Pushing American Quarter Horses is part of the job.

A screen shot from a 2010 Ford Youth World video produced by AQHYA directors Edwin "E" Gaffney and Marcus Mann. (Scroll down for the Journal slide show for August 2.)

The American Quarter Horse Youth Association has more than 30,000 members, internationally, and it’s the job of 25 elected youth officers and directors to represent them. AQHYA is broken down into 11 regions, and each region can elect three directors.

“It’s our job to act as a liason between youth at the regional level and the national level,” says Edwin “E” Gaffney of Aurora, Colorado; he’s an AQHYA director from Region 8. “What we want to do is help connect the local to the national (AQHA) as best as we can and keep people informed.”

Officers and directors play a major role in AQHYA and their own state affiliates, planning events, doing community service projects and showing horses.

“We travel a lot,” says Marcus Mann of Scio, Oregon, an AQHYA Region 1 director. “We go to horse shows, meet people and give awards. I tell people who I am and ask them if they need help with anything.”

“I don’t think people realize how much stuff is involved,” “E” adds. “Even if you don’t see us, we’re always working. I’ve got five states I’ve got to work with.”

The officers and directors also help out at the Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show – giving out awards and helping to run events and contests at the show. “E” and Marcus volunteered to help the American Quarter Horse Journal capture video coverage of the 2010 Ford Youth World. [Their videos are in the Journal’s Behind the Scenes show coverage.]

They also spread the word about the fun they have with American Quarter Horses.

“E” started riding at age 9, initially in 4-H. He has shown in halter, reining, trail, western riding and showmanship. He has won three AQHA youth world championships in impromptu speaking, prepared speech and team demonstration (with his sister, Julia). Marcus has been an AQHYA member for 11 years and shows in halter, roping and western pleasure; when not hanging out with horses, he shows beef cattle and wrestles.

New officers and directors are elected annually in June at the Youth Excellence Seminar and AQHYA Convention at AQHA headquarters in Amarillo, Texas. YES isn’t just about the semantics of AQHYA – it’s also a chance for the future leaders of the American Quarter Horse industry to attend personal workshops and learn from inspirational speakers and sports psychologists, such as United State Equestrian Team coach Daniel Stewart.

Learn more about AQHYA and how you can get involved.

The American Quarter Horse Journal is in Oklahoma City for the Ford Youth World’s online coverage. Check out the slide show below (click on each photo to see the caption).

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Christine Hamilton
Editor, The American Quarter Horse Journal