Show Team Fundraising

Hello, my name is Ella Armstrong-Brush. I am 12 years old and from Fairfax, Iowa. I have the opportunity to go to the NBHA (National Barrel Horse Association) Youth World Championship. I am seeking sponsors in support of my upcoming trip.  NBHA is a leading global organization supporting barrel racing.  It is a big opportunity for me to go to Worlds because very few Iowans make it to the World Championships, and I am honored to represent Fairfax and the State of Iowa at this event.  

Before I started riding, I played volleyball and did Taekwondo.  I also tried gymnastics but they were never really my thing. Until I spent a week with my cousins in the summer riding and taking care of horses.  I realized I was born into the wrong side of my family. It has always been a joke between my family, that I was born into the wrong family and should have been born with my cousins and their horses, but I think we all knew the joke was also the truth. My love for horses started when I was really young.

I have been riding at True Heart Equine for a year now.  When I started riding at True Heart Equine the first horse I rode was Freyja. I did my first competition on Freyja. When I did my first barrel pattern, I went on the wrong side of the second barrel. I moved to Rico after a while of trying other horses. Rico was a good horse to start on.  He was an old western pleasure horse and would only go as fast as a lope for me.  My first barrel time on Rico was 63 seconds.  I graduated to Phoenix later in the year and moved up to 21 seconds in 2021. I came a very long way in a year.  I qualified for the NBHA State Finals and NBHA Worlds Championship.  

This is such a big opportunity and a dream come true. I appreciate the support you are able to give!! Not many 12-year-olds get to realize their dream at such a young age. I am truly blessed and thankful for the help of this wonderful community. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Ella Armstrong-Brush

Venmo: @ Tami-Brush

My name is Lydia Franzenburg and I am 12 years old from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  I am seeking sponsors in support of my upcoming trip to participate in the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Youth World Finals.  NBHA is a leading global organization for the sport of barrel racing and I am honored to represent Cedar Rapids and the State of Iowa at this prestigious event.  

My younger sister has always been obsessed with horses.  A couple years ago, she started taking lessons at a True Heart Equine and joined their competitive Show Team.  I was playing on a travel softball team and had absolutely no interest in horses.  My sister regularly encouraged me to spend time with her at the barn and I eventually agreed.  Slowly, I found myself wanting to spend most of my free time at the barn and decided it was time to take a few riding lessons.  The day of my first lesson, the Coach asked if I wanted to participate in one of the local fun shows that coming weekend and I reluctantly agreed.  I was extremely nervous because I only had one lesson and had no idea how to run any of the events.  My first official barrel run took me well over a minute to complete and an older gentleman in the crowd heckled me for being slow.  However, I had so much fun and was officially hooked on the rush of horse riding!

It has been a little over a year since I participated in that local fun show.  In that year, I have spent countless hours at the barn working, learning and riding.  I have competed on two leased horses that both provided wonderful learning experiences.  In August 2021, my family purchased a palomino quarter horse that I will be competing on in the future.  I have come a very long way since that first barrel race.  I won 3D 1st Place in Novice at Sandburr Rodeo Productions Summer Series and earned my first belt buckle.  I regularly placed in all the events at the Cedar Rapids Horseman’s Club fun shows.  I was a NBHA State Qualifier and a NBHA Youth World Qualifier.

Horse riding has changed my life in so many ways and I am grateful that my sister’s horse obsession helped ignite my passion for horse riding!  Your sponsorship would help alleviate some of the financial burden associated with the entry fees, stall fees, coaching fees, travel and lodging expenses for my trip to NBHA Youth Worlds in Perry, Georgia.  I appreciate your consideration in helping me continue my horse riding journey at the NBHA Youth World Finals. 

Sincerely,

Lydia Franzenburg

Venmo: @ Christy-Franzenburg