The AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program (YHD) showcases the stock being bred and raised by AQHA Ranching Heritage members by matching donated weanlings with AQHYA members. Youth in this program are engaged in the horse industry at a fundamental level that is both fun and educational.
Participating Ranching Heritage breeders donate young horses for Young Horse Development participants to raise and train. Young horsemen and women learn responsibility and goal-setting, important components of horse ownership - and life skills that can follow them for years to come. Encouraged by good fun, as well as key education in the horse industry, youth learn to raise and train their weanlings.
About the Young Horse Development Program
Developing Horsemanship Skills
Through the Young Horse Development program, AQHYA members 13 years and older receive a hands-on horse training opportunity focusing on the fundamentals of horsemanship. The program is not only an excellent educational experience, it is also a lot of fun! Prizes and scholarships are at stake. Participants can showcase the skills and knowledge they have acquired for chances to win scholarships and awards.
Prioritizing Equine Wellness
Throughout the program, participants further their knowledge in horse health by prioritizing equine wellness. Participants are encouraged to help ensure their horse’s health by working closely with a veterinarian outlining key aspects of horse health care to help build a solid foundation of equine wellness for both the horses and youth members. To help the weanlings excel in both health and performance, participants can record veterinary wellness exam details, including core and risk-based vaccinations.
Program Details and Deadlines
The priority application deadline for the 2026 program will be August 15, 2025, and the late application deadline will be October 1, 2025. Apply by the priority deadline for the best chance of admission into the program and the most likely match with a horse closest to your home. Participants may be selected and matched with horses any time after August 15, with the majority being selected and matched with horses October through December 2025.
Youth can participate in the Young Horse Development Program with a donated foal or purchasing a Ranching Heritage bred foal from a recognized AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder.
Program Application and Record Book
To assist with gathering application materials and preparing answers, view the 2025 program application preview here.
To learn more about the application process and program, view the Young Horse Development Frequently Asked Questions resource.
To learn more about program requirements and guidelines, please view the 2025 YHD Program Record Book.
Ranching Heritage Breeder Weanling Donation Form
2024 Scholarship Winners
In first place, earning a $2,000 scholarship and custom belt buckle from Montana Silversmiths is Audrey Moody of Sour Lake, Texas, with her filly, Olena Outlaw. Olena Outlaw is a 2023 bay filly by Shiney Outlaw and out of TRR Olena Iron by TRR Big Iron. Moody participated in the 2024 program with “Mocha,” who she obtained through private treaty after her application acceptance.
Second place goes to Lindsey Thomas of Henry, Nebraska. She receives a $1,500 scholarship and a Justin Boots gift certificate. Thomas worked with Rafters Golden Cisco, a 2023 palomino gelding by Mi Cisco Frost and out of Firewater Seville by Firewater Time. Rafters Golden Cisco was bred and donated by the Open Box Rafter Ranch in Faith, South Dakota.
Megan Sagner of Chugwater, Wyoming, was third with her filly, Frenchman Lady Drift. The 2023 buckskin filly is by Flit Drift and out of French Angel Lady by Frenchmans Mr Tuff. The filly was bred and donated by the Open Box Rafter Ranch in Faith, South Dakota. Sagner receives a $1,000 scholarship and a $100 Wrangler product gift certificate.
Fourth place goes to Madeline Spreeman of Ithaca, Nebraska. She receives a $500 scholarship and a $100 Wrangler product gift certificate. Spreeman worked with Driftininthelimelite, a 2023 sorrel gelding by Driftin Pep San and out of Concho Socks by Cee Heart Concho. The filly was bred and donated by the Open Box Rafter Ranch in Faith, South Dakota.
In 2024, 28 youth participated in the Young Horse Development Program. The program was highly competitive, and the excellence achieved by participants was impressive. In addition to recognizing the four scholarship winners, AQHYA would like to acknowledge youth placing fifth through tenth in the program. These individuals will be awarded a rosette from AQHYA.
