Chance For Young Horsemen to Raise a Donated Weanling

AQHA Publicity

Do you know of a young horseman looking to earn scholarships and receive a donated weanling from an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder? If so, you need to tell them about the AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program.

Thanks to the generosity of AQHA’s Ranching Heritage Breeders, the Young Horse Development Program is able to accept more applications for individuals interested in participating in the program.

The application deadline for this program has been extended to October 15.

The Young Horse Development Program gives American Quarter Horse Youth Association members the opportunity to participate in hands-on horse training that will teach the fundamentals of horsemanship. Then they will be able to showcase their learned skills and knowledge at designated events where they can earn scholarships and prizes.

For the project, accepted AQHYA members will receive a weanling donated by an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder. Those who do not receive a donated foal can still purchase a weanling from a Ranching Heritage Breeder. The AQHYA members work with and train their foals, getting advice from an AQHA Professional Horsemen, then show their horse at an AQHA show. Ultimately, the project participants have the chance to win back their investment in their YHD horses through scholarships.

Many generous AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders have donated weanlings for the 2016-‘17 program. To receive one of these donated foals, free of charge, AQHYA members must submit their application and waiver forms by the extended deadline, October 15.

“The Young Horse Development Program was developed to help youth gain hands-on experience in training horses,” said Craig Huffhines, AQHA executive vice president. “The program gives youth a mentor to learn from and showcase their hard work and dedication to their project. This will, in turn, give participants a skill set that will set them apart when applying for scholarships, college and jobs.”

The 2016-17 project participants are vying for $5,000 in scholarships and prizes.

• 1st place: $2,000 scholarship and a Montana Silversmiths belt buckle

• 2nd place: $1,500 scholarship and a pair of Justin boots

• 3rd place: $1,000 scholarship and a $100 Wrangler gift certificate

• 4th place: $500 scholarship and a $100 Wrangler gift certificate

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

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHAnews on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.