AQHYA Leadership Team

AQHYA President Sydney Sargent

Serving as the 2023-2024 AQHYA President is Sydney Sargent from Paris, Kentucky. She is also acting president for both National Snaffle Bit Youth Association and the Kentucky Quarter Horse Youth Association. Her roles in AQHYA have included Region 4 director, executive committee member, and World Cup leadership team. Sydney is dedicated to growing and sustaining our youth membership, she intends to use the concept of “Plus One” to help grow membership. The idea behind “Plus One” is to invite those who share our passion for the American Quarter Horse to become active members of AQHYA.

First Vice President Abigail Eddy

Abigail Eddy, from Rocheport, Missouri, is the 2023-2024 first vice president. She currently serves as president of the Missouri Quarter Horse Youth Association along with being a public policy committee member. Abigail plans to strengthen and support AQHA affiliates by increasing communication between AQHYA officers and directors, affiliate presidents, and youth advisers. She proposes that the boosted relationships will grow membership and participation with the Association. Her goal is to strengthen out affiliates through leadership workshop sessions and breakout rooms during the Youth Excellence Seminar.

Second Vice President Jaymee Carruth

Jaymee Carruth, of Stonewall, Mississippi, is serving as the 2023-2024 second vice president. She has held the titles of director, secretary, vice president, and president of MQHYA and as a Region 9 director for AQHYA. Jaymee volunteers at local open horse shows, the Dixie National Livestock Show, helps coordinate the MQHYA annual youth horse show and works as a liaison at Equestrians with Disabilities Horse Show in Jackson, Mississippi. She firmly believes that it is not the situation that defines us, but how we recover from a setback – a belief she hopes to instill in her fellow AQHYA members. Serving on the youth board has given Jaymee a sense of purpose and passion helping build the youth Association.

Executive Committee Member Hazel Myles

Hazel Myles, of Moberly, Missouri, is serving as a 2023-2024 executive committee member. She currently serves as the Missouri Quarter Horse Youth Association vice president and as an AQHYA Region 3 director. Her former titles include MoQHYA reporter and director at large. Hazel’s vision for the future of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association is inspired by her belief that involvement with American Quarter Horses has a beneficial impact on youth development: improving work ethic, physical and emotional health, professional skills, and other valuable attributes.

Executive Committee Member Colton Smith

Colton Smith is an upcoming Sophomore at Calvary Christian School in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He plays on the golf team and is involved with the ski club and yearbook. Colton is currently the Vice President of the Ohio Quarter Horse Youth Association and Region 4 Director. This past year he represented AQHA at The Equine Affaire, helped with multiple Region 4 team building functions and was part of an outreach project, Way to Battle Pups, and is involved with his local food bank and clothes drives.

Region 1

Mallie Olson

Mallie Olson of Hillsboro, Oregon is serving her second term as a Region 1 director for 2023-2024. She is currently the vice president for the Oregon Quarter Horse Youth Association and the secretary for the Washington State Quarter Horse Youth Association. Mallie has also served Oregon Quarter Horse Youth Association as secretary and treasurer as well. As most youth follow the lead of people that inspire them, she wants to display good horsemanship, raising the chances of more youth that will also display good horsemanship.

Taitum Connick

Taitum Connick from Eagle Point, Oregon and is serving as a 2023-2024 Region 1 director. She is currently involved in 4-H, the Oregon Quarter Horse Youth Association, the AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program, and AQHYA. Taitum serves as club president for Rafter T Riders 4-H group, director for the Jackson County Youth Horse Committee, and as a director for OrQHYA. She hopes to promote AQHYA programs, increase communication throughout her region, and provide education on the multitude of careers in the industry during her term.

Region 2

Ada Hirschfeld

Ada Hirschfeld, of Kearney, Nebraska, is serving as a 2023-2024 Region 2 director for a second year. She has held titles such as AQHYA Region 2 director and Nebraska Quarter Horse Youth Association secretary. During her term as a director, Ada plans to increase AQHYA membership through outreach programs to local 4-H clubs and FFA chapters in her region teaching them about AQHYA and the many programs it has to offer. While building new memberships, she will also be hard at work with the program closest to her heart – Equestrians with Disabilities. Ada hopes to add EWD classes to her affiliate’s show bringing equestrians together through a rewarding experience.

