Youth Horse Enthusiasts Gather for 33rd Annual National Youth Horse Leaders Symposium
Youth horse enthusiasts from across the country gathered in Lexington, Kentucky for the 33rd Annual National Youth Horse Leaders Symposium on March 19 – 21, 2010. Volunteers, teens, industry professionals and other youth horse enthusiasts participated in roundtable discussions, attended lectures and arena sessions, networked and honored leaders in the youth horse industry. "With attention focused on Kentucky this year due to the World Equestrian Games, it seemed logical to hold AYHC's 33rd National Youth Horse Leaders Symposium in Lexington,” says Rich Wilcke Director of the Equine Industry Program at the University of Louisville and AYHC Treasurer and symposium host. “We had a wonderful meeting and I'm very pleased that we were able to give our horse folks an opportunity and an excuse to visit the Bluegrass during this historic year."
The weekend started with two fabulous pre-conference tours. The day kicked-off with a visit to Legendary Equine Establishments around Lexington including TBA. This tour was sponsored by AAEP. The second tour was to the Youth Festival at the Kentucky Horse Park which was sponsored by Equus/Equine Network.
A full weekend of educational sessions and activities geared specifically at the teen leaders made it a great event for young horse enthusiasts to meet peers from across the country. The youth participated in a variety of activities throughout the weekend including learning how to do Body Condition Scoring of Horses, watching demonstrations from the UKY Polo Team, Gypsy Vanner Horses, Tennessee Walking Horses and more! The enthusiastic and talented youth in attendance show that the future of the horse industry is in very capable hands!
Other attendees enjoyed the incredible networking with youth leaders from far and near during the roundtables. Speakers on three tracks shared their knowledge of Event Tips, Loss of Land for Horses, Horseless Horse Clubs, The Necessity of Cross-Training the Horse and Rider and much more. Attendees were treated to arena demonstrations at the new indoor arena at the Kentucky Horse Park site of the 2010 World Equestrian Games coming this fall. They got to see RFD’s Horse Master Julie Goodnight do Tips for Teaching Group Lessons, the US Mounted Games Team and the Lexington Mounted Police Unit.
The American Youth Horse Council extends sincere thanks to all those who helped make the event a great success, with special thanks to our hosts, The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville – Equine Industry Program. Make plans to join us for the 34th Annual National Youth Horse Leaders Symposium to be held in Lansing, Michigan March 11 – 13, 2011.
AYHC CORPORATE SPONSORS
American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation
Animal Welfare Council óEQUUS/Equine Network óJunior Master Horseman
PLATINUM SYMPOSIUM SPONSORS
American Quarter Horse Youth Assoc. ó Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Assoc.
University of Louisville - Equine Industry Program
GOLD SYMPOSIUM SPONSORS
HORSECITY.COM ó Purina Mills ó Storey Publishing
SILVER SYMPOSIUM SPONSORS
American Paint Horse Association ó Certified Horsemanship Association
North American Equine Ranching Information Council ó WRANGLER
BRONZE SYMPOSIUM SPONSORS
Cornell University/New York State 4-H Program
Pennsylvania State University Equine Science Program
National High School Rodeo Assoc. ó PA 4-H Horse Program Dev. Committee
AYHC is the umbrella organization providing encouragement, communication,
leadership & resources to serve and promote the youth horse industry. Visit www.AYHC.com <http://www.ayhc.com/> or call 1-800-TRY-AYHC to find out how you can become involved.
