AQHYA Leadership Team

AQHYA President Harley Jo Jones

Serving as the 2025-2026 AQHYA President is Harley Jo Jones from Romance, Arkansas. During her presidential term Harley Jo wants to focus on positivity, empathy and inclusivity. She plans to create a welcoming environment where each member feels included and valued so that they may grow and become successful within the Association. Harley Jo Jones is also in her fourth term as Arkansas Quarter Horse Youth Association president, teaches Sunday school at her church and organizes events for the AQHYA members in her home state. Harley Jo is a junior at Arkansas Connections Academy.

First Vice President Elden Fredenburg

Elden Fredenburg from Straughn, Indiana is the 2025-2026 first vice president. Currently serving as the Indiana Quarter Horse Youth Association vice president, Elden has also been a member of the AQHYA public policy committee and chaired the IQHYA world show committee. Elden works on his family’s black angus cattle operation and volunteers his time at his local nursing home, food bank and preschool. Elden will focus on getting every AQHYA member to attend the Youth Excellence Seminar, as he believes it’s a great opportunity for youth members to bond and become more active in the Association. Elden is a sophomore at Tri Junior Senior High School.

Second Vice President Madelyn MacLarren

Maddie MacLarren from Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the 2025-2026 second vice president. Maddie previously served as a Region 9 director and has been involved in the AQHYA Youth World Show committee, Tennessee Quarter Horse Youth Association Youth World Show committee and TQHYA outreach committee. She also served as the TQHYA president and second vice president. Maddie ‘s platform “No Horse, No Problem” emphasizes that everyone belongs with AQHYA and she hopes to empower everyone with different ways to be involved. Maddie is a junior at Rutherford County Virtual School.

Executive Committee Member Adrianna Goolsby

Adrianna Goolsby of Sussex, New Jersey, serves as an executive committee member for the 2025-2026 term. Adrianna is focused on inspiring fellow AQHYA members to be confident and courageous, and she would like to encourage youth leaders everywhere to step up and get involved in their affiliates. Adrianna has assisted in expanding AQHYA’s global connections as the international committee chair, identified outreach opportunities and promoted AQHYA programs to her fellow Region 5 members. Adrianna is a sophomore at Texas Tech University where she is a member of the TTU Pre-Nursing Association and the TTU Masked Rider Field Safety team. She has also worked as a volunteer EMT.

Executive Committee Member Brylee Leach 

Brylee Leach of New River, Arizona is an executive committee member for the 2025-2026 term. Brylee would like to engage directly with members to understand what they want to see in AQHYA, then work toward gaining new AQHYA members and growing involvement at existing events. Brylee spent the past two years as an AQHYA Region 7 director, served on the international committee, and served as the Arizona Quarter Horse Youth Association president. Outside of the Association, Brylee is a National Honors Society member and is the secretary for the Cactus Shadows Vivace Honors Choir. She also participates in student organizations and volunteers through her church. Brylee is a senior at Cactus Shadows High School.

Region 1

Brooklyn Benjamin

Brooklyn hails from Stanwood, Washington, and is serving as a Region 1 director for the 2025-2026 term. She is dedicated to working with her American Quarter Horse as they compete in timed events, and seeks to use her strengths in team-building, collaboration, and initiative to continue to build the Association.  Her goals while serving AQHYA include strengthening youth leadership and representation in her region, increasing member involvement and participation, and promoting inclusivity and diversity. Brooklyn is a high school junior.  

Region 2

Addysen Kurtz

Addysen Kurtz, from Rapid City, South Dakota, is serving her first term as a Region 2 director for 2025-2026. Addysen wants to help AQHA grow by sharing what AQHA has to offer with youth involved in other organizations.  She credits AQHYA membership and involvement with changing her life and believes it could do the same for others.  She points to AQHYA programs as being inclusive, educational and adding to life experience.  Addysen plans to focus on growing membership in her home state and throughout Region 2 as a whole, focusing on reaching those competing with American Quarter Horses in open events, 4-H and FFA.

