UPDATE: GoHorseShow talked to youth exhibitor Gabi Salamone who was on the Pacific Coast team that won and we wanted to share her thoughts with you about her experience.
My NYATT experience was definitely a great one! Arizona does not have a team, so I was honored to be invited to show for PCQHA. I showed in showmanship and got fourth place in hunter under saddle. Being a part of a team was fun; instead of just showing to win, we were also trying to get points for our team. It’s definitely enriching to root for a whole group of people, especially since we’ve all known and shown against each other for years. NYATT is a great way for competitors work together to win instead of against each other. I definitely love the whole concept of NYATT and I’m glad I got to be a part of it!
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After a full day of competition, the results of the 2011 Congress National Youth Activity Team Tournament are in!
This year’s tournament was comprised of 76 teams and more than 475 youth from around the country and the world. Many contestants competed throughout the year to earn a spot on their regional association’s NYATT team. Teams must consist of a minimum of four youth members and a maximum of 12 members, with no more than two members competing in each of the NYATT classes, which are Showmanship, Western Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Reining, Hunter Under Saddle and Barrel Racing.
“This is one of the biggest team tournaments we’ve had, especially in recent years,” said Don Recchiuti, Ohio Quarter Horse Association Director, and Chairman of the NYATT Committee. “We moved the NYATT to Sunday last year, and I think that’s really helped it grow.”
Teams began the competition at 7 a.m. on Sunday, October 23 in Cooper Arena with Showmanship, which had 140 entries. Beginning at 8 a.m. in the Celeste Center was Reining, with 42 entries. Held at the same time in Coliseum was the 57 Barrel Racing entries. Western Horsemanship, Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle followed Barrels with 133 entries, 119 entries and 120 entries respectively.
Following the competition, all the 2011 NYATT teams filed into the Coliseum for the final awards presentation, which included a trailer giveaway won by Northern West Virginia Quarter Horse Association team member Sydney Whorral!
Below are the final placings for the 2011 Congress National Youth Activity Team Tournament:
1st – Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association with 32 points
2nd – Michigan Great Lakes Quarter Horse Association with 29 points
3rd – Texas Quarter Horse Association with 23 points
4th – River Cities Quarter Horse Association with 20 points
5th – Ohio Quarter Horse Association with 19 points
6th – Missouri Quarter Horse Association with 18 points
7th – Ontario Quarter Horse Association with 16 points
8th – Kentucky Quarter Horse Breeders Association with 13 points
9th – West Virginia Quarter Horse Association with 12 points
10th – Land of Lincoln Quarter Horse Association with 10 points
Congratulations to all youth who competed in this year’s Congress National Youth Activity Team Tournament!
