run for this national position, so that I can help grow and share some of these great activities and opportunities I have been blessed with through NRHyA. So remember to vote Reed Selner for your 2025 International Liaison.

Bella Beck - Running for Historian

Hi! My name is Bella Beck and I have been passionate about riding since I was little, and I have been actively involved in reining for about four years now. It's been the best experience ever. The welcoming nature of the NRHyA officers has always inspired me, and I want to do the same for the next generation of riders. I'm from Colorado Springs, and I'm dedicated to sharing my love for the sport and fostering a supportive community for fellow youth!

Dylanne Free - Running for Historian

Hello everyone! My name is Dylanne Free, and I’m 16 years old, living in Bozeman, Montana. I have proudly served as a North Western NRHyA delegate for three years, where I’ve collaborated with fellow youth to brainstorm and organize creative events. I primarily assist at shows like the TKO and the Low Roller.

I’ve been riding for 12 years and have been focused on reining for the last six. I own four horses, with one fully trained as a reining horse and another reining-bred colt currently in training to follow in his footsteps. My other two horses are project horses: one is being prepared for skijoring and is bred for barrel racing, while the other, a rescue from the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, is my 4-H colt to maturity project.

Over the past two years, I’ve been leasing horses from friends, especially as my main horse has aged and is less enthusiastic about reining. One of the horses I leased participated in the 2023 Run For A Million in Las Vegas, and she was absolutely incredible. The other horse I’ve been leasing this year has taught me so much and has been incredibly patient with me.

This year, I am excited to run for historian. My experience as a delegate has been invaluable, and I am eager to expand my knowledge with NRHyA. If elected, I aim to encourage youth involvement in reining across Montana and will strive to attend shows that I wouldn’t typically have access to due to my location and available horses.

Thank you for considering my candidacy!

Emily Justice - Running for Historian

Hi youth! My name is Emily Justice, I am 15 years old, and from Paris, Texas.

I am homeschooled at Abeka Christian Academy, where I am a sophomore and an honor roll student. I’ve been involved in NRHyA for a couple of years now. I have served you as a South Central delegate and now an Affiliate Liaison. Holding these leadership positions has been a true blessing. These opportunities have provided me with valuable skills that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, such as team working, conversation skills, and public speaking, just to name a few.

I have attended the Youth Excellence Seminar twice representing NRHyA, assisted at the RHF Raise A Million Auction for two years in row, educated youth on the positions I held at the NRHA Derby, did an Instagram takeover at the NRBC, I am active in Varsity Reining Club, and I have competed in the Youth Cinch Speaking Contest and NRHyA Art and Photo Contest.

As Historian, I would love to create two very special video series: NRHyA: Get to Know the Pros, which is getting to know the Pros on a more personal level (with some fun questions and a bonus question from the youth of course!) and NRHyA: My Story which will allow youth to share special memories made within our great youth association and their reining story. I am also a member of the Youth and NRHA Professionals Committee because I believe that youth involvement can start directly with the trainers. I hope to further grow our different committees as a team, educate youth on their opportunities, and boost inclusivity within NRHyA all while capturing memorable moments. Thank you for taking your time to read this and let’s slide into 2025 together with me, Emily Justice, as your NRHyA Historian!

Graci Reeder - Running for Historian

Hello! My name is Graci Reeder, I’m eighteen years old and I’m from Mason Michigan. I’ve grown up around horses my entire life, and have two right now, Cocoa & Dooley. While I spend a lot of my time in the barn working with my horses, I also am a small business owner as well as a freshman at Spring Arbor University. It’s safe to say though, that most all of my passions have sprouted from the reining industry. Four years ago I started Simply Grace by selling handmade clay earrings at my local Michigan reining horse show. Because of all of the support from the people in our association, I now have a vendor that sells jewelry, clothes and western gifts at livestock shows across the state. It’s been a blessing to have orders go across the country, and I’ve even had one that’s going to Australia. All of this wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the reining industry’s support. I’m running for Historian because I want to be apart of making the same positive impact on youth that NRHA has made on me. By serving I hope to draw our youth closer together, sharing and supporting achievements and ideas on social media.

Heidi Flint - Running for Event Coordinator

Hi, my name is Heidi Flint, and I'm a 15-year-old sophomore in high school. I'm homeschooled, which gives me the flexibility to pursue my passion for reining horses. I've been riding reining horses for as long as I can remember, but I started competing at the age of 11. My mom is a trainer, and she's been a huge influence in my life, helping me develop my skills and love for this incredible sport.

Living in Lucama, North Carolina, I've had plenty of opportunities to immerse myself in the world of reining. One of the highlights of my involvement is being part of the SERHA Youth Leaders. Not only do I get to be a part of this amazing community, but I also manage the social media for serhya. It's a role I really enjoy because it allows me to combine my love for horses with my interest in communication and leadership. I'm excited about the future and look forward to continuing my journey in this community.

Kynley Bell - Running for Event Coordinator

Hi! My name is Kynley Bell. I will be running for your event coordinator. If we haven’t met yet, I look forward to meeting you. To tell you a little about me, I am a freshman in high school. I live in Maysville, Oklahoma. I have been showing in reining since I was nine years old, and I also compete in cowhorse, cutting, barrels, and poles through the high school rodeo association. Additionally, I sing and shoot a compound bow in archery competitively. I would like to be on the officer team because I want to bring new ideas and events to the table. Some of my ideas for events would include team games at shows all through the year, and an outside dance at the derby. So… take a chance, ring the bell, and vote Kynley Bell.

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All Content National Reining Horse Youth Association
3021 West Reno Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73107 405.946.7400
For more information on the NRHyA, email youth@nrha.com