Northwest Teen Wins Big at the International Reining Festival in Denver
by Karen Pickering, Photo by John O’Hara
Ryann McKinzie, 17, of East Wenatchee, WA made the Northwest proud on the weekend of September 22, 2009. Winning nearly $25,000 in the go-around and finals at the International Reining Festival 2009, Ryann's horse, RU Missin Diamonds, carried her to a landslide victory. When I asked Ryann if she had expected to do this well, she said, “Yes. Diamond is amazing. He knows his job and gives his heart to you. He’s one of a kind."
Ryann is proud to be a part of this sport and rides daily to keep her skills fined tuned for the next big show. Reining is a family affair for parents George & Cindy McKinzie and their daughters, Carlie and Ryann, on their ranch in Eastern Washington. The girls both live and breath Quarter Horses; it was obvious that Carlie is a big part of Ryann’s life.
Carlie got started showing first and convinced her sister to join her, and Ryann has been showing horses since she was nine years old. Smarty was Ryann’s first Quarter Horse. She did small shows for three years, then started moving up to a higher level of competition. She is currently a member of the National Reining Horse Association and the Washington Reining Horse Association.
Ryann has received help from trainer Mike Stokes from Chelan, WA, and most recently from Cory Hutchings of Mt. Vernon, WA. Ryann rides daily and sees Cory every couple of weeks to help her through any issues she might have. Her passion for the sport of reining leads her to encourage everyone to try the sport.
“Reining changed my life,” says Ryann, who is convinced she will always have and show horses. She most enjoys the traveling associated with the competitions, and meeting different people.
Next year Ryann plans to show in the USEF Youth Equestrian Olympics in Lexington, KY. Currently a sophomore at Eastmont High school in East Wenatchee, Ryann also plans to attend college, where she hopes to continue to ride and show her horses. With her focus and determination, she should do very well!
Pictured: Ryann McKinzie riding “Whiztacular,” another one of her horses.
Ryann McKinzie, 17, of East Wenatchee, WA made the Northwest proud on the weekend of September 22, 2009. Winning nearly $25,000 in the go-around and finals at the International Reining Festival 2009, Ryann's horse, RU Missin Diamonds, carried her to a landslide victory. When I asked Ryann if she had expected to do this well, she said, “Yes. Diamond is amazing. He knows his job and gives his heart to you. He’s one of a kind."Ryann is proud to be a part of this sport and rides daily to keep her skills fined tuned for the next big show. Reining is a family affair for parents George & Cindy McKinzie and their daughters, Carlie and Ryann, on their ranch in Eastern Washington. The girls both live and breath Quarter Horses; it was obvious that Carlie is a big part of Ryann’s life.
Carlie got started showing first and convinced her sister to join her, and Ryann has been showing horses since she was nine years old. Smarty was Ryann’s first Quarter Horse. She did small shows for three years, then started moving up to a higher level of competition. She is currently a member of the National Reining Horse Association and the Washington Reining Horse Association.
Ryann has received help from trainer Mike Stokes from Chelan, WA, and most recently from Cory Hutchings of Mt. Vernon, WA. Ryann rides daily and sees Cory every couple of weeks to help her through any issues she might have. Her passion for the sport of reining leads her to encourage everyone to try the sport.
“Reining changed my life,” says Ryann, who is convinced she will always have and show horses. She most enjoys the traveling associated with the competitions, and meeting different people.
Next year Ryann plans to show in the USEF Youth Equestrian Olympics in Lexington, KY. Currently a sophomore at Eastmont High school in East Wenatchee, Ryann also plans to attend college, where she hopes to continue to ride and show her horses. With her focus and determination, she should do very well!
Pictured: Ryann McKinzie riding “Whiztacular,” another one of her horses.
Labels: northwest news and information, reining
posted by NWHS at
10:00 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home