Madeline Spreeman

Madeline Spreeman from Ithica, Nebraska, is serving as a Region 2 director. She is currently the vice president of the Nebraska Quarter Horse Youth Association, president of her local FFA chapter and president of two 4-H clubs. Her vision for AQHYA is to get more people involved through competition or by increasing participation in other activities like meetings and educational seminars. Madeline is a senior at Bishop Neumann High School.

Rowdy Wetz

Rowdy Wetz, from Vale, South Dakota, is serving as a Region 2 director for the 2025-2026 term.  He is president of the Newell FFA chapter and the secretary of his local 4-H club.  A breeder of American Quarter Horses, Rowdy’s focus is on communication, team-building and using his training in public speaking and parliamentary procedure. His goals include member recruitment, member involvement and growth of the membership. Rowdy is a senior at Newell High School.

Region 3

Ansley Mings

Ansley Mings, from Columbia, Missouri, is serving her first term as a Region 3 director for the 2025-2026 term. Ansley is a varsity athlete in track and field and cross country and has been successful showing in ranch riding and horsemanship. To serve her community, she volunteers at the local food pantry and veterans’ hospital. She has also served as her school’s student executive council vice president. She would like to work toward getting more people involved in the Association and organize more social events for the youth members at horse shows across the country. Ansley is a sophomore at Father Tolton Catholic High School.

Region 4

Colton Smith

Hailing from Bellefontaine, Ohio, Colton Smith is serving as a Region 4 director. He has served as the Ohio Quarter Horse Association president for the past two years. In the show pen, Colton has seen many years of success, while also maintaining honor roll grades. He also volunteers at a local nursing home and is active in charities in his community. “Learn, lead, believe, achieve” represents Colton’s philosophy. He strives to continuously learn leadership and problem-solving, build a better team through strong leadership, believe in the work being done and work to achieve the goals at hand for the Association. Colton is a senior at Calvary Christian School.

Lizzi Smith

Lizzi Smith is from Burton, Michigan, and is serving as a Region 4 director. Lizzi is president of the Michigan Quarter Horse Youth Association and served on several committees. Lizzi wants to focus on supporting the mental health of professionals in our industry, specifically building bridges into the veterinary professional community and learning how to assist and support them. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships with others and developing meaningful ways to positively impact them, especially during crises or times of need. She wants to help inform the public about veterinarians and how to work effectively with them. Lizzi is a senior at Michigan International Prep School.

Olivia DeFranco

From Montville, Ohio, Olivia DeFranco is serving as a Region 4 director. She is currently serving as an Ohio Quarter Horse Youth Association director. She values excellence and achievement and hopes to someday win the AQHYA World Show and American Quarter Horse Congress. She has volunteered at several food banks in her community, helping to fill the local food pantry. Olivia has also been in 4-H for five years and points to that as beneficial in supporting and broadening her experiences. Olivia wants to welcome all new members to make them feel at home. Olivia is a sophomore at Ohio Virtual Academy.

Region 5

Brody Marshall

Brody Marshall from Gloucester, Virginia is serving as a Region 5 director. He is in his second term as the Virginia Quarter Horse Youth Association president, where he has expanded his leadership skills and helped with fundraising. He is active in the horse show community and enjoys volunteering at those events. Outside the industry, Brody serves at his church and works at homeless shelters. He would like to work on creating an environment where everyone feels welcome in the Association. Brody is a sophomore in high school.

Caroline Wisniewski

Caroline Wisniewski from Glassboro, New Jersey is serving her second term as a Region 5 director while also serving as New Jersey Quarter Horse Youth Association president and social media committee chair. In the industry, Caroline has worked as a barn manager for the past three years. She would like to hone her social media skills to help promote her region as well as increasing efficiency and fundraising to further build the region’s annual leadership conference. Caroline is a college freshman studying diagnostic medical sonography.

Lauren Goolsby

Lauren Goolsby is from Sussex, New Jersey, and is returning as the 2025-2026 Region 5 director. Lauren is the New Jersey Quarter Horse Youth Association vice president and also hosts the Region 5 website. Outside of AQHYA, she has participated as the treasurer and market committee chairwoman in the Friends of Rachel (FOR) Club, is a student council member and participates in several school sports. She is focused on AQHYA growth with a strong sense of cohesion and an online presence that fosters unity and is tailored to a young audience. Lauren is a junior at Vernon Township High School.

