Sierra of Hydro, Oklahoma, is the 2019-2020 AQHYA president. She attends Oklahoma State University, majoring in animal science.  Sierra is determined to inform all youth of the networking, showing and educational benefits of AQHYA, and continues to work to increase membership by coordinating with other equine youth organizations.

Justin of Rocheport, Missouri, is a high school junior and is serving as the 2019-2020 AQHYA first vice president. His focus is on developing a deeper engagement of members in the Association. Justin strives to educate AQHYA members on current equine-related public policy issues and what they can to do to help.

Claire of McAllen, Texas, is the 2019-2020 AQHYA second vice president. The high school junior is also serving as the Texas Quarter Horse Youth Association president. Her primary goal is to promote contests and programs outside of the arena, such as the National Racing Experience and Young Horse Development Program. Claire believes these programs will help build the association by gaining more members.

Delaney of Omaha, Nebraska, is a 2019-2020 AQHYA executive member. She is a member of the Nebraska Quarter Horse Youth Association and attends Northeast Community College. Delaney’s focus is on retention of current AQHYA members, in addition to educating all AQHYA members about the opportunities available to them.

R.J. Shepard III of Harrington, Delaware, is an AQHYA executive member for 2019-2020. He is the Delaware Quarter Horse Youth Association president and a freshman at Delaware Technical Community College. R.J.’s goal is to improve the relationships within AQHYA, starting with more communication. He feels that social media is the quickest and most direct form of communication and should be transparent and positive.

Isabella of Snoqualmie, Washington, is serving her third term as Region 1 AQHYA director. She is a junior at Mount Si High School. This year, her goal is centered around educating members and nonmembers about the importance of animal welfare. Isabella strives to make members feel comfortable and welcome at all AQHYA events.

Kendalyn of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a Region 3 director and the Iowa Quarter Horse Youth Association point secretary. The high school junior is working to help increase participation within the membership. Her goal is to see more events outside of the arena at horse shows that enable the members to get to know each other better. Kendalyn believes these relationships will help strengthen the organization.

Curtis of Indianola, Iowa, is a Region 3 AQHYA director, the IQHYA treasurer, and a sophomore in high school. He has a strong passion for the Young Horse Development program and is committed to promoting and encouraging more youth to be involved with the program. Curtis also believes that additional resources should be used in areas where there are more nonmembers, such as alliance organizations, to grow AQHYA’s membership.

Emma, a high school senior from New Virginia, Iowa, is a AQHYA Region 3 director and the IQHYA secretary. Her vision for AQHYA is to create a welcoming environment for new members by equipping experienced members with leadership skills. Emma is working to use social media to educate and inform members about AQHYA programs and opportunities.   

Alexa of Springfield, Ohio, is a Region 4 AQHYA director who serves as the Ohio Quarter Horse Youth Association secretary. The high school sophomore is committed to making opportunities in AQHYA more accessible for new members. Her goal is to create a place for everyone to communicate and share advice about AQHYA. Alexa also plans to reach out to members of other equine youth organizations to grow AQHYA.

Courtney, a high school junior from Huber Heights, Ohio, is an AQHYA Region 4 director and the reporter for her state affiliate. She is focused on promoting AQHYA to youth who are involved in other organizations with similar purposes in mind. Her goal is to set up booths at local fairs and at other organizations’ conventions and conferences. She believes that with members promoting AQHYA in the other organizations, AQHYA will grow its membership.

Natalie of Huber Heights, Ohio, is an AQHYA Region 4 director and a director for OQHYA. The high school senior wants to increase the community service involvement of all members. She believes this will help bring out determination and enthusiasm, while engaging members. She is passionate about promoting teamwork and public service to unify the equine industry.

Morgan of Kirkville, New York, is serving a second term as Region 5 AQHYA director. The high school junior is also the New York State Quarter Horse Youth Association president. She is working to reach out to all youth members to guide and inspire them to work together for the benefit of AQHYA. She believes this work produces better communication, as well as the expansion of AQHYA’s reach to nonmembers.  

