One of the most significant changes at the AQHYA World Show this year was adding 13&U classes to the mix of classes offered.
Many in the industry love the move because it provides the younger children the ability to compete and do well at the World Show level, while others think it takes away from the prestige of winning an AQHYA World Championship. In the past, it has taken some exhibitors many years to win a globe.
We talked to several individuals in the industry from trainers to exhibitors to get their thoughts about adding these classes.
Let us know what you think by voting in the poll at the end of the article.
Charlie Cole – I have mixed emotions about it. I am a fan of tradition, and the Youth World is a show I have loved and competed at since I was 14 years old. Winning an AQHYA World Championship or an AQHA World Championship has always been a sought-after and elusive award in the horse show world. Something that you strived and worked so hard to achieve but not everyone got to win a world championship. Jason (Martin) nor I achieved a Youth World Championship, but this caused us to work harder and push ourselves harder to ultimately win our first World Championships. Now, the show has added not only the level 2 but also the 13&U at the AQHYA World Show, so there are many more World Titles to be awarded. I think that it takes away a bit from the elusiveness and prestige of winning a world title even though I believe those winning have worked incredibly hard to achieve that success. That being said, our industry has changed so much in the last 20 years, we use to haul for state and national High Point titles, now, it seems everyone is geared towards the World Shows. The numbers at the AQHYA World are more prominent than ever, and it also allows for kids to show in multiple classes and divisions which I believe makes the traveling and competing more worthwhile for most kids and families. So, I guess I think it’s for the best to have added the 13&U to help promote our kids to the fullest of our ability.
Missy Thyfault – I think it’s a great idea to include that younger age group as they are the future of AQHA. In times past as a trainer, it was hard to convince a client that spending the money and time coming to the Youth World was a productive idea when they knew how slim the opportunities were for them to compete against the kids at the top of the age group. I don’t think it takes away from the older kids for the younger kids to have their division to recognize the top kids in that age group. The main complaint I have heard is from people wishing they had had the same opportunity for their kids in previous years which I can understand. However, I love it and the Level 2 additions.
Taylor Searles – Growing up without 13&U made me work harder to strive to make the finals and win a globe. I believe that not having it made me a better rider because I had to compete with kids much older than me. I also think that there are 13& Unders out there that can compete with the older youths because in the past, there have been many world champions that have been young, myself included. In fact, the world and reserve champion in the jumping this year was 13&U. I love that 13&U’s are being recognized, but I think it should be done in an 18&U class.
Farley McLendon – My grandfather, GA director emeritus Harry Mullins and several of the older gentleman lobbied for this years ago. I think it’s great. We need kids to help promote this industry. I’ve witnessed a ton of younger kids here to show. All are excited and working hard to achieve their goals.
Sarah Finkel – I like that the 13&U are getting recognized and a chance to do well and compete against people closer to their spotlight. I think it encourages younger kids to come to the Youth World and have a better chance of having success here. In my personal opinion, I think the person with the highest score in the class, regardless of the age group, should get the globe, that way the globe remains the most prestigious award in our competitions. I support separating the 13&U competitors and giving them the recognition they deserve for all their hard work.
Carey Nowacek – I understand that AQHA is trying to get more numbers for the world show. I do like including the 13&U. What does make me a little sad is that they are giving globes to the 13&U kids just as they do for the regular Youth, Amateurs and Open. Striving to get a globe is what keeps everyone wanting more and working hard at this sport. I think by naming the 13&U a world champion and giving them that coveted globe takes the will to work hard year after year away. Why would a 13&U want to keep coming back if they have already “gotten that globe” that everyone is working toward? To me, it takes away from the World Champion if more that one person receives that title in one event, no matter the age divisions. I agree to create recognition for the youngsters, but maybe let’s not give them something that people work 18 years for.
Jessica Braswell – I think it’s a great thing. It gives exceptional 13&U kids a chance to compete with youth their age. Is pretty tough to ask an 11-year-old kid to compete with an 18-year-old in the horsemanship for example. It’s not to say it can’t be done, but I do feel like making this change has opened a lot of opportunities for some 13&U that may not have considered going to the world show until now because they thought they could not meet their goals in all age as it was before. Now, they may believe that they have a more of a chance of reaching their goals.
Gentry Cherry – I have two opinions. I love it for the fact that it makes so many little kids happy that they get a chance to get a little higher in the placings, but then again, I don’t like it at the same time because all of us kids that are aging out never got that option. We just had to toughen up and go with the big kids. But overall, I’m glad it makes little kids happy.
Hayley Riddle – I love the change. I think it will give younger exhibitors the chance to get a globe or make the finals. If they can do good as a 13&U here, it will make them want to come back and not feel as scared or nervous competing with the 14-18 riders. I think the number of exhibitors will be higher as well, and it has already shown in the number of entries, stalls, RV spots and people in general. I’ve been coming here for seven years and I’ve never seen this many people. I love seeing the younger riders walking around and riding with smiles on their faces.
