The Tennessee Quarter Horse Association is excited to announce that TQHA and some affiliates are offering an All-Inclusive $100 Novice Youth and Youth Fee. The fee includes: stall, entry fees into any novice youth or youth classes, drug fees and office fees.
TQHA will offer this $100 All-Inclusive Youth Fee at the following shows:
- March 6-8 March Celebration Circuit, Harriman, Tennessee
- April 17-19 Country Music Circuit, Harriman, Tennessee
- May 23-24 Hillbilly Circuit, Harriman, Tennessee
- June 25-28 Dogwood Classic, Harriman, Tennessee
- September 18-20 TQHA Circuit, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
“The youth numbers have continued to decline in our organization over the past several years. In fact, in 2014 we were not able to elect youth officers or give out the youth sportsmanship award because we didn’t have enough youth attend our convention/banquet,” says Jennifer McGrath, first vice-president of TQHA. “Last week I presented to the TQHA Board and asked them for their support. I told them that I think the reason for a lack of youth exhibitors is the cost. I attended the 2014 North American Show where the all-inclusive fee is $75 and there were 53 entries in Novice Youth Showmanship and 17 in 13 & Under Western Pleasure. The majority of exhibitors seem to be a local exhibitor who may only show at this one quarter horse show each year. Those are the exhibitors we need in our association.”
“This may not give our association immediate paybacks,” McGrath states. “However, I told them that when I was growing up I attended our one local quarter horse show that had an all-inclusive fee because it was affordable. Most parents have more than one child and when you split the money between kids and different activities there is less to be spent on showing Quarter Horses.”
McGrath continues, “Just as AQHA has introduced www.takemeriding.com and the Quarter Horse Congress is offering a full-range of Small Fry classes, it will take our entire AQHA organization to ensure that youth continue engage in our American Quarter Horse Shows. They are the future of our organization. Thanks again to the TQHA board and our membership for their support.”
