AQHYA Officer and Director Candidates

Region 1

Taitum Connick

Taitum Connick hails from Eagle Point, Oregon, and is a sophomore at River’s Edge Academy Charter School. She has worked as an intern for Titus Covington Performance Horses for the past three years. Additionally, Taitum participated in the AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program. Taitum currently serves as an AQHYA Region 1 director. She also serves in the children's ministry at her church. She is hoping to serve all the youth of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska to the best of her abilities, promoting the American Quarter Horse. She plans to promote the AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program to youth within her region, as her experience in the program was very rewarding and life changing.

Taitum is running for re-election as a Region 1 director.

Region 2

Madeline Spreeman

Madeline Spreeman hails from Ithica, Nebraska, and is a senior at Bishop Neumann High School. She is currently serving as the president of her local FFA chapter, as well as two 4-H clubs. She is the vice president of the Nebraska Quarter Horse Youth Association and has served as the treasurer in the past. Her vision for AQHYA is to get more people involved. From showmanship to barrel racing, everyone can compete in something. While many people show, fewer participate in other activities like meetings and educational seminars, which she hopes to increase awareness about.

Madeline is running for election as a Region 2 director.

Region 3

Ansley Mings

Ansley Mings, from Columbia, Missouri, is a sophomore at Father Tolton Catholic High School. Ansley is a varsity athlete in track and field and cross country and has been successful in ranch riding and horsemanship in the show pen. To serve her community, she volunteers at the local food pantry and veterans’ hospital. She has also served as the Student Executive Council vice president for her school. As she runs for AQHYA Region 3 director for the first time, she would like to work toward getting more people involved in the Association. She would also like to organize more social events for the youth members at horse shows across the country.

For her first year, Ansley is campaigning for a Region 3 director position.

Region 4

Colton Smith

Hailing from Bellefontaine, Ohio, Colton Smith is an incoming senior at Calvary Christian School. Colton is currently the AQHYA second vice president and serves on the AQHYA Outreach Committee. He has also 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. Outside of the industry, he volunteers at the local nursing home and is active in charities in his community. “Learn, lead, believe, achieve” is the platform from which Colton is running his re-election campaign. He would like to learn how to be a better leader and problem solver through conventions and workshops, build a better team through strong leadership, believe in the work being done and put his whole heart into that and achieve the goals at hand for the Association.

Colton is running for re-election as a Region 4 director, national officer and AQHYA presidency.

Elden Fredenburg

Elden Fredenburg is a sophomore at Tri Junior Senior High School in Straughn, Indiana. He currently serves as a Region 4 director and has served as the Indiana Quarter Horse Youth Association vice president since 2022. Elden has served on the AQHYA Public Policy Committee and as the IQHYA World Show Committee chair. Elden works on his family’s black angus cattle operation and volunteers his time at his local nursing home, food bank and preschool. In his re-election campaign, he would like to 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. For his region specifically, he would like to build on what has already been done by the leaders of the past.

This year, Elden is running for re-election for Region 4 director and a national officer position.

Elizabeth “Lizzi” Smith

Lizzi Smith is from Burton, Michigan, and a senior at Michigan International Prep School. She currently is serving as a Region 4 director serving on several committees and is past president of the Michigan Quarter Horse Youth Association. In her re-election campaign, Lizzi is focusing on the mental health of professionals in our industry. She was able to contact AQHA Professional Horseman Tim Ketterman and work on ways to reach out to local veterinarians and see how she could assist them. She has started with a Google survey asking questions regarding what would help them and their peers in a time of trouble. Lizzi has received quite a few responses and is working together on ways to help. She plans to implement videos informing the public about veterinarians, how to manage situations with them and how to treat your vet.

Lizzi is campaigning for re-election as a Region 4 director and a national officer position.

Olivia DeFranco

From Montville, Ohio, Olivia DeFranco is a sophomore at Ohio Virtual Academy. She is currently serving as an Ohio Quarter Horse Youth Association director. A few of her goals include always wanting to have her name known in AQHA and be successful in the industry; she hopes to win the AQHYA World Show and American Quarter Horse Congress. In the community, she has volunteered at several food banks, buying canned goods to fill the local food pantry. She has been in 4-H for five years, which has been a beneficial experience for her. Olivia wants to campaign in hopes that she can welcome all new members to make them feel at home.