Region 3

Hunter Skouby

Hunter Skouby, of Hartsburg, Missouri, is serving as a 2023-2024 Region 3 director. He is involved in many extracurricular activities such as baseball, FFA, 4-H, National Reining Horse Youth Association, Missouri Quarter Horse Youth Association and AQHYA. Hunter serves as MoQHYA executive director membership chair and has won titles such as MoQHYA Rookie of the Year. Greatly benefitting from a peer mentorship when he was first becoming involved with AQHYA, Hunter would like to implement welcoming entry-level opportunities for attendees and return the mentorship gift for those becoming involved with leadership.

Region 4

Elizabeth Smith

Elizabeth Smith, from Burton, Michigan, is serving her second term as a Region 4 director for the 2023-2024 term while also serving on the board of directors for the Michigan Quarter Horse Youth Association. She hopes to focus on the youth members that might not have a horse and endorse the many programs such as AQHLearn, horse judging, leadership, and Youth World Show contests. Elizabeth plans to encourage youth to get involved while promoting the opportunities provided through the various youth programs that do not need a horse.

Jenna Fischesser

Jenna Fischesser, from Dry Ridge, Kentucky, is serving as a 2023-2024 Region 4 Director. She has held leadership positions such as Student Council secretary, KyQHYA reporter and director. Jenna has competed and won titles in various AQHYA competitions and Youth World Show contests such as photography and scrapbook – expanding her involvement in the industry outside of the arena. Through multiple initiatives, she wants to make this Association the best it can be and let others be influenced by the great people in it. Jenna believes that an Association is only as good as its members and AQHYA has the best, and that needs to be shared.

Layni Wills

Layni Wills, of Richwood, Ohio, is serving as a 2023-2024 Region 4 director. She is actively involved in Student Council, National Honors Society, FFA, Northern Ohio Quarter Horse Association, Southern Ohio Quarter Horse Association, Ohio Michigan Indiana Quarter Horse Association, Ohio Quarter Horse Association and AQHYA. “Where there’s a Wills, there’s a way,” is Layni’s personal motto she will carry during her term as director. Layni strongly believes that she will find the way to bridge the gap between AQHYA and youth agricultural organizations by leading the groups' members to work together building memberships, creating a competitive environment, and setting common goals.

Region 5

Adrianna Goolsby

Adrianna Goolsby, from Sussex, New Jersey, is serving a second year as a Region 5 director for the 2023-2024 term. She has served as a director for AQHYA Region 5 and as an international committee member along with being vice president, secretary, and reporter for NJQHYA. Using the slogan “one person, one step,” Adrianna wants to share her experience making an impact as one person that has strengthened her motivation and confidence to take that one step. Additionally, one of her main goals is to expand our outreach and gain more awareness to AQHYA, not only inside but also outside of our youth members.

Lauren Goolsby

Lauren Goolsby, from Sussex, New Jersey is serving as a 2023-2024 Region 5 director. She has been a member of NJQHYA since 2015, serving as reporter for NJQHYA and has also attended AQHA Region 5 and 6 Youth Leadership Conference. Her vision is to increase the exposure of AQHYA in the Region 5 horse community. As a Region 5 Director, she would like to unify our members by closing the gaps between the state affiliates.

Region 7

Brylee Leach

Brylee Leach, of New River, Arizona, is serving as a 2023-2024 Region 7 director. She is involved with her local affiliate, the Arizona Quarter Horse Youth Association serving as the treasurer for the past year. Brylee’s personal mission statement is "To provide a welcoming community for youth to share their love of the American Quarter Horse." With this front of mind, she hopes to be an inviting and approachable face at industry and AQHYA events demonstrating leadership by example.

