Beginning each January, Southwest Reining Horse Association members show at SWRHA-approved events held throughout the year and accumulate points for year-end titles that are awarded annually at the SWRHA Party of Champions to be held for this yearโs champions on February 9 at the White Horse Steak House in Valley View, Texas.
Prior to 2022, only Prime Time Non Pro competitors were in the race for a saddle, meaning that Linda Sawyer would have been the sole saddle recipient for her efforts on Spooksgottaprettyboy; however, in 2022, Bobโs Custom Saddles stepped up to provide nine more saddles for year-end champions. That sponsorship allowed the following champions to also receive saddles this year:
- Adam Miller on CCR Smart Chic for Open and Intermediate Open Championships
- Linda Sawyer on Spooksgottaprettyboy for Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Prime Time Non Pro Championships
- Lily Forzani on Annies Custom Pistol for Youth 13 & Under Championship
- Angelina Widmoser on Spooks Golden Tune for Youth 14-18 and Rookie Level 2 Championships
- Christine Loper on A Ruf Spook for Rookie Level 1 and Prime Time Rookie Championships
The generosity didnโt stop there, because, earlier this year, Scot Pennington added three more saddles to the lineup, meaning that Adam Miller on CCR Smart Chic will get one for his Rookie Pro title, as will Tiffany Fisk for topping the Green Reiner Level 2 mounted on Steppin Up Spook, and Corene Mueller for rising above the rest in the Ride & Slide Non Pro Level 1 on Dun Gotta Turbo Chic.
Soon after, Mark and Kyla Archer donated a saddle to the Green Reiner Level 1 year-end champion in the name of their Warm Up Series Shows in Waco, Texas. This sponsorship means that Trista Huckstep will also win a saddle for the points she earned on Lil Star Stepper.
In order to qualify for year-end awards, participants must have paid SWRHA memberships in good standing and compete at SWRHA-approved shows.
The SWRHA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the breeding, training, and exhibition of the reining horse. Founded in 1984, the Southwest Reining Horse Association has been a leader in creativity. It holds the claim for the creation of the very first stallion service auction and the Ride and Slide class. Recently, it has hosted other innovative classes like the Rookie Challenge and the Masters and Platinum Shootouts. With imaginative fundraisers like the SWRHA Boot Camp, and SWRHA Trainers Calendar, the SWRHA has grown into one of the top affiliates of the National Reining Horse Association. For more information about SWRHA, visit the website at SWRHA.com.