AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program Celebrates 10 Years
AQHA Publicity
The American Quarter Horse Association Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program, established in 2011 with the first class of participants in 2012, is celebrating the program’s 10-year anniversary. The program was created to give AQHYA members an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of horsemanship in a fun and educational way. In 10 years, the program has awarded $50,000 in scholarships, and nearly 400 yearlings to youth.
Participating AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders donate young horses for the Young Horse Development Program applicants to raise, train and learn about equine health and wellness. AQHYA members, ages 13 and older, are matched with an American Quarter Horse from an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder and record their monthly progress; participate in webinars; complete monthly management assignments; track goals; engage in mentoring sessions with local AQHA Professional Horsemen; and create videos of themselves with their horse completing various assignments. Following completion of the program, a select number of scholarships and prizes are awarded.
Participants in the Young Horse Development Program have collectively received horses valued at more than $1.4 million, and five Ranching Heritage Breeders have contributed to the program consistently for the past 10 years:
- Open Box Rafter Ranch of Faith, South Dakota
- KT Ranch of Connell, Washington
- Hal Bogle Estate of Dexter, New Mexico
- Raymond Sutton Ranch of Gettysburg, South Dakota
- Weaver Quarter Horses of Big Sandy, Montana
Between these five breeders, more than 120 American Quarter Horses have been donated, contributing to the nearly 400 horses donated by additional Ranching Heritage Breeders since 2012.
“Every Ranching Heritage Breeder that has donated to the program is significant in the program’s success,” said Katie Reynolds, AQHA director of youth development. “Each horse donated means another youth member’s life is transformed. This program has been instrumental in shaping young horsemen while also showcasing the versatility of Ranching Heritage-bred horses.”
View a full list of Ranching Heritage Breeders.
Keep an eye out on the Association’s social media for further information regarding participating breeders as AQHA highlights their impact on the program and the development of AQHYA members.
To learn more about the program, visit www.aqha.com/yhd.
AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.
