CQHA seeks Team Canada Youth Members
for 2012 AQHA Youth World Cup 

(Carberry, MB - September 22, 2011) ---  A major initiative of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA) is to co-ordinate and field a team to represent Canada at biennial American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth World Cup competitions. Each participating country may select up to five youth team competing riders, two alternate riders and three non-competing youth to represent their country.

The host country provides a pool of horses of various ability levels and the teams draw to determine the horses to be ridden. Two to three members of each team compete in Western Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Western Riding, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Showmanship, Trail, Reining and Cutting classes. Funding for travel expenses for Team Canada is cost-shared by AQHA/CQHA, provincial/regional Quarter Horse Associations, corporate and/or individual sponsors, and team members' families.

Team Canada was one of 16 countries who participated at the 2010 American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. We were very proud of Team Canada, who brought home individual gold, silver and bronze medals, and as a team finished sixth overall. 

Our 2010 Team Canada youth members were: Kennedy Almas, Hagerville, ON;Sarah Connors, Fredricton, NB; Paige Carter Fleetwood, St. George, ON; Danielle Olafson, Edmonton, AB; Elizabeth Priest, St. Pierre, MB; Deejay Reid, Sherwood Park, AB; Jasmyn Rivait, Orillia, ON; Rianna Storey, Cambridge, ON; Morgan Shipka, St. Albert, AB; and Amanda Thomson, Oil Springs, ON. The 2010 Team Canada Coach and Team Manager were Scott Neuman, Billings, MT and Karen Lobb, Edmonton, AB, respectively.

The next AQHA Youth World Cup is scheduled to be held from July 21 to July 29, 2012 in Kreuth, Germany. The CQHA is actively seeking qualified youth from all across Canada, who are Canadian citizens, Canadian residents, members-in-good-standing of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA), Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA), and the provincial/regional Quarter Horse Association where they reside.

Youth who are interested in applying as potential candidates (as riders and/or non-competing members) for the 2012 Youth World Cup Team Canada must apply by October 31, 2011 (postmark). To obtain the 2012 team selection criteria and application package, please visit the CQHA web site or contact the CQHA president (contact information at top of this page).

Remember, if you are a current AQHA or AQHYA member-in-good-standing, you are eligible to be a CQHA member for NO extra membership fee in 2011. However, you must identify yourself to CQHA. You may do so by logging on to the CQHA web site and submit your membership information on-line, or by contacting the CQHA President (contact information at the top of this page) to request the membership form be sent to you by Canada Post or by fax.

                        
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