Olivia is running for election as a Region 4 director.

Region 5

Addison Kimble

Addison Kimble is a sophomore at Acellus Academy from Kents Store, Virginia. She currently serves as an AQHYA Region 5 director and has served as Virginia Quarter Horse Youth Association president and secretary. As a member of VQHYA, she worked as the Fundraising and Community Service Committee chairwoman and held a spot on the Youth committee. Outside of the Association, Addison is a member of her local 4-H club, judges 4-H contests and has worked as a 4-H camp counselor. She is also an assistant farm manager and works as an after-school tutor. In her re-election campaign, Addison plans to focus on member participation, regional cooperation and expanding AQHYA’s outreach. She believes that bringing people together creates a more effective and supportive community where young people can grow and progress.

Addison is campaigning for re-election as Region 5 director.

Adrianna “Anna” Goolsby

A freshman at Texas Tech University, Anna Goolsby hails from Sussex, New Jersey. Anna currently serves on the AQHYA Executive Committee and has worked as Mix N’ Mingle and International Committee chairwoman. During her time as an AQHYA national officer, she assisted in expanding AQHYA’s global connections, identified opportunities for outreach and promoted AQHYA programs to her fellow Region 5 members. Outside the Association, Anna is active in different sectors of the Texas Tech campus, including being a member of the TTU Pre-Nursing Association and the TTU Masked Rider Field Safety team. She has also worked as a volunteer EMT. This year, Anna is focusing her campaign on inspiring fellow AQHYA members to be confident and courageous. She would also like to encourage youth leaders in different regions to step up and get involved in their affiliates.

Following a year as an AQHYA national officer, Adrianna is running for Region 5 director, national officer and the AQHYA presidency.

Brody Marshall

Brody Marshall from Gloucester, Virginia, is a sophomore in high school. He currently serves as the Virginia Quarter Horse Youth Association president and has done so for the past two years. He is active in the horse show community and enjoys volunteering at those events. As president of VQHYA, he has helping with fundraising and expanding his leadership skills. Outside the industry, Brody serves at his church and works at homeless shelters. During his first year campaigning for a leadership position, he would like to work on creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and enjoys their time spent in the Association and would specifically like to create a podcast to inspire his peers.

In his first year, Brody is running for Region 5 director.

Caroline Wisniewski

A college freshman from Glassboro, New Jersey, Caroline Wisniewski is studying diagnostic medical sonography. This past year, she served as a Region 5 director while also serving as New Jersey Quarter Horse Youth Association president and social media committee chair; she served as the NJQHYA treasurer the term before that. In the industry, Caroline has worked as a barn manager for the past three years. As she works toward re-election, she would like to hone in on her social media skills to help promote her region. Caroline would also like to work on the region’s financial situation to boost efficiency and fundraise for their annual leadership conference.

Caroline is seeking re-election as a Region 5 director.

Lauren Goolsby

Lauren Goolsby is from Sussex, New Jersey, and is a junior at Vernon Township High School. She is currently serving as an AQHYA Region 5 director. Lauren also currently serves on the Public Policy Committee, is the host on the AQHYA Region 5 website and New Jersey Quarter Horse Youth Association vice president. 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 has participated in several school sports. In her re-election campaign, her focus is shifting toward unity not only regions, but nationally. Growth is important, but without a strong sense of cohesion, an expanding group can quickly become fragmented. To foster greater unity, she proposes we have better management of our social media platforms like TikTok with increased posting that is tailored to engage the younger portion of our audience.

Lauren is campaigning for re-election as a Region 5 director and national officer.

Region 7

Brylee Leach

Hailing from New River, Arizona, Brylee Leach is an incoming senior at Cactus Shadows High School. Brylee spent the past two years as an AQHYA Region 7 director and served on the International Committee. She also served as the Arizona Quarter Horse Youth Association president for the past two years. 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 the Students Preventing Unintentional Drownings project and works with her church to feed the homeless in her community. During her re-election campaign, Brylee has several goals that she would like to achieve by first engaging directly with members to get a full understanding of what they would like to see in AQHYA. From there, she would like to make the change necessary to not only gain new members for the Association but also get more involvement at events with current members.

Brylee is running for re-election as a Region 7 director and for a national officer position.