Region 7

Jack Kimes

Jack Kimes is from Scottsdale, Arizona, and is serving as a 2025-2026 Region 7 director. He is currently serving as Arizona Quarter Horse Youth Association treasurer, and as such has led recent fundraisers for the AzQHYA. Outside of AQHYA, he is involved in his local FFA and the National Reined Cow Horse Youth Association. Jack has the goal of increasing youth involvement and making a lasting impact on others whether through contributing to the creation of a scholarship or helping someone in person with a horse. Jack is a sophomore at Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center Paradise Valley.

Kamryn Perkins 

Kamryn Perkins is from Prescott Valley, Arizona, and is returning as a Region 7 director for the 2025-2026 term. She has served as the Arizona Quarter Horse Youth Association vice president and treasurer and served as a member of AQHYA’s Youth World Show committee. Outside of AQHYA, playing softball taught her perseverance, time management and working toward a common goal, even under pressure. Kamryn wants to represent fellow youth members, promote youth involvement and contribute to the growth of the American Quarter Horse industry. Kamryn is a sophomore at Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center.

Madison Renfro

Hailing from Finley, California, Madison Renfro is serving as a 2025-2026 Region 7 director. She has served as the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Youth Association president and vice president twice, where she led fundraisers to support scholarships and grew youth involvement. Madison is committed to community service through her 4-H club and FFA chapter, where she’s been involved in efforts ranging from cleaning up parks to canned food drives. She is also the junior representative for the Lake County Fair, ensuring it runs smoothly every year. Madison is a junior at Kelseyville High School.

Region 8

Jake Huston

Jake Huston is from Douglass, Kansas, and is serving as a 2025-2026 Region 8 director. He served as the Kansas Quarter Horse Youth Association president, vice president and fundraising director. Jake is driven by the goals of achieving success and creating opportunities for personal growth and improvement, but his focus remains service. He contributes his time to different efforts in his community including the Salvation Army Clothes Closet and Food Bank and sets up Christmas lights at a senior center. Jake is a sophomore at Douglass High School.

Maccey Cline Standridge

From Stillwater, Oklahoma, Maccey Cline Standridge is serving as a 2025-2026 Region 8 director. She is currently serving as a member of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Youth Association board of directors. She seeks to increase youth participation in her region and throughout AQHYA by making every participant at shows feel welcome. She believes running a horse show, barn or equine organization requires people to work together for the common goal. For the past two years, Maccey has been a weekly volunteer at a therapeutic riding center. Maccey is a junior at the Insight School of Oklahoma.

Zanah Hanon

From Mustang, Oklahoma, Zanah Hanon is returning to serve as a Region 8 director for the 2025-2026 term. She is also serving as the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Youth Association president and is a past OQHYA director. Zanah is motivated by her passion for helping others and creating a welcoming, inclusive environment. Zanah does her best to lead by example – encouraging inclusion, supporting her peers and fostering teamwork. She has been active in her community by volunteering at local events, helping younger riders and supporting youth programs through AQHYA. Zanah is a junior attending Mustang High School.

Region 9

Bethany Robertson

From Pulaski, Tennessee, Bethany Robertson is serving as a 2025-2026 Region 9 director. Bethany has served as the Tennessee Quarter Horse Youth Association treasurer for the past two years and is the creator and author of the TQHYA monthly newsletter. Bethany is also a member of the TQHYA horse judging team. Outside of the Association, she is a student pilot and an active member of her FFA chapter. Bethany looks forward to empowering her state and region by increasing education, awareness and engagement. Bethany is a sophomore at Acellus Academy.

Laura Leigh Eady

Laura Leigh Eady is from Lawrence, Mississippi, and is serving as a Region 9 director for 2025-2026. She is currently serving as the Mississippi Quarter Horse Youth Association first vice president and is a past second vice president. Throughout her AQHYA, MQHYA and FFA journey, she has learned to conquer her fears, balance demanding roles and worked through many challenges. Because of those experiences, her goal is to empower youth by helping them realize how much they can truly achieve through AQHYA and the agriculture industry. Laura Leigh is a senior at Newton County High School.

