The Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) is proud to announce, in no particular order, their 2005 Youth Scholarship recipients: Keith Ceddia, Rachael Raugh, Megan Brown, Nicholette Larson and Tara Hallan.

The RHSF was established in 1999 to promote, support and preserve the sport of reining. The youth program is just one of the foundation’s five core programs. Determination for each $1,000 scholarship is based on financial need, academic achievement, career plans, references and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) involvement. Since 2001, the RHSF has promoted higher educating for well-deserving youth by awarding over $64,000 in scholarships.

Keith Ceddia is from Sunbury, OH. In 2004, Ceddia and his horse, Southwest Whiz, earned many titles in NRHA and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) competition. He has earned the NRHA Youth Incentive Award and is currently serving as the 2005 NRHyA Treasurer. Ceddia is attending Ohio State University with an undecided major, but says that he is leaning towards majoring in Agricultural Business and Equine Management.

For five years, Rachael Raugh has been showing in the ranks of NRHA shows. In 2002, she made her way to earn the NRHA Youth Incentive Award, and in 2004 finished in the top five of the Ohio Valley Reining Horse Association (OVRHA). Raugh is from Orient, OH, and started at Columbus State Community College (CSCC) this fall. She is working towards an Associate of Arts degree. After CSCC, her plans are to transfer to Ohio State University to obtain a Masters in Education.

Megan Brown’s first taste of reining was at the young age of 10 years old at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in the Freestyle. In 2000, Brown was an Eastern Affiliate Team Tournament Champion. Brown is from Fairview, PA, and currently attends Pennsylvania State University where she is majoring in Animal Science with an Equine Minor. Her hopes are to become a breeding manager at a large reining or cutting facility.

Nicholette Larson lives in Billings, MT. Larson has been competing and placing in NRHA-approved events since 1998. She also competes successfully in Non Pro divisions. In 2001, Larson earned the NRHA Youth Incentive Award. She is currently attending Rocky Mountain College where she is pursuing a career in engineering and is majoring in math.

Tara Hallan took a horse to show in the hunter/jumper competition at the American Quarter Horse Youth World Championship Show, and while she was there she discovered the world of reining. In 2005, Hallan served as the NRHyA’s Sentinel. Hallan currently attends Yavapai College where she is working towards an Associate in Nursing degree. She plans on becoming an echocardiogram technician.



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