Kyndall Harper, Julia Spreng, and Claudia Spreng of the Georgia equestrian team have been selected to compete at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Collegiate Reining Derby on June 30 at the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds in Oklahoma City.
 
 
Each year eight riders are selected to ride in the NRHA Derby Collegiate Catch Ride Competition. Four riders are selected from the NCEA All-America from the past season and four riders are invited by the NRHA. Recent graduate Claudia Spreng is an All-American selection while rising senior Harper and rising sophomore Julia Spreng are invited. This is the third consecutive year that Harper will be competing at the NRHA Collegiate Derby.
 
 
It’s an honor to not only have one rider but three riders representing us this year at the NRHA Derby,” assistant coach Laura Brainard said. “The Derby is always an exciting atmosphere to show in and allows the opportunity to showcase skills in front of great judges and on high-quality horses. All three of these ladies are incredibly talented and will without a doubt represent our university and program well. We are ready to take on Oklahoma City.”
 
 
Georgia has a long history of success at the NRHA Collegiate Reining Derby, as 11 riders have been selected to compete in program history McKenzie Lantz became the first-ever two-time winner, while Lauren Tieche finished second in both 2012 and 2014.
 
 
The NRHA Derby runs for one week each summer in Oklahoma City and showcases the world’s best reining horses in the four to six year age range. Thousands of spectators, exhibitors, and horses attend the event each year. The Derby is one of two major events presented by the NRHA each year in Oklahoma City.