Jack Kimes

Jack Kimes is from Scottsdale, Arizona, and is a sophomore at Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center Paradise Valley. He is currently serving as Arizona Quarter Horse Youth Association treasurer. He has led the proposal, creation and implementation of most of the fundraisers in the AzQHYA since September. He also has participated in calcuttas to help increase donations to AzQHYA. Recently, Jack has noticed a lack of youth involvement in Region 7. So, this year, he would like to work to improve youth member experiences by increasing youth involvement. Outside of AQHYA, he is involved in his local FFA and the National Reined Cow Horse Youth Association. Jack has the goal of being able to make a lasting impact and be able to help others in one way or another, be it through setting up a scholarship or helping someone in person with a horse.

Jack is seeking election to a Region 7 director position.

Kamryn Perkins

Kamryn Perkins is from Prescott Valley, Arizona, and a sophomore at Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center. She is currently serving as the AQHYA Region 7 director and has served as the Arizona Quarter Horse Youth Association vice president and treasurer. Kamryn has also served as a Youth World Show committee member and a Youth Excellence Seminar Skits Committee member. Outside of AQHYA, she has participated in softball where she learned the value of perseverance, time management and working toward a common goal, even under pressure. Kamryn is campaigning to represent fellow youth members, promote youth involvement and contribute to the growth of the American Quarter Horse industry. In her re-election campaign, her goal as an AQHYA director is to continue growing as a leader, horseman and role model. She wants to step outside her comfort zone, take on new challenges and learn from the people around her.

Kamryn is campaigning for re-election as a Region 7 director.

Madison Renfro

Hailing from Finley, California, Madison Renfro is a junior at Kelseyville High School. She has served as the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Youth Association president and vice president twice. She would like to describe her work ethic as very motivated and driven. She focuses very well under pressure and strives to always do her best. She has done everything from cleaning up the parks with her 4-H club or helping with canned food drives in FFA. Through PCQHYA, Madison has done fundraisers to support scholarships and help get other local youth more involved. She is also the junior representative for the Lake County Fair, ensuring it stays alive and runs smoothly every year.

Madison is running for election as a Region 7 director.

Region 8

Jake Hutson

Jake Hutson is from Douglass, Kansas, and is a sophomore at Douglass High School. He served as the Kansas Quarter Horse Youth Association president and vice president, as well as a fundraising director. He has also served on the Youth Excellence Seminar Mix N’ Mingle/Dance Committee and the Youth World Show Committee. His motivation comes from a strong desire to prepare himself for the future and take every opportunity to better himself. Jake is driven by the goal of achieving success and creating opportunities for personal growth and improvement. Jake’s focus is service. He contributed his time to the Salvation Army Clothes Closet and Food Bank, helping to support individuals and families in need. He has also set up Christmas lights at a senior center to bring joy during the holiday season. As a candidate for AQHYA director, Jake believes it is time to celebrate the full spectrum of youth involvement, not just the show results.

Jake is running for re-election of Region 8 director.

Maccey Standridge

From Stillwater, Oklahoma, Maccey Standridge is a junior at the Insight School of Oklahoma. She is currently serving as a member of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Youth Association board of directors. Her motivation for running for a director position is to increase the number of youth participants in her region and in AQHYA as a whole. Her goal is to make every participant at shows feel welcome. As someone who only shows in one discipline, she has struggled to feel connected with other youth members. She is a collaborative person and understands that running a horse show, barn or equine organization requires people to work together for the common goal. Philanthropy is woven into her family history just as much as horses are. For the past two years, she has been a weekly volunteer at Turning Point Therapeutic Riding Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Maccey is running for election as a Region 8 director.

Trent Boegner

Trent Boegner hails from Stephenville, Texas, and is a freshman at White Horse Christian Academy. He is currently serving as the Texas Quarter Horse Youth Association reporter and has served as a TQHYA director in the past. He views himself as a dedicated and hardworking person who takes pride in getting things done right. Trent’s family taught him the importance of doing things with honesty. One of the biggest challenges Trent faced is when his family lost everything in a house fire. After that, he had to start over with a young horse and deal with the heartbreak of losing everything, making Trent realize how important it is to cherish every moment with his horse and to appreciate everything he owns. As an enthusiastic roper and rodeo athlete, Trent is excited about what AQHYA can do for young riders like himself.

Trent is running for Region 8 director.

