Congratulations to the 27 American Quarter Horse Youth Association members selected to participate in the 2015-16 AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program. This program engages the youth in raising yearlings, completing projects and furthering themselves as horsemen to earn scholarships and prizes.

This fall, the young horsemen and -women received or purchased weanlings from AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders. View a list of the 2015-16 Young Horse Development Program participants from across the country.

The program was created to give AQHYA members who want to participate in hands-on horse training an opportunity that will teach them the fundamentals of horsemanship. The horses used in the program were bred by AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders, which consist of working cattle ranches with a remuda of at least five AQHA-registered mares that produce ranch horses. The participating Ranching Heritage Breeders offered weanlings for the program participants to judge, select or purchase, raise and train. View a list of breeders who donated weanlings to this year’s program.

“The Young Horse Development Program was developed to help youth gain hands-on experience in training horses,” says AQHA Executive Vice President Craig Huffhines. “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.”

While raising their weanlings-turned-yearlings, the program participants will document their monthly progress; participate in monthly webinars; complete monthly management assignments; and track goals, such as competing in AQHA, 4-H, FFA or local horse shows; engage in mentoring sessions with local AQHA Professional Horsemen; and compile a video of themselves with their horse completing an in-hand trail pattern. Following project completion, a select number of scholarships and prizes will be awarded.

Learn more about this exciting program for AQHYA members.