A highlight of the event will be the chance to ride an American Quarter Horse. This event has given over 1,000 children in the last 5 years the opportunity to experience their first ride on an American Quarter Horse. This year’s test rides are part of a national Time to Ride marketing initiative by the American Horse Council called the 100-Day Horse Challenge. The goal of the Challenge is to increase awareness of the benefits of horse activities across the United States by aiming to engage at least 100,000 new people with an introductory horse experience.

Be sure to stop by the Youth World Show’s free “Ride the Pattern” demonstration, which features live demonstrations of all horsemanship, equitation and showmanship patterns by a demonstration ​exhibitor and critiqued by one of our World Show judges—this is the perfect opportunity to see how the pattern will run in real life and get the scoop directly from a World Show judge. Ride the Pattern takes place June 28 from 2–5 p.m. in the John Justin Arena.

Young competitors dreaming of collegiate competition can get a leg up, thanks to a new seminar by College Equestrian Consulting. Parents and students are both invited to attend this presentation by Wendy Willis, which covers the details surrounding NCEA recruitment, which are often hard to find or understand.

The following 13 teams are representing their countries at this year’s Youth World Cup: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, United Kingdom and United States.

Available soon through the APHA website, Etalon’s comprehensive panel provides results on more than 40 traits—including disease markers, color and pattern characteristics, abilities and performance qualities—for a single, affordable package price. The panel includes

Youth from across the country will gather July 12-14 for the 2016 Bank of America Youth Excellence Seminar in Amarillo. YES welcomes youth ages 10 to 18 to experience a three-day, fun-packed event that offers valuable leadership skills, inspiring speakers and tons of fun. This year’s theme is “My Roots Run Deep.”

“New this year, Robert Dehn is offering a trail clinic the day before our show starts,” Zone 1 Show Committee Member Shannon O’Dell said. “We’re excited about this opportunity for our Zone 1 exhibitors.”

AQHA will also hold the first Zoetis AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals in conjunction with the 2016 Zoetis VRH and AQHA CMS world shows. Ranching Heritage Challenges highlight the versatility, soundness and willing attitude of American Quarter Horses that are bred by AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders. To be eligible to compete in the challenges, horses must have been bred by a Ranching Heritage Breeder, plus all payments must be complete. In 2016, there is more than $90,000 in prize money offered during the six qualifying challenges and finals.

Congrats Clint Ainsworth, Gigi Bailey, Adam D’Agostino, Candace DesRochers, Robin Frid, Jennifer Hancock, Jimmie Hardin, Erin Henderson, Helga Hommel, Debra Jarvis, Christy Landwehr, Allen Mitchels, Alisa Proefrock, Amanda Ringer, Allan Schmidt Jr., Mark Sheridan, Marion Troyer, Bruce Walquist, and Kendra Weis.