Hands-On Training – For the Next Generation of the Horse Industry
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By Mackenzie Patterson
The AQHA Young Horse Development Program was established for youth members who are interested in being part of a hands-on horse training opportunity that focuses on teaching participants the basics of horsemanship and the significance of accountability, goal setting, and ownership in equine care.
Throughout the year, youth members involved in the program are given numerous opportunities to present their skills and knowledge at designated events, with the potential to earn scholarships and prizes for their hard work at the end of the program.
The program awards the top four competitors with big prizes. The first place winner receives $2,000 and a Montana Silversmith Belt Buckle; second place wins $1,500 and a pair of Justin Boots; third place is the winner of $1,000 and a $100 Wrangler Gift Certificate; and fourth place receives $500 and a $100 Wrangler Gift Certificate.
In order to get started in the Young Horse Development Program, a youth member must first fill out a youth enrollment form. The applicant will need to write a short personal biography about themselves, explain the type of support they would expect to receive from their parents or guardians, give a description of their training philosophy when starting a new young horse, and give details about previous experiences with horses. Participants are also required to write a 200-word essay on “Why I would like to own and raise an American Quarter Horse Weanling.”
There are two ways that a youth can participate in the AQHA Young Horse Development Program. First, participants are given the chance to win a free foal from one of the many Ranching Heritage Breeders by submitting an application. The second method is by purchasing their own Ranching Heritage Challenge-nominated foal from one of the Ranching Heritage Breeders.
“Most of the kids in the program receive a free foal, but some of them do go out and purchase their own foal through their choice of breeder,” says program coordinator Ward Stutz.
Stutz says there are approximately 30 ranches that participate in the program. There is no limit to the number of youth who can participate, however the program typically sees twice as many kids apply, as compared to the number of horses that are donated. When the program runs out of foals to donate, the remaining youth can choose to go ahead and purchase a foal or wait until the following year to reapply for a donated foal.
The foals used in the program are those that have been bred and raised by AQHA Ranching Heritage members. The members kindly offer up their young foals for the youth program participants to select, judge, purchase, raise, and train.
Before receiving a foal, the youth must give a thorough description of where the yearling will live and receive care. The prospective participants must give a description of their existing facility in terms of shelter, water access, their feeding program, the grounds where the horse will roam, and the type of horse trailer that will be used for transport.
After an applicant has been approved for a foal, on the fifth of every month, the Ranching Heritage coordinator must receive monthly reports from each of the youth participants in the program.
The monthly reports are then graded and count toward the overall score of the individual. The participants should go over the daily care of the horse, goals for the horse, training plans and techniques, nutrition plans, an explanation of how the horse is progressing, along with a current photo of the horse.
This year, the participants in the program have been using an online program called Online Stable where they log in and keep track of what they do with their horses, the amount of time they spend training and working with their horses, the amount of money spent on shoeing, veterinary care, and feed, the progress of their horses, and they can upload photos of their horses to the site as well. “We try to log in as much as possible so the program coordinator can review our information at any time,” says youth participant Blake Minotto.
“Next year, we are hoping to integrate more webinars into the program. We had Dr. Jane Bagley do a nutrition webinar earlier this year. She and her husband Scott are both Ranching Heritage members,” Stutz says.
The participants in the program are not required, but encouraged to interact with each other throughout the year on Facebook. The program has its very own Facebook group page where past and current members, their parents, and staff involved with the program are able to connect and keep in touch with one another.
The youth participants are also required to set up a mentoring and evaluation session with an AQHA Professional Horsemen in their area. The Professional Horsemen are presented with a checklist that they will need to complete regarding their interaction with the youth and their yearling.
The professionals should give information and advice to the youth about competing at shows, health care and nutrition, management of their yearling, and training techniques. The Professional Horsemen are able to leave comments on the evaluation form concerning the strengths and weaknesses of the youth, along with three priority areas that they should focus on with their foal.
“The professional horsemen evaluate us on the kinds of exercises we know how to perform with our yearlings. They grade us on things like how well we know the horse’s pedigree and the way we handle the horse, such as leading, picking up feet, and loading in the trailer. We are also tested on knowing and identifying the different body parts of the horse,” Minotto says.
Each participant in the program must attend an AQHA, 4-H, FFA, or other local show in his or her state before the end of the program. A show management member must sign the Ranching Heritage Show Achievement form to verify that the youth was present and participated in either a Halter or Showmanship class with their yearling. After the show, the youth participant must write and submit a 500-word essay to the program coordinator, which should recount their experience at the show.
In the past, youth participants were required to complete a final project book that documented their training, health care, nutrition, and management practices throughout the program. However, this year, the project book is not a requirement for the completion of the program.
Before the judging process begins, participants will need to have all of their Monthly Reports, Ranching Heritage Show Achievement Forms, and Professional Horsemen Checklists submitted to the coordinator by October 1, 2015. The results will be announced at the beginning of November.
“This is such a great program for the youth in our association. They are able to learn valuable horsemanship skills. I really appreciate all of the Ranching Heritage Breeders who participate in the program. The kids in the program are doing great things with their horses, and I really think we are going to start seeing more ranches become involved with this program,” Stutz says.
A Look at Some of This Year’s Participants
Youth: Blake Minotto
From: Flagstaff, Arizona
Age: 14
Horse: Yavapais Tivio Lady – “Dolly” (palomino filly)
Breeding: Ron Burgundy Buckles x Peppys Bonita Blue
Progression: “Dolly is progressing really well. We just got back from a show and she was Reserve Champion Youth Mare in Halter. We also showed in the In-Hand Trail. I’m really excited to show her next year.”
Routine: “Every morning, I turn Dolly loose in the pasture with another yearling. Later in the day, I work on longing and In-hand Trail obstacles. Then, she goes in her stall during the night.”
Professional Horsemen Mentor: Laurel Walker Denton
Youth: Morgan Barton
From: Cheney, Washington
Age: 14
Horse: KT Classy Moon Dream – “Moon” (filly)
Progression: “Moon is doing really good. She is very smart. She was a little pushy in the beginning because she is cutting-bred, but I have really worked on that problem with her, so it is pretty much gone. Now she aims to please.”
Youth: Ciera Barton
From: Cheney, Washington
Age: 19
Horse: KT Dream Of Pearl – “Pearl” (filly)
Progression: “Pearl is a pretty spooky horse, but I am working really hard to get her over that issue. At this time, I have been working on getting her to handle new situations better. She has definitely progressed, and when she is ready, I will show her in the Halter and In-hand Trail classes. She will hopefully make a good all-around horse someday.”
Youth: Shandiin Farrell
From: Mesa, Arizona
Age: 17
Horse: Miss Sunny Jack – “Lexie” (filly)
Progression: “I currently show Lexie in Halter and Showmanship. Next year, she will be really good at either Cutting or Roping. She has a lot of athleticism, so she could go in any direction. Lexie is super smart and it doesn’t take a lot to teach her anything.”
Youth: Cheyenne Walter
From: Hydro, Oklahoma
Age: 16
Horse: Hez Questionable – “Dakota” (colt)
Progression: “Our horses both have very good minds. They are easy to work with and we are very excited for next year,” Cheyenne Walter shares in regards to she and her sister Sierra’s yearling.
Youth: Sierra Walter
From: Hydro, Oklahoma
Age: 14
Horse: Dear Miss Cisco – “Missy” (filly)
Progression: “So far, we are focusing on showing our yearlings in the in-hand events. We have started saddling them, and we will begin to get on them here pretty soon. They will both be good horses for the speed events,” Sierra Walter says about her and her sister Cheyenne’s yearlings.
