Team USA Riders Selected For 2016 Youth World Games!

PHJ press release by: Rachel Florman

APHA.com

More than 20 accomplished AjPHA members applied for the opportunity to represent the United States in the 2016 Youth World Games, taking place during the European Paint Horse Championships in Kreuth, Germany, August 29–September 4. After a thorough review process, five applicants rose to the top of a competitive pool of talent.

“I was thrilled to see such an enthusiastic interest in Team USA and to receive so many applications from highly qualified young riders and leaders,” APHA Director of Youth Activities Christine Henry said. “I’m especially impressed with the scope of experiences and accomplishments our applicants listed; from raising 4-H livestock to fiddle playing to jobs and academic accomplishments, it was wonderful to see how involved our AjPHA members are within their communities while still finding the time to ride, practice and show their Paints. I’m confident our team of equestriennes will be excellent representatives for the United States, both in and out of the arena.”

Pat Trebesch of Aubrey, Texas, will coach Team USA again this year. ​Pat has coached Team USA for several ​years, amassing two Youth World Games wins.

Congratulations to the following members of Team USA:

Showmanship- Amanda Nelson is a 16-year-old equestrienne from North Logan, Utah, with world and reserve world championships under her belt. Amanda is the vice president of the Utah Junior Paint Horse Club. She is also a member of the Skyview High School FFA chapter and the ping pong club. She’s earned a spot on the ​academic ​honor roll for four years and received her FFA Greenhand degree.

Horsemanship- MacKenzie Chapman, 16, of Bellevue, Michigan, will represent Team USA in horsemanship. MacKenzie is a multiple world and reserve world champion rider, and she’s earned multiple year-end ​Honor ​Roll awards. She has served on the AjPHA Youth Leadership teams since 2012 and is the current AjPHA ​president-​elect. Outside of APHA, MacKenzie is ​vice ​president of the Baseline 4-H Club, a swine-project ​participant and a member of her high school’s National Honor Society.

Equitation- Lucie Lundquist of Medina, Washington, will ​compete in hunt-seat equitation for Team USA. Lucie is a 17-year-old world and reserve world champion rider. In addition to her equestrian activities, Lucie is a writer​ and designer for her school’s newspaper, participates in her local Young Life club and volunteers. She also runs varsity cross country and has earned two varsity letters in the sport.

Trail- Madeline Alewine of Buckeye, Arizona, is a recent signee to the Oklahoma State University NCEA Horsemanship Team. The 17-year-old has ridden to Top Five and Top 10 finishes at the AjPHA Youth World Championship Show. Madeline is also involved in AjPHA leadership—she’s the vice president of the Arizona Junior Paint Horse Club and an AjPHA ​national ​director. In school, Madeline is a member of the National Honors Society and the FFA of America chapter, where she competes in career development events at the state and district level.

Alternate– A versatile rider from Southampton, New Jersey, 16-year-old Anna Lia Sullivan has the talent to represent Team USA in any Youth World Games event, should another team member be unable to compete. Anna Lia is a Northwest Paint Horse ​Championship winner and reserve champion, and she’s earned AjPHA Youth Champion and Youth Performance Versatility awards, along with several Paint Alternative Competition year-end category wins. She’s the vice president of the Garden State Junior Paint Horse Club, a national director for AjPHA and the 2015–2016 New Jersey State 4-H Equestrian of the Year. Outside of APHA, Anna Lia finished fifth in horsemanship at the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Nationals and has earned multiple New Jersey 4-H state championships.

For more information on the Youth World Games, contact Christine Henry.