Taylor Breland

Taylor is from Philadelphia, Mississippi, and is returning for a second term in 2025-2026 as a Region 9 director. She serves as the Mississippi Quarter Horse Youth Association president and has also been the MQHYA second vice president and recording secretary. Taylor believes learning to compete under pressure has allowed her to excel in everything she does. Thus, her goal is to have a firm foundation for current and future members. She volunteers at an Equestrians With Disabilities Show each year, allowing her to see the impact horses have on the lives of many children and adults. She hopes that by explaining the importance of AQHYA board members and the role they play in the future of our Association, young members will have interest in pursuing a leadership role. Taylor is a sophomore at Leake Academy.

Region 10

Camdyn Evans

Camdyn Evans is from Seneca, South Carolina and is serving as a 2025-2026 Region 10 director. Camdyn has served as a voting delegate for the Georgia Quarter Horse Youth Association, been on their scrapbook committee and participated on their outreach team. Outside of the Association, she operates her own cottage baking business and has worked as a customer service representative at a boutique in her hometown. Camdyn seeks to build a more involved membership, especially at the regional level. She plans to establish a newsletter to inform her peers about the upcoming events and opportunities and also hopes to create an outreach program for the new small-fry class. Camdyn is a high school sophomore.

Mary Kathleen Couey

Mary Kathleen Couey is from Loganville, Georgia, and is serving as a Region 10 director.  Mary Kathleen wants to actively mentor and guide younger members, helping them learn about leadership, sportsmanship and horse ownership.  She plans to encourage youth participation in breed shows and clinics and utilize social media to highlight youth achievements and grow attendance at events.  Additionally, Mary Kathleen hopes to host leadership workshops and fundraising events to support youth growth and participation.  Her goal is to inspire the next generation to carry forward the legacy of the American Quarter Horse.

Gracie Sater

Hailing from Canton, Georgia, Gracie Sater is returning as a 2025-2026 Region 10 director. She currently serves as the first vice president of the Georgia Quarter Horse Youth Association and was a member of the AQHYA international committee. Outside of AQHYA, Gracie enjoys music and plays piano, the bass guitar and singing and is active in her local theatre production. She also volunteers her time at a therapeutic riding center and assisted-living facility in her area. Gracie will focus on making AQHYA accessible to more young people so they can benefit from the Association’s opportunities and programs. Gracie is a junior at Creekview High School.

Region 11

Alejandro Mier Diaz

Hailing from Tequisquiapan, Mexico, Alejandro Mier Diaz is returning as a Region 11 director for the 2025-2026 term. Alejandro organized the first Region 11 youth seminar in Mexico and also travelled to Panama to represent AQHYA at the David International Fair. He rides and shows reining horses, is the captain of his flag football team and is the goalie for his soccer team. He plans to continue to strengthen AQHYA’s presence in Latin America and increase awareness of AQHYA’s programs in those areas. Alejandro is a junior at Colegio Real de Querenda, S. C.

Emma Louise Schmidt

From North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Emma Louise Schmidt is serving as a Region 11 director for 2025-2026. Emma Louise shows ranch riding and has been an AQHYA member since she was seven years old. Outside the Association, she volunteers at her local fire department, as a swimming instructor and as a lifeguard at the lakes and beaches near her home. Emma Louise would like to inspire others to believe in themselves and their potential, grow as individuals and build a supportive international AQHYA network. Emma Louise is a freshman at Theodor-Heuss-Gymnasium Radevormwald.

Megan Waugh

Megan Waugh is a Region 11 director for the 2025-2026 term from Fort McMurray, Alberta. She has served as the Alberta Youth Quarter Horse Association vice president for two consecutive terms. In that role she learned to overcome challenges by staying disciplined, asking for help when needed and reminding herself why she started. Megan has learned how to balance being an honors student, traveling and showing horses. Megan help build the inclusive environment and community she wishes to experience herself. Megan is a sophomore at Westwood Community High School.