Kansas Western Horseman’s Association honors Ellis rider

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Cameryn Kinderknecht, 18, of Ellis with Troy Cooley, KWHA president, at this year’s awards banquet in Hutchinson.

The Kansas Western Horseman’s Association recently honored a local young rider as the High-Point Champion in her age group for the third year in a row.

This year Cameryn Kinderknecht, 18, of Ellis and a KWHA member for six years, won the High-Point Champion Belt Buckle for the 14-17 age group. Not only did she win this year, but she has won the High-Point Champion for the past three years, a clean sweep of the 14-17 age group.

An advocate for KWHA, Kinderknecht has been on the Board of Directors as a junior representative since 2015 and has won the KWHA Scholarship for the past two years.

Kinderknecht has ridden horses since she was 4 and participated in KWHA horse shows since she was 12.

These accomplishments have helped Kinderknecht achieve her goals and chase her dreams as a horse rider and trainer. She has met amazing people and horse riders along the way in KWHA and encourages people to join the family-friendly organization as it presents opportunities and friendships like no other.

KWHA is a family-oriented organization that brings horse owners together to compete in various events.

The organization was started in 1948 and consists of numerous saddle clubs from all over the state of Kansas.

Horse shows are conducted every year, starting in March and ending Labor Day weekend with the annual state show.

To compete at the state show, you as a competitor must qualify with a total of four points in each event. Points are earned by winning first (four points), second (three points), third (two points), or fourth place (one point).

At a typical horse show, there are 10 to 15 different events, and there can be up to 100 riders at each show.

There are seven age groups: 1-9, 10-13, 14-17, women (18-50), senior women (50 and older), men (18-50), and senior men (50 and older).

The events range from slower judged events to speed events.

The KWHA Year-End Banquet is in November. This event recognizes those who have accumulated the most points throughout the show season and presents awards to the high-point earners.

KWHA prides itself in being a family-oriented organization where any rider of any age or skill level can ride, enjoy themselves and participate in activities with their beloved horses. To find more information on KWHA, you can visit the KWHA website www.kwhaonline.com.