5. Ethan Hartman of Greenville, Ohio with Jak Ms Pocofrost 715 bred by Oleen Brothers of Dwight, Kansas
6. Reata Mullins of Clinton, Iowa with SQH Fancyfreckles 23 bred by Schofield Quarter Horses of Philip, South Dakota
7. Joelle Schneider of Rodney, Michigan with Top Hit Boon bred by Clark Farms of Hustontown, Pennsylvania
8. Reagan Dockery of Creswell, Oregon with Given The Chance bred by Brackett Livestock, Inc. of Rogerson, Idaho
9. Hozanah Hanon of Mustang, Oklahoma with Jae Bar Jewel Smart bred by Lance Most of Ogallala, Nebraska
10. Sarah Nemechek of Goodland, Kansas with Sara Jos Task 1126 bred by Harlan House of Goodland, Kansas
We would like to extent a special thank you to all of the Ranching Heritage Breeders who donated weanlings to the 2024 Program:
Bagley Performance Horses, Brackett Livestock Inc., Clark Farms Quarter Horses, Durrett Cattle Co., Hal Bogle Estate, Harlan House, K T Ranch, KT Cattle Co., Lance Most Quarter Horses, O RO Ranch, Oleen Brothers, Open Box Rafter Ranch, Perry Quarter Horses, Schofield Quarter Horses, St. Clair Farms, Waters Ranch, West Brothers Inc., Wetz Stirrup Ranch, and Woodworth Ranch.
2025 Program Participants
The following AQHYA members are participating in the program for 2025:
Addison Saterbak of St. Paul, Minnesota; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Schofield Quarter Horses of Philip, South Dakota
Allyson Estep of Bellville, Texas; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Waters Ranch of Utopia, Texas
Avery Jacobs of Valdosta, Georgia; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Daniel Gardner of Hapersville, Alabama
Bentley Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona; Ranching Heritage Breeder: O RO Ranch of Prescott, Arizona
Brody Clement of Clarendon, Texas; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Seven L Ranch of Sunray, Texas
Ella Stevens of Cocolalla, Idaho; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Red Canyon Ranch of Forsyth, Montana
Ellah Chesick of Rogersville, Missouri; Ranching Heritage Breeder: St Clair Farms of Kahoka, Missouri
Ellie Dykstra of Pella, Iowa; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Open Box Rafter Ranch of Faith, South Dakota
Ellie Haasis of Foxboro, Wisconsin; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Raymond Sutton Ranch of Gettysburg, South Dakota
Emily Lakey of Maryville, Tennessee; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Private Treaty
Evelyn Patrick of Phoenix, Arizona; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Bogle Brothers LLC of Dexter, New Mexico
Garrett Kane of LaCrosse, Washington; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Flat Creek Ranch of Rogerson, Idaho
Jake Huston of Douglass, Kansas; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Open Box Rafter Ranch of Faith, South Dakota
Jaxon Caldwell of Stirling, Alberta, Canada; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Schofield Quarter Horses of Philip, South Dakota
Jessi Petrin of Weatherford, Texas; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Durrett Cattle Co of Wildorado, Texas
Kenna Feland of Spanish Fork, Utah; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Shawcroft Performance Horses of La Jara, Colorado
Kylie Huff of Mishawaka, Indiana; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Box O Quarter Horses of Gordon, Nebraska
Lily Stanton of Ardmore, Oklahoma; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Bagley Performance Horses of Dimmitt, Texas
Lily Kate Plummer of Clyde, North Carolina; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Clark Farms Quarter Horses of Hustontown, Pennsylvania
Makeila Eserjose of Snohomish, Washington; Ranching Heritage Breeder: KT Ranch of Connell, Washington
MaKinlee Christensen of Hyrum, Utah; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Mill Iron S Ranch of Kyle, South Dakota
McKenzie Moon of Neola, Utah; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Wetz Stirrup Ranch of Vale, South Dakota
Olivia Garvin of Yonges Island, South Carolina; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Private Treaty
Piper Hall of Surprise, Arizona; Ranching Heritage Breeder: KT Cattle Inc. of Amado, Arizona
Piper Jones of Seymour, Iowa; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Open Box Rafter Ranch of Faith, South Dakota
Robert Culwell of Louisville, Mississippi; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Waters Ranch of Utopia, Texas
Rowan Myers of Anacortes, Washington; Ranching Heritage Breeder: KT Ranch of Connell, Washington
Sarah Wamsley of Laketown, Utah; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Woodworth Ranch of Alliance, Nebraska
Savannah Hanson of Pikeville, Tennessee; Ranching Heritage Breeder: The Daube Company of Ardmore, Oklahoma
Taebyn McGinley of Rozet, Wyoming; Ranching Heritage Breeder: Open Box Rafter Ranch of Faith, South Dakota
Weston Proctor of Tyler, Texas; Ranching Heritage Breeder: L C Ranch of Crockett, Texas