All American Youth Show Keeps Tradition Alive With 50th Anniversary “Throwback” Event

By: Brittany Bevis

50 years ago, a group of Franklin County, Ohio 4-H advisors concocted an idea to help raise funds to purchase new barns at the local fairgrounds. The first event, in 1969, was a two and a half day show. Now, in 2018, the open/all breed event is four days long, hosts six judges, and must be held in three to four different arenas, because of its size. In 2017, the event had over 4,000 entries with 1,000 horses present.

What gives this open show such appeal that people keep coming back year after year? Their focus on youth and an all-inclusive concept has created a unique horse show tradition that has resulted in many equestrians being second or third generation exhibitors.

“Part of the attractiveness of our show is we’re happy to have, and accept, any type of horse. If you can ride it and get it in a trailer, we probably have a class for you,” says AAYHS representative, Daren Wright. “While most of the horses shown are Quarter Horses or Paints, in the first years, we had gaited horses, Appaloosas, and Mules. In more recent years, we’ve seen a large variety of ponies, of all shapes and sizes, Norwegian Fjords, Haflingers, and Gypsy Vanners. We’ve also had a few miniature horses in our pony classes. This year, we’re offering classes specifically for the minis.”

“With the amount of entries and horses, we offer classes by age, classes for Quarter Horses, Paints, color breeds, other breed registrations, unregistered horses, ponies, and miniatures. The top two placings in each class get to return for a corresponding championship class.”

Tradition is of the utmost importance to the organizers of the event. They use the same ribbon vendor that was contracted to provide their trademark three-foot long ribbons at the first show, 50 years ago. “R.B. Powers has provided our ribbons since the beginning,” Wright says. “I’ve had parents tell me that they still have the ribbons they won when they showed here years ago. I think it’s pretty amazing to say we’ve had the same ribbon vendor for 50 years!”

“Exhibitors don’t come to our show for money or points; they come to the show for the honor of winning one of those three-foot ribbons! We all work very hard to get great awards for the exhibitors.”

Just like the first show, held in 1969, the annual event takes place in May each year, on almost the exact same dates. The 50th anniversary of the AAYHS will take place May 10-13 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. The choice of location has resulted in the show being nicknamed the “Kiddie Congress.”

“Due to the size and tradition of the show, for many youth kids, this is their World Show,” Wright says. “This is the largest event they will attend in the horse showing world. Many of us on the board either showed here as kids or had kids who showed.”

“Most of our exhibitors come from Ohio; however, we’ve always had a large group from Pennsylvania. We’ve had exhibitors from all of the surrounding states and as far away as Georgia and South Dakota. Other represented have been Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, New York, Indiana, Illinois, and New York.”

In addition to their coveted ribbons, the AAYHS awards “useful” prizes to youth competitors, like equipment bags, garment bags, training cones, saddle pads, hat cans, grooming bags, and halters. Grand and Reserve champions win coolers, boots, photography packages, show equipment, barn equipment, clippers, and wheelbarrows.

“We offer no monetary prizes, but the inclusion of ribbons and prizes seems to be what keeps the youth kids coming back,” he says. “The idea of getting their name called and being presented with that ribbon, in the arena, in front of everyone, is what they want. I feel some of that fanfare has been left out at a lot of shows. Going to the office to pick up your red cup, if you happen to remember to do so, doesn’t have the same effect as getting a huge ribbon presented to you in the middle of the arena. Ribbons and prizes cost money, but it’s what has kept our show alive, and entries seem to get bigger and bigger each year.”

For the 50th anniversary, the show has a few surprises in store. For their “Throwback Show,” they will include a few fun classes that were present on the very first showbill, with the same entry fees from back in the day, such as: Egg and Spoon for 12 and under, 13-15, and 16-18 and Ride-A-Buck for 12 and under, 13-15, and 16-18. These classes will take place on Saturday, May 12th after the completion of session two. There will also be a Boot Race sponsored by Durango. All donations will go to the Tough Enough To Wear Pink Horse Show.

“For our 50th show, we’re working on some special awards using our 50th anniversary logo that was designed by one of our vendors. We’re having a performance from Luke Gingerich on Friday evening. Luke is the 2017 Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle Reserve Champion, and he also puts on a very interesting liberty performance.”

Since 1980, the show has awarded scholarships to deserving youth. In the past years, the applicant total has reached as high as 40. Currently, three to four scholarships are awarded for a total of $4,000. Eligibility is determined by GPA, school and community activities, and AAYHS participation.

Another interesting aspect of the AAYHS is the Ad and Sponsor Incentive Program. “The exhibitors collect funds for ads and class sponsors, which are then printed in our show program. If they meet one of the incentives, they receive a refund of their entries and stall fees. To my knowledge, we’re the only show that does something like this.”

Some of this year’s incentive recipients include Ashley Yoder, Lainie Hilaman, Zoey Brown, Taylor Casanta, Rylan Votruba, Olivia Rusmisel, Brookelyn Hermann, Kaitlyn Hare, Hannah Copley, Anna Braund, Macie Wrachford, Julia Lee, Emma Wise, Nicholas Wise, Milee Seabrook, Josey Walters, Jordan Tedrow, Taylor Kolat, Baylee Oskin, Izzy Barth, Hannah McKenzie.

The show’s vendor area has exploded over the past five years from a four-vendor spot to over 20 vendors that include local and national companies, trailer sales, equine services, and custom show clothing.

“I credit the great group of volunteers and staff to the longevity of the AAYHS. While we might have our differences, from time to time, we all have the same goal in keeping this show going! Volunteers started this show and have continued to run it for 50 years.”

For more information, visit www.aayhshow.com as well as the AAYHS Facebook page.