AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program Winners

AQHA Publicity

The AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program is proud to announce its 2012-13 scholarship winners:

Holly Skylar Kiess of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Ms Dakotas Sugar Gem, a sorrel filly by Sugar Cattin Leo and out of Sapphire Flit by Heza Frisky Clip, bred by Jim and Joni Hunt’s Open Box Rafter Ranch of Faith, South Dakota – $2,000 scholarship and a Montana Silversmiths belt buckle

Alan Hinds of Minburn, Iowa, and AH Drifting Faith, a bay filly by French Flit and out of Drift Frost by Diego Drift, bred by Jim and Joni Hunt’s Open Box Rafter Ranch – $1,500 scholarship and a pair of Justin boots

Hannah Mauter of Willoughby, Ohio, and RWS Colormeintrigued, a sorrel filly by A San Peppy Legend and out of Vintage Alisa by Vintage Impressive, bred by Raymond Sutton Ranch of Gettysburg, South Dakota – $1,000 scholarship and a $100 Wrangler gift certificate

Renee Pope of Amarillo and TRR A Stylish Kit, a red roan filly by Cats Hillbilly and out of TRR Ms Sanita Red by Peptos Stylish Oak, bred by Tongue River Ranch of Paducah, Texas – $500 scholarship and a $100 Wrangler gift certificate

The Young Horse Development Program was created to give American Quarter Horse Youth Association members who want to participate in hands-on horse training, an opportunity that will teach them the fundamentals of horsemanship. The horses used in the program were bred by AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders, which consist of working cattle ranches with a remuda of at least five AQHA-registered mares that produce ranch horses. The participating Ranching Heritage Breeders offered weanlings for the program participants to judge, select, purchase, raise and train. The ranchers also mentored these young horsemen, teaching them responsibility and goal-setting, which are important components of equine ownership.

AQHYA members applied to the program, and the selected participants spent the year competing for the scholarships and prizes. All participants were required to write monthly progress reports on their foal; compete in AQHA, 4-H, FFA or local shows with their yearlings; complete a project book documenting training, health care, nutrition and management practices; and schedule mentoring sessions with local AQHA Professional Horsemen to discuss tips on competing, health care, training and management of their yearling. The youth submitted their Ranching Heritage show achievement form, project book and Professional Horsemen check list, which were judged by the AQHA Ranching Council.

Recipients of 2013-14 Young Horse Development Program weanlings include:

Jordan Ayers of Peoa, Utah

John Barger of Pawnee, Oklahoma

Jasper Breitenbach of Dolores, Colorado

Madelyne Cope of Nathrop, Colorado

Andee Marie Geedes of Downey, Idaho

Mikaylyn Henderson of Littleton, Colorado

Holden Hicks of Marysville, California

Hunter Hicks of Afton, Wyoming

Sabrina Hill of Connell, Washington

Zachary Hite of Osceola, Wisconsin

Calli Kaufman of Olympia, Washington

Amanda Metternich of West Bend, Wisconsin

Miranda Raithel of Falls City, Nebraska

Kendra Serrano of Joshua, Texas

Emily Scoles of Elbert, Colorado

Kaytlyn Scott of Great Falls, Montana

Collin Webb of Waterloo, Illinois

Ranching Heritage Breeders participating in the 2013-14 Young Horse Development Program:

Hutchings Cattle Co. of Fallon, Nevada

KT Ranch of Connell, Washington

Longhorn Cattle Co. of Ellensburg, Washington

Open Box Rafter Ranch of Faith, South Dakota

R.A. Brown Ranch of Throckmorton, Texas

Raymond Sutton Ranch of Gettysburg, South Dakota

Running U Livestock of Erda, Utah

Sunup Ranch of Brainerd, Minnesota

Wagonhound Land & Livestock Co. of Douglas, Wyoming

Weaver Quarter Horses of Big Sandy, Montana

To learn more about the Young Horse Development Program, visit www.aqha.com/aqhya.

For more information on the Ranching Heritage program, including Ranching Heritage Breeders, visit www.aqha.com/ranching.

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