The 2024 AQHYA World Championship show starts on Friday and youth from all over the globe are gearing up for their time in Oklahoma City. A handful of lucky competitors will walk through the Gateway of Champions and their lives will never be the same. To relive some cherished moments, we asked current and former youth exhibitors, “What is your favorite memory from the AQHYA World Championship Show?”
Jamie Radebaugh – My favorite memory of the Youth World was in 1994 when it was still in Fort Worth, Texas. I was 15 at the time. My youth horse got hurt the year prior, so I started showing my oldest sister’s horse, How D Amos. It was our first year together, and I struggled with him because he was a bigger, hunt-seat-type horse for his time. We got better all year and finally clicked. This was back when many people were DIYers, including myself, and we kept the horses at home. Equitation was my class with Amos. Youth World finally came, and I won the Equitation that year. I remember I had so much confidence going out there, and it all fell into place. So many friends—my mother, grandparents, and sister—were there for me. It’s a memory that I’ll never forget.
Evie Doles – When I won the Level 3 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle in 2023. I had dreamed of winning a gold globe since I was 11, attending my first youth world with my homegrown mare, Easter Tillie. I had watched countless winners achieve their dreams at the World Show, and I promised myself that that would be me one day. In 2022, I was the Reserve World Champion in the Level 3 Hunter Under Saddle, and that was my first globe. I was over the moon, but I knew that I still wanted to reach my goal of winning. My trainers, Chris and Melissa Jones, knew I could do it and pushed me always to be my best. When the announcer called my horse, If Im Honest, and me as the winners, I couldn’t believe it; I instantly started sobbing. I was so proud of us as a team and for achieving my goal in my last youth year.
Ellie Royal – My favorite memories have come from the past year, Youth World 2023. Going into that show, I felt very confident in my horse and very excited. Winning the L2 Showmanship felt like a dream come true, and that will always be my favorite memory surrounding horses. There is something so special about waiting as they count down placings, the stress you feel because you want it so badly, and the realization of winning. The moment feels like no other. Youth World 2023 also holds my funniest memory because the day after I had won the L2, I tripped in the L3 Showmanship prelims, falling completely to the dirt. While not so fun at the moment, I can look back and laugh every time I think of it. We still joke about it today, which made that show as memorable as possible!
Emma DeJong – My favorite youth world memory was from 2020. It was the year I won my first globe. I won the 13 & Under Level 3 Hunt Seat Equitation with my horse Just Call Me Lazy. It was one of my favorite memories of showing horses.
Laura Holliday – When I made the L3 Showmanship finals at the 2023 AQHYA World Championship show. This meant a lot to me because it was the first time my horse, Too Lazy To Hunt, and I had made the finals in a Level 3 class. It showed that all our hard work and dedication paid off, and I was so proud of how far we had come. Showmanship has always been one of my favorite classes, and it was very fulfilling to see us be successful among the best of the best.
Jessica Baird-Divine – I have so many incredible memories from the Youth World, which makes it so hard to pick a favorite. In 2007, I showed Assigned With Love, “Emma,” in the Youth Showmanship and made the finals. Our pattern for the finals felt pretty good, but after I came out of the arena, Melissa (who is always there to give feedback) never came out. As I stood outside in the warm-up pad in the blazing hot sun, I kept seeing trainers running down the steps, sharing with their clients how excellent their patterns had been, and all I could think was, “I must have messed up!” As it played out, I won the class—a core memory!
Natasha Replogle – I went to Whataburger with my family at 1 AM after I was Reserve World Champion in the L3 Western Riding. The class went very late, so Whataburger was the only place open after the awards ceremony. After that exciting night, that was the best Whataburger I’ve ever had!
Good luck to all competing this year!
