YES Priority Registration Deadline is June 1
Join Our Mission: Powering Up with AQHYA members from around the world at the 2025 Youth Excellence Seminar July 8-10 in Amarillo, Texas.
YES offers a wide variety of activities for both youth and adult leaders. Be sure you check out the tentative schedule to see what is in store for this three-day, action-packed event. See what current AQHYA President, Abigail Eddy, said about the event below:
“The AQHYA Leadership Board and I could not be more excited to host this year’s Youth Excellence Seminar at our headquarters in Amarillo, Texas! This year, our mission for YES is all about powering up to bringing together the brightest, most passionate young leaders in the AQHYA community. We’re focused on igniting new connections, inspiring fresh ideas, and fueling the energy of our youth. We can’t wait to share incredible workshops, engaging speakers, and unforgettable experiences that will power us all up for the future of the American Quarter Horse. The countdown to YES is on!”– Abigail Eddy, AQHYA President
To read more about YES, click here. The online priority registration deadline is June 1, 2025. Don’t forget – adults who chaperone eight kids or more will still receive 50% off the standard price of registration.
To reserve a hotel room at the 2025 YES host hotel, The Embassy Suites by Hilton Amarillo Downtown, click here. Embassy Suites Hotel – 550 S Buchanan St, Amarillo, TX, (806) 803-5500
Youth Excellence Seminar Travel Grants
Again for 2025, the American Quarter Horse Youth Association and AQHA International teams are proud to offer travel grants to be awarded to 2025 Youth Excellence Seminar attendees. Four grants will be offered to domestic attendees, and eight grants will be offered to international attendees to assist in offsetting travel expenses for those wanting to attend YES.
For domestic attendees, four travel grants up to $500 will be awarded. Grants will be awarded based on the application process reviewed by designated members of the youth activities committee.
Eight travel grants will be awarded to international attendees up to $2,000 per grant. Grants will be awarded by an application process reviewed by designated members of both the international and youth activities committees.
Submit an application for a YES travel grant by April 30 here.
AQHYA ASPIRE Award Applications Due May 15
The AQHYA ASPIRE Award is a $1,000 award for an AQHYA member who excels in leadership and service. The award assists in developing and improving scholarship, leadership and community interest, and participation of young horsemen. This award will be presented at the 2025 Youth Excellence Seminar in Amarillo.
Applications are due online by May 15, 2025. If you know an AQHYA member deserving of this special award, please encourage them to apply. The online application can be found here.
AQHYA Officer and Director Application Deadline June 1
Again for 2025, all officer and director applications will be completed and submitted online. Click here for a link to the online application.
The updated AQHYA Guide to Campaigning is available here. This will give youth all the information they need to successfully campaign for a director or officer position. Please note, the application deadline for candidates campaigning for the AQHYA Board is June 1. All election materials and application instructions are included in the Guide to Campaigning.
AQHYA Delegates: Voting delegates representing their AQHYA Affiliate will elect the 2023-24 AQHYA Officers and Directors during YES. Article V, Sections 1 and 2. of the AQHYA Bylaws below detail the role of AQHYA Delegates:
Section 1. Delegates: A youth affiliate shall exercise its voting privileges in AQHYA through its Delegates.
Section 2. Annually, each youth affiliate shall elect four (4) Delegates who shall be elected by the individual members in good standing of each youth affiliate.
ALL OFFICER & DIRECTOR CANDIDATES MUST BE DELEGATES!
Delegates must be registered for the Youth Excellence Seminar and must attend in-person in order to vote. A final list of affiliate delegates will need to be submitted by the affiliate youth adviser by June 15.
Adult Memberships at Youth Prices: Reduced Membership Fees for College-Aged Members
The American Quarter Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Youth Association continue to offer reduced membership fees for college-aged young adults. The reduction of fees for college-aged members offers an opportunity for young adults to continue their involvement with AQHA and foster their bond with the American Quarter Horse during a time when it may be difficult to stretch their budget.