Jennifer D’Onofrio – I love it and appreciate it. The looks on the faces of these young kids when they are rewarded for great performances is priceless. It will keep their fire burning well into their 14-18 years. I think the increased number of 13&U entries speaks for itself. The future of the industry looks brighter because of this change. Hats off to the sponsors and AQHYA for the commitment and a much-needed change that will benefit the industry for generations to come.
Emma Brown – I do think it is an excellent opportunity to allow the 13&U to have a chance. I do, however, still think it was cool when I was younger looking up to the older kids who could win that “globe” and thinking I can’t wait to work hard and be just like them someday. I believe that the 13&U takes away from that perspective a little bit.
Lily Richardson – I love it. It allows the 13&U to be competing against people more their age and to be in the spotlight. Sadly, last year was my last 13&U year, but I would have loved competing in a 13&U class. There are quite a few 13&U girls in Washington that came to the world show this year, and I asked them how they felt about the new change. They all said how much they like it. They thought that they have more of an opportunity to shine and to show off their skills and connection with their horses. Although I wasn’t able to experience the 13&U classes at the world show, I’m so excited that the incoming 13&U’s get to compete with the same level of competitors.
Emily Maul – I think that it is cool to have a 13&U division at the Youth World. However, I believe it should be classified as the L2. They should give out trophies, not globes. Like the L2s, the 13&U riders should have the option to show in the L3 14 to 18 to have the opportunity to get that globe. For example, in 2015 when I won the golden globe in Trail, I was a 13&U rider and had to compete against all the older competitors. There is a sort of satisfaction that comes with showing against all the youth exhibitors that make winning or placing high special. There should only be one gold, silver and bronze globe handed out to the overall youth rider that had the best pattern for that class. It keeps the prestigious aspect of the Youth World.
Andrea Kail – I love it. I think it’ll make the Youth World bigger. As a horse trainer, you have to be realistic about taking a 13 &U to the world show. It’s so much pressure, and they’re showing against 18-year-olds which puts them at an extreme disadvantage. With the new age bracket, it makes it a lot more appealing to take a younger kid that can show against other kids their age, and closer to their experience level. I’m a big fan.
Melissa Shetler – This is a fantastic change. All year long the kids compete in separate age groups and then in previous years had to come here and compete together. It never made any sense. I think splitting the groups gives the younger kids a better opportunity to be showcased at the world level. It’s apparent that it was a success. The number of 13&U riders is quite large this year.
Ellexxah Maxwell – I enjoy the new 13&U classes. As an exhibitor who has been to the world show several times as a 13&under, I think this is a great confidence booster for new riders. I have to say I’m a little jealous we didn’t have this opportunity, but I guess AQHA is on the right track with giving some incentive to the future 14-18 riders and horse trainers of the industry.
Kristy Starnes – Yes, it is a nice change as the 13&U kids can now actually compete with their group. It has always been a struggle for young kids to succeed at the Youth World in the past. It’s nice to see them on a level field.
Michaela Darroh – I feel it’s best to be split. There is a massive range of ability and experience between the ages of the 13&Under and 14-18. I think it’s best to give the younger and growing horseman a chance to have their own time to shine without the older horseman with more experience cutting them out of the spotlight.
Emma Garcia – I think it’s been an excellent change because it allows more people to have a chance to compete and be competitive to get a globe. It’s made the 14-18 classes smaller, but they are still a great size, and it gives everyone a chance to win and come home with a prize. It makes the Youth World more inviting to the younger competitors.
Sara Koster – I think it is an excellent opportunity for the 13&U to compete at the world show and not have to go against the older kids, but I do consider giving them a globe takes away how special it is to win a globe.
Sydnie Ochs – I love the classes being split, but I think if you do it for some classes you have to do it for all the classes. My brother is showing in the heading and the healing, and there is not 13&U for his class, and he is 11 having to show against 18-year-olds.
Jentry Shandley – I’m not a fan as it takes away from how big of a deal it is to get a globe. In the 13&U, the class sizes were about half of the Level 3, and it just felt weird to have two world champions for a class. It seems like it has brought in a lot of new exhibitors though and has given them an opportunity to shine within competition that is their age and level.
Matthew Siefker – To an extent, I like the change. Granted, this is my first year attending the world show, but I like the idea because more will participate to level the playing field for 13&U and 14-18. I do, however, feel that if they are going to award globes for the 13&U classes, they should for all of the classes. For example, the western riding that runs congruent with the 14-18 the 13&U is awarded small prizes. I feel if they were to do this, it would be fair for those 13&U’s who only compete in these events. On another note though, I think that they should have split the Level 2 instead of the Level 3 because many have worked hard to be at the top in the Level 3, and they have missed this opportunity for two world champions in these events. I like the idea of there only being one world champion instead of two, but I love the initiative from AQHA to increase their numbers.
What do you think? Vote in our poll and let us know.
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