NEWS FROM NCHA

For Immediate Release --- November 23, 2000

ERIN TROYER NAMED

TODD DRUMMOND AWARD

RECIPIENT

Erin Lynne Troyer

An "all-around winner" and this year's Todd Drummond Award recipient

By her own account, seventeen-year-old Erin Troyer "just couldn't believe it" when she received the notice that she had been selected as this year's NCHA Todd Drummond Award recipient. For this senior at Laurel-Concord High School in Laurel, Nebraska, this latest honor may be one of many to come her way, but according to her family and friends, no one deserves it more.

Larry Vance, an NCHA Director from Inavale, Nebraska and one of the persons involved in nominating Erin for this award on behalf of the Cutting Horse Association of Nebraska, wrote "Not only is Erin an all- round student and enthusiastic cutter, but she is an all-around 'good kid' as well."

Erin, who is a senior this year and involved in too many activities to list, makes time for her cutting activities through determination, organization and a lot of help and support form her family. At the time of this writing, she was busy helping her Laurel-Concord Bears volleyball team claim the district title and earn a berth in the Nebraska State Volleyball Championship Tournament. She is also a member of the state-bound One Act Play troupe from her school, and is active in the Big Brother- Big Sister program, in addition to her roles in FFA and FBLA, and her church youth group.

And she does all this in addition to being a top youth cutting competitor in her area and throughout the state. Erin currently serves as secretary for the CHAN youth organization.

Erin has been around horses most of her life, but only started cutting about 4 years ago. Most people who have seen her or competed against her are impressed with how far she has come in those four years. "I really appreciate her work ethic," said her father Paul Troyer, who has had cutting horses for about 12 years. "When she strarted getting interested in cutting, we gave her a share of the responsibility of doing the horse-keeping duties and riding her horses so many days each week and all the other things that need to be done. She has really taken to it, and works hard at her list of things to do," he explained.

Speaking about the Todd Drummond Award in particular, father Paul said he was really surprised and proud of his daughter. "There are just a lot of good and deserving youth members, especially here in Nebraska. To have Erin selected is just a great honor. We are sure proud of her," he said.

Evidently, hard work pays off for Erin, as she currently sits high on the list of leading point earners for the CHAN Youth Association, showing Freckles Flying Tari. She joined the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association as a sophomore, and that year finished 6^th in the state competition. Staying focused on her goal, this past summer she was the NHSRA Girls Cutting Champion on the state level, and competed in the National High School Rodeo Association Finals in Springfield, Illinois in July.

Erin is continually inspired by her family and her friends. With two sisters, Laura and Amanda, it's a sure bet the Troyer household is often a busy one. Erin's mother, Doris, teaches sixth grade in Laurel while her father manages his own business. In fact, taking a cure from her mom, Erin plans to continue her education and earn a degree in elementary education, and possibly add coaching to her resume.

When asked about the rewards of being involved in cutting, Erin shies from naming her wins as the most important thing. "I love being around the people involved," she said. "Whether at the NHSRA cuttings or the CHAN cuttings around the state, the people are just great, like a big family. It doesn't matter whether you have a good run or make a mistake, there is a lot of support and friendship. That's what I really enjoy about it… it just makes it fun.

"I was really surprised when I received the notice that I had been selected for this award. This year, it seems like everything has just clicked for me, and I owe a lot of thanks to everyone. My family, my dad and my uncle, Leonard Troyer, and everyone who has helped me learn," she said.

Larry Vance is right… Erin Troyer is an all-around "good kid," and very deserving of this special honor.

The Todd Drummond Award is a memorial award presented to an outstanding youth member nominated by an NCHA Affiliate each year. According to the NCHA Official Handbook, "The youth member will be recognized for scholastic, extracurricular activities and cutting horse involvement." In recognition of the award, Ms. Troyer will be presented with a buckle during the NCHA World Championship Futurity Finals.