REGIONAL AND AQHYA NEWS - RELEASED MAY 15, 2008

This information comes to you from your REGIONAL YOUTH DIRECTOR

AQHA TELEVISION PRESENTS ONLINE CONTEST FOR YOUTH MEMBERS

Winner featured on “AQHA Presents” on RFD-TV Network

 America’s Horse, May 15, 2008 – The American Quarter Horse Association’s weekly television series, “AQHA Presents,” is preparing to launch its next Team Wrangler online contest. This time, American Quarter Horse Youth Association members will have the chance to have their American Quarter Horse made over with the help of Team Wrangler members.

 The online essay contest, “Team Wrangler – Make Over My American Quarter Horse,” is exclusively for AQHYA members who are current members as of May 15. Youth can log on to www.aqhamembers.com any day between May 19 and June 9, and in 150 words or less, tell how and why their horse needs a makeover, and how a Team Wrangler member can help. The selected winner will have Team Wrangler members come to their barn for a two-day training session to help make over their American Quarter Horse. Plus, the winner will be featured on an upcoming episode of “AQHA Presents” on the RFD-TV network and in America’s Horse magazine. Prizes for second- through 10th-place winners include a Junior Master Horseman gift pack (levels one and two) or AQHA’s Fundamentals of Horsemanship Level I and Wrangler product pack.

“We want our youth members to have the opportunity to learn from some of our outstanding professional horsemen and horsewomen,” said AQHA Executive Vice President Bill Brewer. “This contest will help some lucky youth member who might not have access to a professional become more educated and confident with their American Quarter Horse.”

 “AQHA Presents” television series on RFD-TV includes educational and entertaining shows featuring top Team Wrangler members. In addition to “Make Over My Horse,” other Team Wrangler shows include “What’s It Like To,” where Team Wrangler members give a one-on-one lesson from their discipline, such as cutting or roping, to a member of the AQHA publications staff, and “Trading Saddles,” where Team Wrangler members trade places with another member of a different discipline.

“AQHA Presents” airs three times weekly – Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 11 p.m. EST and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. EST. Now available in more than 31 million homes, RFD-TV can be seen on satellite systems Dish (Channel 231) and DirectTV (Channel 379), as well as Mediacom, Charter, Suddenlink, Bresnan and Comcast cable systems. For more information on the network, visit www.rfdtv.com.

Team Wrangler is a joint effort of AQHA and AQHA Corporate Partner Wrangler, and is a yearlong competition featuring members of the AQHA Association of Professional Horsemen representing both racing and show disciplines within the American Quarter Horse industry.

The “Team Wrangler – Make Over My American Quarter Horse” contest ends Monday, June 9, at 5 p.m. CST. Complete contest rules are available at www.aqhamembers.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines. 

MEET YOUR YOUTH AQHA REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Riley Nussbaum  

AQHYA Region II Director - SDQHYA Vice President

Welcome to 2008 from your AQHYA Leadership Team Eric Bramow and Riley Nussbaum. We want to update you on what's happening with the AQHYA projects and how our region or state can be involved.

1.  Special Equestrians - our national community service project - We will be selling/auctioning bracelets to raise money for youth who need financial assistance to attend their program. The bracelets come in the fashionable colors orange and teal with the sayings "Live, Laugh, Ride" or "Life is a Ride". Contact us to get yours today for $3.00? We will also be collecting items from their wish list. We encourage you to help us in this venture as its is such a great cause.  Visit their website http://www.specialequestrians.org/.

2. Jackson Land and Cattle Youth World Show Assistance Fund - Is the cost of competing at the Youth World Show keeping you from accomplishing your dream?? If you answered yes, then this could be the answer to your financial challenges. This fund is for youth who need financial assistance to attend the AQHYA World Show.  All you have to do is send the completed application to AQHYA and find out if you qualified for funding.  We have attached application inforamtion for your convenience and would appreciate you spreading awareness of this program so more youth can take advantage of it. Last year over $30,000 was awarded!

2008 APPLICATION PROCESS

*Youth may access an application from the youth homepage (www.aqhya.com), by contacting the AQHYA (8060378-4342) or through the state's youth advisor.

*Pre-approval can be obtained from December 1st through April 1st for youth who want to participate at the 2008 Youth World Show.

*Applications will need to be mailed, faxed or emailed directly to AQHYA.

*Applications will be notified in a timely manner through a letter, if they are a recipient of funding.

*The funding will not be sent to the individuals until after entries are processed at AQHA (mid-July).

3.  We are continuing our mission of taking Junior Master Horseman into classrooms and 4-H groups around the nation. If you would like to be involved, please contact us. It looks great on a resume.

4.  Mark your calendar for the 2008 YES and AQHYA Convention - June 19-21st.

Eric and Riley - AQHYA Region II National Directors

CONTACT RILEY HERE!