To be eligible for college-aged membership, young adults must:
Be age 25 or younger as of January 1 of the current year
Be currently enrolled in either a two- or four-year college, university or vocational school
Provide transcripts or university identification from their institution
The college-aged membership application form can be found here.
2025 Youth Excellence Seminar: July 8 – 10, 2025, Amarillo, TX
July 6: 2024-25 Youth Board Arrival
July 11: 2025-26 Youth Board Training
2025 AQHYA World Championship Show: August 1 – 10, 2025 (tentative), Oklahoma City, OK
Kimes Ranch Competition Award Fund: AQHA and Kimes Ranch are excited to announce the addition of the Kimes Ranch Competition Award Fund to the prize lineup at the AQHYA World Championship Show, beginning in 2025. The Kimes Ranch Competition Award Fund will help young people kickstart their future by offering cash awards for their success at the AQHYA World Championship Show in the arena, plus judging and speech competitions. This addition further extends the prize package for the 2025 AQHYA World Show to a record-breaking total of over $1 million.
The Kimes Ranch Competition Award Fund will be available to the winning competitors when they turn 18, regardless of the age at which they won the award. The award will be paid out as follows:
Once they turn 18, those that have been awarded the funding can use it to further their education at a college/university, junior college, community college, or accredited trade school or, if they choose to forego secondary education and go straight into the workforce, they will also have access to the award. Read more about the Kimes Competition Award Fund here.
Tentative Schedule: The tentative schedule for the AQHYA World Championship show is now available online here. The schedule includes Level 3, Adequan Level 2, 13 & Under, and Level 1 Champion of Champions classes.
Change of Affiliation: A Change of Affiliation form is required each year to change a youth member’s state affiliate they represent at the AQHYA World Championship Show. This form must be completed fully and must include all four required signatures. Forms must be submitted online through the link above by June 1, 2025. The online format allows for the exhibitor information to be captured in the form and the completed signature page to be attached. The youth, parent/guardian, and both youth advisers will receive an email confirmation when the online form is submitted. No late forms will be accepted, so please encourage members to plan ahead.
Qualifications: The AQHYA World Championship Show is tentatively scheduled for August 1-10 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. The national qualifying period began May 1, 2024, and ends April 30, 2025. View the qualifying point requirements here. Exhibitors can also qualify through an affiliate and should contact their youth adviser for more details.
The entry process for the 2025 Youth World Show will remain with the youth advisers, just as it has been in previous years. All entries will require approval from the youth advisers through the online entry system. AQHYA exhibitors interested in competing at Youth World will continue to work through their state/provincial adviser for information on entering and must meet affiliate requirements to compete.
Entry Limits per Affiliate: As a reminder, the total number of classes offered for Level 2 and Level 3 (including Level 2 and Level 3 13-&-under core classes) will be multiplied by six for the total number of entries each affiliate is allowed. There is no limit on the number of affiliate entries per class.
Affiliate Basket Silent Auction: The AQHYA Community Service committee members brainstormed creative and fun ways to fundraise during the AQHYA World Show. After considering various options, the idea of an affiliate basket silent auction was created. The committee is hoping to create an exciting atmosphere that will encourage participation while giving back to the AQHYA community.
Gift baskets representing each affiliate should be brought to the YWS and placed in a silent auction. Baskets can be filled with items that represent each state such as local products, memorabilia, arts, crafts, non-perishable foods, etc. with a value of $100. The basket with the highest bid will be recognized during the YWS.
Contest Registrations Due July 15: AQHYA members and Youth World Show exhibitors have the opportunity to compete outside the arena in affordable, accessible contests that will strengthen their skills. Please encourage your youth to make the most of their time at the Youth World Show!
Click here for details and registration forms.
Informational Webinars: Please join us for an informational Youth Adviser webinar to discuss the 2025 AQHYA Youth World Show entry form in detail. Once again, we will be discussing the functionality of the entry form and the 2025 entry process. This meeting will be recorded as well if you are unable to attend. The meeting will be held in late May, the exact date and time are TBA.
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