Region 8

Charylet Lee

Charylet Lee, of McAllen, Texas, is serving a second term as a Region 8 director for the 2023-2024 year. She is involved in her 4-H club and currently serves as president along with serving as a board member and as treasurer for the Texas Quarter Horse Youth Association. Charylet intends to implement an assertive communication plan that harnesses the power of social media platforms, emails, and personalized notes to connect with our members. She also plans to utilize incentives to encourage our current members to actively participate in recruiting new members and sharing success stories of former and current AQHYA members – promoting the Association and educating potential members.

Emily Stamper

Emily Stamper, from Plainville, Kansas, is serving as a 2023-2024 Region 8 director. She has served as the vice president and president for the Kansas Quarter Horse Youth Association along with being a member on the AQHYA youth world show committee. As a Region 8 director, Emily plans to encourage and attract youth riders to show at affiliate shows. Her goal would be to highlight members and hoe that are achieving success as the affiliate level. She wants all youth who love to ride horses, join AQHYA and enjoy it as much as she does, making her fall in love with showing and the American Quarter Horse all over again.

Milana Rowe

Milana Rowe, from Loveland, Colorado, is serving as a 2023-2024 Region 8 director. Staying busy with student council and varsity sports, and local shows, she has also actively shown with AQHA for the past five years. Being a director allows Milana to represent the mission of AQHA by being a spokesperson who shares the purposes and objectives of AQHYA. She believes the power of verbal and nonverbal communication with others is key because it not only reiterates these standards, but allows her to be a role model to others. Bringing first-hand experience of the amazing organization, Milana wishes to share the experiences, become multipliers and encourage continued involvement even after her and her fellow youth careers.

Region 9

Carrie Brigham

Carrie Brigham, from Clanton, Alabama, is serving as a 2023-2024 Region 9 director. She is involved in many associations such as Youth Equestrian Development Association, North American Saddle Mule and Donkey Association, Interscholastic Equestrian Association, 4-H, the Alabama Quarter Horse Youth Association and AQHYA. Carrie has served AlQHYA as director, treasurer, and on the horse show committee. Her goal as director would be to host educational opportunities virtually with industry professionals and partners as well as informative meetings on upcoming projects or leadership opportunities. Additionally, she would work with our other regional directors to host an annual in-person regional conference as a way to connect with our regional membership, brainstorm growth opportunities and develop our future national leaders.

Harley Jo Jones

Harley Jo Jones, of Romance, Arkansas, is serving as a 2023-2024 Region 9 director. She is serving a second consecutive term as the Arkansas Quarter Horse Youth Association president and has served as the vice president as well. Harley Jo plans to build on her platform of “horses and dreams” by encouraging youth to take the chance to pursue their dreams. She would like to help fellow youth members make their dreams of being involved with AQHYA, becoming a regional director, or even the next AQHYA president come true!

Taylor Breland

Taylor Breland, from Philadelphia, Mississippi, is serving as a 2023-2024 Region 9 director. She is active in the National Beta Club, Student Council, the Louisiana Quarter Horse Youth Association, the Mississippi Quarter Horse Youth Association, and AQHYA. Taylor has held the title of recording secretary for MQHYA and is currently second vice president for MQHYA. Her goal is to give back to AQHYA, because it has given so much to her, teaching patience, kindness, and humility. Firmly believing the youth in this Association are the future leaders of the nation, Taylor hopes that all members can experience the wonderful opportunities provided by AQHYA that will help them excel in the future.

Region 10

Natalie Anderson

Natalie Anderson, from Washington, Georgia, is serving her second term as a Region 10 director for the 2023-2024 year. She has been a member of the National Snaffle Bit Association and AQHYA for seven years and is heavily involved in both. Natalie is an active board member and director for NSBYA along with a director for AQHYA Region 10. She values maintaining the integrity of the American Quarter Horse while believing in the importance of promoting AQHYA and AQHA by hosting fun activities to get people of all ages involved and interested in learning more about the Association and participating in the variety of programs offered.