AQHYA World Championship Show Contests

American Quarter Horse Youth Association members are invited to participate in contests outside of the arena at the AQHYA World Championship Show, slated for August 2-11 Iat the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. Through horse judging, speech, art/photo, scrapbook, boots and jeans, stall decorating and team spirit contests, members are increasing their equine knowledge, as well as developing skills that will last a lifetime. Registration forms are available online and are due July 15.

Youth horse judging teams are invited to enter the horse judging contest, which is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, August 6. Participants evaluate a variety of four-horse halter and performance classes that are either staged for the contest or are actual AQHYA World entries being judged concurrently during the show and horse judging contest. Three divisions will be offered this year, debuting the new 13-&-under division along with the 14-18 and limited divisions.  Youth may enter as a team or individually in each division.

Exhibitors who want to show their more artistic side can enter the art/photo, scrapbook or Justin boots and Wrangler jeans decorating contests. The decorated Justin boots and Wrangler jeans should reflect this year’s AQHYA theme, “We’re All In.” On Sunday, August 4, entries will be judged on how the boots and jeans represent this year’s theme, the state/provincial/international affiliate, artistic creativity, use of materials and presentation.

Entries for the art/photo contest will be displayed in the hallway outside of the Show Office during the AQHYA World for exhibitors to view. Scrapbook entries can be either traditional or digital scrapbooks, but entries must be submitted digitally. The winners of the art/photo contest and scrapbook contest will be announced on Wednesday, August 7, in the Jim Norick Arena during the Parade of Teams. The art/photo and scrapbook contests allow for youth to participate without having to travel to Oklahoma City. Both the art/photo and scrapbook contest allow participants to be involved without having to travel to Oklahoma City by submitting entries through the mail or online!

The public speaking contests offer three options for involvement with an impromptu speech, prepared speech and 13-&-Under public speaking contests. The topic for the prepared-speech contest is publicized to give competitors time to practice for the event. Impromptu topics are drawn five minutes prior to the contestant’s turn to compete. The speech contests start at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 7. The winners will be announced on Wednesday, August 7.

All affiliates are automatically entered in the stall decorating and team spirit contests. Stalls will be judged August 4-8. Winners in each division will be awarded based on maintenance and cleanliness, expression of the AQHYA theme, “We’re All In,” originality and craftsmanship.

Other events that count toward the Team Spirit Award include entries in the scrapbook, art/photo, and the Wrangler jeans and Justin boots decorating contests. The Team Spirit Awards will be announced on Friday, August 9, in the Jim Norick Arena.

For more information and entry forms, visit www.aqha.com/aqhya-world-championship-show-contests.

About the AQHYA World

The AQHYA World Championship Show is the world’s largest, single-breed world championship horse show open exclusively to youth exhibitors age 18 and under. This is the pinnacle event for youth competitors around the world who must qualify for the event by earning a predetermined number of points to secure a spot in each of the classes, representing English, western and halter disciplines, or earn an invitation through their state or provincial affiliate. The show includes Level 3, Adequan® Level 2 and Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champions classes. 

To learn more about the AQHYA World, visit www.aqha.com/youthworld.

AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more information visit www.aqha.com/news or tune into our Podcast, “Let's Talk AQHA.”