Amanda Hurd and CC Enterprises (Waltenberry)

Oklahoma City, Okla. - Rising stars in reining came to the 2016 USEF Youth Reining National Championships on July 2 with the goal of claiming a national title. Held in conjunction with the NRHA Derby at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Okla., Amanda Hurd took home the USEF 19-21 Youth Reining National title, Alexandra Johnston earned the USEF 14-18 Youth Reining National title, and Bo Van Duys was the USEF 13 & Under Youth Reining National Champion. All three divisions were judged by Ben Balow, Bob Kail, and Ann Salmon.

Twenty-year-old Hurd (Wilmington, Del.) claimed the USEF 19-21 Youth Reining National Champion title. Riding her father Mark Hurd's seven-year-old Quarter Horse sire, CC Enterprises, Hurd guided her young mount to a score of 194.

Seventeen-year-old Johnston (Brentwood, Tenn.) claimed the USEF 14-18 Youth Reining National Champion title. Riding her own eight-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, Mr Get Smart, Johnston earned a score of 203.

Eighteen-year-old Elena Hurd (Wilmington, Del.) and Its All About Bud, her father Mark Hurd's 10-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, received a score of 190 to earn the USEF 14-18 Youth Reining Reserve National Champion title.

Van Duys, a 13-year-old resident of Parkland, Fla., scored top honors in the USEF 13 & Under Youth Reining National Championship. She and Aim Your Pistol, her own 10-year-old Quarter Horse mare, laid down a solid run, scoring 208 and claiming the title.

"Aimee and I have been trying our hardest to be the best we can be," said Van Duys. "It felt awesome to win the USEF championship, and the prizes aren't even the best part. The best part of this entire experience is putting time and effort into the sport you love. So thank you USEF , NRHA, and all the other associations that let us compete and do what I love."

The USEF 13 & Under Youth Reining Reserve National Champion title was shared by Ava Bush and Lisa Prittle. Bush piloted Wimpy Whiz Kid, Easy N TIme Ranch LLC's seven-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, to a score of 199.5, as did Prittle with her own Last Pop Star, a 10-year-old Quarter Horse gelding.

Find more information on the NRHA Derby.