Every two years, American Quarter Horse youth riders have the chance to vie for international fame at the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup. At the 2016 Youth World Cup in Tamworth, New South Wales, 13 teams of riders from across the globe will compete June 23 – July 3 for the chance to take gold medals back to their home countries.
Five youth members and a coach or manager make up the teams from each country. American Quarter Horse Youth Association members representing their home countries will take part in 11 days of educational seminars, specific discipline clinics, leadership training and competition. Five additional youth from each country also are invited by each international affiliate to attend the education and leadership portion of the week’s events.
The 2016 Team USA members are:
• Rider: Austria Arnold of Terrell, Texas
• Rider: Calley Huston of Argyle, Texas
• Rider: Ellexxah Maxwell of West Mansfield, Ohio
• Rider: Brock Murphy of Jackson, Missouri
• Rider: Haley Riddle of Gainesville, Texas
• Leadership/Rider Alternate: Sydney Hoffa of Massillon, Ohio
• Leadership/Rider Alternate: Ann Tebow of Piedmont, Oklahoma
• Leadership: Teri Dawn Haws of Tooele, Utah
• Leadership: Madelynne Herlocker of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Leadership: Charles Lee of McAllen, Texas
• Team Manager: Dawn Forest of College Station, Texas
Throughout the competition, each country will ride for gold medals in cutting, reining, horsemanship, ranch riding, trail, hunt seat equitation, hunter under saddle and showmanship.
To level the playing field, competing Youth World Cup team members do not show their own horses. The host country provides each team’s horses for clinics and competition. The American Quarter Horse Association relies heavily on AQHA Professional Horsemen and owners to supply this event with the best American Quarter Horses around.
For more information on the 20th American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup, visit www.ywc2016.com.
