Support Grows for Reining Boot Camps Benefiting the Crisis Fund

Reining Boot Camps are gaining support, helping to raise money for the Reining Horse Foundation’s Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund.

Reining Boot Camps are a series of reining clinics that serve as the major fundraiser for the Reining Horse Foundation’s Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund. Classic Equine remains the presenting sponsor as it has been during the program’s 14-year run when it was called Rookie Days, and support for the Boot Camp program is growing.

In 2017, paid participants are eligible for discount certificates toward select saddles at Scottsdale Western World and end-of-season prize drawings that include a saddle made by AM Superior Saddlery and donated by Andreas Maschke and $1,000 toward a pair of custom chaps made and donated by Dave Hack Custom Chaps. Classic Equine provides a selection of products used as awards and gifts for participants.

To date, 2017 Reining Boot Camps have been hosted by the Tennessee, West Coast and Southwest Reining Horse Associations. The next clinic will be hosted by the Arizona Reining Horse Association and held at Ben Balow’s Training Stables in Skull Valley, Arizona, on Aug. 5.

The Reining Horse Foundation (RHF) is the charitable arm of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA). Reining Boot Camps, managed by the RHF, help rookies and non-pro riders learn how to prepare for the show pen. They are intended to be fun, low-stress, one-day instructional clinics. Proceeds benefit the RHF Crisis Fund, which aids reiners enduring medical hardships, accidents and disasters, such as fires, flood and tornadoes.

“We appreciate Classic Equine for its longstanding support of this program,” said Becky Jordan, RHF Board Secretary/Treasurer and chairperson of the Reining Boot Camp committee. “And, we are thrilled to have Andreas Maschke with his Am Superior Saddlery, Dave Hack Custom Chaps and Scottsdale Western World come alongside us with these extra incentives to encourage beginning and non-pro reiners to grow their skills while supporting a good cause.”

Reining Boot Camps rely on NRHA Affiliate volunteers to secure a venue, conduct the clinic and recruit NRHA Professionals to serve as volunteer clinicians. Additionally, some events incorporate volunteer NRHA judges to evaluate attendees when they perform the maneuvers of a basic reining pattern.

The one-day clinics are open to youth and adults. In addition to instruction time, the advance registration fee of $225 per adult and $125 per youth (18 and under) covers lunch. A full schedule with details and registration information can be found at reiningfoundation.com/bootcamp. Affiliates interested in hosting a Reining Boot Camp event should contact the RHF office.