Hozanah “Zanah” Hanon

From Mustang, Oklahoma, Zanah Hanon is a junior attending Mustang High School. She currently serves as an AQHYA Region 8 director. She is also serving as the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Youth Association president and has served as a OQHYA director for the past few years. She is motivated by her passion for helping others and creating a welcoming, inclusive environment. Her goals are to grow as a leader and encourage youth to get involved in the industry. She is dependable, always takes the initiative and approaches tasks with a positive attitude. As a leader, 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 running for re-election as a Region 8 director.

Region 9

Bethany Robertson

From Pulaski, Tennessee, Bethany Robertson is a sophomore at Acellus Academy. She 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 at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport and is an active member of the Middle Tennessee Ag Academy FFA chapter. In her first year running for a leadership position, Bethany would like to focus on increasing education and outreach at both the regional and state levels. She would like to empower her region by increasing education, awareness and engagement through multiple platforms.

Bethany is running for a Region 9 director position.

Eva Jane Jones

Eva Jane Jones is a freshman at Arkansas Connections Academy from Romance, Arkansas. She currently serves as the Arkansas Quarter Horse Youth Association first vice president and has served on her region’s Pancake Breakfast and Youth Activities Committees. As an ArQHYA member, she assists with small-fry events and in organizing youth events. For her first campaign, Eva Jane would like to highlight that riding horses is much more than a sport – it is a way of life. By bringing young people together, she believes you can organize charity events and fundraisers and bring the community together.

In her first year of campaigning, Eva Jane is running for a Region 9 director position.

Harley Jo Jones

From Romance, Arkansas, Harley Jo Jones is a junior at Arkansas Connections Academy. She currently holds a spot as an AQHYA national officer and is in her fourth term as Arkansas Quarter Horse Youth Association president. She also serves on the Region 10 Community Service and Stage Crew committees. Harley Jo volunteers at her church’s children’s program through teaching Sunday school while also organizing exciting events for the youth of ArQHA shows. During her presidential campaign this year, Harley Jo wants to focus on positivity, empathy and inclusivity. She would like 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 is running for re-election as a Region 9 director and national officer as well as the AQHYA presidency this year.  

Laura Leigh Eady

Laura Leigh Eady is from Lawrence, Mississippi, and a senior at Newton County High School. She is currently serving as the Mississippi Quarter Horse Youth Association first vice president and as a Region 9 director. She has served as the first and second vice president for MQHYA. Throughout her AQHYA, MQHYA and FFA journey, she has faced many challenges that tested her resilience. Whether it was facing one of her biggest fears of public speaking, learning how to balance multiple leadership roles or working through the many setbacks in equestrian-related competitions, Laura Leigh kept going forward and pushed herself to be better. Through her election campaign, her goal is to empower youth by meeting them where they are, whether it is an FFA chapter, 4-H clubs or other youth organizations. She aims to help them realize how much they can truly achieve through AQHYA and the agriculture industry.

Laura Leigh is campaigning for election as a Region 9 director.

Madelyn MacLarren

Madelyn MacLarren is from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and is a junior at Rutherford County Virtual School. She is currently serving as a Region 9 director. She 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. Madelyn has big aspirations for herself, as someone who hopes to be in this industry for the rest of her life, one of her main goals is to be the best, well-rounded horsewomen in all things that she does, including riding, horse care, education, supporting others and much more. She is also involved in psychology and photography clubs outside of AQHYA.

Madelyn is running for re-election as a Region 9 director and a national officer position.

Taylor Breland

Taylor is from Philadelphia, Mississippi, and is a sophomore at Leake Academy. She is currently serving as a Region 9 director. She has also served as the Mississippi Quarter Horse Youth Association president since 2024. Taylor also served as the MQHYA second vice president and recording secretary. She has served on the AQHYA Public Policy Committee and the Youth Excellence Seminar Skit Committee. Taylor thinks that competing under pressure has taught her to maintain her composure, allowing her to excel in everything she does. The goal is to have a firm foundation for current and future members. She volunteers at the Equestrians With Disabilities Show each year, allowing her to see the impact horses have on the lives of children and adults who have mental or physical disabilities. She hopes that by explaining the importance of AQHYA board members and the role they play in the future of our Association, young members have a better opportunity for them to pursue a leadership role.

Taylor is running for re-election as a Region 9 director and a national officer position.

