American Quarter Horse Youth Association members were invited to participate in contests at the AQHYA World Championship Show, August 2 - 11 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. Through horse judging, speech, art and photo, scrapbook, boots and jeans decorating, stall decorating and team spirit contests, members are increasing their equine knowledge, as well as developing skills that will last a lifetime.

Horse Judging Contest

The 2024 AQHYA World Championship Horse Judging Contest hosted over 140 youth with an increase in teams competing compared to last year. New this year, the horse judging contest included a 13-&-Under division.  Also new to this year’s contest, the AQHYA World Champion 14-18 high-point individual and AQHYA World Champion 14-18 high-point team both received a coveted gold globe trophy for their success, thanks to the efforts of the AQHYA board of directors and the generous support of AQHA leadership. The contest was held at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City.

Texas Quarter Horse Youth Association Elite 1 took home the title of AQHYA horse judging world 14-18 team champions. The 14-18 individual high-point title was awarded to Madison Chaloupka from TQHYA Elite 1.

The AQHYA Horse Judging 13-&-Under Champions were TQHYA Elite Jr., with team members Keltyn Arnold, Callie Beach, Coree Constable and Carter Arnold.  The 13-&-Under individual high-point title was awarded to Kate Bormann from Kansas Junior 4-H.

Juliah Studer of Ohio secured the limited-division individual title.

View the full contest results.

Art and Photo Contest

13-&-Under Division

• First place: Dakota Honea with “Tired Out”

• Second place:  Kayla Dawson with “Perspective”

• Third place: Rylee Fischesser with “Need a Little Snack”

• Fourth place: Kayden Fischesser with “Always Looking the Best”

• Fifth place:  Kayla Dawson with “Getting Down”

14-18 Division

• First place: Emerson Knabenshue with “Cowboys and Mountains”

• Second place: Ellie Sliss with “Tools of the Trade”

• Third place: Madilyn Rider with “Sally”

• Fourth place: Jenna Fischesser with “The Ranch”

• Fifth place: Abbigail Norton with “Piece #3 - Untitled”

Scrapbook Contest

Division One

• First place: Oklahoma

• Second place: Texas

• Third place: Indiana

• Fourth place: Ohio

Division Two

• First place: Washington

• Second place: Tennessee

• Third place: Oregon

• Fourth place: Missouri

• Fifth place: Kansas

Speech Contests

Prepared Speech

• First place: Grace Spooner

• Second place: Lana Brickey

• Third place: Madison Chaloupka

• Fourth place: Emma Popp

• Fifth place: Juliah Studer

Impromptu Speech

• First place: Lana Brickey

• Second place: Madison Chaloupka

• Third place: Grace Spooner

• Fourth place: Chloe Hansen

• Fifth place: Wade Kiser

• Sixth place: Sydney Sherman

• Seventh place: Juliah Studer

13-&-Under Public Speaking

• First place: Coree Constable

• Second place: Gentry Spooner

• Third place: Keltyn Arnold

• Fourth place: Callie Beach

• Fifth place: Madi Kelly

• Sixth place: Marissa McDermott

• Seventh place: Makenzie Clodfelter

• Eighth place: Emilee Yost

• Ninth place: Sophie King

Justin Boots and Wrangler Jeans Decorating Contest 

Justin Boots Contest

• First place: Ohio

• Second place: Tennessee

• Third place: Florida

• Fourth place: Texas

• Fifth place: Washington

Wrangler Jeans Contest

• First place: Ohio

• Second place: Tennessee

• Third place: New Mexico

• Fourth place: Florida

• Fifth place: Texas

Stall Decorating Contest

Division One

• First place: Indiana

• Second place: Oklahoma

• Third place: Arizona

Division Two

• First place: New Mexico

• Second place: Kansas

• Third place: Washington

Team Spirit Awards

Division One

• First place: Texas

• Second place: Ohio

• Third place: Indiana

• Fourth place: Florida

• Fifth place: Oklahoma

Division Two

• First place: Tennessee

• Second place: New Mexico

• Third place: Washington

• Fourth place: Kansas

• Fifth place: Kentucky

About the AQHYA World Show
The AQHYA World Championship Show is the world’s largest single-breed world championship horse show open exclusively to youth exhibitors 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 Level 1 Champion of Champions classes. 

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