AQHA Partners With Kimes Ranch to Support Youth World Show Competitors
The Kimes Ranch Competition Award Fund will help young people kickstart their future by offering cash awards for their success at the AQHYA World Championship Show in the arena, plus judging and speech competitions. Photo credit: Shane Rux Photography. courtesy of AQHA.
From AQHA:
The American Quarter Horse Association and Kimes Ranch are excited to announce the addition of the Kimes Ranch Competition Award Fund to the prize line up at the AQHYA World Championship Show, beginning in 2025.
The Kimes Ranch Competition Award Fund will help young people kickstart their future by offering cash awards for their success at the AQHYA World Championship Show in the arena, plus judging and speech competitions. This addition further extends the prize package for the 2025 AQHYA World Show to a record-breaking total of over $1 million.
“We are thrilled that Kimes Ranch has stepped up and made this offer to support our youth,” said Karl Stressman, AQHA chief executive officer. “It’s thanks to their generosity that we can help the youth of our association prepare for the future. We believe this award will be a game changer in involvement and participation at the show for our competitors.”
Graphic credit: AQHA.
In the arena, first through third place in all Level 3 classes, in addition to high, reserve and third high 14-18 individual and 14-18 team judging contest placings, as well as champion, reserve and third place in the impromptu and prepared speaking contests will all be awarded the cash prize in addition to the class or contest prize package. The Kimes Ranch Competition Award Fund will be available to the winning competitors when they turn 18, regardless of the age at which they won the award.
The award will be paid out as follows:
- $5,000 will be awarded to: first-place exhibitor in all Level 3 finals classes, high individual 14-18 individual judging contestant, first-place 14-18 judging team and first place in youth impromptu and prepared speaking.
- $2,500 will be awarded to: second-place exhibitor in all Level 3 finals classes, second-place individual 14-18 judging contestant, second-place 14-18 judging team and second place in youth impromptu and prepared speaking.
- $1,500 will be awarded to: third-place exhibitor in all Level 3 finals classes, third-place individual 14-18 judging contestant, third-place 14-18 judging team and third place in youth impromptu and prepared speaking.
Once they turn 18, those that have been awarded the funding can use it to further their education at a college/university, junior college, community college or accredited trade school or, if they choose to forego secondary education and to go straight into the workforce, they will also have access to the award.
“The future of our industry depends on the next generation of riders,” said Matt Kimes, cofounder and president of Kimes Ranch. “As lifelong AQHA competitors, our executive team at Kimes Ranch grew up showing American Quarter Horses and we are passionate about fostering youth participation. AQHYA played a pivotal role in bringing our team together as young riders and we are committed to ensuring it continues to unite and inspire future generations. By creating opportunities and providing incentives, we strive to keep this tradition alive for our children and their children to come.”
Learn more about the AQHYA World Show, including how to qualify by April 30, at www.aqha.com/youthworld.