Region 10

Camdyn Evans

Camdyn Evans is from Seneca, South Carolina, where she is a homeschooled sophomore. Camdyn is currently a voting delegate for the Georgia Quarter Horse Youth Association, while also being on their Scrapbook Committee and Outreach teams. Outside of the affiliate Association, she operates her own cottage baking business and has worked as a customer service representative at a boutique in her hometown. As she runs for an AQHYA leadership position for the first time, her vision includes more involved membership, especially at the regional level. She would like to establish a newsletter to inform her peers about the upcoming events and involvement opportunities within the Association; she would also like to create an outreach program for the new small-fry class to encourage more involvement there.

In her first year of campaigning, Camdyn is running for Region 10 director.

Virginia "Gracie" Sater

Hailing from Canton, Georgia, Gracie Sater is a junior at Creekview High School. 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. During her re-election campaign, Gracie would like to focus on AQHYA being more accessible so that more young people can benefit from the opportunities and programs available to them. She also believes that maintaining a strong social media presence specific to young people will encourage more people to become AQHYA members.

Gracie is running for re-election as a Region 10 director.

Region 11

Alejandro Mier Diaz

Hailing from Tequisquiapan, Mexico, Alejandro Mier Diaz is a junior at Colegio Real de Querenda, S. C. He currently serves as an AQHYA Region 11 director and attended the Youth Excellence Seminar last year through the international travel grants that were offered. While working as a director, Alejandro organized the first Region 11 youth seminar in Mexico and travelled to Panama to represent AQHYA at the David International Fair. He is team captain of his flag football team and is goalie for his soccer team. Alejandro has many accolades in the reining pen. During his re-election campaign, he plans to continue to strengthen AQHYA’s presence in Latin America and increase awareness of AQHYA’s programs in those areas. He would also like to organize an expanded version of the Region 11 youth seminar.

Alejandro is running for Region 11 director and an AQHYA national officer position.

Emma Louise Schmidt

From North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Emma Louise Schmidt is a freshman at Theodor-Heuss-Gymnasium Radevormwald. In the show pen, Emma has seen success in ranch riding and has been an AQHYA member since she was 7. Outside the Association, she has volunteered at her local fire department, as a swimming instructor and as a lifeguard at the lakes and beaches near her home. As she runs for election for the first time, Emma would like to inspire others to believe in themselves and their potential, grow as individuals and build a supportive international AQHYA network.

In her first-year campaign, Emma is running for election as a Region 11 director.

Luis Carlos Ruiz

Luis Carlos Ruiz is from Chihuahua, Mexico, and is an eighth grader at the Bilingual Private School. He aims to promote leadership, horsemanship and inclusivity while inspiring other young equestrians across regions. Luis describes himself as really motivated by his passion for rodeo and his dream of going to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. His work ethic shows in his dedication at rodeos and jackpots. He dedicates a lot of time training hard for team roping, tie-down roping, ribbon roping and chute dogging. Luis is running his campaign on the foundation of one of his biggest challenges, which is how far we must travel just to compete. He wants to bring that concern to the leadership team and work on ways to help youth from remote areas to participate and feel included, such as through scholarships, mentorship programs or regional events.

Luis is running for election as a Region 11 director.

Megan Waugh

Megan Waugh is from Fort McMurray, Alberta, and is a sophomore at Westwood Community High School. She has served as the Alberta Youth Quarter Horse Association vice president for two consecutive terms. She has faced some obstacles along the way, like staying organized during busy times or pushing through moments of self-doubt but she learned to overcome them by staying disciplined, asking for help when she needed it and reminding herself of why she started. Megan has learned how to juggle school, showing, horses and travelling while maintaining her honors student status. She works at Deseries Performance Horses helping with the daily care of elite show horses in the summer. Megan is running her campaign aiming to establish an inclusive environment and community she wishes to experience herself.

Megan is running for election as a Region 11 director.

Silvia Lesmes

Silvia Lesmes is from Boyacá, Colombia, and is a sophomore in high school. She served as a director for the Colombian Quarter Horse affiliate. She considers herself an active person with leadership skills who is willing to help and support others in need; she enjoys being a group leader. She has big goals including improving and competing in national and international events to represent her country. Since Silvia took on the role of director, she has contributed to the growth and organization of their youth members. She has supported children in their competitions by being part of their team and guiding them.

Silvia is running for election as a Region 11 director.