Amanda Hurd (Waltenberry)

Lexington, Ky. - The top youth reiners in the U.S. went head-to-head on June 28 at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., to stake their claim on coveted National Titles in the Adequan/USEF Youth Reining National Championship. At the competition held in conjunction with the NRHA Derby, Amanda Hurd claimed top honors in the 14-18 division, while Emmy-Lu Marsh earned the 13 & Under crown.

Hurd (Wilmington, Del.) and Mark Hurd’s 11-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Whale of a Whiz cruised to a score of 140.5 to claim the National Title by a half point. Additionally, the horse that served as a reserve for the U.S. Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games helped the 18-year-old win the Junior U.S. Team Selection Trial for the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have won the USEF 14-18 National Championship in reining,” said Hurd, who enjoyed the atmosphere of the Championships. “While we all compete to win, I’m glad for the camaraderie and friendships we share. I was also grateful that my parents, grandparents, and other family members—including my younger sister, Elena, who placed fourth—were all able to be in Oklahoma and share this special moment with me.”

Earning Reserve Championship honors in the 14-18 division was 2012’s National Champion Elizabeth Cosper (Leland, N.C.), who piloted Double Run Farm’s 6-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Oties Tradition to a score of 140.

Marsh (Tallulah, La.), last year’s 13 & Under Reserve Champion, went one better in 2014 to claim her first National Title. Riding her own seven-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Who Whiz Who, she was awarded a score of 138.5.

"The USEF National Championship is all about teamwork, my family, my trainer, my friends that supported me throughout the qualifying season," said Marsh. "Especially my equine partner Roo."

Finishing three-and-a-half points behind Marsh and earning the Reserve Championship were Mary Elizabeth Sullivan (Winnsboro, La.) and her own 14-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, Freckles Cody Jack, on a score of 135.

In the Young Rider U.S. Team Selection Trial for the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, Jake Letner (Harris, Mo.) and Larry Letner’s 15-year-old Paint gelding, A Genuine Diamond, proved unbeatable, scoring 138.5.

To learn more about the NRHA Derby visit: http://nrhaderby.com/

Follow the U.S. Reining Team here.