Trinity of Slatington, Pennsylvania, is serving her third term as an AQHYA Region 5 director. The high school junior is focused on encouraging nonmembers to join and have better communication throughout all national and international affiliates. Trinity’s goal is to promote scholarships and other opportunities AQHYA offers to youth, even those who don’t ride.

Rylee of Camden-Wyoming, Delaware, is serving as a Region 5 AQHYA director. The high school sophomore is also the secretary for the Delaware Quarter Horse Youth Association, and her goal is to increase youth membership in AQHYA, specifically in the Delaware affiliate. Rylee is looking to start more local programs for horse lovers that are not involved in showing, so that more youth are included.

Cheyenne of Salt Lake City, Utah, is an AQHYA Region 7 director. The high school senior is also vice president of the Utah Quarter Horse Youth Association and the ranch horse representative. She is working to increase membership and increase member involvement at events. Cheyenne strives to promote leadership and help teach members about the importance of sportsmanship at shows.

Alexis of Tucson, Arizona, is serving her second term as a Region 7 AQHYA director. Along with that, she is the vice president of the Arizona Quarter Horse Youth Association and a high school senior. Her goal is for all members to be able to interact with each other, regardless of where they are from. Alexis continues to find ways to reach out to other equine enthusiasts and connect the equine industry.

Millie of Pilot Point, Texas, is an AQHYA Region 8 director. She is a high school junior and a Texas Quarter Horse Youth Association director. Millie is driven to grow AQHYA, while still appreciating the current members. She realizes just how much time it takes to show horses, so she is working to ensure that every member enjoys other events outside of the arena.

Lauren of Eaton, Colorado, is a AQHYA Region 8 director, and she is also vice president of the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Youth Association. Lauren made it her goal to remove stigmas toward others in the equine industry and promote personal growth. The high school senior wants to let members know about other disciplines they may not be involved with, in hopes of creating more unity among youth members.

Sidney of Jonesboro, Arkansas, is a AQHYA Region 9 director. The high school junior is also the Arkansas Quarter Horse Youth Association treasurer. Sidney’s goal is to bring more awareness to the scholarships available through the American Quarter Horse Foundation. She is passionate about teaching other youth about AQHA through 4-H and FFA events.

Spencer of Olive Branch, Mississippi, is serving as a Region 9 director for AQHYA. The high school sophomore is also first vice president of the Arkansas Quarter Horse Youth Association. Spencer is striving to help youth who are not involved or active in AQHYA to learn about the benefits it has to offer, and expand the Association even more.

Steve of Benton, Louisiana, is a AQHYA Region 9 director and is vice president of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Youth Association. The high school sophomore wants to see affiliate members reach out into their communities, promote more social opportunities during horse shows and participate in more events offered by AQHYA. Steve is passionate about helping grow AQHYA and creating a stronger organization.

Sydney is a high school senior from Harrisburg, North Carolina, serving her second term as an AQHYA Region 10 director. She is president of the North Carolina Quarter Horse Youth Association. Her goal is to encourage diversity and membership growth. Sydney recognizes that a more diverse membership means there are more diverse ideas and ways of thinking that could benefit AQHYA.

Blakely of Covington, Georgia, is a AQHYA Region 10 director and first vice president of the Georgia Quarter Horse Youth Association. The high school sophomore’s main goal is to create a comfortable environment for new youth members, so that more youth will want to be AQHYA members. She believes it just takes small gestures to make an impact on each new member’s experience.

Victoria of Conyers, Georgia, is a high school junior and a AQHYA Region 10 director. This year, she hopes to help increase AQHYA’s membership numbers. To attain her goal, Victoria is working to build relationships with other equine associations that have not had any prior experience working with AQHYA. She also believes teamwork is the key to creating a positive dynamic within AQHYA.