Summer break is just around the corner and
that means the 2009 World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show,
June 22-July 4, will be coming to the Mississippi State Fairgrounds
in Jackson! While the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) is in town,
the Appaloosa Youth Association (AYA) will host a plethora
of fun activities for everyone to enjoy.
The Youth/Collegiate Horse Judging Contest is a great opportunity
for any individual or team interested in brushing up on their
equine judging skills. Members of 4-H, FFA, a regional or
national AYA club or any other accredited breed association
are eligible and encouraged to compete in the youth division.
The two divisions, youth and collegiate, are open to teams
and individuals. Entry fees are $25 for individuals and $75
for teams.
The Stick Horse Rodeo is open to all youths 13 and under.
This fun event gives little buckaroos the opportunity to select
their mounts and compete for cool prizes in rope and barrel
races, dummy roping and more! This event is free, so be sure
to sign up at the National Show Office in the Kirk Fordice
Equestrian Center.
The Youth Coloring Page Contest will be hosted at the ApHC
Information Booth at the 2009 Cowboy Way Trading Post in the
Trade Mart. Kids can put their artistic talent and eye for
color to good use in this coloring competition. Winning entries
are published in the September issue of Appaloosa Journal.
Though youths don’t have to be members to have fun with the
AYA, there are a lot of fun activities non-members are missing
out on! Joining is easy—for $10, become a member of the first
equine youth association in the nation. Youth members get
an online subscription to Appaloosa Journal, a free Appaloosa
E-mail address and more! Whether you have an Appaloosa or
not, the AYA has something for you!
Educational Scholarships are available to AYA members in high
school seeking an equine-related degree in an institution
of higher learning. The Appaloosa Youth Foundation annually
offers up to $9,000 in scholarships.
Annual Youth Contests allow AYA members to compete for various
awards and prizes. Whether your talent lies in drawing and
painting, photography or in writing—the AYA has a contest
for everyone!
For more information about the AYA and its programs, or to
join, please visit www.appaloosayouth.com.
